Nuuk
Nuuk is a small capital with painted houses, fjord views and hiking from the edge of town, suited to travelers who want Greenland's daily life without a remote-island pace.
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Nuuk is the capital of Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. It sits on the island's southwest coast, where the Nuup Kangerlua fjord opens out. The town began in 1728 as a Danish colonial settlement founded by the missionary Hans Egede, and today it is the country's main center for government, schools and air links. Its wooden houses, many painted in bright colors, climb the hillsides above the harbor.
Most trips here center on the outdoors. Hiking trails start close to town, and boat trips on the fjord reach icebergs and the wider coastline. The Katuaq cultural center and the National Museum of Greenland cover local history and culture. Greenlandic is the main language, and Danish is widely spoken. Plan two to three days for the town and a boat trip, and more if you want long hikes or flights to smaller settlements. Summer, roughly June to September, is the easiest season for hiking and long daylight. Winter brings northern lights and snow-covered landscapes.
Nuuk in five
- Carry Danish kronerNuuk uses the Danish krone (DKK). Keep some cash for small shops and taxis, and check card use with your hotel before you travel.Money and costs
- Set up an eSIM before you landActivate an eSIM before you arrive so maps, flight updates and bus information load from the airport.Phones and eSIM
- Save 112 in your phone112 reaches police, fire and ambulance in Greenland. Nuuk is small, but help outside town can be far away.
- Book flights with a spare dayFlights to and from Nuuk depend on weather, so leave a spare day before any fixed connection. Check Air Greenland for schedule changes.Getting around
- Get insurance with evacuation coverCare beyond basic treatment in Nuuk may mean a flight to Denmark, so check that your policy covers medical evacuation.Travel insurance
Need to know
- Currency
- Danish krone (DKK)
- Entry
- Passport needed; Greenland is outside Schengen, so check entry rules before you fly Read more
- Emergency
- 112 police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Time
- UTC-2, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryDark, cold
- FebruaryDark, snow
- MarchSnow, longer days
- AprilSea ice, longer days
- MaySpring thaw
- JuneLong light
- JulyMildest, green
- AugustMild, clear
- SeptemberAutumn color
- OctoberCooling, dark nights
- NovemberFirst snow
- DecemberDark, cold
Right now in Nuuk
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
1
- Feels like
- -3°
- Humidity
- 86%
- Wind
- 14 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 27%
Nuuk
06:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today3°-4°27%Monday: Snow. High 3°, Low -4°. Chance of rain 27%.
- Tue2°-2°41%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 2°, Low -2°. Chance of rain 41%.
- Wed1°-2°18%Wednesday: Fog. High 1°, Low -2°. Chance of rain 18%.
- Thu1°0°64%Thursday: Rain. High 1°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 64%.
- Fri2°-2°87%Friday: Rain. High 2°, Low -2°. Chance of rain 87%.
- Sat-1°-2°64%Saturday: Snow. High -1°, Low -2°. Chance of rain 64%.
- Sun1°-2°45%Sunday: Snow. High 1°, Low -2°. Chance of rain 45%.
Updated 04:17 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 6.694 DKK
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- SermitsiaqAllow half a day or more on footA mountain above Nuuk with hiking trails and wide views over the town and fjord.Read the guide
- QoornoqBy boat; check the scheduleA small fishing village reached from Nuuk by boat.Read the guide
- KangerlussuaqBy air; check flight timesA flight hub with access to the inland ice and a drier, inland landscape.Read the guide
Before you go to Nuuk
Rules for Nuuk, checked
- Check passport and entry rules for Greenland on the Danish Immigration Service website before you fly.Source
- Declare plants, food of animal origin and pets on arrival, and check import rules before you pack.
- Before hiking outside town, tell someone your route and check the weather and sea ice conditions.
Plan around Nuuk
The island, its towns and travel by air
Read the guideGetting aroundFlights into Nuuk and local buses
Read the guideMoney and costsKrone, card use and typical prices in Nuuk
Read the guideWhere to stayHotels and guesthouses in and near the center
Read the guideVisas and entryEntry rules and what to check before you fly
Read the guidePhones and eSIMeSIM and mobile data for maps and bus times
Read the guideNuuk FAQ
Is Nuuk worth visiting?
Yes, for a few days. It is the capital, with a museum, a harbor and a cultural center, and it is a practical base for day trips around the southwest coast.
How many days do you need in Nuuk?
Two to three days covers the old harbor, the museums and a hike above town. Add a day if your flight leaves on a weather-dependent schedule.
How do you get to Nuuk?
By air. Air Greenland flies in, and there are no roads linking Nuuk to other towns in Greenland, so plan the flight first.
Where should I stay in Nuuk?
The city center suits most visits because the shops, cafés and the harbor are within walking distance. Nuussuaq is quieter and reached by local bus.
Do I need a rental car in Nuuk?
No. The town is small enough to walk, and taxis and local buses cover the rest. Greenland has no road network between towns for a car to reach.
What is the best time to visit Nuuk?
June to September, when days are long and temperatures are at their mildest. Winter is dark and cold, with snow from late autumn.