Last updated on January 22, 2024

Denmarkโs second city, Aarhus is often overlooked in favour of Copenhagen, but the vibrant Danish city is one that deserves attention and makes for a wonderful city break.
Itโs filled with culture, interesting shops, pretty architecture, and some truly fabulous food. This post is a run-down of the best things to do in Aarhus, Denmark, including museums, restaurants, hotels and shops.
Things to do in Aarhus, Denmark
Bridges and Balloons favourites
- Get the perfect photo at the My Rainbow Panorama installation at ARoS Museum of Modern Art.
- Be charmed by the cute houses on Mollestein
- Experience Danish hygge at the cute restuarant Langhoff and Juul
- Try some local specialities and food from around the world at the Aarhus street food market.
1. Get the ultimate Instagram at the ARoS Museum of Modern Art

Donโt miss the ARoS museum of modern art, and specifically the Your rainbow panorama and Out of the Darkness exhibitions. All together there are nine different spaces, featuring Danish works from the Golden Age to the present day.
The temporary exhibitions focus on international artworks, including film, sculpture, architecture and more. This is our number one pick of what to do in Aarhus.
2. Visit the Moesgaard Museum (MOMU)

The newly opened Moesgaard Museum (MOMU) is a fantastic state-of-the-art anthropology museum, which feature world-class temporary exhibitions as well as an impressive permanent collection.
One of the highlights is coming to face-to-face with a series of hominins, an example of early human beings. The sleek architecture of the museum building makes it worth a visit in itself.
3. Wander the Latin Quarter

The Latin Quarter is a charming, cobblestoned part of the city with plenty of cosy cafes, restaurants and artisan shops. Itโs the ideal place to take a wander, stop for coffee and a pastry, and soak up local life.
4. Take some photos of the cutest street in Aarhus

If youโre looking for the perfect Instagram shot, Mollestein is a cute little street with lots of picturesque houses, perfect for taking photos.
5. Explore Aarhus ร

Aarhus ร is a brand new โarea of the city that has arisen out of the expansion of the waterfront, providing a contrast to the old Latin Quarter. Itโs home to the Strandbaren beach bar, which is popular in the summer months.
6. Delve in the cityโs creative scene at Godsbanden

Godsbanen is a creative hub for the arts with open workshops, studios, project rooms, theatre stages, auditoriums and dance halls. Itโs an interesting place to visit and take a peek into Aarhusโs creative cultural scene. Itโs housed in what was once one of Denmarkโs largest train freight yards.
7. Uncover Denmarkโs history at Den Gamle By

Den Gamle By old town is a living museum where you can experience life in Denmark in the 1700s, 1800s and 1900s. Itโs really well done and we particularly loved the 1970s building, which captures a time when Danes were starting to live in communes and women were becoming more independent.
8. Take a boat trip around the harbour
Take a trip around the Aarhus Harbour with the Aarhus SeaRangers. They offer a range of different guided tours, including โAarhus from the seasideโ, which tells the story of the vikings of Aros and the new Aarhus island. If youโre lucky, you might spot some marine life, including seals and porpoises.
Another option is a trip to Tunรธ Island where you also get to explore and have dinner on the island.
9. Take a day trip to Samso or the Mols Bjerge National Park
Located in East Jutland, the Mols Bjerge National Park is a beautiful place to visit as day trips from Aarhus. Head 25 minutes out of the city to Djursland where youโll find 250km of coastline where you can hike, or visit the amusement park, zoo or glass museum. Samso.
Another day trip option is Samsรธ island where youโll find beautiful nature, family-friendly beaches, and the perfect place to relax.
10. Do some local shopping

Aarhus is one of the best shopping cities in Scandinavia and is particularly good for independent boutiques and vintage stores. The best place to go first is Strรธget, a pedestrian street filled with shops of every type.
11. Get your kicks at Tivoli Friheden
Tivoli Friheden is an amusement park in the city centre, including the Sky Tower freefall ride, which combine bungee jumping and sky diving. Itโs not for the feint of heart!
12. Ride around the city
Do like the Danes and hop on a bike to get around the city. Aarhus is a bike-friendly city, and you can hire one or book a bike tour at Cycling Aarhus.
13. Visit the tropical houses at the botanical garden
Botanical gardens are always one of my favourite attractions and Aarhus has a beautiful one with four different climate zones, featuring plants from all over the world. Find out more here.
14. Enjoy some local food
Hรฆrvรฆrk restauarnt is highly recommended. It was awarded a Bib Gourmand by the Michelin guide, and we enjoyed a fantastic meal there. They focus on unusual ingredients and catered well for vegetarians. A
nother restaurant we highly recommend is Langhoff and Juul, which focuses on organic food in a cosy setting filled with antiques and Danish design. It does hygge very well. And also pay a visit to theAarhus Central Food Market and Aarhus Street Food Market, which are open all year round.
Top Aarhus travel tips
Where to stay in Aarhus
The links below are affiliate links, meaning I get a small commission if you book them (at no extra cost to you). Itโs one of the ways I keep this website going. Read more about my affiliate policyย here.
Comwell Hotel Aarhus
We stayed at a very stylish design hotel called Comwell Hotel Aarhus. The corner rooms have fantastic views, and thereโs also a great gin bar.
Rooms start at $125. Find the best deals and book now.
Hotel Oasia
Hotel Oasia is charming hotel in the heart of the city, close to the train station and City Hall.
Rooms start at $120. Find the best deals and book now.
Marselis Hotel-Aarhus
Marselis Hotel-Aarhus is situated close to the bay of Aarhus with views to the beach, city and forests. Itโs next to the Moesgaard Museum.
Rooms start at $110. Find the best deals and book now*.
Scandic Aarhus City
For a cool option in the city, try Scandic Aarhus City*, which is just minutes from many of the best attractions including the picturesque Latin Quarter.
Rooms start at . Find the best deals and book now*.
Radisson BLU Scandinavia Hotel
To be close in ARos, stay at Radisson Blu Scandinavian Hotel*, a high-end hotel close to the cityโs main attractions.
Rooms start at $129. Find the best deals and book now*.
Airbnb
Aarhus has some beautiful AirBnB properties, showcasing gorgeous Danish design. Useย this linkย to get ยฃ20 off your first booking.
How to get to Aarhus
Aarhus is just 1 hour and 40 minutes from London. Ryanair do cheap flights from Stansted Airport.
You could also combine your trip to Aarhus with a visit to Copenhagen, which is 3.5 hours driving, or 2 hours 50 mins by train. We visited Copenhagen in January and loved it so much, we canโt wait to go back. We spent our time there in search of special places to stay, eat and drink and weโve written a guide about all the best and hygge things to do in Copenhagen, as well as a reviews of a Copenhagen boutique hotel and a trendy hostel. Copenhagen is a very photogenic city so weโve also posted a photo essay of our best Copenhagen instagrams. Let us know if you visit. Weโd love to know how you like it.
Donโt forget your travel insurance
Donโt forget your travel insurance! We recommend World Nomads or True Traveller who both offer reliable, comprehensive cover, including medical, evacuation, baggage and a range of adventure sports and activities. You can buy both True Traveller and World Nomads insurance even when youโve left home, which is unusual for travel insurance companies.
If you decide to hire a car, book with Rentalcars.com. We find they always have the best deals.
Some photo inspiration for Aarhus
The Latin Quarter



ARoS Art Museum



Godsbanen


Den Gamle By









We also have posts that are specifically dedicated to the incredible Your Rainbow Panorama by Olafur Eliasson at ARoS museum of modern art, and the Sculpture by the Sea exhibition on Aarhusโs seafront. Itโs a great city to visit for its own merits, but would also be good to combine with a trip to Copenhagen.
We went to Aarhus as guests of Visit Denmark, but as always all opinions are our own.
Your pictures are so much fun! I want to crawl inside them and live in this colorful town!
I love the colours so much. If I had my way, all towns would be multicoloured ๐
Beautiful photos, Aarhus looks so lovely. I really want to go back to Denmark to explore more, you’re pictures are gorgeous ๐
Thanks Rachel. Aarhus is definitely worth the trip ๐
Ohhh, seeing all these pictures makes me miss it so much! I visited last year and I fell in love with Aarhus, such an underrated city. ๐
It is isn’t it? Makes me realise how many wonderful places there must be, just waiting to be discovered!
very beautiful.