Aarhus

Aarhus, the country’s second-largest city, is renowned for its rich culture, ancient Viking history, and a spirit of innovation. Discover its most fascinating attractions — from mind-boggling art museums to vibrant entertainment venues — in this article, which details the top 10 things to do in Aarhus, Denmark.

Explore the art scene at ARoS Aarhus Art Museum

Located in the city centre of Aarhus, ARoS Aarhus Art Museum is Denmark’s premier art institution and one of the most visited art museums in Europe. The museum’s building is itself a work of art — a remarkable nine-storey, cube-shaped edifice, designed around a spectacular central axis that features a grand spiral staircase. This staircase links the different floors, which symbolise the “hell” in the basement and the “heaven” on the rooftop.

Visitors entering ARoS will be fascinated by its vast open hall, which features a colossal, five-metre-high, hyperrealistic sculpture of a squatting boy by Ron Mueck. The museum boasts an impressive collection of over 8,000 works of Scandinavian and international art, with a strong emphasis on the Danish Golden Age and modernism. The institution’s basement — also known as “the 9 Spaces” — is dedicated to installation art, centred around the concept of Dante Alighieri’s nine circles of hell.

All these astonishing collections and exhibitions make a visit to ARoS among the undisputed best things to do in Aarhus, Denmark. However, the museum continuously develops and evolves, currently undergoing a major expansion while preparing a massive new underground installation by the world-renowned artist James Turrell.

Step back in time at the Den Gamle By

Den Gamle By, or the “Old Town,” is one of the most engaging and immersive museums in all of Denmark, offering a fascinating journey through the nation’s history. This open-air museum comprises over 75 historical buildings that were meticulously dismantled, relocated from all over Denmark, and reconstructed in this quarter.

The Old Town Museum is thoughtfully organised into different neighbourhoods, allowing visitors to explore Danish life across different historic periods. The Old Town of the 1600s-1900s is the core of Den Gamle By and resembles a provincial market town of Hans Christian Andersen’s time. Guests can admire charming half-timbered houses and traditional shops and even chat with costumed re-enactors, who play characters like the baker’s wife, bringing the daily life of centuries past to life.

The 1927 Quarter demonstrates the city on the brink of industrial modernisation, featuring electric lights, telephone cables, and early signs of motoring. Visitors seeking a true retro feel can enter the 1974 Quarter, which recreates the spirit of the 1970s through apartments, a mini-market, a radio, a TV shop, a hairdresser, and a moped workshop from that era. The latest addition to the museum is the 2014 Quarter, which showcases the modern Danish cityscape — from 7-Eleven and a bank to a pizzeria and the famous Bent J. Jazz Bar.

In addition to the open-air streets, Den Gamle By is also home to several immersive indoor museums, including the Aarhus Story — an underground museum that covers the 1,200 years of the city’s history from the Viking era to the present day. Other specialised indoor attractions include the Toy Museum, the Danish Clock Museum, silverware and textile displays, historical shops, and bakeries. All of this makes the Old Town Museum a top choice for the best places to visit in Aarhus.

Admire the stunning Aarhus Cathedral

Another unmissable attraction in the city is the magnificent Aarhus Cathedral, hailed as Denmark’s longest and tallest church. Although constructed in a more solid Romanesque style in the 12th century, this church was significantly rebuilt after a devastating fire in 1449, adopting soaring heights and Gothic pointed arches. The cathedral’s sheer size and scale — the tower reaches an impressive 96 metres in height — will astonish every traveller.

Inside the church, visitors will undoubtedly admire its most precious treasure — a grand, tripartite altarpiece, created in 1479 in the workshop of the famous German craftsman Bernt Notke of Lübeck. The cathedral also boasts many remarkable frescoes, which together encompass the largest area of medieval frescoes in Europe, painted between 1470 and 1520. The church is adorned by a single, 14-metre-tall stained-glass window, created by Emanuel Vigeland, brother of the famous Norwegian artist who created the namesake open-air installation.

All in all, the cathedral’s dramatic history, impressive exteriors, and stunning interiors firmly establish it among the best places to see in Aarhus.

Embrace history at the Moesgaard Museum

The internationally renowned Moesgaard Museum is one of the city’s top attractions and is often ranked among the best places to visit in Aarhus. This captivating museum of archaeology and ethnology is housed in a striking modern building — designed by Henning Larsen Architects — that resembles an archaeological dig, featuring staggered levels and terraces that gradually reveal layers of history. Thanks to its unique design, visitors can access the sloping, grass-covered roof, which also serves as a scenic viewpoint offering panoramic views of the woods, hills, and Aarhus Bay.

Moesgaard redefines the traditional concept of a museum by using innovative, scenographic environments and dramatic storytelling, which depict the lives of people from the past. Its unrivalled permanent exhibitions feature several remarkable elements. The Grauballe Man, the museum’s star attraction, is the world’s best-preserved bog body, the corpse of a man that is believed to have lived 2,400 years ago during the Iron Age. The impressive evolutionary staircase vividly illustrates human evolution — from the 3.2 million-year-old Lucy to modern Homo sapiens.

Moesgaard also boasts a large collection of exhibits dedicated to Denmark’s history, including the Stone Age, Bronze Age, Iron Age, and specifically, the Viking Age. Visitors will especially appreciate the extensive ethnographic collection of about 50,000 artefacts from different cultures, which offer insights into global traditions and rituals. Located on grounds that extend up to 100 hectares of cultural landscape, Moesgaard also features a 4-kilometre prehistoric trail that runs past reconstructed ancient buildings.

Overall, travellers wondering what to see in Aarhus should undoubtedly plan a visit to this immersive museum.

Seek Thrills and Fun at Tivoli Friheden

Tivoli Friheden around Christmas time.

Travellers seeking what to visit in Aarhus may find a trip to Tivoli Friheden, a popular amusement park set in the beautiful Marselisborg Forest, worthwhile. This popular local and tourist attraction is known for its thrilling rides, family-friendly entertainment, stunning park grounds, and a major concert venue.

Thrill-seekers will absolutely enjoy Tivoli’s adrenaline-fuelled rides, including the 65-metre Hjertekig free-fall tower — one of Denmark’s highest free-fall experiences — and the Cobra rollercoaster with intense turns, twists, and inversions. Beyond the high-adrenaline offerings, the park especially appeals to families with children, featuring a dedicated area, Bille By, which includes a children’s driving school, gentle rides, and several classic amusement experiences (such as the carousel and Ferris wheel).

Tivoli is also famous for its vibrant atmosphere during live events in summer months, featuring multiple regular performances, such as the Friday Rocks and Flower Festival. Visitors can also challenge themselves at the local climbing park or dine at several on-site restaurants. When the year’s end approaches, Tivoli transforms into a magical winter wonderland, where guests can meet Santa, share their Christmas wishes, and take in the pleasant festive atmosphere.

This amusement park is deservedly considered among the city’s top attractions, which firmly places it on the list of the best things to do in Aarhus, Denmark.

Find relaxation at the Botanical Gardens

Escape Aarhus’ hustle and bustle at the beautiful and expansive green space located right in the city centre — the year-round open Botanical Gardens — where visitors can take a fascinating look at plant life from across the globe.

Væksthusene, or the greenhouses, are the centrepiece of this tranquil attraction, consisting of four distinct glass domes, each meticulously designed to simulate different climate zones from around the world. Walking through these greenhouses, guests can experience the diverse flora of four international climate zones: the desert, the Mediterranean, the tropical, and the sub-tropical.

The city’s Botanical Gardens also feature adjacent extensive grounds with grassy lawns, themed sections, and picnic areas — all ideal for walking, relaxing, and enjoying the serene nature. Travellers seeking what to do in Aarhus should certainly consider a visit to this serene oasis right in the city centre.

Explore the modern cultural hub Dokk1

Often described as a “public space of the future,” Dokk1 is a major cultural hub that graces the city’s waterfront. Housed in a striking masterpiece of modern architecture, this institution functions as both the main branch of the Aarhus Library and a multi-functional cultural centre.

The library section at Dokk1 is a modern, flexible space with digital resources, study zones, and meeting areas, which provides a wide range of public services. However, the centre also regularly hosts a variety of public cultural events, including concerts, debates, lectures, art exhibitions, and workshops.

During their time at Dokk1, visitors can relax at the on-site café or venture outside for a picnic on the adjacent large outdoor playground — an especially popular spot for families. Overall, the unique contemporary architecture of Dokk1 alone grants it a place among the best places to visit in Aarhus, Denmark.

Indulge in Diverse Food at Aarhus Street Food

Travellers seeking what to do in Aarhus will undoubtedly enjoy a visit to Aarhus Street Food, an industrial-style food court housed in a former bus garage. The establishment is known for its central location and diverse offerings of authentic global cuisine, which make it a must-visit for foodies.

The focus of Aarhus Street Food is on quality street food prepared from scratch, often sold at reasonable prices that are easy on the wallet. With around 30 stalls, this place serves food from around the world — from traditional Danish smørrebrød and burgers to Turkish kebabs, Mexican tacos, and Italian pasta.

Bars that stand alongside the food stalls offer a selection of drinks, including beers, wine, coffee, and soft drinks. Aarhus Street Food is a highly social place with long communal tables, which encourages interaction between strangers in an informal setting. The unique dining and social experience makes visiting this food court among the best things to do in Aarhus, Denmark.

Experience the Infinite Bridge

Travellers seeking what to see in Aarhus shouldn’t miss a walk along the Infinite Bridge, a truly unique artwork located at Ballehage Beach. Created by Danish architects Niels Povlsgaard and Johan Gjødes, this art installation — a large, circular wooden bridge — offers visitors an experience of an “indefinitely long walk,” providing 360-degree panoramic views of the bay and allowing them to contemplate the changing landscape.

Although originally conceived as a temporary installation for a thematic exhibition in 2015, the attraction gained such immense popularity that the municipality decided to make the Infinite Bridge semi-permanent — it is rebuilt every year in spring. Overall, this extraordinary artwork is undoubtedly among the best things to see in Aarhus for those planning a visit during the warm summer months.

Enjoy a Stroll in the Beautiful Marselisborg Memorial Park

Marselisborg Palace, the official residence of the Danish Royal Family,

The Neoclassical Marselisborg Palace, the official residence of the Danish Royal Family, is another must-see in Aarhus. Although the palace itself is not open to the public, the surrounding 13-hectare Palace Garden and the nearby Marselisborg Memorial Park absolutely warrant a visit.

The Palace Garden, or Slotshaven, is a 13-hectare park laid out in a traditional English landscape style, featuring large lawns, small ponds, and a rose garden with over 500 varieties of this flower. The park is generally open to the public, but closes when the royal family is in residence at the palace.

The Marselisborg Memorial Park, located just beneath the palace grounds, is a vast and popular recreation area with scenic views of the Aarhus Bay. Inaugurated in 1925 as a memorial site for the Danish soldiers fallen in World War I, this 27-hectare park today is a favourite recreational spot, perfect for picnics, jogging, and walks. Several sections of this green space — including Rømerhaven with sculptures and Kirsebærlunden with its collection of Japanese trees — are absolutely enchanting and create a perfect environment for relaxation and contemplation. This all makes Marselisborg one of the best places to visit in Aarhus.

Like many large cities across Scandinavia, Aarhus boasts an efficient and easy-to-use public transport system, encompassing light rail, buses, and regional trains. For purchasing and validating tickets, travellers can download and use apps such as Rejsekort (the national electronic ticketing card) and Midttrafik (for regional transport).

The most effective way to travel between the city centre, the suburbs, and nearby towns is via Aarhus’ modern tram system, Letbane. Visitors will be particularly interested in using the L2 line, which connects the city centre with the main train station and attractions in the south, notably the Marselisborg area.

City buses fill the gaps in areas not serviced by trams and are highly dependable. Night buses also run late into the evening. Regional buses, on the other hand, link Aarhus with towns and villages across the surrounding Jutland region.

Regional trains offer an excellent means of travelling from Aarhus to other major destinations in the country, such as Copenhagen and Aalborg.

The city also boasts an extensive network of cycling paths, making it ideal to explore Aarhus on two wheels. However, for those visitors seeking to explore only the major attractions, almost all of them are conveniently located in or near the compact city centre, including the Latin Quarter, Dokk1, the harbour, and ARoS Art Museum.