Capital Region of Greenland

Paamiut is embodied by snowy winter slopes, majestic wildlife, and a tourist density that will make you feel like the guest of honor around town.

VITALITY LIKE THE EAGLE
It is not every town in Greenland that can boast its own guardian from the animal kingdom. But Paamiut can. The white-tailed eagle, called Nattoralik in Greenlandic, is plentiful in Paamiut, and the townspeople feel a strong connection with it. Youth often name their football or handball teams Nattoralik, and so the eagle is like the Paamiut mascot. Come to Paamiut to spot eagles and wildlife; good luck is said to come to anyone who sets eyes on this king of the sky.

Just like the eagle, Paamiut stands independently as a distinct town. It is known for its mysterious yet comforting foggy weather and a pleasant mix of old and new culture at the cusp of great nature. Tour the old neighborhood to observe picturesque buildings and see where women turned thousands of tiny beads and pieces of sealskin into extraordinary national costumes, still worn today. To hear about daily life from the Paamiut perspective, nothing beats a casual conversation with locals around town. Just a bit of openness and a friendly smile goes a long way, and you might even score yourself an invitation to kaffemik!

PAAMIUT BACKCOUNTRY
Aside from the great eagle population, the nature in Paamiut also soars. In winter, an uncanny amount of snow makes the Paamiut backcountry a snow sport lover’s dream! Whether randonnée skiing or cross-country skiing is your passion, there is enough untouched mountainside for everyone to have his own piece of Greenland.

In summertime, the snow recedes revealing hiking trails that are trodden ever so slightly. Aim for the mountain peaks to feel like an explorer standing on the top of the world or traverse many kilometers of trails inland, stopping along the way to pick the angelica that grows wildly on the hillside.

As with everywhere in Greenland, sailing is a summertime favorite in Paamiut. Sail around the fjord to old villages where cabins still stand, or head into nearby Sermilik Fjord to see glaciers that flow directly from the Greenland Ice Sheet.

• Paamiut was founded in 1742 and has about 1,500 residents.
• The town’s name means “the people who live at the mouth”, a reference to its location at the mouth of the Kuannersooq Fjord.
• Paamiut is an especially good place to spot white-tailed eagles.
• Paamiut is known for its church with beautiful and distinctive architecture.
• There is 1 hotel in Paamiut called Hotel Ivaana.
• The Arctic Umiaq Line coastal ferry docks in Paamiut twice weekly, first heading south and second heading north.
• Paamiut has a convenience store and supermarket.

OFF THE BEATEN PATH
Paamiut is the well-kept secret of the Capital Region. While the bigger towns are for tourists who prefer itineraries filled with all the famous sights, Paamiut naturally attracts the travelers who want to go off the beaten path and gain a different perspective than the rest.

Paamiut locals of all ages are incredibly welcoming and are quick to make friends. We can usually spot the travelers as soon as they arrive, so don’t be surprised if you are quickly taken under someone’s wing. Local residents take great pride in the town and are keen to share all the good spots in Paamiut.

SPECIAL SIGHTS IN PAAMIUT
Sightseeing in Paamiut is about appreciating the beauty in simple experiences. Guide yourself to the church that is like a work of art and imagine what it takes to build such a wooden structure in a country with no trees. Or stop along the colorful bridge in the center of town to listen to the babbling river beneath. If you close your eyes, you can nearly see people washing clothes along the bank, like in the old days.

The heart of a nation. Greenland’s largest city and capital is fueled on fresh air, strong coffee and diverse personalities.

COLOURS of NUUK
Greenland’s capital Nuuk is a city of vitality, surrounded by immense nature and filled with vibrant Greenlanders leading fascinating lives of old traditions, modern twists, and diverse influences.

Home to gourmet restaurants, fashion boutiques, and the Northern Lights inspired Katuaq Cultural Center, Nuuk is the center of modern Greenland. However, a stroll through the picturesque Old Harbor shows that history and traditions remain strong in this growing city.

Nuuk is full of experiences not found anywhere else in Greenland. Marvel at mummies in the Greenland National Museum. Try a tasting flight of local craft beers at Greenland’s largest microbrewery. Learn about urban arctic living and the move toward Greenlandic independence with a city and parliament tour. Evaluate new and old expressions of Inuit culture at the Nuuk Art Museum. Play collegiate at Greenland University and see students preparing as Greenland’s future leaders.

• Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, was founded in 1728 by the missionary Hans Egede.
• Nuuk has approximately 16,800 residents.
• There are three hotels in Nuuk – Hotel Nordbo, Hotel Seamen’s Home and Hotel Hans Egede with a conference center with seating for 300 people. There is also a number of small accommodations.
• Nuuk has an international airport with year-round direct flights from Iceland, via Air Greenland and Air Iceland. Air Greenland operates domestic flights from Nuuk to every region of the country.
• The Arctic Umiaq Line coastal ferry docks in Nuuk twice weekly, once headed south and once headed north.
• Everybody can make use the Public and National Library of Greenland, including short term visitors and tourists.

A STYLISH ARCTIC METROPOLIS
The dining and shopping scene in Nuuk is the most diverse in the country, a veritable melting pot of original Greenlandic character with fresh global influence.

Stroll the pedestrian walkway in city center to window-shop at boutiques, souvenir shops, and Nuuk Center. Relax with a cup of strong coffee (and the obligatory piece of cake) in one of the city’s many bustling cafés. And make reservations at one of Nuuk’s fine dining restaurants where the only thing that rivals the intense flavors of Greenlandic delicacies is the chef’s artistic presentation.

You can also rent a bike in the sports-shop Pikkori Sport that is located in the centre, and bike around the city.

DISCOVER NUUK FJORD
Nuuk Fjord is sometimes overlooked in favor of its icier neighbors to the north, but this intricate water system is the second largest in the world, packed with inlets and islands open for exploration by boat or kayak.

Local boat trip operators provide access to this vast backcountry with a small settlement and huts offering the opportunity to stay and explore. Along the way, refreshing waterfalls and probable summer sightings of faithful humpback whales keep eyes and cameras entertained.

The solitude and scenery provide a perfect backdrop for hiking, angling for Arctic char, hunting or kayaking. The deep waters of the fjord teem with flavorful cod and redfish, delivering a bounty for both fishing and eating. Like a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow, the Narsap Sermia glacier flows directly into the fjord filling the headwaters with the sought-after icebergs, afterall.

“Colourful Nuuk” universe
Nuuk is a vibrant city full of contrast – the traditions merge with the modern Greenland, the nature and city is intertwined and the people are local as well as international. This is why colourful Nuuk is the heart of the Greenlandic nation.