Here is a comprehensive list of the best things to do in Aarhus, Denmark.
Aside from Copenhagen, many tourists also troop to the off-beaten town of Aarhus, which is the second largest in the entire country. Just like Denmark’s capital, Aarhus city brims with natural, historical, and cultural heritage.
Many of these attractions date back centuries ago; thus, they have tangible witnesses of the significant events that shaped the city and the country. Visiting Aarhus, therefore, will lead visitors to a deeper understanding of this small but thriving country.
In this article, we’ll show the popular tourist attractions in Aarhus and the laid-back options. Visitors can enjoy both modern and traditional offerings. With its endless list of things to do, the city is surely an ideal hotspot for travelers like solo, group, or couples.
Aarhus City not only boasts modern amenities and historical landmarks but also outdoor spots. Let’s now take you to the best things to do in the city.
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Top 10 Best Things to Do in Aarhus, Denmark
Have a Serene Picnic in the Woods
Visitors can reach the Marselisborg Forest Reserve after some minutes of a ride from the Aarhus city center. The reserve consists mostly of oak expanse hosting rare plant species such as the poisonous Satan’s mushrooms and the bleeding corals. The sanctuary also has vast anemone fields.
All of these are perfect getaways for those chasing the natural setting. Among the things to do here are hiking, camping, biking, and picnics. During the summertime, both locals and visitors can also hold excursions and fitness activities.
Get to see hundreds of deer at one of the remote sections of the park. It is one of the best Aarhus attractions for nature lovers.
Have Fun at the City’s Amusement Park
Tivoli Friheden, the city’s amusement park, is a local version of the impressive Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen. Just like the latter, it features various rides and activities that both the young and old will enjoy. The park also lies at the Marselisborg Forests with verdant sceneries and rustic views.
Different food stalls and restaurants also line the park with various kinds of meals and snacks. Then there’s a cultural hall where visitors can watch theater performances, concerts, and various other events from April to October.
Trace Danish History at The Old Town Museum
The Old Town Museum features huge vitrines with exhibits as well as well-polished corridors. But this open-air museum offers a glimpse of the local life and Danish history from the 18th century to the late 20th century.
It contains a jazz bar, a pharmacy, a post office, more than 34 shops, a school, and 75 historic houses relocated from different parts of the country.
To give tourists an actual view of the traditional settings, locals in olden garments conduct role-playing of their ancestors’ habits.
Are you planning your travels? Here’re my top travel resources!
I’m a serial planner both in life and in travel – I have bucket lists, things to do, see, and everything. So, I always love when my life is sorted easily using tools and resources that would make my general planning a little smoother and easier. Therefore, in my many years of traveling the world, I’ve seen myself returning to these travel resources repeatedly. And here I am, sharing my tips to make your life easy and breezy so you can stress less, travel heaps, and focus on the fun part of travel!
- Booking.com – I book all my hotels through this website and don’t honestly use anything else. They always have the best prices, in my opinion.
- Airbnb – If I’m traveling long-term to one destination, I book my flats through Airbnb.
- Skyscanner – The best place to find cheap flights on flexible dates. I use this a lot to score cheap flights within Europe!
- SafetyWing – Always travel insured! Never leave your home country without one. It is worth the extra money, I promise you!
- GetYourGuide – Hands-down, the best place to find cool and unique tours if you don’t feel like winging it, and go straight to a local expert. I use this a lot in new destinations to get acquainted with the area!
- My Pretty Wild World Travel Diary (coming soon) – A book you can write down your travel plans, create itineraries, track down your budget, and dot down memories along the way! A handy book you can keep and read later to revisit memory lane.
- Pretty Wild World Travel Planning Printables (coming soon) – Are you a nut like me when it comes to planning? Yes? Good. My travel planning resource in one zip file is an easy-to-use printable planner that comes with tips that helps you plan your travels during the planning stage, a pre-flight checklist, an itinerary planner, and so on.
Take a Walk on Aarhus’ Most Beautiful Streets
No matter which kind of tourist you are, it pays off to have a meaningful stroll at Aarhus’ Latin Quarter. This part of the town is an ideal spot for those chasing merry-making activities.
Expect to see chic boutiques, cozy cafes, pedestrianized alleyways, and a lively nightlife with multiple nightclubs and bars.
Mollestien, one of Aarhus’s most beautiful and oldest streets, is a ten-minute walk from the Latin Quarter. Many of the houses lining the streets date back to the 18th century. Therefore, visitors will have a glimpse of history here.
Watch Performances at Scandinavia’s Largest Concert Hall
Aarhus’ Concert Hall attracts thousands of spectators every year, making it the largest concert hall in the Scandinavian region. It’s a can’t-miss spot for those chasing classic musical experiences.
This majestic building hosts nine stages and six halls with events ranging from local to international level. Local performers also hold dance performances and theater activities for both locals and visitors. It is one of the best places to visit in Aarhus.
Venture into Aarhus’ Emerging Neighborhood
Aarhus Ø is now one of the city’s emerging tourist neighborhoods, owing to its vibrant quarters. Many locals and tourists come here to enjoy the waterfront or hold yoga activities, especially during warm sunny days.
Visitors can also enjoy drinks at Strandbaren, dubbed as The Beach Bar, which is the hippest part of the city in summer.
The beach bar, however, opens seasonally. But don’t worry. Many bars and cafes pop up around the neighborhood when the cold months hit.
Hold up! Have you thought about the importance of travel insurance?
Remember this: anything can happen. Travel is fun, but your health is more important; thus, I always, always, always recommend getting insured during the duration of your trip. I have benefitted from having one multiple times, and it has been covered for thousands of euros!
The latest one is not necessarily “health” related – it was during the peak of the unspeakable terrible C that consumed the world. I was living in Vietnam when I received an email from SafetyWing (my travel insurance) that if I want they’ll fly be back home to Finland as the world goes through a global emergency alert. I flew back fully covered, and dealing with SafetyWing was a breeze despite the roar of people in contact with them trying to get back home.
I can’t highly recommend them enough. Otherwise, I rarely get sick; hence I don’t always need to head to a hospital, but knowing that I have travel insurance makes me feel safe at the very least.
Read my post about why you should get travel insurance for more information. Otherwise, you can get a free quote from SafetyWing – they’re the best, in my opinion.
Catch a Bird’s Eye View of the City
The top of the ARoS Aarhus Art Museum offers a bird’s eye view of the city, making it a famous attraction. The museum has a variety of important collections of Danish artworks such as the avant-garde CoBra painters, Copenhagen‘s Golden Age, and many other creations spanning over 300 years. It also contains contemporary works showcased in colorful and stylish settings.
Interact with the City’s Art Savvy
Visitors who love art can visit Godsbanen, one of the city’s prime cultural spots. It’s an important venue for various performances, hosting workshops, and other activities all year round.
It mostly attracts cultural explorers and aspiring artists. It has dance halls, project rooms, and theater stages for building creative skills and awareness.
If visitors happen to visit without any activity, they can sip a cup of hot coffee at the cultural space’s café while enjoying the magnificent views from the top.
Enjoy the Sight of Denmark’s Largest Church
With a height of 93 meters, the Aarhus Cathedral is the largest church in Denmark. It features Gothic-style architecture with elements of Romanesque.
Scholars estimate that the church’s construction began in the 12th century and was completed around 1350. The church, therefore, plays an integral historical and cultural role in the lives of the Danes.
Indulge in Local Cuisines
Food lovers or gastronomic connoisseurs can now have a memorable tour of Aarhus and taste its authentic cuisines. The best spot to visit is the Aarhus Central Food Market, which serves various delicacies, most of which reflect the Danish style of cooking. It features more than 20 market stalls with professional chefs sharing how they create delicious meals.
These are just some of the best things to do in Aarhus City in Denmark. Make sure to try some or most of these for a fun-filled and meaningful experience.
What are my favorite travel must-haves?
As a frequent traveler, I’ve learned a lot throughout my years of travel, and there are five items that I always carry with me regardless of where I go and how long the trip is. Here are my five travel must-haves!
- Warm packable jacket – I always carry a light jacket, even when heading to warm countries. There hasn’t been a time I never used it, especially in airports and planes.
- Transparent toiletry bag – I often bring a carry-on if I’m only traveling within Europe for a few days. Life is so much easier to go through security checks with a transparent toiletry bag.
- Kindle Paperwhite – I love a good read and always take my Kindle everywhere. It keeps me entertained during long flights and waiting times.
- Powerbank – I don’t know how I could travel without one! Having a power bank saved me a ton since I carry a lot of electronic devices with me.
- Travel Adapter – I never leave my luggage without a travel adapter! I carry one with me all the time. It is just one of that travel-must haves that doesn’t hurt to have in your bag at all times.