Summary
Denmark’s second city and the largest on the Jutland peninsula, Aarhus embodies many aspects that individuals appreciate about this nation.
It is a clean, progressive environment featuring striking examples of contemporary architecture.
For enthusiasts of design, the functionalist town hall or the newly constructed Dokk1 complex by the waterfront merits attention.
Aarhus is steeped in history: The extensive open-air museum, Den Gamle By, offers an immersive experience reminiscent of a time machine, while the ancient streets of the Latin Quarter invite leisurely exploration and enjoyment of a refreshing beverage during summer months.
Let us examine the premier attractions in Aarhus:
1. Den Gamle By
This extensive and intricate open-air museum includes 75 authentic historic buildings and a variety of “re-enactors.” Den Gamle By serves as an excellent gateway to understanding Danish social history since the 1700s—offering a delightful day out.
The attraction crafts living representations of the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries and allows visitors to engage with the eras as much as possible.
In the 19th-century area, one can witness daily life during the time of Hans Christian Andersen, interacting with characters such as a clergyman’s widow or a merchant’s maid, and sampling cakes prepared from recipes dating back to 1895.
The most recent section highlights the 1970s, featuring encounters with youthful hippies and listening to LP records.
2. Moesgaard Museum
This institution houses collections sourced from around the globe, but the exhibitions focused on Denmark’s history feature artefacts that are unmatched elsewhere.
For those daring enough, a glance at the Grauballe Man, a bog body from the 3rd century BC discovered in 1952, is essential.
The preservation of the body was so remarkable that even the individual’s fingerprints could be taken.
Additionally, there exists an extensive hoard of Iron Age weaponry that has been excavated from the Illerup Ådal river valley, dating back more than 2,000 years.
The aesthetics of the museum are equally appealing, characterized by its sleek, low-impact design, adorned with a grass-covered roof that seamlessly integrates with the verdant hillside.
3. ARoS
Aarhus boasts one of the largest art museums in Europe, which also serves as a distinctive landmark due to its “Your Rainbow Panorama,” a circular viewing platform that showcases the full spectrum of light.
This vantage point offers the finest views of the city.
Below, nine various exhibition spaces host Danish artworks from the early 19th century Golden Age to contemporary pieces.
Temporary exhibitions highlight international design, architecture, film, illustration, sculpture, conceptual art, and painting, with renowned artists such as Wim Wenders, Olafur Eliasson, Frank Gehry, and Bill Viola being showcased.
4. Tivoli Friheden
Urban amusement parks are a key feature in Danish cities, and Aarhus is no exception with Tivoli Friheden.
Nestled within the Marselisborg Forest, this recreational area of beech and coniferous woodland stretches along the southern coast of Aarhus.
Tivoli Friheden is home to four roller coasters and over 40 additional rides, games, and amusements.
For thrill-seekers, the Cobra ride features three inversions, while younger visitors can enjoy a selection of animal-themed rides, such as the monkey.
When cravings arise, a variety of dining options await, including sit-down restaurants, fast-food cafes, as well as picnic and barbecue areas for those who wish to bring their own meal.
5. Botanical Garden
The greenhouses at Aarhus’ Botanical Garden, located just north of Den Gamle By, have undergone renovations in recent years.
A newly added tropical house features an alien-like, curved design housing lush rainforest and enhanced by simulated animal sounds to enrich the visitor experience.
The park synthesizes four distinct climate zones. Visitors can stroll through typical Danish landscapes comprising beech forests and heathland.
The extensive rose gardens are diligently maintained by local volunteers.
6. Aarhus Domkirke
This majestic cathedral was originally constructed at the beginning of the 1200s in the Romanesque style, later receiving Gothic enhancements in the 1400s, which have been preserved to this day.
At a length of 93 meters and a height of 96 meters, it is recognized as Denmark’s longest and tallest church.
However, the most remarkable features are found within.
Be sure to view the exceptionally well-preserved medieval frescoes depicting various saints.
These artworks represent only a small fraction of what existed before the Reformation and subsequent iconoclasm.
The church’s altar is regarded as one of Denmark’s invaluable treasures; designed by the German painter-sculptor Bernt Notke in the 1400s, it possesses a rearrangeable section tailored to the time of year.
7. Musikhuset Aarhus
This expansive venue, Aarhus’ Concert Hall, stands as one of Denmark’s most significant examples of modern architecture crafted by Kjaer & Richeter architects, established in 1982.
Surrounded by spacious grounds adorned with meticulous boxwood hedges, flower beds, and fountains, the interior features a complex of six halls and nine stages hosting a full calendar of performances annually.
Even if attending a performance is not on your agenda, it is worthwhile to visit for a casual stroll through the vast foyer and to explore the venue’s café.
8. The Latin Quarter
As the city’s oldest section, the Latin Quarter features charming storefronts, half-timbered houses, spires, and cobblestone streets surrounding Pustervig Torv, the central square.
The street layout in this area dates back to the 1300s, yet the name was only adopted in the ’90s due to comparisons with the Latin Quarter in Paris.
By night, this vibrant neighborhood transforms into a social hub where Aarhus residents enjoy dining, nightlife, and leisure, while daytime visitors can explore independent shops or engage in friendly conversation over coffee or beer.
9. Aarhus Rådhus
One need not be an architecture aficionado to recognize the simple elegance of the city’s town hall.
Built in 1941 during the Nazi occupation, it adheres to a pre-war design by Arne Jacobsen, a revered functionalist architect.
The original plans excluded the distinctive clock tower, which was later incorporated at the request of the citizens of Aarhus.
This tower is now a nationally acknowledged symbol, featuring a marble-clad structural frame and a clock face positioned halfway up the tower instead of at its peak.
10. Dokk 1
This cultural center opened in 2015, revitalizing a section of Aarhus’ former industrial harbor.
It stands out for its captivating design, presenting a seven-sided disk over a glass prism that houses the city library.
Inside, the atrium features a remarkable sculpture: a three-ton tubular bell, recognized as the largest in the world, linked to the city’s principal hospital.
This bell chimes with each birth, a creation by Copenhagen-based artist Kirstine Ropestorff.
11. Nordic cuisine
Aarhus is renowned for its cozy cafes situated at charming corners and squares in the Latin Quarter.
These establishments are complemented by a select few restaurants that offer contemporary interpretations of Scandinavian cuisine, such as Nordisk Spisehus on M.P. Brunsgade.
While the terminology might seem intimidating, the cuisine embraces simplicity, prioritizing fresh, seasonal, and organic ingredients, allowing their natural flavors to shine through without excessive embellishments.
During your visit, be sure to try a smørrebrød—an open-faced rye sandwich adorned with cold cuts, fish, or cheese, artfully finished with seasonings and garnishes.
12. Marselisborg Mindepark
Your ability to explore the picturesque park surrounding Marselisborg Palace may vary depending on whether the queen is present.
This park is landscaped in the English style, showcasing the relaxed, flowing aesthetics typical of a pastoral setting.
Winding paths traverse through groves and cherry trees, ascending gentle hills between the palace and the bay.
Adjacent to the palace grounds, a memorial park commemorating the First World War features a monument erected in 1925, honoring the 4,144 soldiers from this region of Denmark who perished after being conscripted to serve for Germany.
13. Ega Engso
Located in Aarhus’ northern suburbs, Ega Engso is an artificial lake and wetland area, established when land previously reclaimed for agriculture was re-flooded in the 1950s.
Over the years, Ega Engso has evolved into a sanctuary for numerous animal and plant species that are endangered in Denmark.
White storks visit the lake to rest, while short-eared owls hunt across the meadows.
With patience, observers may encounter fascinating wildlife from a bird hide or the observation tower erected in 2007. Aside from wildlife watching, it also serves as a pleasant green space for leisurely strolls during summer.
14. Museum Ovartaci
This unique museum, focused on psychiatric treatment, occupies the historic Risskov Psychiatric Hospital, dating from the mid-19th century, and may not appeal to everyone.
One of its primary exhibitions showcases a collection of artworks produced by the institution’s patients throughout the years. From a total collection of 12,000, 850 pieces are currently displayed.
On the upper level, the museum chronicles the evolution of psychiatric treatment and the advances achieved over time.
Visitors will encounter discussions of shock therapy and lobotomies, so it may not be suitable for those with sensitive dispositions.
15. Ebeltoft
The standout day trip from Aarhus is to the charming coastal town of Ebeltoft, located a 45-minute drive along the coast and through Mols Berge National Park.
Having received its municipal charter at the beginning of the 14th century, Ebeltoft is recognized as the oldest market town on the Djursland Peninsula.
The term “picturebook” may seem overused, yet it aptly describes Ebeltoft’s uniquely shaped, old half-timbered houses and scenic harbor.
Visitors are encouraged to explore the family-run shops and enjoy the traditional street performances during the summer.
