Nuuk

Nuuk, the vibrant capital of Greenland, is a remarkable destination that offers a unique blend of urban culture and stunning natural beauty, making it an excellent place to experience the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis).

Nuuk is not only the largest city in Greenland but also a center for Inuit culture, featuring museums, art galleries, and local cuisine. The city provides an accessible opportunity to witness the Northern Lights, especially with nearby areas offering darker skies.

The best months for viewing the Northern Lights in Nuuk are from September to April. During this time, the long nights and often clear skies create ideal conditions for Aurora sightings.

A trip to Nuuk for the Northern Lights is a fantastic way to blend cultural experiences with the awe-inspiring beauty of the Arctic sky. Whether you’re interested in the vibrant local culture or simply want to witness the breathtaking Northern Lights, Nuuk offers a memorable adventure.

Book an amazing adventure in Nuuk

  • Free cancellation Private tour

    Nuuk Greenland Private Guided Tour by Car

    4.6 (10)

    1 hour 30 minutes From £311.34

    If you ever find yourself in the capital of Greenland, Nuuk, and have limited time, but want to see as much as possible, this tour is something for you. We will start the tour by picking you up in our 4x4 car wherever you are located in Nuuk - at your ship, at your accommodation, or at the airport! On this tour, you will see everything from where it all began in the charming colonial harbor to the new different areas and see the historical development of Nuuk city with the new modern buildings. We will stop by the very best photo sights in the town such as "The end of the world", a viewpoint from where you can see the Kook Islands and mount Kingigtorsuaq, North of Nuuk, where you can see parts of the world's second-largest fjord system and look at Nuuk's landmark, Sermitsiaq mountain. You will have the option of stopping by a souvenir shop (within opening hours). If you have any special wishes or places you would like to see, it becomes your very own tailor-made tour.

  • Free cancellation Private tour

    Chasing Northern Lights in Nuuk

    5.0 (11)

    2 hours From £311.34

    Chase the dancing Northern Lights and explore every corner of Nuuk city on this 2-hour PRIVATE tour by car! You can join alone or come with a maximum of 4 people! We will drive you to the darkest places in the city for panoramic views of one of the highlights of the Arctic winter. During the tour, your local guide will tell you a little about Nuuk and the Northern Lights, and is always happy to answer your questions about Greenland. It is likely to be chilly. It is the Arctic winter after all! Our car is heated and you can always retreat inside if you get too cold, but make sure you bring heavy outer layers, a woolen hat, scarf, and gloves/mittens so you can stay outside as much as possible. We will also warm you up with a hot chocolate during the tour. Remember Northern lights are unpredictable and may not appear during the tour. If you are unlucky and don't get to see them on the tour, we will rebook you on another night for FREE!

  • Private tour

    Jewels of Nuuk – Guided Walking Tour

    5.0 (3)

    2 hours From £213.47

    Planning a trip to Greenland? Looking for Off the Beaten Path Tour? Which are the top sightseeing places in Nuuk? Is Greenland an independent country? The secluded city of Nuuk offers an interesting selection of museums, buildings, and attractions that you must visit once in a lifetime. Which are Nuuk's best attractions? The downtown is just the beginning of the city's charms. The Eskimo town offers you the chance to discover some of the richest examples of Nordic history. Get stunned by the cold streets of Nuuk and its cozy colorful houses. Get ready to experience Greenland from a different perspective. A local charismatic guide will reveal the secrets and interesting facts about the Danish island.

  • Private tour

    Magic Christmas Tour in Nuuk

    No reviews

    2 hours From £524.58

    The exclusive tour only in the Christmas period! This special times brings magic Nuuk. "Nuuk" is the Kalaallisut word for "cape" (Danish: næs). Together with the professional local guide, you will visit the most beautifully decorated places. You will feel spellbound with the charming atmosphere in the streets which you can feel only this time of the year! What is the story of the Christmas tree? Who was the first to decorate it in the world? What magical things can happen during the Christm as period? Have you heard about Christmas spells? You will hear miraculous Christmas legends about Nuuk. You will visit the old-fashioned Christmas Market in the city. What makes it so popular? What local products is must taste at Christmas? Fill your heart with the joy and experience magic Nuuk.

  • Private tour

    Christmas Magic in Nuuk: Exclusive Walking Tour

    No reviews

    2 hours From £253.60

    The exclusive tour only in the Christmas period! This special time brings magic in Nuuk. Together with the professional local guide, you will visit the most beautifully decorated places in Nuuk. You will feel spellbound with a charming atmosphere, which you can feel only this time of the year! What is the story of the Christmas tree? Who was the first to decorate it in the world? What magical things can happen during the Christmas period? Have you heard about Christmas spells? You will hear miraculous Christmas legends about Nuuk. You will visit the center of Nuuk, which reminds you of winter wonderland - the center of the city with many twinkling Christmas trees. What makes it so popular? What local products must taste at Christmas? Fill your heart with the joy and experience magic of Nuuk.

How are my chances of seeing the aurora today?

Forecasts last updated on 14 March 2025 at 12:08pm

0%

Currently there is a 0% chance of seeing the aurora overhead in the Nuuk area.

Kp 3.00

The Kp-index is a scale used to measure geomagnetic activity. It ranges from 0 to 9, with higher values indicating greater geomagnetic activity.

  • 0-2 (Very low) Far north, quite dim, and not very active.
  • 3-5 (Moderate) Can be seen further south, with increased brightness and activity. Chance of good viewing conditions nearer the pole.
  • 6-7 (High) Visible in many northern regions, with vibrant displays.
  • 8-9 (Extreme) Widespread visibility, often seen in areas much further south than usual, with intense and colorful displays.
Bz 3 nT

Bz refers to the north-south orientation of the magnetic field embedded in the solar wind. It is measured in nanoteslas (nT).

When Bz is negative (southward), it allows solar wind particles to penetrate the Earth’s magnetic field more easily. A strong negative Bz is often associated with increased chances of seeing the Northern Lights.

Conversely, when Bz is positive (northward), the Earth’s magnetic field tends to block the solar wind, resulting in reduced auroral activity.

Density 0.05 p/cm3

Solar wind density refers to the number of charged particles in a given volume of the solar wind, typically measured in particles per cubic centimeter (p/cm3).

A typical solar wind density is around 2.76 p/cm3.

The density of the solar wind affects how many particles reach the Earth’s magnetosphere. A higher density means more particles are available to interact with the Earth’s magnetic field. When these charged particles collide with the gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, they produce the stunning light displays known as auroras.

Speed 579.6 km/s

The speed of the solar wind also plays a significant role. A typical solar wind speed is about 375 km/s. When both speed and density are high, the energy transferred to the Earth’s magnetosphere increases, enhancing the chances of seeing vibrant auroras.

Snow

-6°C Feels like -11°C

High
-4°C
Low
-11°C
  • Precipitation: 96%
  • Cloud cover: 100%
  • Wind: 8 km/h
  • Snow: 4mm

Moon

Full moon

  • Sun rises at: 7:48am
  • Sun sets at: 7:23pm
  • Moon rises at: 8:10pm
  • Moon sets at: 7:57am

Places to check out around Nuuk

Discover Shopping Malls, Movie Theaters, Monuments and more…

Other places in Greenland

IlulissatKangerlussuaq

See also

Planning Your Northern Lights AdventureNorthern Lights PhotographyScience Of The AuroraNorthern Lights Playlist

Bellevue strand

Bellevue strand is a Beach