Nuuk is a city full of surprises, and despite its small size, an abundance of beautiful places to discover.
I spent a great deal of my time during my exchange semester exploring Nuuk and its incredible viewpoints. A few of them were classics, places you just have to visit, but most of them were actually places I found by myself by looking at a map. I ended up finding some amazing spots, so I decided to share them here so you can also enjoy Nuuk to the fullest!
All the viewpoints on the list are located within the city limits, so the list does not include the mountains which also offer incredible views.
The Hans Egede statue
One of the classic viewpoints that you must not miss. On a rocky hill overlooking the colonial harbour stands the statue of Hans Egede, the first European settler in modern times. He arrived in 1721, marking the beginning of the colonization and christianization of Greenland. The hill is small, but the view of the city center from the top is wonderful.
The viewpoint is no. 1 on the map.
The postcard viewpoint
Here you will find a view you’ve probably already seen on hundreds of postcards and pictures on Google. The most famous picture of Nuuk is taken at this spot, at the end of Isaajap Aqq towards Myggedalen. The quaint and colourful houses with the iconic Mt. Sermitsiaq as a backdrop makes it apparent just why this place is so popular.
The viewpoint is no. 2 on the map.
Above the Colonial Harbour
The viewpoint that I saw the most during my time in the city – every time I walked to work! Located right above the national museum, the top of the staircase offers great views of the colonial harbour with the red church, the Hans Egede statue, the old houses and the two museums.
The viewpoint is no. 3 on the map.
Sunset by the ocean
The newest viewpoint on this list is a staircase built in December 2018. It’s located to the left of the two museums and takes you above the cliffs right out to sea. A perfect place to watch the sunset or go for a quiet morning stroll.
The viewpoint is no. 4 on the map.
Downtown views
Another viewpoint that I saw often when I was on my way from my home on Radiofjeldet to downtown. This staircase takes you high up in the middle of the city and gives you a beautiful view of the Noorliit area and the center of Nuuk.
The viewpoint is no. 5 on the map.
The isthmus
One of the last viewpoints that I discovered is ironically just a five minute walk from my previous home. Below the apartment blocks on Radiofjeldet you’ll find an isthmus with a quaint cabin and a great view. Another perfect sunset spot!
The viewpoint is no. 6 on the map.
Noorliit, the best sunset spot
Noorliit, once the home of the Moravian Church from 1733 to 1900, is my favourite place to watch the sunset. I love everything about this place; the beautiful red mansion, the stone beach, the views of Mt. Kingittorsuaq and the city center, and the always amazing sunsets. And on top of that, there is so much history in the area with a bunch of Moravian ruins to be discovered.
The viewpoint is no. 7 on the map.
The southern end of Nuuk
One of the viewpoints that I discovered by looking at a map, is located at the southernmost end of Nuuk. By the end of Jagtvej is a beautiful nature spot, which seemed to be a favourite area for birds. This place offers the best view of Mt. Kingittorsuaq and is also a perfect choice for watching the sunset.
The viewpoint is no. 8 on the map.
Nature all around
My favourite viewpoint of them all was found by accident by my younger brother and I, when we were looking for the postcard viewpoint (no. 2). We found this instead, and it’s perfect. It’s the only place in Nuuk where you get a view of Mt. Sermitsiaq without any houses or other signs of human interference. Just nature all around.
The viewpoint is no. 9 on the map.
A view of everything
This viewpoint is a classic and a must-see. It has it all; incredible views of Mt. Sermitsiaq, views of the old center and of the newer neighbourhoods of Nuussuaq and Qinngorput. Apart from the mountains, this is the place where you can see most of Nuuk at once.
The viewpoint is no. 10 on the map.
The ridge by the lake
One adventurous afternoon, I decided to seek out a new area by the freshwater lake. I was surprised to find a ridge to the right of the lake that was easy to climb and offered great views that were quite similar to the viewpoint mentioned above (no. 10). But I actually liked this one even more, because I had it all to myself.
The viewpoint is no. 11 on the map.
The tidal island
Take an adventurous journey to an island that can only be crossed at low tide. But be sure that you can get back in time before high tide! The view from the island is amazing, but even if you can’t get there, the view of the island itself is worth checking out.
The viewpoint is no. 12 on the map.
The graveyard of solitude
Never in my life have I seen a more beautiful graveyard. From the earliest graves, it extends down to the ocean, in a place of complete solitude and beauty with Mt. Sermitsiaq in the backdrop. It’s a wonderful place to take a quiet walk.
The viewpoint is no. 13 on the map.
The industrial island
This might be one of the most underrated places in Nuuk. Despite the island being mainy industrial, it’s actually a great place to take a walk with beautiful views of Qinngorput and the nearby uninhabited islands.
The viewpoint is no. 14 on the map.
The end of Qinngorput
The newest neighbourhood in Nuuk, Qinngorput, is a great place to go exploring. Apart from being the starting point for treks to two mountains, Qinngorput also offers some breathtaking views of the center of Nuuk and the nearby islands at the end of the road.
The viewpoint is no. 15 on the map.
So, this was the list of my 15 favourite viewpoints in Nuuk with no. 7 and 9 as my all-time favourites. I hope this list and map will be of help to you, if you’re planning a trip to Nuuk – which you should! I promise you will fall in love with the city.
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