Highlights of Nuuk
Nuuk, Greenland
Duration 1 1/2 hrs
- Adult from: $109.00 USD
- Child from: $109.00 USD
From | Message | Reservation # | Date | |
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Norwegian Communications Center | Norwegian Communications Center Don’t Lose Your Reservation! | 25422881 | Apr 1, 2014 | |
Norwegian Communications Center | Norwegian Communications Center Reserve your dining now | 25422881 | Apr 1, 2014 | |
Norwegian Communications Center | Norwegian Communications Center Don’t Lose Your Reservation! | 25422881 | Apr 1, 2014 | |
Norwegian Communications Center | Norwegian Communications Center Don’t Lose Your Reservation! | 25422881 | Apr 1, 2014 |
*Terms & Conditions
Package not available on sailings less than 5 days or charter sailings.
Duration 1 1/2 hrs
Drive through Greenland’s diminutive capital, which nestles at the head of a fjord, and trace the town’s history through its marquee attractions.
After departing from the pier, you will go to the suburbs of Nuussuaq to have a photo stop at the private boat harbor. Then proceed with a panoramic drive to the viewpoint at Iiminaq passing the more contemporary suburbs Qinngorput and the University. Take pictures of the fjord at the photo stop by the cemetery. you will soon find yourself in downtown Nuuk, the world’s smallest capital and Greenland’s biggest town. Nuuk means “headland,” a reference to its location at the tip of a peninsula at the mouth of an extensive fjord system.
Missionary Hans Egede officially founded the city in 1728, although Inuits, Vikings and various other groups had lived here on and off for about 4,000 years. It’s still a captivating historical setting. As you drive around town, pausing every so often for photos, you will see landmarks that include the Parliament, the University of Greenland and Katuaq, a cultural venue whose modern design was inspired by the magical play of light on the ice and snow.
The National Museum occupies several buildings around the colonial harbor, where a statue of Egede overlooks the sea. Other prominent historical buildings include Nuuk Cathedral. Consecrated in 1849, it was constructed with so-called half-timbering, a technique where the timber frame was filled with soapstone and talc. That was later covered with the red paneling seen today.
-You will also drive through Nuuk’s neighboring suburbs, which include Nuussuaq and the more contemporary Qinngorput district. Regardless of where you travel, the craggy mountains provide a majestic backdrop as you return to the pier.
lessDuration 1 1/2 hrs
Get a firsthand account of what it’s like to live in Nuuk by visiting a local family.
The tour starts with a 5 of 10 minutes transfer from shipside to your host family. The most meaningful way to learn about the Greenlandic culture is to visit a local family in their home. It’s an experience you won’t soon forget because Greenlanders are typically friendly, open and eager to share their life stories. Over coffee and cake, you will discover what it’s like to live in Nuuk and cope with the harsh winter weather. Feel free to ask about the culture and customs, as your hosts welcome questions. After about 1 hour at the family the group is guided to the city center or National Museum where the tour ends and you may explore the city on you own or come back to the ship by shuttle bus.
Nuuk, the world’s smallest capital and Greenland’s biggest town, means “headland,” a reference to its location at the tip of a peninsula at the mouth of an extensive fjord system. Missionary Hans Egede officially founded the city in 1728, although Inuits, Vikings and various other groups had lived here on and off for about 4,000 years. The town slowly developed around the colonial harbor, where a statue of Egede now overlooks the sea.
After a home you may wish to visit the National Museum on your own, as the museum’s interesting collection includes ancient dog sleds, kayaks and several remarkably preserved Inuit mummies that are about 500 years old. During your independent exploration of the historic area of Colonial Harbor you may also pass the Mother of the Sea. This seaside statue depicts an Inuit legend which at low tide is fully visible, but at high tide nearly completely covered.
Duration 2 hrs
Cruise into a nearby fjord to look for humpback whales, which usually frequent these waters to feed and often breach the surface in acrobatic displays.
After boarding a boat at the pier, you will cruise north through the Davis Strait and into the beautiful Nuup Kangerlua fjord, which stretches nearly 100 miles, making it the longest fjord in this part of Greenland. As you approach uninhabited Sermitsiaq Island, you are sure to notice the saddle-shaped mountain rising from the island’s heart. In fact, the mountain is so large that you may even glimpse parts of it from Nuuk.
When the weather warms and the snow and glaciers melt, a waterfall usually thunders off the mountain and into the crystal-clear waters of the fjord below. It’s quite the sight, as is the wildlife that typically frequents this area. There is no telling what will appear, but you can expect to see frolicking seals, soaring eagles and perhaps humpback whales.
If they are present, the whales will no doubt steal the show, especially if they leap from the water and land with a tremendous splash. Scientists think whales breach the water to clean pests from their skin. However, they may do it just for fun.
Another highlight is seeing the whale’s massive tailfin, called a fluke, rise out of the water, so keep your camera ready. A humpback whale weighs as much as 40 tons and grows up to 60 feet in length, so if one’s in the area, it will be easy to spot. After approximately 90-minutes cruising the waters, you will head back to the pier.
lessDuration 2 hrs
Enjoy a leisurely walk through Nuuk’s atmospheric Old Town and browse the National Museum, two experiences that will greatly enhance your historical understanding of Greenland’s capital. During the walk, the guide will describe Nuuk’s development since its founding in 1728. The house of the missionary founder Hans Egede still stands downtown. Other highlights include the Parliament building and the modern Katuaq Cultural Center, whose organic design symbolizes how the light of the aurora borealis reflects on the ice and snow. The Inuits and Vikings lived in this area long before Nuuk became a city as you will discover through the enlightening exhibits in the National Museum. You may learn about the first Arctic Stone Age cultures, how the Norse settlers lived during the Viking Age and how the Inuits traveled on dog sledges and hunted in sealskin-covered kayaks. In the adjoining stone warehouses, you can see equipment once used to extract oil from blubber.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Walk through Old Town and learn about Nuuk’s history since its founding in 1728.
• Delve much deeper into Greenland’s history by browsing the National Museum.
• Discover what life was like for the indigenous Inuits and Vikings that settled in the area.
HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.
*Prices vary by ship and sail date. See Terms & Conditions
NCL makes arrangements for Guests for shore excursions solely for the convenience of the Guest; NCL does not act on behalf of or supervise the parties or persons who own, furnish, or operate such excursions, and the same are provided by independent contractors. NCL assumes no responsibility for, nor guarantees the performance of, any such excursion provider, and Guests acknowledge that NCL shall not be liable for losses or injuries arising from the acts or omissions of such provider.
Participation in activities and excursions may involve physical exertion, and may be potentially hazardous or dangerous. It is the responsibility of each individual to determine whether you are capable of engaging in any activity. Participation in any activity or excursion is at your own risk.
Photographs are for illustration purposes only used to represent the excursion experience and may not accurately depict the excursion, location, or activity indicated.
Our group shore excursions are offered in English. Depending on the booking situation, various excursions are also offered in German, Spanish, French, Italian or Russian (minimum number of 30 participants). The tours offered may vary from cruise to cruise. Please see the detailed information for your shore excursion on board.