Colonial Harbour in Nuuk
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Visit Nuuk
The Colonial Harbour (Kolonihavnen) is Nuuk’s oldest district, where the city’s foundational history meets modern Greenlandic life.
Behaviour Guidelines
- Stay on clearly marked paths
- Don’t peek through windows or lean on fences
- Observe silence near houses and churches
- Take photos with discretion
The compact waterfront area of The Colonial Harbour is brimming with colonial-era landmarks, local museums, seaside cafés, and the departure point for many boat and kayak tours.
Historical Roots
In 1721, Norwegian Lutheran priest Hans Poulsen Egede departed Bergen aboard the ship Haabet with his family and around 50 companions, hoping to rediscover the long-lost Norse colonies in Greenland and reestablish Christian missions. Instead, he arrived among the Indigenous Inuit population and gradually began learning their language and customs. After a brief settlement on Kangeq Island (the so-called “Hope Colony”), Egede and the royal governor, Claus Paarss, relocated the colony to the mainland on July 29, 1728, founding Godthåb (“Good Hope”) at a site already inhabited by Inuit families.
The location offered practical advantages – grazing land, nearby reindeer and fish, and a sheltered fjord for ships. Life in the early colony was harsh: colonists suffered from scurvy during their first winter, and in 1733–34, a smallpox epidemic brought by a supply ship devastated the Inuit population and claimed Egede’s wife, Gertrud Rask. Despite these losses and ongoing cultural tensions, Egede remained, stepping down from administrative duties but continuing his missionary work. That same year, he helped establish the Neu-Herrnhut Moravian mission just south of the Colonial Harbour, laying the groundwork for a long-term European presence in Greenland.
From the late 1720s onward, the harbour area grew into southern Greenland’s administrative, religious, and commercial centre. Its historic buildings – including Egede’s house from 1728, warehouses, and churches – formed the foundation of Nuuk’s oldest neighbourhood. Many of these structures still stand, preserved as museums and civic buildings. By the mid-19th century, the Church of Our Saviour had been built (1849), later becoming Greenland’s cathedral. Even after Nuuk gained Home Rule in the late 20th century, the Colonial Harbour remained a symbolic and functional core of the capital.
The Museums at The Colonial Harbour
Greenland National Museum & Archives
Located in historic waterfront warehouses (Hans Egedesvej 8), this is Greenland’s primary museum of centuries‑spanning culture. You’ll encounter Inuit hunting gear, Norse artefacts, everyday objects, and the Qilakitsoq mummies – four 15th‑century Inuit remains found frozen in a cave. The museum’s exhibitions also explore Greenland’s rapid social changes in the mid‑20th century. Entry is DKK 100 in summer (free for students/children) and it’s open daily from 10 am – 4 pm in summer, 12 pm – 4 pm in winter, with free Sundays at the month’s end.
Read more about Greenland National Museum & Archives.
Katersugaasivik Nuutoqaq – Nuuk Local Museum
Housed in a former 1950s boatyard at Hans Egedesvej 29/B-234, Nuutoqaq is dedicated to life in Nuuk from the 1950s to today. Its cosy layout includes a reconstructed Niels Lynge house, a short film on the iconic Blok P housing block, rotating local artist exhibits, children’s workshops, lectures, and a museum shop selling locally made souvenirs. It offers a heartfelt, intimate look at Nuuk’s rapid transformation into the capital city. It is open weekends and select afternoons – check scheduling via Visit Greenland.
Read more about Nuuk Local Museum.
Standout Landmarks
Hans Egede’s House
Greenland’s oldest surviving house (1728), painted yellow and red, located on the harbour edge. Once Hans Egede’s residence, later the governor’s home, it now hosts formal events. While not always open inside, the building is architecturally admired and offers excellent harbour views.
Church of Our Saviour (Nuuk Cathedral)
Constructed between 1848 and 49, this iconic red wooden Lutheran church with a white clock tower remains a community focal point. Consecrated in April 1849 and elevated to the Cathedral of Greenland in 1993, it hosts services, concerts, and national celebrations.
Cultural Highlights & Local Workshops
Mother of the Sea Statue (Sassuma Arnaa)
Located at the rocky shoreline just below the National Museum and near the small kayak jetty, this modest granite statue represents Sassuma Arnaa – also known as Sedna, the Inuit goddess and guardian of the sea. At high tide, she appears partially submerged, reinforcing her connection to the ocean’s depth and mystery. Created by artist Aka Høegh, the sculpture shows Sedna surrounded by marine animals, with a shaman combing her hair – a direct reference to the Greenlandic oral tradition, where Sedna withdraws sea animals when humans misbehave or disrespect nature. Only when a shaman pleases her does she release the creatures once more.
Want to know the complete myth? Visit the Visit Greenland guide to Sedna’s story, where you can read about her anger, her power, and her place in Arctic belief systems.
The statue is easy to access via the path along the lower edge of the Colonial Harbour, right between the museum and the water. Please note that during winter, the stones may be icy – approach with care.
Hans Egede Statue
High above the Colonial Harbour, at the top of the small hill behind Hans Egede’s House, stands the bronze statue of Hans Egede – the controversial missionary and founder of the colonial settlement Godthåb. Installed in 1922, the statue shows Egede with a Bible in one hand and a cross in the other, looking out over the city he helped build.
Today, the statue represents more than a monument – it has become a symbol of Greenland’s colonial past and a focus point in discussions around decolonisation and historical memory. In recent years, local voices have called for better contextualisation of the statue’s presence and role, especially given Egede’s part in cultural erasure and religious imposition. Some artists have even staged creative interventions around it.
It offers visitors a stunning panoramic view of the harbour, fjord, and Nuuk’s modern skyline. It’s also a moment to reflect: not just on Greenland’s history, but on how that history is remembered – and by whom.
Traditional Craft Workshops
Within harbour-adjacent row houses, you’ll find working workshops like Kittat Economusée, where Greenlandic women handcraft traditional national costumes using sealskin, bead embroidery, and leather techniques. Nearby, local artisans carve tupilaks – mythical spirit figurines – out of bone or antler. These workshops often welcome visitors to observe and ask questions.
Local Dining in Colonial Harbour
Kúnguak Café
Located in a historic red building at Hans Egedesvej 29, right in the heart of Colonial Harbour, Kúnguak Café is a charming and locally loved spot that serves up quality food with character. The café prides itself on “putting love in their food,” and it shows – in everything from their house-made sauces to their thoughtful portions. The menu features a mix of healthy sandwiches, wraps, and comfort classics like smashed burgers and fries. Despite its compact size, the café offers a warm and cosy atmosphere, with local artwork on the walls, a bookshelf for browsing, and a mix of sofa corners and small tables. It’s the kind of place where you can sip one of Nuuk’s best coffee brews or enjoy a cold Greenlandic beer while looking out across the colourful facades of the harbour. Whether you’re refuelling after a walk through history or just soaking in the waterfront atmosphere, Kúnguak hits the sweet spot between casual and heartfelt.
Hidden Gastronomy: Restaurant Unicorn
Also located on Hans Egedesvej, Restaurant Unicorn is a unique dining experience tucked into the Colonial Harbour. While small and quietly elegant, the restaurant offers a menu that blends Greenlandic seafood traditions with Asian-inspired flavours – think mussels in coconut broth, fresh-caught fish dishes, and ramen with a local twist. The interior is simple yet refined, and large windows overlook the harbour, making it one of the few places in Nuuk where you can dine with uninterrupted views of the water and historic buildings. Note: Restaurant Unicorn operates seasonally and is typically closed during the summer, so it’s best to check if you’re visiting between June and September. In winter, however, it’s a go-to for locals and travellers looking for something special in an otherwise quiet city quarter.
Outdoor Adventures
Colonial Harbour is the starting point for many of Nuuk’s most memorable outdoor experiences. From here, local operators offer a wide range of guided boat tours, kayaking excursions, and seasonal adventures on the water. Whether you’re gliding through the fjord in a kayak or boarding a boat bound for distant settlements, Nuuk’s vast fjord system (Nuup Kangerlua) is your gateway to nature, history, and local life.
Kayaking
Several operators in Nuuk offer guided kayak tours during the ice-free months – typically from late spring through early autumn. While rentals without guides are rare, experienced paddlers may join half-day or full-day trips led by local guides. You’ll paddle past sea cliffs, colourful houses, and possibly spot seals or seabirds. For a complete overview of licensed kayak and tour providers, check here.
Nuuk’s Boardwalk, the long staircase leading from the upper town down to the harbour front, is a scenic route and a great kayak observation point – particularly in summer when tours often launch from the nearby jetty.
Boat Tours
Multiple destinations are reachable via guided boat tours from Colonial Harbour. Some of the most popular include:
- Sermitsiaq Mountain – Nuuk’s landmark peak, best seen from the water
- Qooqqut & Qooqqut Nuan – a summer-only fjord restaurant and fishing lodge (seasonal)
- Kapisillit – one of the few permanently inhabited settlements in the Nuuk Fjord
- Ice fjord arms & abandoned sites – sail through glacier-fed fjord branches and former Inuit camps
- Whale watching (in season) – especially July through September
- Aurora by boat – winter tours that combine northern lights with silence on the water
- Food tours, photography outings, and custom tours are also available throughout the year
In Conclusion – Warmth in Every Step
Colonial Harbour is more than a photo opportunity – it’s Nuuk’s heart, quietly beating with centuries of stories. Whether gazing across the fjord from Nuuk’s Boardwalk, enjoying coffee in a converted boatyard, or stepping into a museum housed in a 200-year-old warehouse, every experience here has layers.
This is where Greenland’s past and present meet. It’s where you feel the cold air on your face and the warmth of people who live closely with the land and sea. Come slow down, explore, and let this little harbour leave a big impression.
Visitor Tips & Local Advice
When to Visit
- June–August: Ideal for midnight sun, sailing, hiking, and full access to fjord destinations
- September–October: Early northern lights, fewer tourists
- November–March: Long nights, northern lights, and a quiet, snow-covered Nuuk
- December & January: Though dark, these months can be magical – snow, stars, and holiday lights transform the city and the Colonial Harbour into a winter wonderland
What to Wear
- Layered clothing (wool base layers, fleece, windproof outerwear)
- Warm hat, gloves, and scarf – essential, even in summer on the water
- Waterproof boots or sturdy hiking shoes – some paths are uneven or icy
- Sunglasses and sunscreen – yes, even in winter!
Where to Take Great Photos
- Nuuk’s Boardwalk – great for wide harbour and fjord shots
- Statue of Hans Egede – offers panoramic views over Colonial Harbour and central Nuuk
- Path along the seawall – for low-angle shots of colourful colonial houses
- Behind Hans Egede’s House – peaceful views of the fjord and nearby mountains
