25 Coastal Jewels Where Colorful Homes Meet The Sea

13. Nuuk, Greenland – A Colorful Arctic Oasis

Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, may be small in size, but it bursts with color against the stark beauty of the Arctic landscape. Nestled between snow-capped mountains and the icy fjords of the North Atlantic, the town’s brightly painted wooden houses provide a striking contrast to the surrounding wilderness. Historically, the different colors of Nuuk’s buildings were not just decorative, but practical—each color once indicated the function of a structure. Red buildings housed commercial offices, yellow ones were hospitals, blue buildings were for fishermen, and green ones were reserved for telecommunications. Over time, the tradition evolved into a celebration of color and identity, turning Nuuk into a vibrant Arctic gem. Today, the town blends modern Scandinavian design with Inuit culture, featuring museums showcasing Greenlandic art, traditional kayaks, and carvings made from narwhal tusks. While Nuuk may be one of the most remote and isolated capitals in the world, its cheerful palette offers a warm embrace in an otherwise icy expanse.