TravelTips24 : North America : Greenland : Western Greenland : Nuuk

Nuuk

Nuuk, [1] also known by its Danish name of Godthåb (Good Hope), is the capital and administrative center of Greenland, with a population of around 15,000 (about 1/4 the entire population of the country). The city is sometimes accused of being rather soulless, with many high-rise blocks.

Culture and History

Travel to Nuuk & Visa Requirements

There is absolutely no road or rail system connecting cities within Greenland. The only practical means to travel is by boat or air. On foot is less practical and far more strenuous, but somewhat plausible.

Flights and airtickets to Nuuk

Nuuk has one airport (IATA: GOH), which is located about 4 km northeast of town.

• Air Greenland [2] is almost the only airline that flies in and out of Nuuk, though there are also occasional charter flights from smaller Canadian airlines. In 2008, Air Iceland will open a new route to Reykjavik.

By boat

Arctic Umiaq Line has a passenger terminal to Maniitsoq-Sisimiut-Aasiaat-Uummannaq and Paamiut-Qaqortoq-Narsaq-Narsarsuaq.

Royal Arctic Line is the cargo-boat company.

Tours & Getting around Nuuk

Nuuk has a small bus company (Nuup Bussii A/S), or you can rent a car.

• Nuup Bussii A/S, ☎ +299 342 300(post@bus.gl, fax: +299 342 301), [3].  edit

Nuuk attractions and sightseeing

The old colonial town is located on the east coast side of the town center. Here you will also find the statue of Hans Egede, Hans Egede's House and church, the tourist office, the national museum and Santa Claus's post office and mailbox.

Brædtet, the board, is where fresh fish, seal and whale meat is sold.

Nuuk city tours

• Nuuk Snow Festival, [4].  edit
• Nuuk Marathon, [5].  edit

• Whale watching by boat.

• Helicopter ride to the inland ice, Norse ruins and kaffemik at a nearby village.

Several hiking routes start from Nuuk:

• An easy hike from the Circuslake around the mountain Little Marlene follows a marked trail.

• A unmarked trek goes up Big Marlene and offers a view over Nuuk from above. Parts of this trail is on mountain sides with large boulders or steep climbs up loose rocks.

Learn

• The University of Greenland (Ilisimatusarfik), Address, ☎ +299 324566(email@ilisimatusarfik.gl, fax: +299 324711), [6].  edit

• Nuuk Technical College, [7].  edit

• The Greenlandic School of Journalism, ☎ +1-(513)-555-5555, [8].  edit

• The College of Education (Ilinniarfissuaq), ☎ +299 321191(ilinnia@teachnet.gl, fax: +299 322099), [9].  edit

Work

Nuuk souvenirs & shopping

Handmade sealskingloves. They cost around 500 DKR but will serve you a long time. Ask for a shop near Colonial town.

Nuuk Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

Nuuk nightlife, bars, clubs & pubs

A must is a stop for a beer at the pub "Takuss" just next to the library. About 6 of 7 visits here will you probably be the only foreigner here. Enjoy the atmosphere. Watch charming, drunk ladies dance to greenlandic folkmusic. It´s quite expensive here though, a big beer costs about 60 dkr.

Nuuk cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels & lodging

• Hotel Hans Egede, ☎ +299 32 42 22(info@godthaab.gl, fax: +299 32 44 87), [10].  edit

• Hotel Seamen's Home, Marinevej 3, ☎ +299 32 10 29(nuuk@soemandshjem.gl, fax: +299 32 21 04).  edit

Contact

Stay safe

As Nuuk is only a small town, with a population of about 15,000, there is more or less no crime, there are no slums, and no places you should avoid, you can walk around everywhere at anytime and stay safe if you just use your common sense.

Weather

Between late October and late March, bring warm clothes.

Get out

This page was last edited at 22:19, on 4 September 2008 by Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel. Based on work by Jaakko , Mattias Meierkord, Peter Paluszewski, Todd VerBeek, Andrew Haggard, Jim Logan and Evan Prodromou, Wikitravel user(s) Cacahuate and Episteme, Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel and others.

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