Free activities to do in Nuuk

Traveling to Kalaallit Nunaat can be an expensive experience. Here are some FREE (or low-cost) activities from Nuummiut (people who live in Nuuk). Read along!

A dip in the ocean:

An enthusiastic group of people meets every Sunday morning at 9:30 am on the beach of the Colonial Harbour. They gather to go for a deliciously cold and refreshing dip in the Labrador Sea! Some people wear swimsuits and slip-on sandals, while others just strip down to their naked butts and walk into the ocean barefoot. Everyone is welcome. All you need is a towel and a bit of courage! As a precaution, never go for a swim in the Arctic without someone else as the cold water can shock your body so it’s not safe to do it alone. Go with someone or tell someone where you are going and what you are doing.

If a swim in an indoor pool is more your vibe:

So you love the water, but you don’t like the idea of freezing your a** off! That’s fair and reasonable. A more accommodating option is the local swimming pool, ‘Malik,’ which offers free entry for kids on weekdays (although the kids must be accompanied by an adult, and the cost is 50kr. for adults). Svømmehal Malik has one of the best views with its large window view of the harbour, and you are guaranteed a splashing fun time!

Do you love art?

Say no more! Nuuk Art Museum offers free entry every Thursday (Open hours: 1 pm-9pm on Thursdays). Nuuk Art Museum consists of a gallery of artwork from various local artists, including works of iconic artists Ane-Birthe Hove and Pia Arke. They also have temporary exhibitions with local and international artists, which have ranged from prominent early Inuit artists like Aron from Kangeq to contemporary explorations of graphic work and prints by students at the Nuuk Art School over the last 50 years. You can also download their Art Walk podcast and walk around Nuuk while learning about the local art: http://www.nuukkunstmuseum.com/en/artwalk/

If reading is your thing…

The public libraries are regaining some street credit worldwide, and with good reason. It is one of the last remaining places people can visit without being expected to spend money. Nuuk Public Library is such a place. They are located in the centre of the city and they offer free wifi (which is rare in Greenland). Why not dedicate a couple of hours to enjoy a book from their English language section or explore books in Greenlandic? They also occasionally host book events. The Nuuk Public library has a
great selection of books and their staff is warm and inviting.

Nuuk hiking:

Nuuk is one of the few places in the world where you can actually hike from one city area to another. So if you see a nature spot that you want to explore then go for it (unless of course there are barriers). If you’re feeling extra adventurous and you have a sleeping bag, you can sleep in one of the shelters surrounding Nuuk. There’s one located close to Qinngorput (one of the areas of Nuuk) and one behind Quassussuaq. There are no limits to the possibilities if you have a tent! (And it’s summer!) You can also hike Quassussuaq or Ukkusissat (indsæt links).

Rich history.

The Natural History Museum in the Colonial Harbour of Nuuk offers insight into the lives of the different Inuit and the Norse who inhabited Greenland over the past four thousand years. Why not spend a couple of hours immersing yourself in the history of the awesome Kalaallit Nunaat? It has a free entrance every Sunday! There are often free events around Nuuk that you can check out in our event calendar too. I hope these suggestions brought a little bit of air to your budget while in Nuuk!