Greenland National Museum and Archives

This was really a fantastic museum. There were a lot of great exhibits! The glass was so clear that sometimes I didn't even know I was looking through it to see some of the things.

The Greenland National Museum and Archives (Greenlandic: Nunatta Katersugaasivia Allagaateqarfialu, NKA), established in 1965 and officially inaugurated in 1966, is Greenland's principal institution for preserving and presenting its cultural heritage. Located in Nuuk's historic colonial harbor, the museum occupies restored 1930s warehouses, including former trading posts and workshops. It houses over 70,000 items spanning 4,500 years of Greenlandic history, including the 15th-century Qilakitsoq mummies (three women and a child). The world's oldest intact skin boat, the Peary Land Umiaq (c. 1470s). Ethnographic artifacts, traditional clothing, kayaks, and dog sledges. A landmark Utimut ("return") program with Denmark repatriated ~35,000 Inuit artifacts between 1979–2001, expanding the collection significantly. Combines a national museum (with vast archaeological, ethnographic, and art collections) and the national archives (holding historical documents). It also manages Greenland's UNESCO World Heritage Sites and actively researches and protects cultural heritage. The institution symbolizes Greenland’s cultural sovereignty, bridging ancient Inuit traditions with modern heritage stewardship. For someone who wants to know stuff about Inuit, this is the place. The Inuit are Indigenous peoples inhabiting the Arctic regions of Greenland, Canada, Alaska (USA), and Chukotka (Russia). They share a common cultural heritage, language family (Inuit-Yupik-Unangan), and deep adaptation to the polar environment.

A good activity to do while waiting for your tour boat to arrive. Our pickup was right outside the museum by the jetty to the left. You can easily spend 2 hours in there as the rooms are quite detailed with all the explanations of the setups. Learned a lot about Inuit culture. We really enjoyed seeing how they hunted and survived the harsh arctic conditions. Truly impressed by the amount of skills and knowledge they possessed back then with primitive equipment and yet taking on whales and polar bears. Doesn’t get more badass than that.

Definitely a must visit when in Nuuk, particularly if you have limited Greenland knowledge. I suggest starting in the back building on the left and working your way back to the main desk as that will take you forward in time from the BC cultures towards the present. Excellent collection of small finds from around Greenland, kayaks of various styles, clothing, household objects, and tupilaks.

Very interesting museum in Nuuk. It was nice to have English descriptions on the displays. Loved all the clothing exhibits. The mummy exhibit was a bit freaky.

Interesting museum, very informative. They charge 100dkk for entry and it’s self guided. Very clean and well presented.

Amazing museum!! Very interesting and detailed history of Greenland from the first human settlement to now

One of the best historical museums I've ever been to. Each room was a different time period of the Greenland history. Lots of descriptions to accompany displays. Some interactive things and definitely kids friendly.