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Aarhus sunset

Top 5 things to do in Aarhus

Photo: Peter Gramstrup

Home to world-class museums, new groundbreaking architecture, charming and historic city quarters, spectacular rooftops and award-winning baristas – you are guaranteed to find something to enjoy in Denmark’s second largest city.

1. Visit world-class attraction

Photo: Your rainbow panorama, Olafur Eliasson, 2006 - 2011, ARoS Aarhus Art Museum. Fotograf: Anders Trærup

1. Visit world-class attractions

Aarhus is known for its absolute world-class cultural attractions. One of the top attractions you should not miss is a visit to ARoS Aarhus Artmuseum with the iconic Your rainbow panorama on top of the museum.

Also, the unique historic open-air museum Den Gamle By – The Old Town Museum will take you on an amazing journey back in time. Or how about visiting one of the world’s best-preserved bog-bodies The Grauballeman located at Moesgaard Museum where prehistory and the human beeing is presented innovatively in a breathtaking architectural setting.

The amusement park Tivoli Friheden is located in walking distance from the city centre in the beautiful Marselisborg forest – a great place to have fun and enjoy nature at the same time.
 

2. Walk around historic city quarters

Aarhus is a city filled with history dating all the way back to the Viking Age when the city was founded.

In The Latin Quarter you will feel the history when walking down the narrow and cobbled stoned streets and in the small crooked houses you will find cozy cafés, designershops and small galleries. Do not miss the charming street Møllestien known for its colorful houses and hollyhocks.

The Aarhus Cathedral dates back to year 1201 and the Viking Museum is placed exactly on the spot where the city was first founded! The charming quarter Frederiksbjerg is known for its many local craftsmen and women working in their shops creating jewelry, ceramics and glassware.

If you are visioting the area on a Wednesday or Saturday you can enjoy the market on Ingerslevs Boulevard where the locals shop their groceries and have a coffee!

3. Enjoy Aarhus from a rooftop

Enjoy the view and the city's beautiful location from one of the cool rooftops. Bring along you picnic basket (or buy one at the café) to Moesgaard Museum where you can sit on the rooftop in the middle of the fantastic nature.

Or how about a break and a drink in your hand at Salling Rooftop in the middle of the pedestrianized high-street. Do not miss the view from the rainbow at ARoS - one of the coolest views of the city.

On the rooftop of Godsbanen you will see the city from another angel and every Saturday you can go for a guided tour at the famous City Hall Tower. 
 

Kaffebar i Aarhus

4. Award-winning Coffee-break

Photo: Great Coffee Aarhus

4. Award-winning Coffee-break

No doubt that the people of Aarhus love their coffee and luckily there are lots of great places to satisfy the need. Several award-winning baristas are located in the city. At Stillers Coffee you can feel the passion for coffee the minute you enter the door. Here you will meet the owner and barista Søren Stiller who welcomes you into his laboratory of coffee where every cup is served to perfection!

When wandering round the Latin Quarter stop by La Cabra – a popular coffee place that also roasts its own coffee and has many local fans. La Cabra also has a shop by the main station.

In the area of Frederiksbjerg you will also find the local favorite Street Coffee known for a good cup of coffee in intimate and cozy surroundings.

5. Check out new and old architecture

In recent years spectacular buildings have emerged several places throughout the city making the architecture an essential part of many attractions. The Moesgaard Museum is emerging out of the hillside and is an absolute must-see for lovers of architecture.

The city’s library and cultural centre DOKK1 is an award-winning building with a sublime location right on the waterfront. The area known as Aarhus Ø is the newly developed area of the city, where you will find spectacular buildings like the Iceberg, AARhus, the harbour bath and the Salling Tower.

However, it is not only modern architecture that makes Aarhus special, the history of the city is also clearly reflected in the architecture. The Aarhus Theater, the old customs house and the royal summer resident Marselisborg Castle are just a few of the impressive buildings created by the architect Hack Kampmann.

The city’s university is also a must-see for architectural enthusiasts and behind this masterpiece is C.F. Møller. The iconic City Hall is a landmark of the city and designed by some of Denmark’s most well-known architects Arne Jacobsen and Erik Møller.

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