About Sermersooq
Greenland’s Largest Municipality
Geography & Cultural Significance
Sermersooq Municipality spans Greenland's central east and west coasts, covering vast, contrasting landscapes of towering mountains, sprawling fjords, and colossal glaciers. Its geography offers a natural bridge between the Arctic's remote wilderness and modern life, making it a key area for tourism and exploration.
This geographical diversity supports many natural attractions, such as the Nuuk Fjord system – one of the world’s largest – and the breathtaking Sermilik Icefjord in East Greenland. The region’s position across different climatic zones ensures a remarkable range of experiences, from the west coast’s milder, more temperate conditions to the harsher, icy landscapes of the east.
The municipality covers more than 635,000 km² and has diverse ecosystems, from coastal regions rich in marine life to inland areas dominated by the Greenland Ice Sheet.
Capital of Greenland
Nuuk, Greenland’s capital within Sermersooq, is the country’s largest city, where modern life meets Inuit traditions through its architecture, arts, and deep connection to nature.
This geographical diversity supports many natural attractions, such as the Nuuk Fjord system – one of the world’s largest – and the breathtaking Sermilik Icefjord in East Greenland. The region’s position across different climatic zones ensures a remarkable range of experiences, from the west coast’s milder, more temperate conditions to the harsher, icy landscapes of the east.
Culturally, Sermersooq is a vibrant tapestry of traditions and modern influences. The municipality is home to Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, a hub of contemporary life and governance and small settlements like Tasiilaq and Ittoqqortoormiit, where Inuit heritage remains deeply rooted. This blend of old and new is reflected in the everyday lives of the residents, from their language and art to the seasonal hunting practices that persist to this day. Sermersooq’s cultural significance is further highlighted by its role as a meeting point of Arctic communities, where traditional knowledge and modern innovation come together to shape a dynamic, evolving identity.
A Tale of Two Coasts
Sermersooq is unique because it extends across East and West Greenland, creating a striking contrast between its landscapes and cultures.
Nuuk’s Majestic Fjord
The Nuuk Fjord is the second-largest fjord system in the world, offering breathtaking Arctic scenery and rich marine life.
A Land of Towering Icebergs
East Greenland’s Sermilik Icefjord is a natural wonder, filled with massive icebergs drifting from the Greenland Ice Sheet.
Sermersooq – A Cruise Destination
Sermersooq Municipality is a premier cruise destination, offering travellers a rare combination of Arctic wilderness and vibrant local culture. Its strategic location along key North Atlantic routes makes it an accessible yet extraordinary stop for cruise ships.
Sermersooq Municipality represents many exciting, diverse and beautiful parts of Greenland. We are a strong carrier of Greenland’s cultural history, both Norse, Inuit, colonial times and modern Greenland. Our beautiful nature offers both wild challenges and opportunities for adventure experiences. It also traces the Earth’s history, with some of the oldest rock types and fossils. In Sermersooq Municipality, you will find modern Greenland and Nuuk in the capital, among other places. Still, it is also possible to visit authentic places that reflect the untamed Greenlandic nature and culture.
Our beautiful nature has a strong attraction that draws tourists, and it is also what we go out to when the opportunity presents itself. We have a strong culture that is linked to the nature around us, where we live from its resources. There are traces of the Earth’s history in our mountains and fjords. That’s why we must welcome tourists and proudly showcase our beautiful nature. We can take them into it and show them everything it offers. By showing them our food culture, they can have an experience that sticks in their memories and stomachs. And by opening up to nature through, for example, hiking trails, we open up even more discoveries and opportunities.
Each stop in Sermersooq offers a journey through history, from Viking ruins to modern Inuit life, with a strong commitment to preserving its landscapes and heritage for future generations.
The Heart of Greenland
With a population of around 24,000, Sermersooq is home to the vibrant capital and smaller settlements where traditional Inuit life thrives.
A Land of Endless Light
During summer, parts of Sermersooq experience the midnight sun, where daylight lasts 24 hours, creating a magical Arctic experience.
Arctic Wilderness
The municipality borders Northeast Greenland National Park, the world’s largest nature reserve, home to polar bears, musk oxen, and Arctic foxes.
Key Destinations and Their Unique Charm!
A Haven for Marine Giants
The waters of Sermersooq are home to a significant whale population, including humpback and minke whales, making it a prime location for whale watching.
Sled Dogs Still Rule the East
In East Greenland, sled dogs are more than a mode of winter transport; they are integral to the region’s cultural heritage, embodying traditions that have endured for centuries.
Municipality with 2 Dialects
Sermersooq reflects Greenland’s linguistic diversity, with West Greenlandic (Kalaallisut) spoken in the west and East Greenlandic (Tunumiit Oraasiat) in the East.