Nuuk Godthab

Walking over the hill from the steamer or cruise quay into town takes a full 30 minutes. Vessels longer than 100 m generally tender, although they occasionally use the dock.

Shuttle buses are supplied by most cruise operators.

Carry a printable map.

Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, combines old and new in a distinctly Greenlandic way. A short stroll from the attractive historic buildings of the colonial harbour reaches “the board,” selling the day’s seal, bird and fish catch. Further sights include award-winning Katuaq cultural centre, Greenland’s University, the 1849 cathedral and the National Museum, whose ancient Greenlandic history can occupy hours.

Meaning “The Cape,” Nuuk accurately describes its position at the end of a broad peninsula by the entrance to the dramatic Godthaab Fjord network.

No roads link Greenland’s towns, leaving aircraft and ships to provide all transport. The sometimes extreme Arctic weather creates demanding safety requirements that local transport companies meet fully. For shorter journeys beyond towns, residents use personal boats, dog sledges or snowmobiles.

A major fjord system beyond Nuuk is particularly suited to marine activities. Organised whale safaris approach the many humpback and minke whales found just offshore from early summer until autumn begins. Popular combined excursions fly by helicopter to the ice sheet and Norse remains, while boats visit settlements. The art museum and city council chamber are also recommended; large tapestries depicting Greenlandic culture and nature decorate the latter.

A walk from the Old Harbour’s 19th-century buildings and market, where hunters and fishers sell the current catch, leads into a modern centre filled with contemporary shops and young people wearing current fashions.

Greenlandic souvenirs are distinctive handmade artworks unlike anything available elsewhere in the world. Every product is shaped and designed by a Greenlandic artist, following tradition and custom while incorporating personal ideas and skills. While visiting, travellers therefore have many opportunities to find precisely the piece they want.

Many shops, restaurants and hotels accept cards, but bring a small quantity of Danish kroner because certain ATMs may be out of service during the weekend.

Visitors will probably understand absolutely nothing at all of spoken Greenlandic, known as ‘kalaallisut’, a name that means ‘the Greenlanders’ language’.

Danish functions more or less as a second language; English is less prevalent.

For Internet and e-mail access, bring a laptop. Hotspots have been installed in most major hotels, several of the larger towns have Internet cafés, and a number of tourist offices also let visitors check their webmail.

Greenland’s mobile network uses GSM 900/1800.

Supermarkets in larger towns generally trade weekdays from 10:00 to 17:30, remaining open Fridays until 18:00 and Saturdays from 09:00 to 13:00. Many towns also have grocers and corner shops with longer hours, including Sunday opening.