Details for Aarhus
Aarhus was founded by the Vikings some 1300 years ago, and has been an important trading city ever since. However, it was not until the 1900’s that Aarhus really started growing and soon became Denmark’s second largest city after the capital of Copenhagen. Dubbed the cultural capital of Denmark (and proudly holding the title of European Capital of Culture for the year 2017), Aarhus has been at the forefront of defining Danish art and culture for years, which also shows through the city’s architecture and the up-and-coming designer shops and boutiques popping up across Aarhus. Denmark's second city is also very musical - once home to a burgeoning music scene (many of the nation's iconic bands started here), it now carries its cultural legacy through the annual International Jazz, SPoT, and NorthSide Festivals.
Urban: 301,049 (2025) Municipal: 373,388 (2025)
Danish krone (DKK) 1 = 100 øre
Emergency: 112
Shops in Aarhus are generally open Mon–Thu 10am–5:30pm and Fridays 10am–7pm. On Saturdays, shops are open 9am–2/4pm.
Aarhus Domkirke
Aarhus Domkirke
The city’s cathedral is the longest (and tallest!) church in all of Denmark, which houses several century-old frescoes. You should not miss the baptismal font resting on the four Evangelists with their human bodies crowned with symbolic animal heads.
Aarhus Rådhus - City Hall
Aarhus Rådhus - City Hall
Aarhus Rådhus is a functional city hall designed by one of Denmark’s most famous architects; it has incited admiration and antipathy since the day it was completed in 1941. You can wander around for free, but a guided tour is highly recommended. AarhusGuides:
ARoS
ARoS
Aarhus’ Museum of Modern Art has a notable collection of Danish art with a wide range of constantly updated international exhibitions. A five-metre-tall sculpture named "Boy" has quickly become the museum's landmark, and so has the recently inaugurated "Your Rainbow Panorama" walkway (50 meters above street level), offering breathtaking views over the city through multi-coloured glass.
Beaches
Beaches
The three most popular beaches in Aarhus are Bellevue, Den Permanente and Moesgård Strand which are all very popular on hot summer days, but also fantastic for a nice walk in fresh air with a wonderful view. You can easily reach some of the beaches by bike.
Botanical Gardens
Botanical Gardens
Showcasing flora species from all across Denmark (and the world), the Aarhus Botanical Gardens are a great place to visit regardless of the weather - the green spaces are good for a picnic or a BBQ during the summertime, and the covered greenhouses provide a welcome respite from the elements throughout the rest of the year.
Marselisborg Palace & Park
Marselisborg Palace & Park
The grounds of the Dutch royal family summer residence are open to visitors when the palace is unoccupied, and strolling through the adjacent park and English garden is free of charge. An arguably even more appealing attraction lies just south from here - a park populated by tame deer who eagerly accept treats from and interact with visitors.
Moesgård Prehistoric Museum
Moesgård Prehistoric Museum
Among many interesting objects and artefacts, this museum is also where the 2000-year-old Grauballe man (world's best-reserved bog body) is contained. He was found so well-kept that scientists even discovered that he had eaten porridge for breakfast on the day he was sacrificed.
The Old Town Museum
The Old Town Museum
To travel back in time visit ‘Den Gamle By’ and experience first-hand what life was like in Denmark hundreds of years ago. The staff dressed in costumes can show you around this unique open-air museum of urban buildings collected and saved from demolition across the country.
Aarhus Street Food
Aarhus Street Food
The Aarhus Street Food space is the brand-new and, arguably, hippest addition to the Aarhus dining scene. With a collection of dozens of cafes and restaurants serving all kinds of world cuisines imaginable under one roof, the now refurbished former garage is an excellent place to go if you don't quite know what you're in the mood for.
Bryggeriet Sct Clemens
Bryggeriet Sct Clemens
The St. Clement’s Brewery is the only pub with its own built-in brewery. This place serves mouth-watering spare ribs, along with a wide selection of dishes ranging from casual sandwiches to fancier fish dishes. Enjoy outdoor seating during the summer.
Gyngen
Gyngen
Gyngen offers good value, flavour-packed meat, fish and vegetarian dishes. Food isn't the only one of the establishment's draws - Gyngen also plays host to various musical events and welcomes diners to evenings of live jazz, folk, rock, and other music genres (and happenings).
OliNico
OliNico
A dinner at OliNico is worth the inevitable wait - the restaurant cum deli serves incredible value meals, with excellent three-course dinners that come at a price of coffee and cake elsewhere in town. No reservations are accepted, and take-away us just as popular as dining in.
Pho C&P
Pho C&P
Pho C&P has received overwhelming praise for its authenticity - the Vietnamese Pho soup broth is reported to be so flavourful one might be in doubt as to whether or not they are, indeed, still in Denmark. Vietnamese spring rolls, bahn mi sandwiches and mains are all on offer.
Restaurant Pinden
Restaurant Pinden
This restaurant’s speciality is hearty, traditional Danish food - scrumptious pork loin with potatoes and parsley sauce, for example. The menu is comprehensive yet concise, the ambience rather laid-back, and meals are rumoured to be incredible value.
Restaurant Seafood
Restaurant Seafood
Besides serving a luscious range of seafood, this restaurant also offers diners fantastic views of Aarhus Bay. Dish presentations, product quality and waiting staff service prove to be consistently impeccable. Be prepared to splash out a little cash at Seafood.
St Pauls Apothek
St Pauls Apothek
This no-longer-pharmacy is, perhaps, the trendiest place to dine on modern Scandinavian fare in Aarhus. Try the set three-course menu of creative fine dining each paired with an artisan cocktail, or come for the exquisite drinks alone after dinner elsewhere.
Cafe Gemmestedet
Cafe Gemmestedet
Cafe Gemmestedet is a really cosy cafe with a relaxed atmosphere and classic cafe dishes. There is a selection of board games so you can enjoy a game of chess or backgammon. In the evenings, the cafe takes on a new ambience of a casual bar, with special 2-for-1 offers available on cocktails of the day.
Cafe Jorden
Cafe Jorden
The popular Cafe Jorden ("Earth Cafe"), serves quality brunches until mid-afternoon. It is also a great place for a really good breakfast in quiet, stylish surroundings. The cafe's location in the downtown area, combined with its old-time ambience, make for a solid choice in Aarhus.
Cafe Smagløs
Cafe Smagløs
This was one of the city’s first cafes. Cafe Smagløs is definitely worth a visit, enticing visitors with its unique style and relaxed atmosphere. The cafe remains open late into the night on Fridays and Saturdays, when the ambience receives more of a bar-like quality.
Cross Cafe
Cross Cafe
The Cross Cafe offers both delicious brunches and late-night DJ's, and is a great choice any time of day, whether for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The cafe serves substantial meals and good rinks. The outdoor seating area is especially popular during the summertime.
Emmerys
Emmerys
Emmerys bakery and cafe enjoys several locations across Aarhus. It's an excellent choice for brunch or a short stop for coffee and cake in town. All the bread and cakes they produce are made with organic ingredients exclusively. Try their speciality pesto and hummus.
Fatter Eskil
Fatter Eskil
Fatter Eskil is ideally located in the city centre, and offers a great variety of live music performances (featuring primarily Danish bands and musicians) and beer. See website for upcoming events. Entry charges may apply depending on the night/performer.
Fonden VoxHall
Fonden VoxHall
VoxHall is one of the city’s best venues that has hosted some of the finest of Danish and international acts of all genres (heavy metal to hip-hop to rock). You can buy a ticket in advance - check their website to see what's on when you're in town.
Herr Bartels
Herr Bartels
Located right on the riverbank, Herr Bartels is a lively cocktail bar with an extensive drink list, reasonable prices, and good music playing in the background. Herr Bartels tends to get quite busy, but doors close when the bar is full to capacity, which prevents overcrowding.
Løve’s Bog- og VinCafe
Løve’s Bog- og VinCafe
The bohemian "book and wine cafe" takes its literary ambition very seriously, and even goes as far as to host literature and poetry readings on occasion, interspersing those with live jazz shows. It opens in the morning and works until midnight on most days, making it a good round-the-clock location.
Pinds Cafe
Pinds Cafe
This is one of Aarhus’ oldest establishments and somewhat of a local institution. First established in 1936, Pinds Cafe soldiers on under new ownership and still serves traditional Danish food, as well as coffee and cocktails. Open half-day four days a week.
Sherlock Holmes Pub
Sherlock Holmes Pub
Sherlock Holmes Pub is the quintessential English pub in Aarhus, complete with a solid selection of international beer and more than 40 different kinds of whisky. Live music plays 5 nights a week, live sporting events are broadcast, and there is an indoor smoking area available.
Sway
Sway
This hip and lively bar plays good music and serves exquisite drinks. Every Wednesday you are fee to join a table soccer tournament, while every Thursday, Friday and Saturday you can listen to DJs spinning the wheel starting at 11 pm. Open Thursday through Saturday nights.
Tir Na Nóg
Tir Na Nóg
At Tir Na Nóg (also known as The Tap Room) you can find a little bit of Ireland in Aarhus. This cosy pub is a great place to have a few beers or ciders, and try out several varieties of whisky in the specially designated space out back. Streams live sporting events.
Bazar Vest
Bazar Vest
In the outskirts of Aarhus you can find Bazar Vest, a market for everyone. If you enjoy vibrant marketplaces with food, spices, vegetables, and even local souvenirs, this place is a must-go. The space is dominated by Middle Eastern influence in goods assortment and cuisines offered.
Bruun’s Galleri
Bruun’s Galleri
Just next to the main train station is Bruun’s Galleri, a new stylish shopping centre selling almost everything money can buy from sweets to art and from shoes to lamps. The on-site cinema plays movies in English, and the mall itself is directly connected to the central train station.
Den Gamle By
Den Gamle By
The old part of Aarhus, Den Gamle By, is great for sauntering among the unique little streets and shops. Here you can find things you will not be able to find anywhere else. Shop at the very same locations where peasants once used to barter produce, and visit Schous Sæbehus, Denmark's largest chain store in the 1920s.
Ingerslevs Boulevard Market
Ingerslevs Boulevard Market
"Fresh" is the buzzword at Ingerslevs Boulevard, the largest food and vegetable market in Denmark. A heaven for gourmet food lovers, this busy market offers a plethora of shopping opportunities, with locally-sourced fruit and vegetables, deli items, cheeses, and freshly-brewed coffee on offer.
Latin Quarter
Latin Quarter
If you are looking for something out of the ordinary, go for a stroll down the pedestrian streets and adjoining lanes of Aarhus' own Latin Quarter (Latinerkvarteret) - the oldest part of the city - for shopping at small retailers and independent boutiques.
Magasin du Nord
Magasin du Nord
Magasin du Nord in the city centre is one of Denmark’s oldest high-end department stores. Danish design and international upscale brands can be found here, along with speciality stores (such as boutique chocolates and cosmetics), and a few cafes/eateries.
Paustian
Paustian
Browse through items of celebrated Scandinavian design at Paustian, a store and borderline design gallery where all showpieces are for sale. There is plenty to choose from in terms of portable pieces to bring home as souvenirs, and home furnishings to simply marvel at.
Salling’s
Salling’s
Along with Magasin, Salling’s is another department store, offering "all under one roof" shopping with ranges of articles for the entire family, such as fashionable clothing, shoes, perfumes and more. The store facade is beautifully lit up to resemble a wrapped Christmas gift come December.
Aarhus Airport (AAR)
Aarhus Airport (AAR)
Aarhus Airport (AAR) is located 45 kilometres north of Aarhus. Regular buses take passengers from the airport to Aarhus bus station in approximately 50 minutes. The bus schedule is synchronised with flights, and you can buy your ticket on the bus. Taxis can also be found outside the main entrance.
Public Transport
Public Transport
Aarhus city centre is compact and easy to cover by foot. For longer trips, the city’s bus network is extensive. Tickets can be purchased at the machine in the rear of the bus and last for two hours. An Aarhus Pass is well worth it if you are planning to do a lot of sightseeing in town and you can choose between 24 and 48 hours. You can buy all your tickets at the Aarhus Bus Station. A Dutch top-up transportation card ("rejsekort") works all across Denmark and is the most convenient option for longer stays. Cycling is a great way to get around Aarhus. More than 250 bikes are distributed around the city (April 1 - Oct 30) free of charge. For longer bike rides, you can rent bicycles from several providers in town.
Taxi
Taxi
Taxis can be found across the city or ordered by phone. Prices get higher at night. One reliable taxi company is Aarhus Taxa:
Electricity
Electricity
220V / 225V
Pharmacy
Pharmacy
You can easily find a pharmacy in Aarhus. Ask your hotel if you need help to find one. One central pharmacy operating 24/7 is Aarhus Løve Apotek:
Post
Post
Look for the red signs to find a post office or mailbox. Post Office at Storcenter Nord:
Telephone
Telephone
Country code: +45 Area code: 86/87
Let’s plan your next vacation
Let us take care of all the details to create the perfect trip for you. With our expertise and personalized service, we will ensure that every moment of your trip is special and unforgettable. Get ready to embark on a dream adventure!