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Why you should get to know Aarhus as soon as you can!

Just to help you blend in with the locals when you get here, it’s pronounced ‘Or-hoose’ not ‘Are-hoose’. Now we’ve got that out of the way, let’s dive into the reasons why you should be getting to know Aarhus, Denmark's second city, as soon as you can!

Second city but not second best

When we say this , we say it as a compliment – Aarhus is tiny! It’s a historic city that remarkably feels like one cosy neighbourhood, where all of the biggest sights and attractions really are within walking distance of each other. (We promise.) Despite this local feel, Aarhus has a few distinct and exciting districts which each give you a different kind of city break experience. It just means you’ll be able to explore them all in one visit!

Aarhus has an iconic harbour

Once upon a time, a trip down to the harbour in Aarhus would’ve brought you up close to some hardy fishermen and the ferry out of Aarhus. These days, the harbour is a major attraction in itself where you can get up close to some of the city’s most exciting attractions, like the bustling Dokk 1 Cultural Centre , or iconic buildings like the Iceberg at the new Aarhus Ø district. You can also swim at the  harbour baths (designed by Bjarke Ingels), something we Danes love to do, or, just as in Copenhagen and Odense, you can take a green kayak out for free, as long as you bring back some trash from your trip. 

There are famous sights all along Aarhus’ coast

The sights worth seeing extend all along Aarhus’ sandy coastline, into the woodlands around the city. Just south of the city centre, you can visit the summer home of Denmark’s Queen Margrethe. If she’s home, you can watch the changing of the guards every day at noon. If she’s not, you can explore Marselisborg Castle ’s beautiful rose gardens, which you can easily reach by bike in around 10 minutes from the centre of Aarhus. Close by is the extremely photogenic Infinite Bridge (Den Uendelige Bro). And if you hear screams coming from the woods, it’s probably just crazy people trying one of the world’s highest freefall rides at the Tivoli Friheden fairground.

Photo : © Johan Gjøde. Foto: Dennis Borup Jakobsen

Old world meets vibrant modern living in Aarhus

Two of Aarhus’ biggest attractions couldn’t be more worlds apart.  ARoS Aarhus Art Museum has become one of Aarhus’ most iconic spots, with its dazzling rooftop sculpture you can walk inside, Your rainbow panorama by Olafur Eliasson. For old-world charm, head to the  Old Town Open Air Museum . It’s one of Denmark’s biggest attractions and a place where you can literally walk through time, soaking up the buildings, atmosphere and ways of life from Denmark’s history.

Lots of Aarhus’ best bits are free

Just near the Old Town Museum you can wind down and enjoy the extensive parks and tropical houses of Aarhus Botanical Gardens . They’re free to visit and you can either picnic there or grab a bite at the café. And it’s actually possible to get around the biggest sights in the city for free. Aarhus has a free city bike scheme, where you can pick up a bike to explore without paying from one of the 56 stands around the city.

A perfect day in Aarhus

Photo : Jens Thaysen, Århus Stiftstidende

Aarhus is now a real foodie city

How about dinner in an old bus garage? Just hear us out…street food markets have been popping up all over Denmark and in more and more outlandish locations! Aarhus’ Street Food Market is no exception and it’s a great place to eat elbow-to-elbow with Danes and other visitors. If you fancy splashing out, Aarhus has evolved to become a Michelin-starred city , where you can eat at some of the best restaurants in Denmark. Want to explore and try food at the same time? The Food Walk has you covered, with a number of different tours, you can sample all the best foods in Aarhus with these lovely guided tours. 

Picture-worthy things to do in Aarhus

You’ll want your camera at the ready in Aarhus. It’s a very pretty place! One of the most-photographed places is the cobbled street, Møllestien . The colourful buildings will certainly brighten your day. If you’re on the hunt for more iconic buildings, head to Aarhus City Hall with its famous clock tower, designed by legendary Arne Jacobsen. A little further afield is the ground-breaking building and collections at Moesgaard Museum , a sight to behold and a fascinating day out. It's not just an incredible museum about human civilisation, it's also one of the world's most energy-efficient museums, built with sustainability in mind from the start. And the building is pretty cool.   

Aarhus is a Danish design hotspot

If it’s Danish design you’re after, Aarhus is a great place to grab it. It’s one of the best places to shop in Scandinavia and a walk around the cosy Latin Quarter is a must, not least for the atmosphere. A shopping trip to Aarhus will also lead you to two fantastic city viewing points. The first is on top of the Godsbanen centre , where you can also see local artisans at work. The second is the rooftop at Salling department store . Kick off the weekend here with cocktails and music with the whole of Aarhus as your backdrop.

How to get to Aarhus

Aarhus is close to both Aarhus Airport (surprise surprise!) and Billund Airport . You can take the train to Aarhus from Copenhagen or drive in just over 3 hours. It’s also possible to get the ferry to Aarhus from Zealand. 

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Visitors' Service at conferences

Learn more about how your guests can get detailed information on Aarhus and the countless local attractions when they are in town.

The Aarhus Way - Visitors’ Services

In 2011, the tourist office in the form that most people know was closed in Aarhus, as there was and still is a wish to meet the visitors where they are at. Digitally as well as out in the real world.

As a result, Visitors’ Services can be found around town on touch screens providing tourist information, at hotspots in and around Aarhus and on cargo bikes used as pop-up tourist offices and at events and conferences.

In 2016, VisitAarhus’ mobile tourist offices assisted more than 85,000 visitors

Lean more about our  tourist information .

We Pull Together

Our vision to be known and recognised as one of Scandinavia’s best cities to visit, work, study and live in not to mention to hold a conference in takes for us to be able to pull together; in close co-operation with Aarhus’ corporate community.

Needless to say, this vision sets the bar for our visitors’ services as well, which includes not only our highly skilled staff but around 2000 volunteers as well who are ready to provide personal and customised assistance; to private tourists as well as business travelers attending a conference in Aarhus.

Visitors’ Services FAQ

• Visitors’ Services are located at: Store Torv, Dokk1, the harbour area (on days when cruise ships dock) as well as at special events and conferences. Furthermore, the municipal city assistants are always to be found around the city centre  
• The number of tourists visiting Aarhus is increasing. The current numbers for nights spent in Aarhus are shown on the Guest Monitor (in Danish) or at Statistics Denmark.  
• Learn more about Aarhus’ most popular attractions.

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The Aarhus Region

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Top reasons to visit Aarhus

Aros Art Museum in Aarhus is on of the largest in Europe

ARos Aarhus Kunstmuseum

Aarhus is an enjoyable shopping destination

Dokk1 by the harbour in Aarhus is a public culture center

Marselisborg castle houses the Royal Danish family every summer

Steffen N. Christensen-VisitDenmark

Guide to Aarhus

Within this compact guide, we've compiled information we believe will enhance your experience in Aarhus, aiming to make your stay as enjoyable as it can be.

This guide covers tourism insights, accommodation, dining options, shopping opportunities, and details on museums and attractions.

Aarhus is the second-largest city in Denmark, with around 250,000 citizens. It is located on the east coast of the Jutland peninsula. Aarhus is one of the oldest cities in the nation, founded in the Viking age.

It takes only 15 minutes by bus or bicycle to reach the beach or the beautiful  Marselisborg  Forests, where the Danish Queen also has her summer residence.

The city has many educational institutions, which make Aarhus the "youngest" city in Denmark, and this is one of the reasons you find many cafes and restaurants in the city. Though it's also one of the oldest cities in Denmark, it provides this "young" expression when you visit Aarhus.

The Aarhus area offers many attractions, so do not hesitate to spend a weekend or more in Aarhus.  

Top highlights in Aarhus

Aarhus has several international attractions, such as  The Old Town Museum  (Den Gamle By).

You will find pleasant pedestrian streets in the city centre with many exciting designer stores and malls. The city can offer a broad spectrum of cultural experiences, cultural events, the best restaurants in the region, and Michelin restaurants.

Aarhus in  Denmark  is a very modern city with great  architecture  and a young population regarding the many educational institutions. In 2017, Aarhus was the European Capital of Culture. 

12 top attractions in Aarhus

Moesgaard museum.

The Old Town (museum)

Tivoli Friheden

Aarhus cathedral, aarhus music house.

Marselisbog Palace

The Latin Quarter

Tropical House in Botanical Garden

Iceberg Architecture in Aarhus

The Women's Museum 

Top attractions close to Aarhus  

Cultural experiences in Aarhus

Aarhus offers some of the top cultural attractions in Denmark, including several art galleries, museums, and theatres, and was in 2017 Aarhus the European Capital of Culture.

If you love modern art, we can recommend visiting the ARos Art Museum, which has a rainbow panorama on top of the museum. If you love history, you will be thrilled to see 'Den Gamle By' (The old town), where you can walk in a town as it looked in Denmark before the 1900s.

Bars and restaurants in Aarhus

Aarhus is a busy city with cosy bars, cafes and restaurants – many of which are where you can get the New Nordic cuisine on the menu card and a trio of Michelin-starred restaurants. Aarhus also has a street food market for visitors on tighter budgets.

Discover a diverse culinary scene in Aarhus, offering many restaurants and cafes for your dining pleasure. From those serving traditional and modern Danish dishes to various international options such as Italian, French, Chinese, Greek, Japanese, Thai, Indian, and Spanish, there's something for every palate.

Dining culture in Denmark usually kicks off around 7 pm, and most restaurants close by 10 pm, providing ample time for you to savour Aarhus's local and global flavours.

Michelin restaurants in Aarhus

Where to stay in Aarhus

 Choosing where to stay in Aarhus depends on your preferences, budget, and the purpose of your visit. Aarhus offers a variety of accommodation options, including hotels, hostels, and guesthouses. Here are some areas to consider:

City Center (Indre By):   This area is ideal if you want to be close to Aarhus's main attractions, shopping streets, and cultural venues. You'll find a range of hotels catering to different budgets.

Aarhus Central Station:   Staying near the central train station provides easy access to transportation and is convenient for exploring the city centre and its surroundings.

Vesterbro:   This neighbourhood is known for its vibrant atmosphere, with plenty of cafes, restaurants, and shops. It offers a mix of accommodation options.

Frederiksbjerg:   A trendy district with a mix of boutiques, eateries, and cultural spots. It provides a more local experience while close to the city centre.

Aarhus East (Øgadekvarteret):   This up-and-coming neighbourhood has a creative vibe, with art galleries, studios, and unique shops. It's a good choice for those looking for a more alternative atmosphere.

See list with great hotels in Aarhus

Airport Shuttle from Aarhus Airport

For convenient transportation between Aarhus and Aarhus Airport, take advantage of the shuttle buses directly linked to arriving and departing flights.

The journey from the central train station in Aarhus to the airport takes approximately 45 minutes. The shuttle, identified as bus number 925X.

Visit East Jutland

Visit South Denmark

Best Attractions in Aarhus

Aros Art Museum

The Old Town Museum

Shopping in Aarhus

Marselisborg Palace

The Latin Quarter in Aarhus

The Women`s Museum in Denmark

Viking Museum in Aarhus

Botanical Garden in Aarhus

The Iceberg building in Aarhus

Recommended attractions nearby aarhus.

Reepark Safari

Nationalpark Mols Bjerge

Djurs Sommerland

Randers Regnskov - Tropical Zoo

The Jelling Monuments

Recommended hotels in aarhus.

Milling Hotel Ritz

CABINN Aarhus Hotel

Scandic Hotel

Hotel Oasia

Hotel Marselis

Michelin restaurants in aarhus.

Restaurant Frederikshøj

Restaurant Gastromé

Restaurant Substans

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• 1.1.1 Aarhus C
• 1.1.2 Aarhus N
• 1.1.3 Aarhus V
• 1.1.4 Viby and Højbjerg
• 1.2 When to go
• 1.3 Tourist information
• 3.1 By train
• 3.3 By boat
• 3.4 By plane
• 4.1 On foot
• 4.2 By bicycle
• 4.3 By light rail
• 4.5 By taxi
• 5.1 History
• 5.2 Museums
• 5.3 Architecture
• 5.4 Green spaces and nature
• 5.5 Miscellaneous
• 6.1 Guided tours and sightseeing
• 6.2 Theatre & performing arts
• 6.4 Live music
• 6.5 Festivals and events
• 6.6 Beaches
• 6.7 Swimming pools
• 6.9 Boating
• 6.10 Angling
• 6.11 Horse riding
• 6.13 Miscellaneous
• 9.1.1 Budget
• 9.1.2 Mid-range
• 9.2.1 Budget
• 9.2.2 Mid-range
• 9.2.3 Splurge
• 9.3.1 Budget
• 9.3.2 Mid-range
• 9.4.1 Mid-range
• 9.4.2 Splurge
• 9.5 Steakhouses
• 9.6 Traditional Danish food
• 9.7 Vegetarian
• 9.9 Bakeries
• 10.1 Frederiksbjerg
• 10.2 Frederiksgade
• 10.3 Riverside
• 10.4 Skolegade
• 10.5 Latin Quarter
• 10.6 Elsewhere
• 10.7 Bodegaer and værtshuse
• 11.1 Budget
• 11.2 Mid-range
• 11.3 Splurge
• 12.2 Computers
• 13.1 Accessibility
• 13.2 Begging
• 13.3 Consulates
• 14 Stay healthy
• 15.1 Close by
• 15.2 Further afield

<a href=\"https://tools.wmflabs.org/wikivoyage/w/poi2gpx.php?print=gpx&amp;lang=en&amp;name=Aarhus\" title=\"Download GPX file for this article\" data-parsoid=\"{}\"><img alt=\"Download GPX file for this article\" resource=\"./File:GPX_Document_rev3-20x20.png\" src=\"//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f7/GPX_Document_rev3-20x20.png\" decoding=\"async\" data-file-width=\"20\" data-file-height=\"20\" data-file-type=\"bitmap\" height=\"20\" width=\"20\" class=\"mw-file-element\" data-parsoid='{\"a\":{\"resource\":\"./File:GPX_Document_rev3-20x20.png\",\"height\":\"20\",\"width\":\"20\"},\"sa\":{\"resource\":\"File:GPX Document rev3-20x20.png\"}}'/></a></span>"}'/> Aarhus (also written Århus and pronounced Oar-Hoos ) is the main city on the Jutland peninsula in Denmark . "City of Cafés" is a moniker the city wears with pride: its roster of coffeeshops exemplifies Aarhus' elegant mix of cosmopolitan city life and quaint small-town charm. With a population of almost 350,000 in 2020, it is Denmark's second largest city and has the youngest population.

Aarhus is known as "The City of Smiles" (Danish: Smilets By ). This slogan probably started as publicity to improve the city's image, but it has nevertheless caught on.

Being a university city and centre of education, Aarhus has a large student population and one of the lowest median ages of any city in Europe. The cultural scene here is always thriving. For years, Aarhus has been an incubator for Danish artists and performers. It is also home to Aarhus Festuge , Scandinavia's largest cultural festival, held annually for 10 days at the end of August. In addition, Aarhus, along with the East Jutland Metropolitan area for which it serves as the central hub, is the fastest-growing area in Denmark in terms of population. There is a huge building boom taking place with new high-rises sprouting like mushrooms on the skyline. Little wonder, then, that Aarhus was selected as 2017's European Capital of Culture, with a full slate of events on tap all year throughout the entire city and region.

Orientation

Aarhus City is the central district and the most active area of the city with several interesting and special neighbourhoods, including these:

• Indre by (Inner City) is the old medieval core of the city which used to be walled and gated up until 1857. A large part of the inner city is pedestrianized. The Latin Quarter is a small special quarter with cobblestone streets, low-rise buildings and old townhouses that has been preserved.
• Vesterbro , situated north and west of Indre by, is mostly a residential area. However, you'll find several major attractions including the Botanical Gardens, the Old Town museum and the main university campus.
• Øgade-kvarteret is a residential quarter immediately northwest of the Latin Quarter and also presents a unique town environment with lowrise buildings and colourful townhouses, mostly from around the 1850s-1920s. Most of the streets of the quarter are named after Danish islands.
• Aarhus Ø is a new residential neighbourhood on the harbourfront.
• Trøjborg is located north of the inner city and is like a small town within the city. The area was developed in the early 1900s with mostly four- or five-storey apartment blocks in brick. It used to be a working class neighbourhood. It is a somewhat quiet residential quarter but also includes a central shopping street with restaurants and a cinema.
• Frederiksbjerg is another quarter with its own charm and character. Located immediately south of the broad railway yard in the city centre, this area was developed primarily in the late 1800s and most of the original buildings have been preserved. It is a lovely mix of bustling street life, restaurants, specialty shops, small businesses and residential areas. Mostly low-rise buildings and townhouses, with several small parks in between.

Aarhus Nord (Aarhus North) is a large postal district comprising the northern parts of the city. It is made up mostly of quiet residential neighbourhoods, but boasts natural attractions such as the Risskov urban forest, Egå Engsø lake area, and some beach parks. The district is also home to several educational institutions, a large business park, an industrial park with light industry, and a huge regional hospital. Some of the neighbourhoods in Aarhus N, like Skejby and Vejlby, are former suburban villages that have merged with the city.

Aarhus Vest (Aarhus West) is perhaps the largest postal district and includes all the western neighbourhoods of the city. Most of it is residential areas of more recent development, but some neighbourhoods, like Åby and Hasle, are former suburban villages or outlying farms that have merged with the city. There are several natural attractions in this large area, including the Brabrand Lake area and the nature site of Skjoldhøjkilen, and many opportunities for sports.

Viby and Højbjerg

Viby (officially Viby J, with J for Jutland) is a former railway town that has merged with the expanding city. It is sometimes unofficially referred to as Aarhus S (Aarhus South) along with Højbjerg , Skåde and Holme , three adjacent districts and neighbourhoods. There is some activity around the central square of Viby Torv, but otherwise these southern parts of town are predominantly residential. Marselisborg Forests and the Moesgaard Museum are the two most important attractions here.

As the seasons change, the character of Aarhus changes accordingly. In winter, outdoor activities are limited and this is primarily a time for the indoors. It is unusual for everything to be covered in metre- thick layers of snow and the temperatures are not excruciating cold normally, but daylight hours are limited, the trees stand bare, and the skies are often depressingly grey. While the city is still full of people, the outdoor street life is uninspiring for most visitors, except for the Christmas period of December. At this time, the city centre is decorated, and as Christmas approaches, more street vendors sell sweet treats and comfort food such as æbleskiver , pancakes, mulled wine, and sugar-glazed almonds.

Starting in Apr-May and ending with Oct-Nov, the city has more to offer. The beech trees burst into leaves around the first of May, and daylight hours and temperatures increase rapidly throughout this month. Having waited for this, citizens are quick to fill the parks and green spaces; street life shows much more intensity and diversity, and several outdoor events take place. However, Aarhus, as the rest of Denmark, is almost closed down with empty streets during Easter.

Major attractions in Aarhus are open throughout the summer, but quite a few restaurants are closed for several weeks, though not all at once; there are still plenty of opportunities. However, if you plan to visit a specific eatery, confirm their hours beforehand. In July and August, many residents leave the city or travel abroad. University students have time off from their studies and many visit family in other cities, work elsewhere, or travel. Working people have five weeks of paid vacation and nearly everybody spends some of it during this season. For these reasons, the city centre can appear deserted in mid-July to early August and chances are that you will encounter more visitors than residents. It would therefore be a good idea to combine a visit to Aarhus with excursions to nearby countryside and attractions in the height of summer. From mid-August, things start to happen again in the city as residents return. It is still summer and soon time for the annual Aarhus Fest.

Through September, the temperatures begin to cool and it gets windier, but there are still many daylight hours in the day and the weather is usually fine. From October the leaves on the trees start to turn yellow and red, and any trace of summer ends with the onset of November. September and October are also a good time to visit if you want to include outdoor and nature experiences to your trip, just bring more warm clothing. October and parts of November is a particularly beautiful time of year in the city parks and forests with all the vibrant colours of autumn.

Tourist information

As most other places in Denmark, the official tourist website of Aarhus is managed by VisitDenmark, a public-private partnership with free tourist services. The Aarhus website is called VisitAarhus .

The main office for tourist information in the city is in the Dokk1 library building at the harbour front. Ask the staff at the information desk and they will help you. In the summer, extra staff servicing tourists specifically are there to help. There is also a touchscreen available with interactive tourist information about the city, and a plethora of free inspirational and informative pamphlets about notable sights and happenings in the region.

Many Danes can be reserved towards strangers, but friendly towards tourists, and will normally be happy to give you directions and advice in good English. As Aarhus is a big city, it will hardly be a problem getting help or directions in near-fluent English.

It is also possible to catch a train to other parts of the Jutland peninsula from Aarhus. There are trains going north to Aalborg twice an hour most days and going west to Skjern or Struer once an hour. Trains from Hamburg arrive several times a day (with a change of trains in Kolding ). If you book about two months before travelling, you can buy one of the few tickets for €30 (called "Europa-Sparpreis"). For more information check out the website of the German national railway company DB

DSB introduced a mandatory reservation on trains to and from Germany in July 2019. Even though Denmark is in the Schengen area, passports are being checked by customs at entry points.

Tickets used in trains are also usable in buses, and if you are travelling from Copenhagen, you can use your ticket for the rest of the day to get around Aarhus at no extra expense.

Buses have become an attractive way of travelling between Aarhus and Copenhagen, due to their significantly lower prices. An inter-city bus takes roughly an hour longer than an equivalent express train, but the fares are typically between 40% (standard tickets) and 90% (the cheapest Saver tickets) lower than full-price train tickets.

• Flixbus . From Copenhagen, Odense, Aalborg and other towns in Denmark. International connections include Amsterdam, Berlin, and Hamburg. ( updated Jun 2021 )
• Kombardo Expressen . Direct to Copenhagen via the ferry. ( updated May 2019 )
• Fleet . A long-distance bus company owned by Vikingbus. Has a route between Aarhus and Copenhagen with stops in Middelfart and Odense on the way. ( updated Mar 2024 )
• 56.1507 10.2516 2 Mols Linjen . Ferry to Odden the northwest coast of Zealand . Significant discounts by booking your tickets days in advance. Public transport connections to and from Odden are not very good, unless you are using Kombardo Expressen (direct bus via the ferry between Aarhus and Copenhagen). Arriving by ferry in Aarhus without a car also leaves you a bit stranded since there is no public transport to and from the new dock; the city centre is a 4-km walk. ( updated Mar 2024 )
• 56.15387 10.21527 3 M/F Lilleøre . A small catamaran ferry (no vehicles except bicycles), M/F Lilleøre, connects the center of Aarhus with the island Samsø. The ferry docks at Dokk1 in Aarhus and in Sælvig on Samsø. ( updated Nov 2021 )

The entire city is clean and well organized, which makes walking an excellent and enjoyable way to get around. The inner city has an extensive pedestrian zone, and almost every town road in Denmark has sidewalks. If you want to venture further out, several routes have been established for exercise and for leisurely strolls. Known as "sunbeams", they avoid heavily trafficked roads and includes nature experiences.

Bicycles are easily available for rent in the central parts of town. In addition to the listings below some hotels have bikes available for rental by their guests.

Even though Denmark is very flat generally, Aarhus has some of the steepest roads in the country and they can be quite a challenge if you aren't used to ride a bicycle. However, most roads are a breeze and on longer rides, you can usually plan your route to avoid the hardest ascends if you fear the "Aarhusian Alps".

The inner city of Aarhus has a network of bicycle streets (Danish: Cykelgader ) where priority is given to cyclists. Here bicycles can use the entire lane and cars are not supposed to drive faster than normal cycling speed. However not all drivers respect these rules (perhaps because they are unaware of them), so you should still watch out for car traffic.

• Donkey Republic . Offers bicycles to be picked up around the clock at several street spots, including a pick-up spot outside the central station. The bicycles are readily identified by their bright orange colour and they are paid for through a smartphone app. ( updated May 2022 )
• Cycling Aarhus , Frederiksgade 78 . Rental bikes and also offer guided bike tours of the city. ( updated May 2022 )
• Rent & Ride , Krabbesholms Allé 7, DK-8260 Viby J , ☏ +45 22 79 80 98 , [email protected] . Mountain bike rental. kr 299 per day . ( updated May 2022 ) y
• Friis Cykler , Jens Baggesens Vej 86, DK-8200 Aarhus N , ☏ +45 86 16 65 05 , [email protected] . Bike shop with a selection of rental bikes. kr 60 per day . ( updated May 2022 )
• Cykel-udlejning.dk , Hørretløkken 50, DK-8320 Mårslet , ☏ +45 60 54 90 12 , [email protected] . Mountain bikes and road bikes. kr 349 per day . ( updated May 2022 )

By light rail

The electric light rail system " Aarhus Letbane " opened its first line in late 2017, as the first rail system of its kind in Denmark, and is bound for further expansions into the suburbs in coming years.

Tickets can be purchased with credit cards at electronic stands on selected stops, and the tickets are fully compatible with the local yellow bus system (and vice versa). Tickets cannot be purchased aboard the light rail train. Bicycles can be brought along for an extra fee, although not on the inner city stretch "Skolebakken - Universitetshospitalet" during weekday mornings and afternoon rush hour periods (07:00-09:00 and 15:00-17:00). The train schedules, important info, and the zoning system can be checked at the Letbanen website.

There are two bus systems in Aarhus, both operated by Midttrafik . Yellow buses serve local routes within the city limits, and Blue buses serve municipal and regional routes. The blue bus routes pass through the inner city, so if you have to go on longer journeys, you do not have to change between the two systems. X-buses are express blue buses, discernible by a large X sign. X-buses make fewer stops, are equipped with free Wifi, usually have toilets and you are allowed to eat and drink. All blue buses have limited cargo space for heavy luggage, bicycles, etc., that you can use if you inform the chauffeur. You can enter the yellow city buses using all doors. On the blue regional buses entrance is at the front door only (with some exceptions, such as the 200 and 100).

Tickets are preferably purchased in advance in the Midttrafik app or in the Midttrafik webshop. The app is free for download on App Store and Google Play. Here you can buy single tickets, multi trip ticket cards, and special tourist tickets for busses and Letbanen. As a special service, blue buses also offers the opportunity to buy a ticket with cash from the chauffeur. Tickets bought on blue buses (and trains) can also be used to ride the local yellow buses, but not necessarily the other way around. If you ride without a valid ticket, you risk getting fined heavily, so don't take chances.

Bus tickets for travel within the city limits are kr 22, or kr 11 if you are under 16 years of age. Up to two accompanied children (under 12 years) travel for free. Multi-trip ticket cards are also available (10-trips), varying in price depending on how far you want to go. Cheaper cards are also available for people under 16 years old. Finally, there are tickets that allow you to ride all you want for 30 days, with prices depending on how far you wish to travel. For planning trips, it is recommended to use Rejseplanen ; the official travel planner website for all Danish public transport. It is also available as an app.

Night buses are extra buses and routes to and from the outlying districts and suburbs throughout the night. The fare is double the normal price.

In all of Denmark, train tickets can also be used to ride local bus lines, if you get on the bus within the time limit on your ticket.

• Aarhus Taxa , ☏ +45 89 48 48 48 . ( updated Nov 2019 )
• Dantaxi Aarhus , ☏ +45 86 16 47 00 . ( updated May 2019 )

Aarhus has very good public transit and in the inner city most sights are within walking distance of each other. A car is therefore really only needed if you want to explore the countryside. In addition, you will find that parking is restricted and rather expensive in Aarhus C. Free parking is scarce, except at a few places like Tangkrogen, in front of Ceres Park & Arena and at some shopping centres.

While traffic rarely comes to a complete standstill, the ring roads and inner city streets are often quite congested during rush hour. That being said, should you need a car while staying in Aarhus, there are several car rental companies with centrally located rental stations.

Remember to yield to cyclists. Aarhus is a hilly city and cyclists going downhill will often be approaching intersections at high speed.

There is a low emission zone in Aarhus; see Driving in Denmark#Low Emission Zones .

Many attractions and events in Aarhus are free, and there is an interesting street life, so even on a budget you can have an enjoyable experience.

With a history dating back to at least the 700s in the Viking Age, Aarhus holds many historic buildings, some of which are of national importance.

• 56.158432 10.192927 2 Museum Aarhus . A permanent exhibition within the Old Town Museum opened in spring 2017. The museum displays Aarhus' history with a focus on the last 150 years, the period when it expanded from a small provincial port town to its current status of second-largest city.  

Apart from the old churches, the Latin Quarter in the city center has many historic houses in a preserved environment, just walk around the cobblestoned streets and have a look. There are many niche boutiques, cafés and restaurants.

Several professional guides arrange historic walks around town.

There are a lot of museums around Aarhus, and Denmark in general, but many of them are not museums in the ordinary sense, more like themed and interactive cultural centres. The three main museums in Aarhus are The Old Town museum, ARoS Art Museum and Moesgaard Museum.

• 56.186363 10.188174 11 Museum Ovartaci , Olof Palmes Allé 11 ( take the light rail to Nehrus Allé in the northern district ), ☏ +45 41 85 62 90 , [email protected] . M-W & F 10:00-17:00, Th 10:00-20:00, Sa Su 12:00-17:00 . An arts museum, displaying art created by psychiatric patients specifically. The museum has a special focus on its namesake artist Ovartaci, a transgender mental patient who lived at the city's former mental hospital in Risskov for 56 years until his/her death in 1985. Guided tours can be pre ordered and arranged. kr 95, free for those under 18 . ( updated Apr 2019 )
• 56.1574 10.2112 13 Occupation Museum ( Besættelsesmuseet ), Mathilde Fibigers Have 2 ( behind the Gender Museum, in the same building complex ), ☏ +45 86 18 42 77 . Tu-Su 11:00-17:00 (last admittance is 16:00) . Engaging permanent exhibition about life in Aarhus during the German occupation of Denmark during World War II. It was a period of rationing, black outs, bombs in the night and for some, resistance or collaboration. The museum resides in Aarhus' old former police station, which, in the later years of the war, served as Gestapo's headquarters; the dreaded security police of Nazi Germany. Book your time online, most guests spend about an hour at the exhibitions. Not accessible to wheelchairs.. 75 kr (free for people under 18) . ( updated Jul 2023 )

Architecture

Anyone who appreciates European architecture will find many points of interest in Aarhus, from medieval buildings to modern icons. Even though Aarhus is one of the oldest towns in Denmark, most of the inner city was erected in the 1800s and 1900s during and after the industrial revolution, and you will not find many larger structures from the 1600s and 1700s, as compared to Copenhagen for example.

Modern architecture is abundant with many notable buildings such as the university campus in yellow brick, the futuristic Dokk1, the residential Isbjerget (The Iceberg) at the harbourfront, Musikhuset (the Concert Halls) and the Moesgård Museum from 2014. Notable architecture in the city also includes a bit of post-modernism, plenty Nordic functionalism, and in particular historicism which is abundant. The Aarhus Cathedral begun in the 1100s is the oldest building in the city, but there are several preserved Medieval timber-framed buildings, mostly in the inner city, with the oldest dating to the 1500s.

• 56.153056 10.203333 15 Rådhuset ( The Town Hall ), Rådhuspladsen 2 , ☏ +45 89 40 20 00 . This building is considered one of the highlights of Danish architecture, designed by the famous architects Arne Jacobsen and Erik Møller in cooperation with equally celebrated furniture designer Hans Wegner. Clad in grey Norwegian marble, it might appear bland to the untrained eye from the outside, but the indoor design is much more intriguing. Every Saturday guided tours are arranged around the interior of the building by AarhusGuides . First in Danish at 10:00-11:30 and then in English at 12:00-13:30. Price 100 kr (children 50 kr). The tour includes a visit to the top of the clock tower for a chance to enjoy the view. There are several interesting statues around the town hall. Enjoy the dramatic bronze statue and fountain of "Agnethe og Havmanden" near the city entrance towards the Central Station. It depicts a scene from a Danish fairy tale about Agnethe who falls in love with a merman. From here you can walk through the city entrance and the Town Hall Park and observe more bronze statues and memorial stones. The park is quite lively in the summer, as people tend to flock here as soon as it gets warm enough. Don't miss the "Grisebrønden" statue (the well of the pigs) with the drooling and peeing pigs, at the Town Hall Square. You can buy good hotdogs at the Town Hall Square too. ( updated Nov 2021 )
• 56.1559 10.2111 17 Aarhus Theater ( opposite the Cathedral ). If older times architecture is more your thing, you will love to study the Aarhus Theatre building inside-out. Built around the year 1900 in the Danish version of Art Nouveau (known as skønvirke ), the building is crammed with architectural details from the history of theatre and the interior is even more lusciously decorated than the outside facades. Guided tours (in Danish) on some Saturdays. ( updated Feb 2018 )
• 56.145701 10.20397 18 Frederiksbjerg . Historicist architecture is abundant in this neighbourhood where large-scale construction of urban planned townscapes took off in 1898. Go to the square of Sankt Pauls Kirkeplads, uphill and south of the central station. The square is surrounded by notable historicist apartment blocks, each with their own peculiarity. Look up, take it slow and enjoy the variety. From here, there are numerous options for the architectural walk. A stroll down Odensegade towards Ingerslevs Boulevard is a good choice. ( updated Apr 2018 )
• 56.1621 10.2155 19 Mejlborg . Finished in 1898, this was the first large apartment complex to be erected in Aarhus, built where the Northern city gates were demolished two decades before. Gothic Renaissance at its finest. There is no public access, but the detailed facades and metal clad onion dome can easily be enjoyed from the street. Good idea to go here by the historic street of Mejlgade and backtrack by the coastal promenade Kystvejen . Take it slow and be sure to look up, there are many more historicist waterfront buildings to experience here. ( updated Mar 2018 )

Green spaces and nature

Aarhus has a few large parks and several smaller green spaces. The largest and most notable parks includes the University Park, Aarhus Botanical Gardens and The Memorial Park. The city has some nice woodlands, beaches and countryside within easy reach.

• 56.237531 10.158382 24 Den Japanske Have , Randersvej 395 , ☏ +45 40 72 73 71 . Garden May-Sep: Sa Su (and most weekdays) 09:00-15:30. Restaurant Jun-Aug: Sa Su 11:00-16:00 . Located in Lisbjerg on Aarhus' northern outskirts, this is a large, authentic Japanese garden laid out in traditional chisen kaiyu style designed for promenading. There is an onsite restaurant and café ( Park13 ). While the garden is only open for visitors in late spring and summer, larger special events, such as concerts, are occasionally arranged in the winter. Free . ( updated Jul 2017 )
• A trio of preserved historic water mills dating from the 16th, 17th, and the 18th centuries hearken back to the time when this land was a series of tenant farms owned by the barons of Moesgaard Manor. 56.117056 10.227354 28 Silistria , a former grain mill, is now the clubhouse of OK Pan Århus , Denmark's longest-running orienteering club. Skovmøllen , the oldest of the three, has again been a working mill since 2000, and also a restaurant . 56.121833 10.213395 29 Thors Mølle , an old powder mill, has served guests since the 1700s and is now exclusively a restaurant.

Miscellaneous

For a city its size, Aarhus offers a multitude of things for visitors to do. Public events are generally oriented for folks of all ages and budgets, so whether you're a solo visitor, a family, young, old, handicapped, on a tight budget, or in the mood to splurge, there's much to choose from.

Guided tours and sightseeing

• City Sightseeing ( Hop-on-hop-off Aarhus ) ( hop on at 8 spots around the city ). Only operates when a cruise ship is in port (typically 1 May - 15 Sep) . See Aarhus from an open double-decker bus. With an audioguide in five languages you can hop on or off at 8 stops on the route around the city. Buses come and go every half-an-hour so you can spend as much time in each spot as you would like, but it takes 70 minutes to complete the circuit if you don't hop off at all. Suitable for the handicapped. €27.30, children under 16: €13.65 . ( updated Nov 2021 )
• 56.153784 10.202883 1 Bicycle tour ( Cycling Aarhus ), Frederiksgade 78 ( Frederiksgade is a sidestreet to the Town Hall Square ), ☏ +45 21 76 28 29 , [email protected] . May-Oct: daily 09:00-13:00 . Participate in a guided bike tour around the city. There are several tour themes to choose from and if you are a group of four or more people, you can design your own personal tour with the guides. The guides are all fluent in Danish and English. You can also just rent a bike (You have to book a minimum of 2 bikes) and tour the city by yourself, kr 110 per day. kr 150-349 . ( updated Jun 2021 )
• 56.150519 10.204545 2 Aarhus Culture Walks , Banegårdspladsen 1 ( Go to the Central Stations main entrance ), ☏ +45 42 42 19 25 , [email protected] . Sa 11:00 and 14:00 . Every Saturday at 11:00 and 14:00 o'clock, two-hour culture walks starts off from the square outside the Central Station. Just show up or book on-line and save 10 percent. The tours covers both present and older times city life, architecture, art and local stories. Tours on other days of the week and with more personalized themes can be arranged for groups of five or more people, but it costs €100. Children free, adults kr 150; seniors kr 120 . ( updated Jul 2018 )
• AarhusGuides . Organisation of professional guides offering group tours in Aarhus in multiple languages. Regular tours comprise a City Hall tour and in the summer also city walks. No prebooking necessary, you just show up. kr 100 for regular tours . ( updated Nov 2021 )

Theatre & performing arts

• 56.15203 10.19964 4 Bora Bora , Valdemarsgade 1 . Bora Bora is a small dance and visual theater located in a cultural centre that was once a school. ( updated May 2016 )
• 56.1531 10.1991 5 Filuren , Thomas Jensens Allé 2 . Another small niche theater with room for up to 150 inside the large building complex at the Concert Halls. Filuren is a theater and a theater school for youth. A nice alternative thing to do if you are with children. Each play has a strictly enforced age limit (usually 3, 4, 5 or 13 years), so be sure to check out the programme beforehand. kr 65 . ( updated May 2016 )

• 56.16303 10.22755 10 Teatret Gruppe 38 , Irma Pedersens Gade 222 ( at the harbour front of Aarhus Ø ), ☏ +45 86 13 53 11 , [email protected] . M-F 09:00-15:00 (office and phone) . Danish and international performing arts with an alternative bend, led by artistic leader, playwright and actor Bodil Alling. Initiated in 1972, and now residing in a new stylish building from 2019, designed by architect group BIG, in the new harbour district, this theatre presents small, intimate, and engaging experiences from two scenes. The troupe tour the world on a regular basis and brings home inspiration and colleagues from around the world. Enjoy a drink or a piece of cake in the bar before or after the shows. kr 135 (standard) . ( updated Nov 2021 )

Every second year in May, Aarhus is host to the International Living Theatre (ILT) festival, with the next event taking place in 2025. For a number of days, thespians from all over the world meet up here and share the universe of stage art in its broadest sense with each other and interested participants and audiences.

There are three mainstream movie houses in Aarhus, and a number of smaller niche theaters.

• 56.1492 10.2039 11 CinemaxX , M. P. Bruuns Gade 25 ( in Bruun's Galleri ), ☏ +45 70 12 01 01 . The largest and most high-tech cinema in Jutland, showing mostly mainstream Hollywood blockbusters with Danish subtitles, some in 3D. Large lounge parlour with a candy store (no outside food or drink!)  
• 56.15132 10.20584 12 Nordisk Film Biografer Aarhus C , Sankt Knuds Torv 15 ( opposite the Catholic church on the high street near the central station ), ☏ +45 70 13 12 11 . Another large mainstream cinema with nine large screens and a 4DX film theatre. Lounge parlor with café and large candy store.  
• 56.1704 10.2159 13 Nordisk Film Biografer Trøjborg , Tordenskjoldsgade 21 , ☏ +45 70 13 12 11 . Daily from 15:00 . A smaller mainstream movie theater in Trøjborg, with five screens and a café.  
• 56.160189 10.209481 14 Øst for Paradis , Paradisgade 7 , ☏ +45 86 19 31 22 . Showing a mix of indie and European arthouse films with some mainstream Hollywood fare thrown in for good measure, Øst for Paradis (East of Eden) comprises three stories of what is left of an old former craftman's guild complex from 1868, most of which was destroyed during the Second World War. The cinema has seven screens, equipped with state-of-the art digital technology. There is a cozy café at the cinema with newspapers and cultural magazines to browse, as well as a nightclub (Café Paradis) on the top floor.  
• 56.15977 10.21295 15 Slagtehal 3 , Mejlgade 50 . If you're into horror movies, head here: these folks show them every Thursday. kr 50 .  
• 56.15519 10.21175 16 Fatter Eskil , Skolegade 25 ( behind the Aarhus Theatre near the river ). Tu-Sa . Housed in an old building from the 1700s in the city centre, Fatter Eskil hosts bands from Denmark in a diverse mix of genres, but mostly blues and rock. kr 40-80, usually free before 22:00 . ( updated Dec 2015 )

• 56.160083 10.212593 17 Gyngen , Mejlgade 53 . Gyngen is a music venue, restaurant and café all in one. A smaller place than Voxhall and Train, mostly featuring lesser-known bands and artists in a relaxed atmosphere. ( updated Dec 2015 )
• 56.15203 10.1995 18 HeadQuarters ( HQ ), Valdemarsgade 1 . Tu-Sa from 19:00 . HeadQuarters is a small cultural venue for theatre, dance and music located in a basement right across the Concert Halls building. There are usually three concerts per week on a tiny stage, as well as a night club with DJs. ( updated May 2016 )
• 56.152694 10.199592 19 Musikhuset ( The Concert Hall ). The largest concert hall in Scandinavia, Musikhuset has seating for more than 3,600 people in six halls with a large variety of events and concerts throughout the year: classical performances, rock and jazz concerts, operas, musicals, chamber music, as well as more intimate performances on some of the smaller stages. Good restaurant and café. ( updated Dec 2015 )
• 56.15305 10.19411 20 Radar ( behind the Scandinavian Center and the Concert Halls ). Located in the cultural centre of Godsbanen, Radar hosts many concerts and music events. ( updated Dec 2015 )
• 56.17125 10.200369 21 Studenterhus Aarhus ( Stakladen ), Nordre Ringgade ( on the northern outskirts of the university campus ). Built for student activities and assemblies and equipped with a barroom and a cafeteria, Studenterhus Aarhus also hosts concerts and other cultural events, usually twice monthly. The largest stage has modern sound technology and room for 750 standing or 450 seated guests. ( updated Dec 2015 )
• 56.15236 10.21167 22 Train ( at First Hotel Atlantic ). Train hosts a large variety of modern contemporary music concerts and other events, from rock, pop and jazz to hip-hop and electronica. There is an onsite lounge, nightclub and cocktail bar ( Kupé ). ( updated Dec 2015 )
• 56.15578 10.19886 23 Voxhall , Vester Alle 15 ( at Mølleparken in the city centre ), ☏ +45 87 30 97 97 . A good, tightly planned schedule of mainstream rock and pop concerts, occasionally dipping its toes into other genres, Voxhall is Aarhus' venue of choice for big-name acts from abroad. A relatively small stage, but room for many people. The associated venue of Atlas is just as active, but mainly focuses on other genres, including world music and folk. Tickets are usually bought at the door, but if you're going to a major concert, buy beforehand! Nice wine and tapas bar in the building at Pica Pica . ( updated Mar 2016 )

Festivals and events

• LiteratureXchange ( Aarhus International Literature Festival ), ☏ +45 88 43 80 00 , [email protected] . A relatively new literature festival with an international outlook, first held in the summer of 2018. The festival event runs for 5 days in early June with more than a hundred events around the city, including talks, debates and readings with celebrated writers along with more experimental happenings and small offbeat events. The 2024 festival have a focus on war and peace, injustice, and the history of slavery (especially the old history between Denmark and Ghana). In this context, you can meet international writers Isabella Hammad, Chigozie Obioma (Nigeria) and Kofi Anyidoho (Ghana) and many more, in a mix with local talents such as Mich Vraa (Denmark), Brynjulf Jung Tjønn (Norway) and Daniela Dröscher (Germany). Danish, English and other languages. ( updated Jun 2021 )

• Århundredets Festival ( Festival of the Century ), All over town . Århundredets Festival is a broadly appealing knowledge, art and culture festival held every year in the first half of March across the city. The festival alternates between a historical era theme and a present theme relating to current state of affairs. The festival is arranged in a collaboration between the city's many educational and cultural institutions, Aarhus University and Aarhus Municipality, and includes a plethora of events, happenings, debates and lectures based around the annual theme. Everything is conducted in Danish, as one of the festival's main purposes is to incite public debate among people and a broad engagement, but some events could be of interest to visitors who don't know the Danish language. ( updated May 2022 )

Almost the entire coastline of Denmark consists of publicly-accessible sandy beaches well suited for leisurely activities, and the Aarhus area is no different. Beachcombers might want to be on the lookout for petrified belemnites and sea urchins, but you shouldn't expect to spot any amber in this part of Denmark.

The municipality offers real-time updates of water quality, temperature, etc., at area beaches, on a website and via a free mobile app. Be aware that there is increased wave activity throughout the entire bay whenever the catamaran ferry is passing through. The phenomenon is harmless and only lasts 5-10 minutes, but small children are sometimes frightened by this, especially when it happens on an otherwise calm day.

• 56.1675 10.2292 32 Sea swimming course ( Aarhus Havbane ). Not a beach but a 500-metre-long sea swimming course along Aarhus Ø marked by with yellow and orange buoys. No vessels are allowed within the buoys. Some winter bathers use the short boardwalk for a quick dip. Also a good place for snorkling around the big granite boulders placed in the water. Free . ( updated Nov 2021 )

Swimming pools

There are a total of four public indoor swimming pools throughout the city that can be used most of the year. Be sure to check up, as some are closed for extensive periods in the summer. Same price at all venues: kr 45; special prices for children and groups. You can rent towels and bathing suits at some places, but it is expensive.

• 56.14364 10.197024 33 Aarhus Svømmestadion , F. Vestergaards Gade 5 , ☏ +45 86 12 86 44 . All week . If swimming specifically is what you want to do, this is a better option than Badeanstalten Spanien, with an outdoor pool (summer only) to go along with the indoor one. Aarhus Swimming Stadium is only for swimmers, as you must be able to swim 200 m without aids to use the pools. Swimming is on short course (25 m) on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and long course (50 m) on the remaining days of the week. There are also two associated sports halls known as Frederiksbjerghallerne . Bring your own padlock for your personal locker, or buy one at the reception for kr 30. Adults kr 55, youth kr 35 (15-25 years), children (3-14 years) kr 30, free with AarhusCARD . ( updated Apr 2023 )
• 56.159503 10.135789 35 Gellerupbadet , Karen Blixens Boulevard 41A, Brabrand ( in Braband, in the middle of Gellerup Park ), ☏ +45 86 25 69 01 . W-M . If you're a family with kids, Gellerupbadet is the swimming venue for you, with special shallow heated pools and a sauna, plus a large climbing wall in the hall. ( updated May 2019 )
• 56.164082 10.224934 36 Havnebadet ( Aarhus Havnebad ), Irma Pedersens Gade ( ho to Bassin 7 on Aarhus Docklands ). 11:00 to 19:00 every day (June-August) . Large floating bathhouse in the northern parts of the harbour, part of the developing docklands district, designed by renowned architecture company BIG. The open-air bathhouse has several pools, including child friendly paddling pools. It is open to the public from June through August. The surrounding area is still under development, but a number of small shops offers coffee, drinks, ice cream and some food. Free . ( updated Jul 2018 )

Throughout the city there are a number of sports complexes, small and large stadiums, indoor sports halls , and several facilities for street sports. Apart from the free street-level activities, you'll need to be a member of a team to visit most of these places, but sometimes hourly rental or trial lessons are offered.

• Football: Aarhus GF play soccer in Superliga, Denmark's top tier. (And other sports: GF is Gymnastikforening , since you were wondering.) Their home ground is Ceres Park (capacity 19,400) 2 km south of city centre.
• 56.132222 10.196 39 Ceres Park & Arena ( Stadion ) ( on the outskirts of the Marselisborg Forests next to Tivoli Friheden ). The home pitch of local soccer team AGF, Ceres Park & Arena holds around 21,000 spectators. If you're a soccer fan, don't miss a home game (played on Saturdays or Sundays) as the atmosphere is amazing during game night! ( updated Mar 2016 )
• 56.1288 10.1975 41 Jysk Væddeløbsbane , Observatorievejen 2 ( behind the Ceres Park & Arena, enter from Carl Nielsens Vej ), ☏ +45 88811202 , [email protected] . Horse racing. kr 50 . ( updated Nov 2021 )
• 56.16424 10.22469 42 Aarhus Watersports Complex ( Kabelpark i Aarhus ). Aarhus Watersports Complex is a voluntary organisation at Bassin 7, Aarhus Ø, offering watersports activities with focus on wakeboarding, waterskiing and SUP. A cable system similar to a ski lift serves as a replacement for the speed boats traditionally used for wakeboarding, water skis etc. ( updated Jun 2021 )
• 56.16375 10.21793 43 Surf Agency , Fiskerivej 2F, 8000 Aarhus C , ☏ +45 42903010 , [email protected] . A certified surf school offering lessons in Stand Up Paddle surfing and rental of SUP boards and other necessary equipment. ( updated Jun 2021 )

Aarhus hosts many large sports events on both national and international level. You may want to attend or plan your visit around one of these events. Among the coming happenings, Aarhus will present Urban Sports Festival in the summer of 2024, European Choir Festival in 2025, and Tall Ships Races in 2026.

In the summer from early May through September you can rent canoes at the central community centre of 56.15539 10.19337 44 Folkestedet and paddle along the Aarhus River for short or extended journeys.

To fish as a recreational activity in Denmark, you are required to buy an Angler Fishing License ( Fisketegn ).

There are several popular spots for angling on the harbourfront, although eating bottom-feeders caught in the harbour is not recommended for health reasons. The sea, coasts and countryside around Aarhus, present many opportunities for angling. Saltwater fish includes sea trout, cod, mackerel, herring, and flatfish. Sometimes migrating fish like garfish are plentiful, depending on the season. Freshwater fish in streams and lakes, includes trout, pike, perch, and in some places zander, roach or bream.

Horse riding

A few places offers horseback riding as an alternative way to experience the immediate countryside.

• 56.129636 10.086538 45 Møllegård Islandsheste , Ormslevvej 325 ( Bike, hike or drive towards the small village of Ormslev west of Aarhus ), ☏ +45 23 30 16 50 , [email protected] . Year round . Try some guided horseback riding on Icelandic horses in the countryside west of Aarhus city. Depending on your skill level, you will be guided by professionals on site, and when deemed qualified you can begin exploring the surrounding area on the back of a horse. The nature around Årslev Lake and Brabrand Lake close by offers a memorable nature experience. Icelandic horses are a sturdy breed, but smaller than most other horses, so the weight limit is 90 kg. This place is open for both single visitors and groups year round. 450 kr for 1½ hour (w. guide and equipment) . ( updated Aug 2019 )
• 56.067095 10.22117 46 Seldrup Islandsheste , Fuldenvej 119 ( Bike, hike or drive to the village of Beder south of Aarhus ), ☏ +45 22 47 81 10 , [email protected] . Tour hours varies, but tours are scheduled every Wednesday . Horseback riding on Icelandic horses in the beautiful forests and countryside south of Aarhus. All tours are with guides. Only helmets are for rent here, remember to bring your own boots and long trousers. Please book and arrange everything a few days in advance. Tours varies in length and price. Ride for 1½ hour every Wednesday 10:00-11:30 for 300 kr . ( updated Aug 2019 )
• 56.253753 10.098506 47 Rønbækgård , Rønbækvej 35 ( Bike, hike or drive to Søften north of Aarhus ), ☏ +45 28 15 73 01 . F 15:30-16:30, Su 15:00-16:30 . Rønbækgård is in the forest of Himmerigskov between the suburban villages of Trige, Søften and Hinnerup north of Aarhus. Beginners, as well as the more experienced, can participate in guided tours on Icelandic horses every Friday and Sunday afternoon, tailored to the riders skill levels. Visit, or call, in advance to arrange and book. Tours on other days of the week can be negotiated. F 250 kr, Su 350 kr . ( updated Aug 2019 )

The East Jutland region has many options for golfers. The courses are of a high quality and often situated in beautiful settings. As part of this region, Aarhus has several options:

• 56.12211 10.01331 48 Aarhus Aadal Golf Club , Brydehøjvej 35, Harlev , ☏ +45 86 94 26 77 , [email protected] . This golf club is west of Aarhus near the town of Harlev. Beautiful countryside. 18 holes. Restaurant. ( updated Sep 2015 )

• 56.09358 10.21797 49 Aarhus Golf Club , Ny Moesgårdvej 50, Højbjerg ( close to the Moesgård Museum and the Marselisborg Forests ), ☏ +45 86 27 63 22 , [email protected] . Boasting a great view of the Bay of Aarhus and the excellent bistro and restaurant UNICO (which you can visit even if you're not a golfer), the Aarhus Golf Club has 35 years of experience and more than 1,000 members. 18 holes. ( updated Sep 2015 )
• 56.1488 10.2041 50 Aarhus Minigolf , M. P. Bruuns Gade 25 ( at Bruuns Galleri ), ☏ +45 21 85 05 18 , [email protected] . For something different, how about a round of mini-golf on the rooftops of the inner city? Take the elevator to the top floor of the Bruuns Galleri shopping halls at the central station to access the rooftop terrace. There is a large eatery right next to this place and a small bar outside at the playing field. Closed in the winter. kr 60 . ( updated Sep 2015 )
• 56.16988 10.03034 51 Lyngbygaard Golf , Lyngbygårdsvej 29, Brabrand , ☏ +45 87 44 10 70 . West of the centre in the district of Brabrand. Play either 18 or 9 holes, with five tees on every hole. Challenges for all levels. Onsite restaurant. ( updated Sep 2015 )
• 56.143556 10.147867 53 Battlearena Lasergame , Sylbækvej 7-9 in Brabrand ( Go to the Brabrand Lake west of the inner city ), ☏ +45 86 22 14 44 . 09:00-23:00 . Indoor lasergun battles for six or more people. Minimum age is 8 years old. Call in advance to book and pay. Instructions and equipment is part of the package. Bring your own food and drink or buy drinks at the place. Smallest package is 1 hour for 150 kr per person . ( updated Aug 2019 )
• 56.105643 10.150297 54 Eventpark Højbjerg , Søren Nymarksvej 8 ( Near Christian X's Vej, just beyond Ring 2 ), ☏ +45 86 14 16 00 (Rush), +45 60 19 87 52 (Eventhall) . 09:00-18:00 . A cluster of activity game arenas and an event venue, located in an otherwise uninteresting area of light industry in the south of the city. Rush Aarhus is a trampoline park for kids and adults alike. Every Friday and Saturday evening 20:00-22:00, Rush after Dark parties are arranged. Eventhall is a multi-purpose arena for all kinds of activity games; try to be a sumo wrestler, play bungee-basket or shoot your friends in a paintball game. Savvaerket is an event venue with occasional concerts and cultural happenings. kr 109 (1 hour at Rush) or 125 (1 hour at Eventhall) .  

• 56.144621 10.195962 55 Food markets , Ingerslevs Boulevard , [email protected] . W Sa 08:00-14:00 . An outdoor farm and artisan market with fresh vegetables, fruit, bread, fish, meat, cheese, and some prepared foods sold by local producers. There's also a small permanent café here with good coffee. 56.151464 10.209393 56 Aarhus Street Food is an indoor food market in the city centre near the central station. Offers a culinary world tour ranging from Korean bowls, Turkish grill, and luxury salads to pad thai, fish & chips, and Afro-Caribbean barbecue. The food court is open every day of the week 11:30-21:00. 56.164582 10.222756 57 Markedshallen is another indoor food court from early 2023, located in the building complex Nicolinehus in the new harbourside district of Aarhus Ø. Stylish interior, yet with relatively low budget prices and self-help service. The food offered here is also of a broad cultural diversity and the food stations are also open every day from 11:30-21:00. Free . ( updated Nov 2021 )
• 56.154167 10.194722 58 Godsbanen , Skovgaardsgade 3 ( behind ARoS and the Concert Halls ), ☏ +45 8940 9948 , +45 2920 9043 . A centre for cultural productions of all kinds: theatre, concerts, performance, film, art exhibitions, finders-keepers markets, and more. There is a restaurant and café here too. Even if you are not interested in participating in anything in particular, Godsbanen is worth a visit for its strange and unique architecture, including the DIY commune known as Institut for (X) behind the main buildings. Here people tend gardens, play football, skateboard, play street sports, party and even live. The vibe is a friendly, inviting take on the anarchist "free town" — you'll find none of the decadence of Christiania here. Free . ( updated Feb 2016 )
• Playgrounds . Aarhus has many small (and a few large) playgrounds in and around the city, the vast majority of which are free. Kloden at Dokk1 and the outdoor playgrounds at Mindeparken and the Botanical Gardens are popular choices. At Børnenes Jord in the city centre, indoor and outdoor playgrounds are attended by professionals who supervise kids and also arrange events. Commercial sites includes Leo's Legeland in the northern district of Skejby and the Legelandet complex in the western district of Brabrand, both with facilities for kids of all ages up to 17 years. ( updated Nov 2019 )

• 56.11753 10.12126 59 RaceHall , Hasselager Centervej 30 ( Beyond Ring 2, near Eventpark Højbjerg ), ☏ +45 86 28 01 70 . Go for a go-kart race in what is claimed to be the largest indoor race track in Europe. Onsite American-style diner. kr 310-580 .  
• 56.15735 10.20995 60 Royal Casino Aarhus , Store Torv 4 ( in Hotel Royal across from the cathedral ), ☏ +45 86 19 21 22 , [email protected] . Sunday: 15:00–02:00, Monday–Thursday: 15:00–03:00, Friday–Saturday: 15:00–04:00, gaming tables open at 19:00 . Play a round of roulette or a game of cards and hope for the big prize. Take a break from the action at the in-house Richard's Bar & Cocktails with a coffee or a drink, or just gawk at the bronze sculptures at the main entrance, designed by local artist Hans Krull. Entry kr 70 after 19:00 (kr 20 before 19:00) . ( updated Aug 2023 )

Make no mistake about it: Aarhus is a college town. As the home of Aarhus University , the largest in Scandinavia, plus nine other institutions of higher education, Aarhus' student population numbers one out of every five residents — a statistic that certainly explains the youthful vigor in the city's dining, nightlife, and cultural scenes.

Even if you're not matriculated at any of Aarhus' colleges and universities, the city still offers a lot of informal learning activities and courses on all kinds of subjects.

• Apart from degree courses, 56.168435 10.20454 1 Aarhus University (AU) also offers a number of independent academic courses in English, as well as...
• Folkeuniversitetet [ dead link ] (Folk University), which hosts lectures and seminars on many popular academic subjects, with a more relaxed and less technical tone aimed at laypeople. However, the teachers come from a rigorous academic background (many are professors at AU), and are equipped to deliver up-to-date knowledge from the forefront of research. All courses are in Danish, so this can be a good opportunity for you to exercise your language skills in an intellectually stimulating way.
• Dokk1 ' , a new central library and cultural centre, offers a plethora of cultural events, gatherings, seminars, and discussion groups with various cultural notables.
• 56.153929 10.202571 2 FO-city (Frederiksgade 78C) is a cluster of buildings tucked away in a courtyard behind City Hall Square that serves as a centre for a diversity of courses in general education, meetings and conferences. There is an onsite café ( Café Nicolai ) and sometimes markets where the students sell their own crafts and artworks.
• FOF is a longstanding adult education program that offers all sorts of courses with qualified teachers, usually in the evening, in various locations throughout the city. Here you can learn to play guitar, cook for your baby or acquire a sailing certificate.
• 56.176427 10.179944 3 LærDansk Aarhus . If learning Danish is your goal, this is the place to go. The language courses here are mostly geared toward foreign students at Aarhus University and immigrants, but are open to all. Courses are held at both the LærDansk's offices (Paludan-Müllers Vej 82) and the AU campus.

The pedestrian zone in the city centre is the best place for shopping — and it's right outside both Aarhus Central Station and the bus terminal, so you can't miss it. It's packed with small specialty boutiques and cafés, but you'll also find larger stores too: locations of Salling and Magasin du Nord department stores; three H&M outlets; several supermarkets. The main street of Strøget is the place to go for upscale Scandinavian clothing, design and jewellery shops. There are also a number of larger bookstores where you can buy books in English, including guides and maps.

• 56.156832 10.208177 3 Museums Kopi Smykker , Skt. Clemens Stræde 7 , ☏ +45 86 12 76 88 . M-Sa . One of only four shops in Denmark selling high-quality reproductions of original Viking jewellery. Many different varieties.  

Outside the city centre, notable shopping opportunities include:

Self-caterers on a budget should look for a yellow Netto or blue Rema ; these are the most abundant discount grocery stores in the city. Another discount option is the less frequent green Coop 365 stores.

Some places, particularly restaurants, assess a surcharge of a few percent extra on purchases made with foreign credit cards, due to banking fees.

Aarhus is generally known as one of the best places to eat in Denmark. However, the best places are not necessarily located at the most prominent addresses, so a bit of browsing is recommended if you have a particular interest in fine dining. Prices tend toward the low end — perfect for perennially cash-strapped university students — but that's not necessarily an indicator of low quality; you can find surprisingly good food at some of these budget-priced places. Several spots have lunch offers.

With an immigrant population of around 15%, Aarhus has many opportunities for ethnic food; Italian, Greek, Middle Eastern, Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai and Japanese food are the most common cuisines, and again, prices are usually quite affordable.

Most restaurants close the kitchen at 21:00, but you can usually sit back and enjoy your meal for as long as you like. At gourmet spots, it is a good idea to book a table beforehand, and for groups of five or more people it is highly recommended. Otherwise, you risk being turned down in the door, due to the unexpected workload or lack of space. Many restaurants are closed for extensive periods throughout the year; usually in the summer months or Jan-Feb, so be sure to check in advance if you plan to visit a specific place.

Barbecue and burgers

In the last decade or so, Aarhus has experienced a veritable "burger war", with good quality burger joints popping up everywhere, making for strong competition. Middle Eastern fare such as kebab, shawarma and falafel can be had at numerous eateries in nightlife districts, and Aarhus has several choices for traditional Danish-style barbecue as well.

In addition to what's listed below, no visit to Denmark would be complete without patronizing a Pølsevogn (sausage wagon): street vendors that sell a variety of hot dogs, sausages, and sometimes burgers. The inner city has several, including one in front of the central station and another at City Hall Square, most of which are owned by a Danish charity that donates the surplus to needy children.

• 56.15416 10.20598 1 Burger Boom , Østergade 14 ( Four small burger bars across town ), ☏ +45 87 30 30 22 . Daily 11:00-21:00 . Among the winners in Aarhus' aforementioned "burger war", Burger Boom serves a short but sweet menu of burgers and fries sold at inexpensive prices. The burgers here are minimalist constructions with a notable lack of veggie toppings, so as not to dull the taste of the grilled local free-range beef. Salad and tomato can be added for free, just tell when you order. Fries comes as regular, sweet potato, or loaded cheese fries. Homemade dips. Burger Boom's way of doing things has been popular, and has grown from the small original place, at the central high street, to four spots across town. Lunch offers on weekdays (11:00-15:00). Burgers from kr 69, menus from kr. 109 . ( updated Feb 2024 )
• 56.147471 10.203808 2 Kødstadens Burger Joint , M.P. Bruunsgade 45 , ☏ +45 40 17 28 36 . Daily 11:00-21:00 . Great, local and upcoming burger champions. These guys have several years of experience, have won the hearts of Aarhusian burger lovers several times, and in 2023 they received the national badge of honor 'Best Burgers in Denmark' award. Pay them a visit, and put them to the test, at the relatively new expansion in the central Frederiksbjerg district, or the original place in the northern district of Trøjborg. Lunch offers 11:00-15:00. Burgers from kr 84, menus from kr 114 . ( updated Jul 2017 )
• 56.162315 10.218602 3 Havnens Perle , Dagmar Petersens Gade 10 ( in the north harbour district ), ☏ +45 86 13 22 56 . M-F 08:00-21:00, Sa 9:00-21:00, Su 11:00-21:00 . Roadhouse-style Danish barbecue place at the harbor, popular with dockworkers and other locals of a blue-collar bent. Enjoy a fresh made burger, hot dogs, fried chicken, roast pork, fish and chips, or various hot meals including traditional Danish fried pork with white parsley sauce and potatoes (kr 119), a hearty dish that calls for a big draft beer. Breakfast and lunch are served too, the latter consisting of smørrebrød (Danish style open faced sandwiches on rye bread). Plenty of room to sit outside when the weather permits. Food quality can be iffy, especially when crowded. Burgers kr 69 and up. Hot dogs kr 34. Hot meals from kr 59 . ( updated Jan 2016 )
• 56.148575 10.197387 4 De Fyrretyve Røvere , Frederiks Alle 81 ( On Frederiksbjerg, near the bridge across the railway yard ), ☏ +45 25 40 40 67 . 11:30-15:00 and 16:30-21:00 (closed Mondays). Closed in July. . Relatively new eatery, part of a wave of quality barbecue spots of Middle Eastern inspirations across Aarhus. Good pitas with lamb, beef, spicy chicken, or homemade falafel in combination with other Middle Eastern delicacies. Two pita spots across town. Pita menu kr 110 . ( updated Nov 2018 )
• 56.154808 10.211165 5 Bone's , Åboulevarden 20 ( at the riverside near Europaplads ), ☏ +45 87 30 04 00 . Daily 11:00-21:30 . American-style barbecue in two floors. Bone's is a family friendly Danish restaurant chain with eateries across the country. Lunch options every day.  
• Sharks Diner , Frederiksgade 25 , ☏ +45 86 20 42 58 . Mid-range burger joint inside a pool hall. Worth a visit! About 150dkr for a burger with fries. . ( updated Aug 2024 )

Mediterranean

French and Italian fare is popular and easy to find around Aarhus, but the Mediterranean options also includes a few Spanish and Greek style restaurants.

Pizzerias are abundant throughout the city, including the outlying districts. Some places puts in an extra effort:

• 56.15644 10.204573 6 Caffé Ispirazione , Åboulevarden 82 ( at the canal in the town center ), ☏ +45 61 30 71 68 . M-Th 10:30-21:30, F-Su 10:30-22:30 . Excellent pizzas and really good ice creams. Also sandwiches and various pasta dishes. This place has an extra focus on organic ingredients. Broad diversity and vegetarians and vegans has plenty of options here. kr 110 and up for pizzas . ( updated Feb 2017 )
• 56.1691 10.2173 7 De Martino , Trøjborgvej 8F ( around the corner from Casa Mia, a 1-minute walk downhill toward Riis Skov ), ☏ +45 31 38 93 49 . Daily 16:00-21:30 . Good quality pizzeria in Trøjborg, also serving pasta, risotto, and some authentic Italian veal dishes. Children's menu and takeaway available. kr 75-95 for pizza .  
• 56.15518 10.16776 8 Delizioso , Silkeborgvej 257 , ☏ +45 81 61 71 92 . W-M 12:00-20:30 . A pizzeria and café-restaurant at the Åbyhøj town square. The menu is mostly pizzas and pastas, but also panini, salads and Italian meat dishes, all of excellent quality. Takeaway available. kr 85-95 for pizza . ( updated Jan 2016 )
• 56.14728 10.195158 9 La Trattoria , Frederiks Allé 130 , ☏ +45 32 16 27 52 , [email protected] . Daily 11:00-21:00 . Italian restaurant and café with a straightforward menu of pasta, pizza and sandwiches. Dishes are primarily in the budget price range, but a few are more expensive. Takeaway offered. Pasta dishes and pizzas from around kr 100 and lunch pizza offer for kr 50 .  

Other noteworthy places with budget options include:

• 56.157369 10.200083 10 Yamas , Vestergade 53 , ☏ +45 42 34 32 01 . Tu-Su 17:00-21:00 . Cosy Greek taverna with good pitas and a selection of traditional Greek dishes. Succulent, marinated and grilled meat is the pride of this place. Pitas from kr 84 .  

Good restaurants with a broader and more substantial Mediterranean menu include:

• 56.157512 10.200806 11 AmoRomA , Vestergade 60 ( in the western end of Vestergade ), ☏ +45 86 19 30 77 , [email protected] . Daily . Tasty Italian food served in romantic surroundings. The restaurant is located in an old preserved timber-framed house, and AmoRomA's owners draw on experience from their Italian-style specialty store Il Mercatino in Mejlgade. Very good pizzas.  
• 56.148216 10.201109 12 Bar' Hapla , Jægergårdsgade 67 , ☏ +45 93 95 76 67 , [email protected] . Kitchen is open daily 17:00-22:00, F Sa 12:00-16:00 . This place markets itself as a bar with dining options, just how the Spanish love it. Don't hesitate to book a table for dining though, as the food is great and the place is often packed with guests. At Bar' Hapla, the food will arrive sporadically at the table, whenever the kitchen has it ready, so there will be ample time to enjoy your wine and drinks. Fed up with the overuse of the term 'tapas', Bar' Hapla call their small Spanish-style servings 'bites', but they are just as tasty and with purely vegetarian options as well. 'Bites' servings kr 65 and up. Expect three servings to make a full meal . ( updated Apr 2023 )
• 56.154829 10.204424 13 Brasserie Belli , Frederiksgade 54 , ☏ +45 86 12 07 60 , [email protected] . M-Sa 11:00-23:00 . French-style brasserie, open for lunch and evening dinners with thirty years experience. Many things to choose from, including French classics such as quiche, steak tartare, steak frites, tarte tatin and Belli's signature dish Boeuf Bourguignon. Brunch plate kr 160, Lunch from kr 80, Evening dinner main course from kr 210; 3-course prix fixe dinners kr 380 (kr 250 extra for paired wines) .  
• 56.155205 10.205155 14 Restaurant Dauphine , Frederiksgade 43 ( on the pedestrianised high-street of Frederiksgade ), ☏ +45 86 19 39 22 . Tu-Sa from 18:00 . With almost thirty years experience, since 1996, Dauphine serves excellent French-style cuisine in cosy surroundings with an impressive selection of wines. Three-, four-, five-, or six-course evening dinners. If you get hooked on their wines, visit Dauphine's winebar Á-part just next door. Prix fixe dinners from kr 395 (pairing wine menu from kr 395), Special weekday offer (4-course dinner, wine and coffee) kr 625 .  
• 56.15902 10.20922 15 L'estragon , Klostergade 6 ( in the Latin Quarter ), ☏ +45 86 12 40 66 . Tu-Su from 18:00 . Superb-quality French-style gourmet cuisine using organic ingredients exclusively (including the wine list), and locally-sourced whenever possible. Four,- five- and even six-course prix fixe dinners are offered. This is a very small place, so reservations are recommended. Special offers on Sunday evenings. Open for lunch Saturdays. Prix fixe dinners from kr 525 (pairing wine menu from kr 190), Saturday Lunch kr 245 (3-course), Sunday Surprise Menu kr 595 (5-course with wines) . ( updated Jan 2016 )

There are many options for a budget-priced Asian meal. Chinese restaurants usually offer budget-priced lunch buffets, a few à la carte dishes, and takeaway boxes. Notable also is a cluster of Asian-style eateries in Nørregade.

• 56.129296 10.162133 16 Asia Restaurant , Viby Ringvej 4 ( Go to the main square in Viby ), ☏ +45 87 47 55 55 , [email protected] . Every day (lunch buffet: 11:30-15:30; evening buffet: 17:00-21:30) . Large Chinese-style family friendly restaurant, with room for 250 guests, situated in the ground floor level of the Zleep-in hotel highrise. Nice, Chinese-inspired traditional decor and good all-you-can-eat buffet with plenty of options. The buffet includes sushi, and in the evening also Mongolian barbecue and soup. A la carte menus are also offered. Lunch buffet kr 118; Evening buffet kr 178 .  
• 56.160786 10.209262 17 Bánh Mì Bandits , Nørregade 34 ( at the northern end of Nørregade ), ☏ +45 21 45 45 20 . Daily Su-Th 11:30-20:00, F Sa 11:30-21:00 . Vietnamese restaurant in Nørregade, specialising in bánh mì sandwiches. In-house and take-away. From kr 75 .  
• 56.1614 10.210105 18 Gaijin Ramen , Nørregade 16 ( at the northern end of Nørregade ), ☏ +45 21 45 45 20 . Closed Mondays . Good Japanese-style ramen eatery. Ramen bowls kr 120, sides from kr 55 .  
• 56.147516 10.195469 19 THA , Frederiks alle 120 ( on Frederiksbjerg ), ☏ +45 32 21 10 21 . Tu-Su 17:00-21:15, closed Mondays . Tiny place, big flavour. This small Thai-kitchen in the southern neighbourhood of Frederiksbjerg only has a few seats and most meals here are sold as take-aways. Very good food and friendly service. Main meals from kr 90 (two-course menus kr 130) . ( updated Apr 2019 )

Sushi dominates the roster of mid-priced Asian restaurants in Aarhus, and there are many options. In addition, the following restaurants stands out in the Asian-style category:

• 56.157503 10.201093 20 Kiin Kiin , Vestergade 47 , ☏ +45 26 11 11 56 , [email protected] . Every day, all year . Asian food with a Vietnamese bend. High-end restaurant quality, yet served in cosy, laid back and rustic surroundings for affordable prices. Start with a cocktail in the lounge area for an in-house evening experience, or have your food as takeaway; this place serves the whole range. Shared meal, family-style kr 395; Restaurant main course from kr 165; Take-away full meals from kr 135 . ( updated May 2024 )
• 56.151757 10.203549 21 Sushi Springtime , Park Allé 9 ( at Park Allé across from the Town Hall ), ☏ +45 22 55 55 44 , [email protected] . Tu-Su 16:00-21:00 . Possibly the best and most authentic sushi restaurant in Aarhus, with a chef and owner trained in Japan. Original Japanese teas. Best to order well in advance, preferably a day or more and especially if you're arriving with a large party, as everything is made fresh to order.  
• 56.159519 10.202586 22 The South Indian , Nørre Allé 51 ( in the outskirts of the Latin Quarter ), ☏ +45 81 470 470 , [email protected] . M-F 17:00-22:00, Sa Su 12:00-22:00 . The South Indian is one of only a few places in Aarhus, serving Indian food. Very good and authentic Indian food here, with a focus on the South Indian Chettinad region in particular. Soups, stews, curries, various breads and plenty of Indian specialities, all served in comforting and cosy surroundings. Good options for vegetarians and vegans alike. Lunch: Curry of the day 99 kr, Evening: Single meal from 139 kr . ( updated Feb 2019 )
• 56.149228 10.20878 23 Yi East , Frederiks Plads 6 ( downhill from the Bruun's Galleri shopping mall, close to the Aarhus City Tower ), ☏ +45 60 87 78 98 , [email protected] . M-Th 16:00-21:00, F-Su 12:00-21:30 . Chinese restaurant with many authentic options, including Dim Sums and Clay Pot dishes. Spacious and elegant restaurant in a newly built quarter near the southern harbourside. Food is typically served for sharing, Chinese style. Take-away options. Menu offers from 128 kr, Single meals from 108 kr .  
• Pearl India , Fredensgade 46 , ☏ +45 86196264 . Wonderful Indian place near the main train station. Remember to specify how strong you want the food! 90-130dkr for most main dishes, bordering on a budget restaurant. . ( updated Aug 2024 )

International gourmet

While gourmet dining in Denmark traditionally means French cuisine, the large and diverse slate of such restaurants in Aarhus also includes Italian and Spanish-inspired gourmet cooking, seafood restaurants, and New Nordic. Four places have been awarded a Michelin star and several are mentioned in respectable food guides, including the White Guide covering Nordic countries specifically.

Most larger hotels have their own restaurant, usually with decent-quality international fare at mid-range prices, and some with outstanding dining. You don't have to have a room there to eat there. See the "Sleep" section or individual hotel websites for details. Further out into the countryside, traditional inns (kroer) also offer culinary experiences comprising both native Danish fare as well as international gourmet cuisine, again mostly at mid-range prices.

Great quality international gourmet food can be had for mid-range prices. Even if your budget is limited to mid-range, do also check out "Splurge" restaurants, as more expensive places are known to offer special promotional discounts from time to time.

• 56.409908 10.907885 24 Pondus , Åboulevarden 51 , ☏ +45 28 77 18 50 , [email protected] . 17-23 every day . Cosy modern bistro with a gourmet fare, celebrating local, organic ingredients of excellent quality. Pondus has proved themselves for several years on the Aarhus restaurant scene, and got a recommendation in the Michelin guide for their good value cooking. Two, three, or four-course prix fixe dinners from kr 320 .  
• 56.15397 10.21157 25 Restaurant ET , Mindegade 8 ( near the end of the riverside at the harbourfront ), ☏ +45 86 13 88 00 . M-Sa 12:00-15:00 & 17:30-22:00 . At Restaurant ET you can try a good variety of high-quality yet reasonably-priced specialities inspired by both classic French and Danish recipes, always with a fresh twist. Excellent choice of wines and cheese. Elegant and subdued interior design, where you can watch the chefs cook from a central kitchen. À la carte mains kr 168-278, three-course prix fixe dinners at kr 368 (not including wine). Lunch from kr 89 . ( updated Apr 2016 )
• 56.15901 10.21178 26 Restaurant Domestic , Mejlgade 35B ( in the backyard ), ☏ +45 61 43 70 10 , [email protected] . Tu-Sa from 18:00 (lunch option F Sa from 12:00) . Along with Hærværk , this restaurant was one of the first places in Aarhus to engage with "New Nordic locavore gourmet" cuisine. This way of cooking, is dedicated 100% to local ingredients in season, and requires great skill and creativity to achieve a gourmet level result. The Michelin star maintained continuously since 2017, shortly after opening, attests to their success on that front. Be sure to book in advance, for a taste experience out of the ordinary. Evening menus from kr 750 . ( updated Apr 2016 )
• 56.1248 10.2089 27 Restaurant Frederikshøj , Oddervej 19-21 ( in the Marselisborg Forest across from Mindeparken ), ☏ +45 86 14 22 80 . W-Sa 18:00-24:00 . One of Aarhus' most exquisite gourmet restaurants, led by renowned chef Wassim Hallal whose original menus has caught the attention of the Michelin Guide since 2015, now with two stars. Stylish modern decor. Enjoy your lunch in Anx (W-Sa 11:00-15:00), a new addition to the main restaurant in an adjacent annex-building. Here you can try sophisticated reinventions of classic Danish dishes, including smørrebrød . The Menu kr 2500 (wines excluded); Lunch Menu kr 450 . ( updated Jan 2016 )
• 56.187 10.2176 28 Restaurant Gastromé , Grenåvej 127 ( at the Riis Skov forest, north of the city center ), ☏ +45 28 78 16 17 , [email protected] . Th-Sa from 18:00, lunch F Sa 12:00-15:00 . The restaurateurs behind this place have a lot of experience with the New Nordic gourmet cuisine, upholding a Michelin star at Gastromé continuously since 2015. The food is served in welcoming surroundings, in a large old villa outside the central city, completing the dining experience. Evening menu kr 1900 (Lunch menu kr 800) .  

Steakhouses

Denmark is well-known worldwide for its pork, but also produces topnotch beef. Many restaurants have steak on the menu, including some of the international gourmet spots, but a few places serve it as the specialty of the house. To enjoy the best possible steak in Aarhus, you will have to splurge.

• 56.156054 10.210085 29 A Hereford Beefstouw , Kannikegade 10-12 ( next to the Aarhus Theatre ), ☏ +45 86 13 53 25 . M-Th 17:30-22:00, F Sa 12:00-22:00, Su 17:30-21:30 . A renowned chain of steakhouses based in Herning and with locations across Denmark and even as far afield as Greenland and Australia , Aarhus' location of A Hereford Beefstouw sports an in-house brewery to go with its wide variety of different steaks and lamb, fish and some seafood dishes. All this goodness is served up in a spacious wood-panelled dining room that seats 160. A kids' menu is available, as is a discounted "Theatre Menu" for four (weekdays only).  
• 56.155233 10.209596 30 Köd , Åboulevarden 23 ( at the riverside near Europaplads ), ☏ +45 38 41 60 50 , [email protected] . M-Th 17:00-21:00, F Sa 17:00-22:00 . Top-quality steak and seafood, with beef sourced from Denmark, Uruguay , the U.S. , and Australia.  
• 56.15098 10.20342 31 MASH , Banegårdspladsen 12 ( at the Ritz Hotel ), ☏ +45 33 13 93 00 . Every day . Another Danish steakhouse chain, with some of the best cuisine of this type in the country as well as a very impressive wine list. A selection of fish dishes and some high-quality burgers round out the menu. From kr 265 . ( updated Jan 2016 )

Traditional Danish food

Unlike the experimental and often quite expensive dining of the New Nordic Cuisine, traditional Danish food is hearty, simple, and of course old-school — and its popularity is surging on Denmark's restaurant scene these days. Special menus are served around Mortens Aften (St. Martin's Day; 11 November), Christmas, and Easter. Prices are mostly mid-range.

• 56.15923 10.20197 32 Den Lille Kro , Nørre Allé 55 ( Latin Quarter outskirts ), ☏ +45 86 86 44 41 , [email protected] . Every day 12:00-21:30 . A cozy place situated in a somewhat quieter sector of the buzzing Latin Quarter, Den Lille Kro (aptly-named "The Little Inn") serves up a wide-ranging selection of good-quality traditional Danish food in copious portions. Differing lunch and evening menus. Three-course dinners 333 kr (a la carte from 169 kr). Lunch platters from 169 kr . ( updated Mar 2016 )
• 56.15469 10.21227 33 Europa , Havnegade 28 ( Harbourside ), ☏ +45 86 19 86 18 . W-Sa 12:00-24:00 . A small gastropub serving tasty traditional Danish cuisine. Mostly smørrebrød , but also a few hot dishes in the evening. Take away offered. Even if you're not hungry, you can go just to imbibe from their exhaustive beer list. Red wine and homemade snaps are also served. ( updated Apr 2016 )
• 56.147923 10.211124 34 Restaurant Kohalen , Jægergårdsgade 152-154 ( the south harbour district ), ☏ +45 86 12 14 81 . M-Sa 11:30-16:00 . By no means a fancy dining spot, this place takes pride in its local authenticity. Residing in the city's rough former slaughterhouse district in an old house from 1907, Kohalen (The Cow Tail) serves good quality traditional Danish meals in generous portions. The focus of the kitchen here is on lunch platters (known as Det Kolde Bord ), yet with a few hot dishes as well. The restaurant is typically filled to the brim with raucous crowds, making it a little difficult to get a free seat, especially around the annual feasts. Lunch platters from 199 kr (a la carte meals from 128 kr) . ( updated Jan 2016 )
• 56.08449 10.23548 35 Skovmøllen , Skovmøllevej 51 ( forests south of town ), ☏ +45 86 27 12 14 . W-Su . Skovmøllen's menu comprises creative twists on traditional Danish lunches, as well as a hearty weekend brunch, served in the picturesque setting of a restored timber-framed medieval water mill in the midst of Moesgaard Forest . Online reservations are available. Lunch from kr 222 . ( updated Jan 2016 )
• 56.15631 10.21156 36 Teater Bodega , Skolegade 7 , ☏ +45 86 12 19 17 , [email protected] . Every day . With a central location next to Aarhus Theatre, this historic restaurant has served since 1908, while the name Teater Bodega is from 1959. There is a big variety in the meal plan, and the quality is good. The interior is kept in an old traditional Danish design and is an experience in itself. Mid range . ( updated Jan 2016 )

Many eateries in Aarhus have vegetarian dishes or alternatives on the menu. Only a few places are dedicated vegetarian only.

• 56.144268 10.198796 37 Café Gaya , N.J. Fjordsgade 2 ( in a large community centre in the central Frederiksbjerg district ), ☏ +45 40 22 45 20 . M-Sa . A good variety of organically-grown vegetarian food, with cozy decor and occasional live music. Gaya also serves brunch (ad libitum) on Saturdays. All-you-can-eat lunch buffet kr 89, evening buffet kr 150 . ( updated Jan 2016 )
• 56.158922 10.206716 38 Faour , Klostergade 32 ( in the Latin Quarter ), ☏ +45 60 15 15 70 . Closed Sundays . Relatively new eatery, part of a wave of quality spots of Middle Eastern inspirations across Aarhus. Faour offers falafel, manakish and mezze of various kinds for affordable prices. Almost exclusively vegetarian menu. Good mint tea and Arabian coffee with cardamom. Manakish menu for kr 59 . ( updated Nov 2018 )
• 56.151383 10.209804 39 Green Neighbour , Aarhus Street Food ( near the Central Station ), ☏ +45 30 24 04 93 . Every day . Various and changing seasonal salads and bowls with organic produce only. Freshly squeezed juices to go along. Meat can be had as an extra topping for some salads. From 90 kr . ( updated Sep 2018 )
• 56.158752 10.210508 40 Plant Food , Graven 16H ( in the Latin Quarter ), ☏ +45 91 87 33 35 . One of the few dedicated vegetarian eateries in Aarhus. Many options. The plant-based burgers are popular. Small place with only a few seats for eating in-house. ( updated Nov 2022 )
• 56.154166 10.210605 41 MellemRum , Fredens Torv 2 ( near the square of Europaplads at the mouth of the river ), ☏ +45 86 17 18 38 , [email protected] . M-Sa 17:00-24:00, kitchen closes 21:30 . At this gourmet restaurant, you can always choose a seasonal vegetarian menu on par with the non-restricted menu, something the chefs takes pride in. Three, four or five-course seasonal menus that change every two months or so, but also à la carte. A cosy place with excellent gourmet food. Don't be afraid to bring your vegan or meat loving friends along, this place has something for all kinds. Three-course prix fixe vegetarian menu kr 325 (Early Bird: kr 275 if you can finish before 19:00) . ( updated Apr 2016 )

The many cafés in Aarhus span a diverse range, from tiny holes-in-the-wall with two chairs to extravagantly decorated places with mirror rooms and waiters in fancy clothes. Some places serve only the most basic items, while other places offer lunch, evening dinners or cocktails and parties at night. So whatever you are looking for, it shouldn't be a problem to find a café that suits your taste or pocket.

The majority of cafés in Aarhus are unique, each with their own individual charm and character, and you'll find an emphasis on high-quality coffee in quite a few of them. However, national chain cafés also have a presence, with locations of Espresso House , emmerys , Lagkagehuset and Anettes Sandwich across the city, and Starbucks have two cafés in the inner city as well. If you're not a coffee drinker, cafés also often serve hot chocolate and sometimes smoothies, but quality tea is only just beginning to catch on around these parts.

Take note that in almost all cafés in Denmark you are expected to contact staff yourself, usually at the desk, to grab a menu card, to place your order and when you wants to pay. This is often very bewildering to tourists, but is how things are typically done in Denmark and not a sign of rude or ignorant service.

Although there is a high concentration in the inner city, cafés can be found all over town. A few special places might be hard to discover without particular mention:

• 56.157807 10.208244 42 A.C.Perch's Thehandel ( Perch's ), Volden 3 ( close to the central square of Lille Torv ). M-F 10:00-17:30, Sa 10:00-17:00 . A local branch of the venerable tea-house of the same name in Copenhagen with roots back to colonial times. The Aarhus café is smaller, and only a few years old, but has the same old-fashioned style as the original in Copenhagen. Slow down and take time to enjoy a well-made pot of high quality tea with more than a hundred varieties to sample. The clerks are there to guide you. Splurge with a Breakfast Plate or a Five O Clock Tea serving if you like. If you are a group, you can book a table online. No coffee here. Pot of tea 90 kr, Breakfast Plate (including tea) 145 kr . ( updated Jan 2019 )
• 56.159055 10.206704 43 Stiller's Coffee , Klostergade 32 H, st. (backyard) ( in the Latin Quarter ). M-F 10:00-17:00, Sa 10:00-16:00, Su closed . This oasis for true coffee aficionados is hidden away in a backyard of a larger building complex that used to house a chocolate factory. It is not easy to spot, but some of the best things in life require a bit of effort. There are numerous spots for truly great coffee around the city, but this place is among the very best for sure. ( updated Feb 2018 )
• 56.15741 10.2006 44 LYNfabrikken , Vestergade 49 ( in the backyard ). M-F 09:00-17:00 . "The Lightning Factory" is a business incubator for small creative concerns located in a restored old factory building, with an onsite café in the loft. The laid-back rooftop terrace is a pleasant summertime oasis of seclusion in the midst of the bustling central city. The café offers beverages (good coffee), cakes and a small choice of food, plus a few books and crafts for sale. ( updated Apr 2016 )
• Aarhus Brædtspilscafé , Vestergade 58A and Fredensgade 38 ( go to Vestergade or the Aarhus Bus Station ), ☏ +45 81 11 90 05 , +45 81 11 90 06 . M-Th 14:00-23:00, F Sa 12:00-01:00, Su 12:00-22:00 . Two boardgame cafés operated by the same group of people. Just show up and hope for a free spot or reserve a table online if you are a minimum of four people and wants to be sure. The ticket gives you access to a vast number of games, from well-known classics like backgammon, chess or kalaha to various party games, quiz games and much more intricate and elaborate boardgames like Risk, Catan or Pandemic. You can play as many games as you like for as long as you like. Sometimes game-guides introduce new games to people and you can choose to join in. The spot in 56.157637 10.201278 45 Vestergade focus on lightweight games while the spot in 56.152398 10.208194 46 Fredensgade presents more heavy and advanced games. kr 30 . ( updated Feb 2018 )

Denmark has a long tradition of unique, good quality bread and confectionery . You might find it in cafés or in common bakeries across the city, but some places merit a visit for the special effort they put into the craft of baking.

• 56.14832 10.20324 47 Lagkagehuset and 56.159 10.207846 48 emmerys are two Danish chains of high-end bakeries with attached café sections. Lagkagehuset has seven spots across town and presents a great selection of cakes which, apart from the Danish pastries of course, include cold confectioners cakes such as layercakes and creamcakes. Emmerys is an organic certified bakery with five spots offering brunch servings, while the cake selection is more limited. Both chains offers breakfast and various snack foods and they are open every day of the week.
• 56.15602 10.20446 49 Briançon , Åboulevarden 53 ( at the riverside close to Mølleparken ), ☏ +45 86 12 43 93 . Daily from 07:00 . At this small but great bakery you can sometimes watch the bakers at work. A good variety of breads are always available, but the selection of cakes is somewhat limited, but changes often. They only use butter for baking here, no cheap substitutes, and Briançon is renowned for their croissants specifically, which are always up for sale. Also homemade confectionary (their caramels are exquisite) and chocolate delights, quality coffee beans and champagne. The shop is administered by a brother and a sister since 2006 and is located at the riverside, but at a less busy place. No room for eating, but several public spots nearby. ( updated Mar 2016 )
• 56.14708 10.20357 50 Schweizer Bageriet , M.P. Bruuns Gade 56 ( north of the central station ), ☏ +45 86 12 34 47 . Daily from 06:30 . A modern yet historic bakery open for breakfast and lunch. The bakery selection is full of traditional delights; the variety changes often, but always includes several types of Danish pastry. Schweizer Bageriet is a small place, with only a couple of seats for eating. Good sandwiches and salads. ( updated May 2024 )
• 56.15171 10.21489 51 Jumbo Bakery & Eatery ( at the habourfront across from the DOKK1 library ), Mindet 4 . High-end sourdough bakery and café at the transforming habourside. ( updated Apr 2022 )
• 56.15477 10.20351 52 DavidBreadHead , J. M. Mørks Gade 7 kl. th . High-end sourdough bakery. ( updated Apr 2022 )

Aarhus has a lively nightlife, with everything from big mainstream clubs to small alternative hangouts playing niche music. Aarhus' young population fuels a major part of the partying, and the large numbers of students tend to keep prices reasonable. The legal age for buying alcohol in Denmark is 16 and 18 relative to the amount of alcohol present in a given drink, but some bars limit entry to those over 20 or even 23. In any case, it pays to have picture ID on you if you want to indulge in the bar scene. Prices are generally higher than in other parts of Europe, but cheaper than Copenhagen and with several budget options. Entry fees are almost non-existing. The action tends to concentrate around Jægergårdsgade, Frederiksgade, Åboulevarden, Vestergade, the Latin Quarter, Mejlgade, Nørregade, and the riverside (Åen) , the latter of which is the most expensive area.

The nightlife in Denmark and Aarhus is quite safe, though occasionally plagued with young immigrants (primarily of Middle Eastern descent) who harass people, sell drugs, and engage in vandalism. These incidents might be rarer these days, but if you are a group of young males with a Middle Eastern look, be aware that you could risk being denied access to some of the more popular spots. Drinking does not limit itself to the night (or the weekends) in Danish culture, so you will not have a problem finding a good place for a cold beer, a nice drink or a glass of wine in the afternoon or even in the morning.

The most widely available Danish beers are Tuborg, Carlsberg and Ceres. With a 150-year history in Aarhus, Ceres was by many considered the "beer of Aarhus", with Ceres TOP as the flagship pilsner, but the beer is not brewed locally anymore. Most places also serve other well-known international brands, mostly on draft. Quite a few spots specialize in quality beers and craft brews, and offer a large variety for the beer connoisseur. This trend seems to have spilled over and affected many of the regular places as well.

Cocktail bars are getting increasingly popular, with most places now offering some kind of mixed drink as an alternative to the omnipresent beer. Quality whiskey, rum and gin can be had in many bars. While in Danish culture wine is traditionally enjoyed with food rather than by itself, there are a few high-end wine bars that are very popular.

Many Aarhus bars change concept and/or owners quite often, some every 2-3 years or so, while other spots close and new ones emerge. The listing below is therefore incomplete and may be out of date, though we've tried to limit it to places with proven staying power.

Frederiksbjerg

A neighbourhood with its own atmosphere, separated from the rest of the city centre by the central rail yard. Frederiksbjerg's nightlife scene is a mix of traditional bodegaer and værtshuse of the type you can read about below, as well as some newer and more fashionable spots.

• 56.148228 10.200558 1 Mikeller Bar , Jægergårdsgade 61 . Su-F from 14:00; Sa from 13:00 . At this outlet for the renowned craft brewery of the same name, you can choose from a changing slate of 20 beers on tap — both from Mikeller and other breweries worldwide — plus a huge and ever-changing bottle list. If you're (understandably) overwhelmed, the bartenders at this cozy, chilled-out spot are more than happy to help you navigate the vast selection. For non-beer drinkers, a range of high-end spirits and cherry wine (a local specialty) are offered. kr 40 for a tap beer serving . ( updated Nov 2021 )
• 56.14865 10.20318 2 Peter Gift , M. P. Bruuns Gade 28 , ☏ +45 86 12 01 63 . Daily 11:00-01:00 . The typical Danish bodega , and mention a claimant to the title of oldest surviving bar in Aarhus (in business since 1906), Peter Gift serves a good selection of beers in a pleasant, relaxed and secluded atmosphere. Lunch is served Tu-Sa, but reservations are required. Smoking is restricted to the backyard. ( updated Jan 2016 )
• 56.14808 10.200722 3 Pub'en , Jægergårdsgade 62 , ☏ +45 86 13 60 98 . Daily . A local værtshus with local craft brew (Aarhus Bryghus) on tap and opportunity for a game of dart. Also Ceres TOP beer by the bottle and other beverages. Smoking allowed and a more festive vibe on weekend nights. ( updated Mar 2018 )
• 56.14806 10.20112 4 St. Pauls Apothek , Jægergårdsgade 76 , ☏ +45 86 12 08 33 . Tu-Th 17:30 - 00:00, F Sa 17:30 - 02:00 . This old restored pharmacy (hence the name) from 1899 now wears many hats: St. Pauls Apothek is a high-end restaurant in the early evening, a fashionable cocktail bar afterward, and a nightclub when it gets really late. Creatively conceived and artfully executed speciality cocktails come served on their own or paired with gourmet dinners. ( updated Nov 2021 )

Frederiksgade

This partly pedestrianized street brims with nightlife.

• 56.15555 10.20608 5 Hos Anders , Frederiksgade 25 ( below Sharks in the same building ). A bar with occasional live music, mostly jazz. The audience here is usually a bit more mature. Beer kr 20 . ( updated Jan 2016 )
• 56.15564 10.20607 6 Sharks , Frederiksgade 25 ( at the first floor of Busgadehuset, a central car parking house ), ☏ +45 86 18 09 90 , [email protected] . Daily . Not only a bar but also Denmark's largest pool hall, with 26 billiard tables that pack 'em in most nights. To get away from the madding crowds, head for one of three cozy lounges where you can enjoy a beer or tuck in to a burger or a plate of nachos (the kitchen closes at 22:00). Sharks is also a popular place to catch major sporting events on TV. Pool tables kr 1-2 per minute, cocktails from kr 45 . ( updated Jan 2016 )
• 56.15521 10.20491 7 Tir Na Nóg , Frederiksgade 40 , ☏ +45 86 19 19 10 , [email protected] . Daily . A huge Irish pub with nice decor, a festive atmosphere, live music, and pub trivia on Thursday night. Good selection of high-end whiskey, scotch, and rums. As at Sharks, the TVs around the bar are a popular place to catch sporting events. ( updated Jan 2016 )
• 56.15605 10.20638 8 Waxies , Frederiksgade 16 , ☏ +45 86 13 83 33 , [email protected] . Daily from 12:00, happy hour from 22:00-00:00 . Another Irish pub closer to the river with three floors of action in a hip riverside location. Premier League football Monday and Tuesday nights, pub trivia Wednesday nights, poker Thursdays, and live music on the weekends starting around midnight. Show up early for discounted drinks and a small food menu. ( updated Jan 2016 )

Most of the cafés near the mouth of the river turn into bars and nightclubs in the late evening, but there are also many places here dedicated exclusively to nightlife. One of the busiest bar scenes in the city, the riverside can be hectic Friday and Saturday nights, attracting many young people. The rest of the week, the promenades along the river offers a more laid-back vibe. Despite the many upscale and fashionable places, there are a surprisingly ample selection of budget-friendly options in between. The nightlife scene here starts off at Immervad , the small bridge crossing the canal at Frederiksgade, and stretches all the way to the mouth of the river at the harbourfront.

• 56.15577 10.20783 9 Barstart , Fiskergade 28 , ☏ +45 26 14 93 57 . W-Sa from 18:00 . A short walk away from the riverside, you'll find this small and easy-to-miss place clustered among a handful of similarly busy nightspots. Barstart's constantly changing drink menu encompasses many innovative specialty cocktails, but the experienced bartenders here could most likely make any classic drink you would like. Craft cocktails from kr 100 . ( updated Jul 2016 )
• 56.15586 10.20864 10 Bodegaen , Åboulevarden 33 . Daily . Located right at the river, this hip and popular place is only a few years old, but fully equipped as an iconic old fashioned bodega , hence the name. Enjoy a beer and a game for a bit of fun. Games on offer includes darts, dice, pool (bob) , or foosball (a quite popular "sport" in Denmark for young people). Ceres TOP kr 25 . ( updated Jan 2016 )

• 56.15583 10.20928 11 Herr Bartels , Åboulevarden 46 , ☏ +45 86 18 08 33 , [email protected] . Th-Sa from 19:00 . The longest bar desk in town, serving a changing selection of excellent drinks and cocktails in a nice atmosphere. All nights, some selected drinks are "two for the price of one". Age limit is 20 on weekends. Cocktails kr 70-95 . ( updated Jan 2016 )
• 56.15482 10.21112 12 Lava , Åboulevarden 22 , ☏ +45 25 53 30 31 , [email protected] . Another jack-of-all-trades type of place at the riverside, Lava is a café, bistro and bar all in one. The latter identity comes into the picture on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights after 21:00, with an international wine list (including champagne by the bottle), superb rums and cognacs, and French spirits like armagnac, calvados and eau de vie for a very reasonable price. They occasionally host live music as well. Cocktails from kr 80 (two for kr 90) . ( updated Jul 2016 )
• 56.155525 10.209185 13 London Bar , Åboulevarden 31 , ☏ +45 51 89 56 70 , [email protected] . F Sa from 20:00 . A cocktailbar with dimmed lightning, black tiles and individual tables open for reservations. Many of the bars at the riverside attracts a very young audience, but this bar has a minimum age of 25 and a corresponding relaxed atmosphere. The cocktails are good quality, all made from scratch, half-price before 23:00. Champagne and quality liquor also available. On occassion, events or cocktail courses (1-2 hours) are arranged. Cocktails from kr 95 (discounts available) . ( updated Mar 2018 )
• 56.15563 10.20821 14 Shen Mao , Sct. Clemens Torv 17 , ☏ +45 86 17 11 22 , [email protected] . Th-Sa from 20:00 . Table tennis is the name of the game here, just rent a bat at the bar for kr 40 and get a beer when you return it. The place looks pretty rough and tends to focus on hip-hop music. Age limit is 20, and usually, the party builds slowly with things getting crowded no sooner than midnight. No state-of-the-art high-end craft cocktails here, just beer by the can, basic mixed drinks, and all the ping-pong you can handle. The namesake of the bar is the Chinese-born owner who used to run this place out of his apartment. Beer cans kr 35, drinks kr 75 . ( updated Jul 2016 )

Skolegade is an old narrow sidestreet behind Åboulevarden with a long history as a nightlife destination. Most of the action is near the south end, closest to the riverside.

• 56.15484 10.21159 15 Escobar , Skolegade 32 , ☏ +45 86 13 79 26 . F Sa 14:00-04:00, Su-Th 18:00-02:00 . This is a small bar where heavy metal and hard rock music rule the day, including demo-tapes from local bands. Green chartreuse and absinthe are specialties here. Escobar is a great place to get acquainted with the local metal scene, but if you're not the headbanging type, never fear: the nonjudgmental, come-as-you-are ambience is welcoming to all. Pub quiz Monday nights with a focus on movies and music. ( updated Mar 2016 )
• 56.15514 10.21156 16 G-bar , Skolegade 28 , ☏ +45 21 35 35 61 . F Sa 22:00-05:00 . Aarhus' gay and lesbian club. ( updated Aug 2023 )
• 56.156056 10.211473 17 Pinds Cafe , Skolegade 11 , ☏ +45 86 12 20 60 . W-Sa from 16:00 . This small bar has served since 1848, but got its name from a miss Elna Pind who took control in 1936, notorious for her sharp tongue and very strict rules. Things are more easy nowadays but the old-fashioned decor clings on. The clientele is typically of the mature and relaxed kind. Smoking allowed. ( updated Jan 2018 )

Latin Quarter

As at the riverside, several of the Latin Quarter's cafés turn into festive bars in the evening, while other places serve as such all day.

• 56.159986 10.209476 18 Café Paradis ( Den Sidste ), Paradisgade 9 ( in the top floor loft ). Th-Sa from 22:00 . Bar and nightclub with cocktails, shots, bubbles, wine and beer. Lively dance floor with DJs on most nights. Age limit is 21+ on weekends. kr 50 entry (includes a drink) . ( updated Jan 2016 )
• 56.16084 10.20938 19 Løve's , Borggade 14 and Nørregade 32 , ☏ +45 52 17 50 16 . Two separate buildings around the corner from each other: the former a relaxed wine bar-deli, the latter an equally relaxed wine bar-bookstore-café with occasional book and poetry readings, wine tastings, and other events. Løve's attracts a mixed and sociable crowd. ( updated Jan 2016 )
• 56.157813 10.212022 20 Mig & Ølsnedkeren , Mejlgade 12 , ☏ +45 93 85 51 58 . M-Sa . Beer bar with a large selection of craft beer, among the best in Aarhus. Some of the beers are brewed specifically for this place, while other are imports from around the world. The tap selection changes regularly, so there will always be new stuff to sample for beer lovers. Good vibe and bartenders who knows what beer is all about. ( updated Apr 2018 )
• 56.158418 10.212228 21 Ris Ras Filliongongong ( Ris Ras ), Mejlgade 24 , ☏ +45 30 28 72 22 . M-Sa 12:00-02:00; Su 14:00-19:00 . At this cozy hipster hangout you can indulge in a great variety of beers, rums, and even hookah to the strains of the latest indie music in the background. If you are new to craft beer and don't know where to start, the Hancock on tap is the beer of the house and always a hit. No food up for sale, but you are welcome to bring your own along, if you buy a beer or two and clean up after yourself. ( updated Jan 2016 )
• 56.1577 10.21005 22 Under Masken , Bispegade 3 ( go to the Royal Hotel opposite the Cathedral ), ☏ +45 86 18 22 66 . Daily . This bar and café in the basement next to the Royal Casino and Hotel is owned by local artist Hans Krull. The walls here are decorated with strange tribal wooden masks, artsy pictures and miscellaneous objects from his travels around the world. Krull is a prominent artist in Denmark and you can enjoy some of his finer works by glancing at the three bronze sculptures outside the casino next door or his large whole-wall mural in Fiskergade nearby of a woman kissing a sea gull. Be aware that smoking is allowed here and the place is often packed. Happy hour every day from 17:00-21:00 and sometimes live music.  
• 56.15723 10.2085 23 Alberts , Store Torv 3 ( at the city square in front of Aarhus Cathedral ), ☏ +45 31 32 82 68 (food) , [email protected] . Every day. Outdoor serving at the big square in the summer Monday-Saturday from 12:00 . Alberts is a bar in a historic 14th-century monks' cellar at the cathedral. Quality beer, wine, and spirits with free open-mic stand-up comedy; Monday-Thursday in Danish, Sunday in English. You can play dice here too. On weekends, this places turns into a high quality cocktailbar, where the bartenders really shows off their skills. Tapas can be had Friday and Saturday evenings as well, but you need to pre-order and book a table for that. Cocktails from kr 100, drinks and wine from kr 60 . ( updated May 2017 )
• 56.157016 10.209071 24 Bernhardt Natklub , Store Torv 3 ( go to the main square in front of the Aarhus Cathedral ), ☏ +45 25 29 99 99 (table reservation) , [email protected] . F-Sa 22:00-05:00 . Dance and nightclub in the same basement as Alberts. If you are a party, it is possible to reserve your own table. Age limit is 20+. ( updated Apr 2018 )
• 56.152624 10.208861 25 Gedulgt , Fredensgade 41 ( close to the bus station ), [email protected] . Th 18:00-24:00, F Sa 16:00-02:00 . If you are willing to spend some time on a nightlife treasure hunt, try if you can find Gedulgt. It is a super hip cocktail bar with the most creative drinks, but located in a nondescript backyard as some kind of secret speakeasy. Look for the green door. Outstanding cocktails, including non-alcoholic mocktails. also Quality beer, wine, bubbles, and spirits. Cocktail workshops and tasting arrangements can be ordered for groups online. Cocktails from kr 95 . ( updated Apr 2018 )
• 56.164398 10.218592 26 Hantwerk , Fiskerivej 2D , ☏ +45 91 25 62 57 , [email protected] . W Th 16:00-23:00, F 14:00-24:00, Sa 12:00-24:00 (in the summer Tu-Sa 12:00-24:00) . Gastrobar in the northern harbour district. Great food, wine and beer and sometimes small musical arrangements. Many people go here just for a drink. The beer is brewed by the local micro-brewery Humleland in-house and served on tap and bottles. The brews are quite creative, diverse and of a great quality. Special imports are also available. Several options for wine by the glass. If you want to dine, reserve a table on-line before you go. Take note that this place does not accept cash. ( updated Apr 2018 )
• 56.1521 10.2116 27 Kupé , Europaplads 10 ( at First Hotel Atlantic ), ☏ +45 42 90 52 97 (table reservation) , [email protected] . F Sa from 23:00 . Nightclub with a young fashionable crowd imbibing cocktails in the lounge or dancing to the tunes spun by the DJs. Usually special events. Drinks from kr 60, cocktails from kr 80 . ( updated Jan 2016 )

Bodegaer and værtshuse

In Denmark, a bodega is a traditional Danish pub or bar. The bodega has a long cultural history in Denmark and is conceptually somewhat similar to an English pub, but only a few places offer meals and live music. You could warm up at one before going to a concert or a fancy club, or you can drop in for a coffee or a beer in the afternoon. It should be fairly easy to find yourself engaged in a conversation at these places, as the majority of people are here to socialize and unwind.

• 56.169917 10.216105 28 Peder Wessel , Niels Juels Gade 49 ( go to Tordenskjoldsgade, the main street on Trøjborg ), ☏ +45 30 36 75 16 . M-Sa from 11:00, closed Sundays . Nice classic bodega on Trøjborg, north of the city center. Relaxing and cosy atmosphere on the week days, but packed with people ready to party on weekend nights. Often live music. ( updated Jul 2019 )

In the older days, when alcohol was seen as a basic thirst-quencher for the working man, bars were much more abundant. These were watering holes with the sole purpose of serving cheap beers all day, every day. The Danish word for these basic bars is værtshus , which loosely translates as "hosting-house": in other words, a place that hosts people for drinking. Times have changed, but there are still some of these places left in Aarhus, many with their own peculiar charm. They are mostly frequented by regulars, but visiting strangers are welcomed too. The crowd at these places can be a lovely mix of joyful people at times, especially weekend nights.

Ceres TOP pilsner is the de rigueur beer in bodegaer and værtshuse , but other alcoholic beverages are usually available too, along with coffee and soft drinks. An "Aarhus set" consists of a Ceres TOP with a shot of Arnbitter on the side, both beverages from Aarhus. Shots of black liquorice-flavoured vodka, often referred to as Fisk , are popular with young people.

In popular usage, the terminology can be confusing: the words værtshus , bodega , and café are nowadays often employed indiscriminately in business names, and in particular værtshus can be used for any kind of bar. To learn more about the true original værtshus concept — and to learn how to differentiate between the three categories yourself — you can start your field research at these spots:

• 56.149769 10.198791 29 Bro Cafeen ( Bro Cafe ), Frederiks Allé 61 A ( at the Frederiksbroen bridge ), ☏ +45 86 12 86 11 . M-Th 11:00-22:00, F Sa 11:00-01:00, Su 11:00-18:00 . Claimed by some to be the oldest værtshus in Aarhus still in operation, Bro Cafeen has presumably served thirsty guests since 1899. Nice old-fashioned, bright yellow townhouse at an excellent location, right at the central Frederiksbroen bridge. Outside terrace, dart, and occasionally live music. ( updated Apr 2016 )
• 56.1631 10.2158 30 Harmonien , Mejlgade 109 , ☏ +45 86 12 67 47 . Every day from 13:00 . Gamers take note: apart from the cheap beer and drinks served at this traditional værtshus , you can also play snooker, darts, foosball, and even try your luck on a couple of slot machines if you like. With TVs at the bar invariably tuned to the big game, Harmonien is also a great place to cheer for the home team with the locals. Smoking allowed. ( updated Apr 2016 )
• 56.1648 10.2172 31 Cirkuskroen , Skovvejen 23 . Every day from around 12:00 . Located at an odd location a bit outside of the central scene, not too far from Harmonien, and close to Trøjborg, Cirkuskroen is a tiny bar with a long history. It owes its name to the fact that its former owners were a family of circus performers, and accordingly, the place is decorated with clowns and old circus paraphernalia. As a speciality of the house, a unique spiced bitter can be had, along with your beer. Have a listen to Kim Larsen or John Mogensen at the jukebox; both iconic Danish troubadours. Smoking allowed. Beer kr 20 . ( updated Jan 2016 )
• 56.145882 10.193453 32 Jacob Skomager , Frederiks allé 149 ( near the southern end of the long Frederiks Allé road in the Frederiksbjerg neighbourhood ). Every day from 10:00 . A regular værtshus with an old fashioned decor in an area with many local værtshus bars. Smoking allowed. Drop in for a cup of coffee in the early afternoon or a beer after work. You can get hot dogs at the small square opposite this place. Fun fact: Jacob Skomager is a character from the Renaissance play Jeppe på Bjerget by celebrated writer Ludvig Holberg. ( updated Jan 2016 )

Prices for hotels are generally higher than in other parts of Europe, but there are a number budget options of a good quality.

Apart from the well known hotels listed below, there are also options for small bed and breakfasts — usually located some distance outside the city centre — as well as private stays and holiday rentals.

• 56.2274 10.1651 1 Aarhus Camping , Randersvej 400 ( 4 km north of town ), ☏ +45 86 23 11 33 , [email protected] . A campsite in Lisbjerg, with easy access to nature. Bus lines connect easily to the city centre in about 15-20 minutes. Peak season prices: kr 87, children kr 49, pitch fee kr 25 .  
• 56.1097 10.2335 2 Blommehaven Camping , Ørneredvej 35 , ☏ +45 86 27 02 07 , [email protected] . In Marselisborg Forest 5 km south of the city centre lies this campsite with cabins.  
• 56.1293 10.162 6 Zleep Hotel Aarhus , Viby Ringvej 4 ( in Viby, 500 m from the E45 motorway ), ☏ +45 70 235 635 , [email protected] . High-rise hotel south of the city centre. Breakfast buffet, free internet plus free and safe parking. There is a large, yet cosy, Chinese restaurant at the ground floor and a shopping mall right next door. kr 499 .  
• 56.15667 10.20022 7 BOOK1 Design Hostel , Møllegade 3A, Mølleparken, 8000 Aarhus C , ☏ +45 88 30 15 00 , [email protected] . The hostel is in the renovated building of the former public library in Aarhus. Close to ARoS art museum and the other attractions of the city center. The owner, Brøchner Hotels, describes this new hostel as "a hybrid that combines classic hostel elements like bund bed dorms, laundry facilities, and ping pong tables with luxury hotel elements such as private rooms and suites". From kr 250 . ( updated May 2021 )

• 56.1524 10.1974 13 Radisson SAS Scandinavia Hotel, Aarhus , Margrethepladsen 1 ( at Margrethepladsen in the Scandinavian Congress Center ), ☏ +45 8612 8665 , [email protected] . Large, modern chain hotel centrally located next to the City Hall and the Concert Halls. Big breakfast buffet. Restaurant and bar RAA offers three and five-course gourmet dinners. From kr 805 .  
• 56.1509 10.2028 14 Scandic The Mayor Hotel , Banegaardspladsen 14 , ☏ +45 87320100 , [email protected] . Check-in: 15:00 , check-out: 11:00 . A modern chain hotel next to the City Hall and the Central Station. Large full breakfast with bread baked in the hotel's own bakery and good gluten-free and lactose-free options. A superb in-house restaurant Gäst open for lunch and dinner. 24-hour convenience store and safe car parking for a fee. From kr 940 . ( updated Jun 2015 )

• 56.1668 10.1512 21 Scandic Aarhus Vest , Rytoften 3 , ☏ +45 8615 6844 , [email protected] . A modern six-storey hotel 4 km from the city centre, with Wi-Fi, parking, and breakfast all free. There's also a 24-hour convenience store. From kr 1354 .  
• 56.15353 10.20261 22 Radisson RED Hotel, Aarhus ( Radisson RED ), Frederiksgade 88 Vester Alle 4 ( city centre ), ☏ +45 89333300 . Check-in: 24 hours . ( updated Feb 2020 )

Kroer (singular kro ) are traditional country inns of a type that has a long history in Denmark: a nationwide network of these places was laid out by royal decree beginning in the 13th century (and culminating in the 17th) in order to provide easy shelter, dining and fresh horses for the king and his entourage when travelling through the country. Others emerged in places like village halls and old flour mills to provide food and accommodation for larger gatherings and celebrations in the surrounding rural communities. Today, kroer are usually held in high social regard. If you're looking for an all-inclusive getaway in a romantic countryside setting, yet not too far away from the action of the central city, this might be the option you're looking for.

Nearly all hotels supply free Wi-Fi and limited workspaces. Most cafés also offers free Wi-Fi for customers, but gazing into your laptop for more than half-an-hour in a café is usually disapproved and you are best advised to find another spot to satisfy your digital needs. In this case Aarhus's free municipal WiFi network, Smart Aarhus , can be freely accessed in and around most public squares, parks, and institutions, including the Urban Mediaspace of Dokk1 where finding a spot to sit around should not be a problem.

If you need to use a computer, the library at Dokk1 has several terminals for public use, with Internet access through an SMS authentication system and printing services available for a fee. Also free Wi-Fi throughout the building.

Accessibility

In Denmark, all newer buildings — and quite a few older ones as well — are specially equipped with ramps, elevators, lifts, and sometimes escalators to help handicapped people navigate the public space. As well, the beeping sound you hear coming from the traffic lights at some of Aarhus' busier intersections are there to help visually impaired pedestrians know when it's safe to cross. Guide dogs are allowed in most places (even in some cinemas), and personnel are unusually friendly and helpful towards the handicapped.

The homeless in Aarhus are usually harmless (to the point where you could make small talk with many of them), and aggressive begging is uncommon. Many of them earn a nominal income selling the street newspaper Hus Forbi ("House Passed") to passersby in public places.

Stay healthy

In case of medical emergency, tourists should call the general medical emergency line at +45 70 11 31 31 or, in the case of life-threatening emergencies, 112. There is only one emergency centre serving all of Aarhus. It is located at the new Aarhus University Hospital out of town in the northern district of Skejby. Take note, that you are required to call in advance in any circumstance!

There are many pharmacies (Apotek) in Aarhus, in the city centre as well as the outlying districts. Supermarkets and some shops also sell non-prescription medicine. At the 56.15718 10.20861 28 Aarhus Løve Apotek near the Cathedral, medicine can be picked up all week 06:00-24:00.

COVID-19 tests for foreign tourists : If you are a "close contact" or have symptoms of Covid-19, you should have a PCR test. PCR tests are free of charge in Denmark. Non-Danish citizens have to register at Covidresults.dk before showing up at a test centre. More information [ dead link ] .

Explore the East Jutland region with Aarhus as a base, be it day trips or longer stopovers. The region offers many kinds of activities and experiences, especially in the summertime.

• A trip through the immediate countryside around Aarhus — say, to the Jeksendalen valley southwest of town, or around Norsminde Fjord on the coast — combined with a nice meal at a roadside kro can make for a great little getaway from the city. This is best done on four wheels rather than two: many roads here are narrow, there are no bike lanes, and car traffic can be fast-moving.
• Djursland is the "nose" of Jutland immediately northeast of Aarhus, a thinly-populated rural area where folks have made a living farming and fishing for millenia — a history you can get a sense of in the preserved Medieval-era old town of Ebeltoft , or at the ruins of Kalø Castle , both part of Mols Bjerge National Park which comprises most of southern Djursland. If animals are your thing, you'll find Kattegatcentret , an aquarium in Grenå where you can swim with seals, as well as a pair of open-air zoos: Skandinavisk Dyrepark with large animals related to Scandinavia exclusively, and Ree Park Safari with a plethora of exotic animals from all around the world. Also popular is Djurs Sommerland , an amusement park with thrill rides including the largest rollercoaster in Northern Europe. North of Aarhus is Randers , home to a jungle zoo as well as Gammel Estrup , a manorhouse-museum situated in one of the many castles and manors that dot the region.
• Søhøjlandet , the "lake highlands", is a scenic region of forests, hills and lakes west and south of Aarhus that's historically important as home to medieval religious orders and the birthplace of the Danish national state. Hiking is a major attraction of this region: the Aarhus-Silkeborg hiking trail leads from the city centre through a scenic landscape of rivers and lakes to the town of Silkeborg , where you'll find an impressive modern art museum and yet another aquarium — Ferskvandscentret — displaying native freshwater aquatic species. From Silkeborg you can press on to Himmelbjerget , or the Sky Mountain, one of the highest points in Denmark with an impressive view of the surrounding landscape from the red brick tower on top. Elsewhere in the region is Skanderborg , a small historic town that was once the royal family's favorite hunting grounds and later during the Second World War served as headquarters of the Danish faction of the Luftwaffe (you can explore this history at the Skanderborg Museum ), and Horsens , a port town that's home of the European Medieval Festival.
• Samsø is clearly visible from Aarhus across the bay, and is accessible by car ferry from the village of Hou. A new small catamaran ferry (no vehicles except bicycles), M/F Lilleør, also connects the center of Aarhus with Samsø. The pace slows on this pastoral island powered entirely by renewable energy, with golf, horseback riding, and fine dining all on offer.
• Vejle , Southern Jutland's regional capital, boasts a range of historic and art museums as well as Trekantsområdets Festuge , a 10-day regional cultural festival akin to Aarhus Festuge.
• Viborg is - like Aarhus - an old Cathedral town with an interesting townscape full of history, quirky alleyways and summertime street life. It is a work-hard, play-hard town, home of one of Denmark's most popular and dominant football teams. Viborg has been administrative capital of the entire Region Midtjylland (Central Denmark Region) since 2007.

Further afield

• Denmark's third-largest city, Odense , is the birthplace of fairy-tale fabulist Hans Christian Andersen, and it plays that connection to the hilt for the benefit of tourists: the house he grew up in is now a museum, Little Mermaid statues dot the town liberally, and there are parades and monuments in his honor.
• A lively student culture rules the day in Aalborg , in the far north of Denmark, home of the eponymous University of Aalborg as well as Jomfru Ane Gade , the longest bar street in Scandinavia.

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10 Things To Do In Aarhus: Complete Guide To This Gem On Denmark's Jutland Peninsula

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Just a three-hour train journey from the capital Copenhagen, Aarhus is the second-largest city in Denmark, but it feels more like a large town. There are countless things to do in Aarhus on a city break, and many more cultural and natural attractions in the larger Aarhus Region. But the city itself is easily walkable with stunning beaches, a lively university scene, and an important port.

The cultural hub of the windswept Jutland Peninsula, Aarhus is gaining popularity with tourists for its abundance of art and design museums and its first-class food scene. In fact, Aarhus gained attention on the world stage after it was named the European Capital of Culture in 2017.

There's a long history to uncover here too. Deep Viking roots mean that Aarhus is one of the oldest cities in Scandinavia. In fact, there are so many great museums in Aarhus that it's hard to fit them all into just one visit.

A trip to Aarhus is a great option for an off-the-beaten-path European city break, or a longer holiday exploring this lesser-known region in Denmark. So what can travelers expect when visiting Aarhus in Denmark's Jutland Peninsula?

Top 10 Things To Do in Aarhus

Aarhus is a great choice when trying to avoid the over-tourism encountered in Copenhagen. Here are some of the best things to do in Aarhus, as well as when to visit and how to get around.

1 Visit The Iconic Harbor And Swim In The Baths

Coastal Aarhus relies on its port industry, and although the hardy Danish fisherman have almost disappeared the harbor remains a central hub of the community.

Go for a stroll along the waterfront and stop by the Dokk 1 Cultural Centre. Once voted the world’s best library, it's the perfect place to find a good book in winter and experience Hygge . The whole area is filled with street art and interesting sights like the striking ‘Iceberg’ housing complex in the new Aarhus Ø district.

Visitors can explore the coastline a little further by renting out a 'green kayak,' a nationwide initiative encouraging locals and tourists to pick up litter from the harbor in return for a free kayak session.

The Danes love to unwind by taking a swim. Experience Aarhus like a local by going for a dip at the world's largest seawater baths — the 50-meter-long Harbor Baths in Aarhus opened in 2018.

Take a swim in the pool or try diving from the boards, there’s also a children’s pool, sunbathing areas, and two saunas. It’s one of the best free things to do in Aarhus on a hot summer's day.

• Admission: Free
• Opening hours: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (lifeguards are on duty from July 1st to August 31st)

The Harbor Baths are limited to 650 people at one time, if the red light is showing go and explore the nearby cafés instead. The pools are popular on a hot day, so make sure to visit early to get a spot.

2 Make A Stop At The Aarhus Art Museum (ARoS)

One of the best things to do in Aarhus is to visit the eclectic museum known as ARoS. As one of the largest art museums in Northern Europe (at around 20,700 m2), it’s packed full of world-class art from around the globe.

Since the collection was moved here in 2004 visitors have come from far and wide to see special exhibitions, like the international 'Nine Spaces', as well as the museum's permanent collection.

A highlight of any visit is the ‘Your Rainbow Panorama’ rooftop installation. Created by the Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson, the 150-meter-long circular path takes in panoramic views of Aarhus and the surrounding areas.

• Admissions: Adult tickets cost DKK 160 ($23), young people under the age of 31 and students can buy tickets for DKK 130 ($19), and children under 18 are allowed free entry.
• Hours: Opening hours are Tuesday to Friday 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and weekends from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Mondays are only open in June, July, and August and for special events.
• Location: ARoS – Aarhus Art Museum, Aros Allé 2, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
• Contact: + 45 61 90 49 00 | [email protected] | ARos.dk

Entry to the Orangery, café, and Shop is free to visit without a ticket, but the entrance fee is well worth it to explore the 10 floors of art and the ‘Your Rainbow Panorama’ on the rooftop.

Related: A Travel Guide To Denmark: Tourists Should Plan Their Trip Around These 10 Things

3 Explore The Areas' History At One Of The Many Museums In Aarhus

Located in the heart of the city is one of the best museums in Aarhus; Den Gamle By. Also known as the Old Town Museum, this open-air living museum aims to take visitors on a real-life journey into Denmark's past.

Based on the time of Hans Christian Andersen, recreated streets, shops, and costumed actors show how the local Danish people lived and worked in the year 1927.

In the next district, travelers are transported forward in time to 1970s Denmark, complete with vintage cars, a commune, and the historical Aarhus jazz bar Bent J.

• Opening hours: The museum of living history welcomes visitors from April to December and is open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
• Admission: Adult tickets cost 125 DKK ($18) - 190 DKK ($28), student tickets are 65 DKK ($9), and children and young people under 18 can enter for free.
• Accessibility: Den Gamle By offers electric scooters for visitors with mobility challenges to hire for free, but entry inside the old houses is not suitable for wheelchairs.

Other fascinating museums to visit in Aarhus include a look into prehistory and anthropology at the modernist Moesgaard Museum , the Viking Museum, and the history of equality at KØN - Gender Museum.

Or take a look at the wider universe at the Steno Science Museum , and explore the history of all living things at the Naturhistorisk (Natural History) Museum .

4 Aarhus Botanical Gardens

Like the walkable city of Copenhagen , Denmark's second-largest city Aarhus is an easy place to get around. To make the most of a short visit, rent a bike for free as part of a city-wide cycle scheme (there are 56 stands to start from, scattered around the city).

One of the best free places to visit in Aarhus is the climate-controlled greenhouses at Aarhus Botanical Gardens. The gardens, including the surreal domes containing the Mediterranean and tropical zones, contain over 2000 plant species from around the world.

• Opening hours: Monday to Friday - 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Saturday & Sunday, and public holidays - 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (extended opening times in summer).
• Contact: 87 15 54 15 / [email protected] / Botanic Gardens

5 Møllestien

Another great attraction to visit in Aarhus is Møllestien, this notable street is filled with colorful houses that look quintessentially Danish.

There are also public sculptures and bar terraces at nearby Mølleparken, and the iconic clock tower that can be seen in many photos of Aarhus at Aarhus City Hall (near Musikhusparken).

6 Marselisborg Palace

While Copenhagen has the impressive Rosenborg Castle , Aarhus is not far from Marselisborg Palace, the summer home of Denmark’s Queen Margrethe.

The beautiful English-style gardens are worth the visit alone, or if the Queen’s in residence, visitors can instead watch the changing of the royal guards every day at noon.

Head to Kongehuset.dk to find out if the royals are in or not. When the Queen is away it’s possible to visit the otherwise private gardens and view her personal collection of sculptures and gifts from Prince Henrik.

7 Infinite Bridge

Not far from the palace are the Marselisborg Deer Park and Infinite Bridge (Den Uendelige Bro). The circular bridge takes visitors out from the beach across the water into Aarhus Bay.

There are miles of walking tracks along the strand, it's a fantastic place to explore the quieter side of Aarhus and to go for a romantic sunset stroll along the seafront.

• Admission: The deer park, palace gardens, and Infinity Bridge are all free to enter.
• Opening times: 24/7 (the gardens are closed when the Queen is visiting).

8 Tivoli Friheden

For a fun family day out in Aarhus, there’s only one place to go for roller coasters, adrenaline-fueled rides, games, and plenty of fun for little ones.

At Tivoli Friheden, visitors can try out the gravity-defying Himmelrum, leap off of the Sky Tower, or reach speeds of up to 5G on the 65-meter Hjertekig free-fall tower. The views of the Aarhus skyline are unparalleled from these heights.

In Bille By, little ones can learn to drive their own electric car in a town specially built for younger families. Nearby, older kids will love the treetop challenge, using the high ropes course and zip lines to make their way over 57 platforms in the forest.

• Admission: Entrance to the Tivoli Friheden - DKK 175 ($25) with free entry for children under 90 cm, the climbing park fee is DKK 300 ($44).
• Opening times: Open weekends 11.30 AM - 8.00 PM and every day in the summer holidays. Additional opening times can be found on the website.
• Information : +45 86 14 73 00 / [email protected] / Friheden.dk

Related: To See The World's Tallest Waterfall, You'd Actually Need To Scuba Dive The Denmark Strait

9 Best Time To Visit Aarhus

Spring is the best time to visit Aarhus, with dry weather and warmer temperatures but none of the prices or crowds of summer. May can start to get busier, it's a good time to eat at the outdoor cafés and many tourist businesses are opening for the summer.

June to August is the peak season in Denmark, prices are high, but the weather is warm and dry and Aarhus is still less busy than Copenhagen. In summer, temperatures are regularly warm averaging around 72°F (22.2°C), and 53.7°F (12.1°C) at night.

Christmas in Denmark is widely celebrated with markets and festivities throughout December. But temperatures can be cold, dropping to between 42°F (5.6°C) and 34.9°F (1.6°C), so winter visitors are advised to wrap up warm.

10 Best Ways To Get Around Aarhus

Visit Aarhus from Aarhus Airport or Billund Airport, taking the train or driving from Copenhagen takes around three hours.

The city is very walkable and easy to get around on foot or by making use of the free bike system.

Bus and rail

For getting around Aarhus city there's Denmark’s first light rail, Letbanen, and a network of yellow city buses, while the blue regional buses run services throughout Jutland.

Tourist tickets can be purchased for 24, 42, or 78 hours and are a good way to save money when compared to buying single tickets.

• Public transport: Buy tourist tickets for public transport in Aarhus online .
• Prices: 24 hours DKK 80 ($12), 48 hours DKK 120 ($17), 72 hours DKK 160 ($26).

Taxis are a common and easy way to get around Aarhus and the surrounding region. Jutland's largest taxi company is Aarhus Taxa, they have every option from environmentally-friendly cars to larger taxis for groups, and vehicles that are wheelchair accessible.​​

• Contact :​​​​​ +45 89 48 48 48 / aarhustaxa.dk

Related: Travel Scandinavia: 13-Day Itinerary For Denmark, Sweden, & Norway

11 Where To Eat In Aarhus

The larger Aarhus region was once named the 'European Region of Gastronomy', while the city itself is home to Michelin-starred restaurants and popular local cafés and eateries that are not to be missed.

For breakfast, grab a cinnamon bun and dirty Chai latte from Café Harepus in Aarhus, or for something a bit more filling head to Café Frida in the Latin Quarter.

Choose between 15 possible variations for your 'Brunch plate'. Options include; scrambled eggs with bacon and sausage, smoked salmon with herb cream, or Skyr with pickled pears. Six items from the Cafe Frida brunch menu cost DKK 159 ($23).

For lunch, Plant Food is one of the best vegan restaurants in Aarhus. The seasonally changing menu features barbeque mushrooms, 'avant-garde' burgers, and spiced pumpkin soup.

Elsewhere, Mefisto Restaurant & Gårdhave offers some of the best seafood fresh from the city's harbor. Mussels, oysters, and lobster are the top picks from this local eatery.

While in Denmark, travelers should always make sure to try a Smørrebrød (Danish open-faced sandwich) too.

Head out for an international dinner at Aarhus Street Food , one of Denmark's many street food options it showcases some of the best food from around the world. Some of the tastiest options are English fish and chips, Vietnamese Banh mi, or the Malawach chicken wrap at Za'atar.

• Opening hours: Aarhus Street Food is open Monday to Sunday 11:30 AM - 9:00 PM (closed over Christmas and New Year's).

For drinks head to affordable bars like Bodega Kurts Mor, or Barstart for cocktails. While wars have been fought with Danish snaps , a stroll along Åboulevarden at night will show that Aarhus is a lively, friendly city that's welcoming to all.

12 Where To Stay In Aarhus

While budget accommodation in Aarhus is limited, there are a lot of great places to stay in the city. Choose somewhere with good transport links to make the most of a trip to Aarhus.

Nordic hotels are a great way to experience Danish design, while more luxury options are also plentiful. Many of the best places to stay in Aarhus are taking steps towards sustainability too.

Budget-friendly

Book1 By Brøchner Hotels

Address : Møllegade 3A, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark

Rate per night : DKK 440 ($64)

Amenities: Rooms with twin, double, or bunk beds, 24-hour front desk, laundry facilities, free WiFi, and Danish design.

Hotel Oasia Aarhus City

Address: Kriegersvej 27, 31, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark (close to the airport shuttle)

Rate per night : DKK 800 ($116)

Amenities: Sustainable property, free breakfast, rooms have a Nordic design with luxury beds by Hästens.

Radison Red Aarhus

Address : Frederiksgade 88, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark

Rate per night : DKK 1160 ($168)

Amenities: Restaurant, business & fitness centers, dry cleaning/laundry services, and tea/coffee facilities in room.

13 Tips To Know When Visiting Aarhus

• Aarhus is pronounced as "oar-hus". Many Danes speak a high level of English but knowing few local phrases will help: Try 'Skål!' (cheers), 'Hav en god dag' (have a nice day), and 'Taler du engelsk?' (do you speak English?).
• Two great spots to get a birds-eye view of Aarhus for free are on top of the Godsbanen Center and the rooftop at the Salling department store.
• Denmark is regarded as one of the world's safest countries and Aarhus is no different. It also regularly comes at the top of the list of the happiest countries in the world, so make sure to pack a smile. Read The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living to get some insights before visiting.

Related: Top 10 Hidden Gems In Copenhagen, Denmark That You Can't Miss

14 How To Spend The Perfect Day In Aarhus

Start the day by visiting the harbor. Go for a swim in the baths, or simply take a stroll along the waterfront and around the revitalized Aarhus docklands to take in the best sights of the city. From here head to the ARoS Art Museum to sample the city's art and design connections, heading to the roof to visit 'Your Rainbow Panorama' and check out the city skyline.

Stop for lunch at one of the cafés in the Latinerkvarteret (Latin Quarter), then explore the areas past at Den Gamle By, watching live performances of historical figures and past events. It's just a short walk from here to the tropical greenhouses at the free-to-visit Botanical Gardens. Spend the afternoon escaping the busy city sights and exploring the lush gardens and the beautifully diverse Butterfly House. For more natural wonders head to the fascinating Steno Museum, or explore the exhibits at the Naturhistorisk Museum.

For dinner head over to the old bus garage (just opposite the Bus Station) that now houses Aarhus Street Food. It's one of the best places to see the many cultures that call Aarhus home.

Travelers can get just about any type of cuisine you can imagine with over 30 stalls serving up specialties from around the world. In the evening head to one of the bars along Aboulevarden to join the local students in having a drink alongside the canal.

Q: Is it worth visiting Aarhus Denmark?

Although small, Aarhus is a great off the beaten path place to visit in Europe . It's a short and scenic train journey from Copenhagen to Aarhus, taking in views of some beautiful and lesser known spots in Denmark.

Q: How many days do you need in Aarhus?

Two to three days is enough time to fit in sightseeing and to explore the main attractions in Aarhus. Half a day can easily be spent in just one museum, and there are plenty of cafés, bars and restaurants to try.

Q: Why is Aarhus so popular?

English is widely spoken in Aarhus, making it a very easy place to visit for international travelers.

While it has the same colorful old town, great restaurants, and lively nightlife scene as the capital Copenhagen in summer , Denmark's second-largest city is much cheaper to visit and is less busy in the peak tourist season.

Q: Is Aarhus cheap or expensive?

Compared to Copenhagen, Aarhus is quite a cheap place to visit. But visitors from the UK and the US may find that Denmark is generally more expensive due to the fact that it's part of the Scandinavian region.

Prices are typically higher than in Central Europe, for example, a lunchtime meal with a drink will cost around kr131 ($19) according to Expatistan .

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(aarhus, denmark), aarhus tourist information and tourism: top sights, more aarhus information / fast facts and orientation.

• Country: Denmark
• Location: Jutland peninsula
• Status: city / principal Danish port
• Area: approximately 180 square miles / 466 square kilometres
• Population: approximately 300,000
• Language: Danish
• Currency: Danish Krone (DKK)
• Time zone: GMT +1 (summer time GMT+2)
• Country dialing code: +45
• Telephone area code: 086 / 089
• Average daily Aarhus January temperature: 3°C / 37°F
• Average daily Aarhus July temperature: 21°C / 70°F

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Must-see attractions in Aarhus

ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum

Inside the cubist, red-brick walls of Aarhus’ showpiece art museum are nine floors of sweeping curves, soaring spaces and white walls showcasing a…

Den Gamle By

The Danes’ seemingly limitless enthusiasm for dressing up and re-creating history reaches its zenith at Den Gamle By. It’s an engaging, picturesque open…

Moesgaard Museum

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The Ultimate Travel Guide to Aarhus

Less known than the famous Copenhagen, Aarhus in Denmark is a bustling city filled with shopping arcades, cultural and music venues, beautiful parks, world-class restaurants and much more. \Whether you are a foodie, architecture or design enthusiast or simply looking for a place for a relaxing urban holiday, Aarhus will not disappoint.

This ultimate travel guide to Aarhus will show you all the most beautiful places in Aarhus, what to expect when visiting, where to stay in Aarhus and things to do in Aarhus which will help you in planning a trip to Aarhus.

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Table of Contents

How to get to Aarhus

Aarhus does have its own airport, but it is not a popular one. Denmark has two main international airports: Billund in central Jutland (only 100 km from Aarhus) and Kastrup airport in Copenhagen.

Whereas Billund airport may be closer to your final destination, keep in mind that it’s smaller than Kastrup and only selected International airlines fly to Billund.

From Billund, you can either take a train or a bus (912X) to Aarhus city. The one-way bus ride is 162 DKK (approx. 25 USD) per person and you can make the payment with cash, credit card or ”rejsekort” (Danish pre-paid travel card which can be purchased in the major train stations).

If you arrive in Copenhagen, we recommend to further travel to Aarhus with FlixBus. You can book the tickets online.

The bus journey is 4,5 hours long, but you only pay 129 DKK (approx. 20 USD). It is also possible to take the train, but you will only save one hour of travelling time, and the train ticket price is much higher (369 DKK = 56 USD).

What to expect in Aarhus

Being the second-largest city in Denmark and home to a popular university, Aarhus attracts young people from all over the country as well as expats, so it’s easy to communicate and navigate in English.

Even though Denmark is a part of the European Union, it has its own currency. You cannot pay in Euros, but all major credit cards are widely accepted.

Actually, paying with cash is becoming less common, so you don’t have to worry about exchanging your currency into Danish Krona before you arrive. In Denmark, all shop cashiers serve as ATMs too.

If you need cash, you can easily go to a grocery store, buy something small and ask the staff to give you a certain amount of money ”oveni” (meaning: ”on top of”). It’s a smart way to avoid international ATM charges!

Speaking of money, Danish salaries are generally high, so you do not have to tip your waters, taxi drivers or hotel staff. It is still a nice gesture, and tips are gladly accepted, but not mandatory.

If a restaurant or a hotel has a policy of adding a staff fee on top of your final bill, it will be clearly stated in the menu or otherwise communicated to you prior to your order.

How to get around Aarhus

In Aarhus, you will see most locals riding bikes, and we recommend you to jump on one too! Aarhus was one of the pioneering cities in Denmark to introduce shared bikes, so look out for public bike stations and rent one for a small amount of money or ask your host or hotel if they provide bicycle rental.

Aarhus is also a very walkable city, and you will be able to see much of the city on foot. If you aren’t much of a walker, the public transportation is, of course, a great (but not the cheapest) option. If you are planning to use public buses, we recommend you to buy a “Rejsekort”, a pre-paid travel card that you can re-charge at major stations.

We do not recommend you to take taxis within the city, as the starting tariff is approximately 50 DKK (7,5 USD), so even a short ride can easily come up and cost around 15 USD.

Best time to visit Aarhus

Denmark is infamous for its rains and winds. If outdoor activities are important to you, you should plan your visit to Aarhus between May and September, during the Danish summer.

The temperature is pleasant (18 – 24OC) and most days are dry and sunny. Note that the summer season is also the most expensive time to travel so the prices of flights and accommodation may be accordingly higher.

The challenging weather might make it less attractive to visit Aarhus between October and early April, but paying a visit around Christmas time in December is recommendable too!

Remember that Danes invented the world-famous concept of “hygge” (nice atmosphere/cosiness), and with the lights, beautiful decorations, intriguing culinary scene and Christmas markets, a trip to Aarhus in late December is a great choice!

Things to do in Aarhus

Visit the museums.

Aarhus is home to ARoS Art Museum, a world-class contemporary art institution. The building is crowned by “Your Rainbow Panorama” by internationally known Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson.

The “Rainbow” is a round corridor/observatory deck above the museum, from where one can see a full panoramic view of the city of Aarhus, all through glass walls in all hues of the rainbow. “Your Rainbow Panorama” has only been open to the public since 2011, but it has become a symbol of the city, and one of the main Aarhus tourist attractions.

Another popular museum in Aarhus is the Moesgaard Museum. It’s an institution dedicated to archaeological and ethnographical exhibitions, curated in close collaboration with the University of Aarhus.

However, many visitors come to Moesgaard simply to experience its splendid architecture. The museum building emerges organically from between hills, spreading into green grass-terraces and man-made meadows.

Explore the Latin Quarter

Behind the Aarhus cathedral, you will find “Latinerkvarteret” as the Danes call it. The Latin Quarter is the oldest preserved neighbourhood in the city and ranks high on the list of the most popular Aarhus tourist attractions.

It is a part of the old town (in Danish: “den gamle by”), and today the area it is filled with boutiques selling clothes and unique homeware, Danish design and other rare funds.

The building style reminds more of a South-European village than a Scandinavian city centre with plenty of open cafés with seats spread over wide pavements, but the real gems wait for you in the backyards. Look out for coffee shops located in narrow alleyways or hidden in between building arcades.

Tour around the Botanical Gardens

Officially, Aarhus Botanical Gardens are a part of Aarhus Science Museums, but unlike a typical museum, the gardens are open all day, every day, and the entrance is free of charge.

Specific greenhouses within the Botanical Gardens do have limited opening hours that vary with the seasons, so if you’re interested in exploring certain flora species, we recommend you double check the public opening hours of the glasshouses (“væksthusene”).

Aarhus Botanical Gardens are the perfect place for a calm stroll or a brisk jog if you want to keep exercising while on holiday. During the day, the park is a great spot for outdoor lunch, and visitors are allowed to bring food with them into the park grounds.

Enjoy Tivoli Friheden

Tivoli Friheden is an amusement park located just outside of Aarhus. Unlike the free botanical gardens, the entrance to the park grounds is 135 DKK (20,5 USD), and one must purchase entry pass for amusements on top of the entry ticket price.

You can buy a full carnet for all attractions (called “turbånd”) for 125 DKK (19 USD) or pay separately for each attraction.

Even if you aren’t enthusiastic about roller-coasters, you will for sure not regret a trip to Tivoli Friheden, where you can stroll around beautiful gardens, dine in exquisite restaurants and attend concerts and performances.

Check the event calendar for upcoming shows if you are looking for interesting things to do in Aarhus at night.

What to eat in Aarhus

Aarhus does not have any dishes that are typical for the city as such, but trying the Danish “smørrebrød”, open sandwiches with cold cuts or fish layered abundantly on a thick piece of rye bread, decorated generously with remoulade or mayonnaise and sprinkled with fresh herbs, is a must!

Danes are famous for their bread and pastries, so make sure you get to try “wienerbrød”, sweet puff pastries filled with marzipan and drizzled with sugar and almond flakes.

They go perfectly with an afternoon coffee, but in Denmark, it is also common to eat sweet for breakfast. Start your morning with a Danish cinnamon bun and a bowl of yoghurt – Danish dairy is excellent!

For lunch, make your way to Aarhus Street Food, located in the old bus garages by the Bus Station (“Aarhus Rutebilstation”). There are more than 30 vendors selling diverse dishes from all over the world at affordable prices.

According to the official vendors’ rules of Aarhus Street Food, each vendor must have in the menu at least one filling dish for no more than 50 DKK (7,5 USD).

Last, but not least, it may not satisfy your food cravings, but visiting one of Aarhus’ many microbreweries and trying the locally crafted beers, it is an extraordinary cultural and taste-experience.

Microbreweries are popping up all over the country, and the quality and variety of the local beers are exquisite. Aarhus has quite a few, so try visiting Humleland, Hantwerk or Bryggeriet Sct. Clemens while in town!

Where to stay in Aarhus

If your agenda for your trip to Aarhus is to relax, be close to the seashore and you prefer tranquillity to the urban bustle, we recommend you book your accommodation in Marselisborgkvarteret .

It’s not one of the central Aarhus neighbourhoods, yet it is close to the sea, a forest as well as the Tivoli Friheden amusement park.

You can either check into a hotel or book an Airbnb in Marselisborgkvarteret, but beware that because of high property prices in the area, staying in Marselisborgkvarteret is quite expensive.

If you are a design enthusiast, we recommend choosing one of the hotels in central Aarhus, as many of them collaborate with well-known Danish design brands and their interior design will take your breath away!

Comwell Aarhus has collaborated with HAY Design, and the furniture in City Hotel Oasia Aarhus comes from Danish brands like Montana and Poul Kjærholm.

Aarhus is not a city of cheap hostels, and even staying in a shared dorm can become quite pricey.

For budget travellers, we, therefore, recommend to look for an Airbnb or try couch-surfing outside of the city centre. Just make sure that you host either has a bike they’re willing to lend you or can help you rent one elsewhere.

Tours to do in Aarhus

We already mentioned Aarhus Street Food, and now we want to recommend you to explore Aarhus Street Art ! Join a walking tour with a local, English-speaking guide who will lead you through the Aarhusian alleyways showing you some of the most impressive graffiti and street art pieces of the city.

Your guide will also bring you to a few selected rooftop terraces from where you will not only be able to admire contemporary urban wall art but enjoy a breathtaking view of the whole town too. Not in the mood for walking?

Join a well-curated biking tour led by a certified guide who will introduce you to some of the most spectacular cultural and architectonic sites in Aarhus.

On the tour you will see the Aarhus Theatre, Marselisborg Castle and become familiar with local tales and stories about the city. The tour lasts about 3 hours, and easy to operate bikes will be provided (and adjusted) for you.

Day trips from Aarhus

Only 90 kilometres from Aarhus you will find Denmark’s most popular amusement park – LEGOLAND . The first LEGOLAND opened in 1968 and was an outdoor exhibition of LEGO-houses and landscapes. Much has changed since then!

LEGOLAND is now a full village with amusements, roller coasters and beautiful outdoor areas where you can relax while admiring the incredible buildings, figures and cityscapes built entirely of plastic LEGO bricks.

Today LEGOLAND parks are opening up all around the world, but paying a visit to the original one is a charming experience and for sure great choice if you are travelling with children!

Recommend budget tours in Aarhus

• Historical Walking Tour in Aarhus
• Aarhus 3-hour Private Bike Tour
• Street Art and rooftops of Aarhus
• City Sightseeing Aarhus Hop On Hop Off Tour

Get your guide is a Great company, that often offers heavily discounted tours! Check out a few options below:

If you’d like to save it for later, please save it to Pinterest.

Sam, a seasoned traveler across four continents and 49 countries, is a leading authority in travel planning. Her website, Travelling King, offers tailored itineraries and expert guides for seamless trips. Sam's expertise in luxury travel, fast travel, and destination guides keeps her at the forefront of the travel community.

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Home » Travel Guides » Denmark » 15 Best Things To Do in Aarhus (Denmark)

15 Best Things To Do in Aarhus (Denmark)

Denmark’s second city and the largest on the Jutland peninsula, Aarhus encapsulates many of the things people love about this country.

It’s a clean, forward-thinking place filled with arresting pieces of modern architecture.

If you’ve got a thing for design, check out the functionalist town hall or the new Dokk1 complex by the water.

History also abounds in Aarhus: The sprawling open-air museum, Den Gamie By is the closest thing you’ll get to a time machine, while the old streets of the Latin Quarter are made for a wander and cool glass of beer in the summer.

Let’s explore the best things to do in Aarhus :

1. Den Gamle By

A large and labyrinthine open-air museum with 75 authentic historic buildings and a large cast of “re-enactors” , Den Gamle By is the ultimate gateway to Danish social history since the 1700s – and a fun day out.

The attraction creates living snapshots of the 18th, 19th and 20 centuries and lets you interact with the period as much as possible.

So in the 19th-century area you can see what life was like when Hans Christian Andersen was writing, meeting village characters like the widow of a clergyman or merchant’s maid and tasting cakes baked with recipes from 1895.

The most recent part covers the 1970s, so you’ll meet four young hippie-types and listen to LP records.

2. Moesgaard Museum

This attraction has collections from around the world, but the exhibitions covering Denmark’s past boast artefacts you can’t see anywhere else.

If you have the nerve take a peek at the Grauballe Man, a bog body from the 3rd century BC that was discovered in 1952.

The body was so well preserved that they were even able to take the man’s fingerprints.

There’s also a large hoard of Iron Age weapons dating back well over 2,000 years and excavated at the Illerup Ådal river valley.

Part of the museum’s appeal also lies in its sleek low-impact design, with a grass-covered roof that blends almost seamlessly with the surrounding hillside.

Aarhus has one of the largest art museums in Europe, and it’s also a distinctive landmark in the city thanks in no small part to “your rainbow panorama”, a circular viewing platform and walkway with glass that runs the entire spectrum of light.

Up here there’s the best view of the city.

Below are nine different exhibition spaces, displaying Danish works from the Golden Age in the early 19th century and continuing to the present day.

Temporary exhibitions showcase international design, architecture, film, illustration, sculpture, conceptual art and painting: Wim Wenders, Olafur Eliasson, Frank Gerhry and Bill Viola have all featured here.

• 4.Tivoli Friheden

Urban amusement parks are a way of life in Danish cities, and this goes for Aarhus too, which has the Tivoli Friheden.

It’s tucked into the Marselisborg Forest, beech and coniferous woodland that runs along the coast from the southern side of Aarhus.

There are four roller coasters at Tivoli Friheden, as well as 40 other rides, games and other amusements.

Big kids can board the Cobra, which has three inversions, while smaller kids will have great fun on a choice of animal-themed rides like the monkey.

When hunger strikes there are sit-down eateries, fast-food cafes, as well as picnic and barbecue areas if you pack your own lunch.

5. Botanical Garden

The greenhouses at Aarhus’ Botanical Garden, just north of Den Gamie By have all been renovated in the last few years.

A new tropical house has also been added, and this is an almost alien, curved structure housing dense rainforest and with simulated animal sounds to enhance the experience.

There are four different climate zones synthesised at the park. Outside you can amble through typical Danish landscapes of beech forest and heathland.

The large rose gardens here are maintained by local volunteers.

6. Aarhus Domkirke

This imposing cathedral was originally built at the start of the 1200s in the romanesque style, but had a gothic update in the 1400s and has kept this appearance ever since.

At 93 metres long and 96 metres high, it’s also the longest and tallest church in Denmark.

The most interesting features are all inside though.

Try to get a look at the medieval frescoes depicting a variety of saints.

These are very well-preserved and are a fraction of what was once here before the reformation and iconoclasts.

The altar of the church is considered one of Denmark’s great treasures; it was designed by the German painter-sculptor Bernt Notke in the 1400s and has a section that can be rearranged according to the time of year.

7. Musikhuset Aarhus

This airy building, Aarhus’ Concert Hall, is one of Denmark’s most important pieces of modern architecture designed by Kjaer & Richeter architects and built in 1982.

The building is enclosed by spacious grounds with precise boxwood hedges, flower beds and fountains.

Inside there’s a large complex of six halls and nine stages that put on a packed calendar of performances each year.

Even if you aren’t coming for a classical, jazz, pop or rock concert, you have to drop by just to look around the vast foyer and pay a visit to the venue’s cafe.

8. The Latin Quarter

This is the oldest part of the city, an area of quaint shop-fronts, half-timbered houses, spires and cobblestone streets around Pustervig Torv, the central square.

The street-plan in the Latin Quarter goes back to the 1300s, but the neighbourhood only got its name in the ’90s because of its similarities to the Latin Quarter in Paris.

At night it’s a part of town where Aarhus comes to let its hair down, with restaurants, bars, clubs and cafes, and by day you can see what you can find in the independent shops or have a chat with a friend over a beer or coffee.

9. Aarhus Rådhus

You don’t have to be an architecture buff to appreciate the simple beauty of the city’s town hall.

It was built in 1941 during the Nazi occupation adhering to a pre-war design by Arne Jacobsen, one of the most celebrated functionalist architects.

The initial plans did not include the clock tower that makes the town hall so distinctive; this was added later at the behest of Aarhus’ citizens.

The tower is now a nationally-recognised landmark, with an exposed marble-clad structural frame and marble clock-face placed half-way up the tower rather than at the top.

This cultural centre was opened in 2015 and revitalised a section of Aarhus’ former industrial harbour.

It’s another attraction that is worth seeing just to marvel at its eye-catching design.

It’s a seven-sided disk above a glass prism, in which the city library is housed.

Inside you should take a look at a remarkable piece of sculpture in Dokk1’s atrium: A three-ton tubular bell, the largest in the world in fact, that is connected to the city’s main hospital.

Every time a baby is delivered  the bell will chime.

The piece was designed by Copenhagen-based artist Kirstine Ropestorff.

11. Nordic cuisine

Aarhus is best-known for the convivial cafes on the charming corners and square in the Latin Quarter.

These go arm-in-arm with a handful of restaurants that craft the latest in Scandinavian cuisine, like Nordisk Spisehus on M.P. Brunsgade.

It sounds quite daunting, but the food is surprisingly simple, drawing on the fresh, seasonal and organic produce and letting their flavours do the talking without excessive frills.

At some point you’ll also have to grab a smørrebrød, a kind of open-faced rye sandwich piled with cold meat, fish or cheese, and then carefully topped with seasoning and garnishes.

12. Marselisborg Mindepark

How much you can see of the gorgeous park around Marselisborg Palace depends on whether the queen is in residence.

The park is landscaped in the English style, so has the loose, flowing appearance of a pastoral country scenery.

Paths wend their way through copses and cherry groves and up the gentle rises that between the palace and the bay.

Next to the palace grounds is a memorial park to the First World War, and there’s a monument here from 1925 naming the 4,144 soldiers from this part of Denmark that lost their lives after being conscripted to fight for Germany.

13. Ega Engso

In Aarhus’ northern suburbs is this artificial lake and wetland area that was created when land that had once been reclaimed for farming was re-flooded in the 1950s.

In the decades since its creation Ega Engso has become a habitat for a catalogue of animal and plant species that are endangered in Denmark.

White storks stop by the lake to rest, while short-eared owls hunt the meadowlands.

If you’re patient you’re sure to see something interesting from a bird-hide or the tower that was installed in 2007. Other than that it’s a pleasingly green landscape for a gentle summer stroll.

14. Museum Ovartaci

OK, it won’t be for everyone, but this museum that focuses on psychiatric treatment is definitely one of a kind. It sits within the Risskov Psychiatric Hospital, which dates to the mid-19th century.

One of the main exhibitions here is the collection of art created by the institution’s patients down the years. Of the collection of 12,000, 850 pieces are on display.

Upstairs the museum charts the history of psychiatric treatment and the various advances that have taken place.

You’ll get to know about shock therapy and lobotomies, so it’s not for the squeamish.

15. Ebeltoft

The pick of the day-trips from Aarhus is this pretty little coastal town, 45 minutes around the coast and through the Mols Berge National Park.

Receiving its municipal charter at the start of the 14 century, Ebeltoft is the oldest market town on the Djursland Peninsula.

“Picturebook” is an overused adjective, but it definitely applies to Ebeltoft’s misshapen old half-timbered houses and picturesque harbour.

Come to potter around the family-run shops and see the old-time street entertainment in summer.

Further reading: 15 Best Places to Visit in Denmark

15 Best Things To Do in Aarhus (Denmark):

• Den Gamle By
• Moesgaard Museum
• Botanical Garden
• Aarhus Domkirke
• Musikhuset Aarhus
• The Latin Quarter
• Aarhus Rådhus
• Nordic cuisine
• Marselisborg Mindepark
• Museum Ovartaci

• Aarhus Region
• Areas and Cities
• Tourist Information
• Conferences
• Like a Local

The 25 most frequently visited attractions in the Aarhus Region

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Old Dyers Yard Museum Farvergården

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Glass - Museum of Glass is an international museum of modern glass art, beautifully situated in the town of Ebeltoft. All year round, you get to experience changing exhibits of world-class glass art. ...

Randers Kunstmuseum

Randers Kunstmuseum is filled with exciting art experiences for everyone. The museum contains a large number of works by some of the major figures of Danish art over the last 200 years. The unique art ...

Skovgaard Museum

The Skovgaard Museum is the art museum in Viborg. It houses works by the Skovgaard family of artists as well as changing art exhibitions.

Art Center Silkeborg Bad

The Art Center Silkeborg Bad never stands still. Here you can experience changing exhibitions of both Danish and international artists, who time after time transform the old spa "Silkeborg Bad" into a ...

Museum Østjylland Grenaa

Museum Østjylland welcomes you to exciting exhibitions and historical activities for children and adults year-round.

More than 600 attractions ...

But in the Aarhus region, there are no less than 600 attractions waiting for you. Big and small. Museums, amusement parks, zoos and animal parks, nature areas, architecture and much more.

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More than 600 attractions

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