Travel tip Aarhus - why the city is definitely worth a visit

Ever since I was in Copenhagen a few years ago, I've been a big fan of the city and the Danish "hygge" attitude to life. It was therefore also obvious to finally visit the little sister, which was named European Capital of Culture in 2017. I can already say that I am very enthusiastic about this charming city and have discovered many hotspots. I will also show you in which areas the city is doing something for sustainability and which shops and restaurants are pursuing sustainable approaches.

getting there

You can travel to Aarhus either by train from Hamburg (approx. 5 hours drive) or by car (approx. 4 hours drive). There are free and very central parking spaces around Tietgensplatz, for example, otherwise the multi-storey car parks are quite expensive (approx. 20-25 euros/day).

Aarhus also has its own airport, which is 35 km northeast of the city. There are direct flights with SAS from Munich, for example. If you like it a little more comfortable, you can take a Flixbus from Berlin, but the journey takes 11-12 hours.

sightseeing attractions

The absolute highlight in my opinion is the AROS Art Museum , especially the Rainbow Panorama on the roof of the museum. This is a rainbow-colored, fully glazed roundabout from which you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city. The museum hosts numerous contemporary exhibitions, but the big draw is Australian artist Ron Mueck's well-known 15-foot-tall hyperrealistic sculpture, Boy.

Also worth seeing is the Dome of Visions , which is intended to be a house of inspiration and can be used and booked for various purposes. Visionary architects and artists are behind the project. It is interesting that the cathedral can be dismantled or rebuilt within 14 days.

The Salling Aarhus shopping center with its huge outdoor terrace including restaurant and open air bar offers a fascinating 360° view of the whole city including the AROS Museum. The brave can look down on the pedestrian street S øndergade from the glass bridge.

The Dokk 1 with its beautiful location right on the harbor is a 28,000 square meter, ultra-modern multimedia and cultural center including a library, café and a multi-purpose hall.

A very special jewel is the street Møllestien : As soon as you enter this beautiful, plant-covered alley with its colorful house facades, you feel as if you have been transported to another time. Most of the houses date from around 1750 and are in very good condition. In summer, roses bloom along the walls of the house and exude an intoxicating scent.

Restaurants & Cafes

In my opinion, the most beautiful streets to stay are Jægergårdsgade and Graven Street. Cozy cafés, trendy restaurants and nice shops are lined up here.

The city also has a lot to offer for fans of street food markets. There is Aarhus Central Food Market right on the pedestrian street, but much more charming and varied is Aarhus Street Food a few minutes' walk away. Here you will find culinary delights from all over the world. Twice a year there is also a flea market on the meadow in front of the AROS Museum, which is accompanied by a street food market.

Arguably the best coffee in town is available at La Cabra Coffee (Graven 20), which has its own roastery.

The country café around the corner (Studsgade 6) is beautifully situated in a courtyard and enchants with its rural charm.

The chain We Feat organic (eg Guldsmedegade 33) offers varied and healthy fast food and promises to be 100% organic.

Denmark is world famous for its smørrebrød. The best is said to be at Den Lille Kro (Norre Allé 55), but the restaurant isn't exactly cheap. If you want to try it first, you can do so at the Kähler Smørrebrød takeaway stand in Aarhus Central Food Market (Sankt Knuds Torv 7-9).

In almost every restaurant you can now find an indication of the percentage of organic ingredients used.

Shopping // Interior Shops

Aarhus is a shopping paradise for interior fans. Beautiful stores for home decoration, furnishings and design can be found on every corner. My favorites are the following:

Paustian (Lille Torv 2)
The Paustian Lille Torv shopping center is housed in a beautiful historical building, which used to house the well-known Illums Bolighus furniture store, and extends over 4 floors. It stocks all the big brands like Louis Poulsen or Carl Hansen, but also brings together many smaller brands under one roof.

Posters (Sankt Clemens Torv 17)
Directly opposite is the great poster shop Plakaten . Here you can buy a selected selection of beautiful pictures and matching frames.

Monday Sunday ( Søndergade 43 )
The Monday Sunday brand is still relatively new and was founded by a couple from Aarhus with great attention to detail. The focus is on sustainable and environmentally friendly decorative items and cosmetic products. Another store is in Copenhagen.

Decorate Shop (Jægergårdsgade 100)
The Decorate Shop keeps what the name promises. Here you will find the right home decoration for every area as well as great gift ideas.

Nordic Tales (Guldsmedgade 28)
The Danish brand Nordic Tales stands for modern Scandinavian interior design. The shop is bright and spacious and offers a curated selection of their own products.

Naturskøn (Guldsmedgade 15)
Natural cosmetics lovers will get their money's worth at Naturskøn and will receive the best advice and can also book cosmetic treatments if required.

accommodations

I stayed at Hotel Wakeup Aarhus on Bruuns Gade for three nights and was very satisfied. The location is very central and all major sights are within walking distance. It can be a bit noisy at night as the rooms face the street and there is a pub just across the road. (double room from 90 €)

Those who like it a little more upscale are in good hands in the boutique hotel Carmel (double room from €100 including breakfast) or Comwell Aarhus (double room from €140).

The relatively new, stylish Zleep Hotel Aarhus Skejby may be a bit outside of the city center, but scores with an ecological approach. A sustainable breakfast buffet is just as much part of the hotel concept as environmentally friendly body care products and sustainably certified bathroom furniture. (double room from 90 €)

sustainability

The city and the citizens are very committed to sustainability. You can read more about this on the Visit Aarhus tourist portal.

When Aarhus was named Capital of Culture in 2017, the Aarhus2017 project group launched the Aarhus Sustainability Model Guide, which outlines ideas and projects on how to promote and support sustainability. Download here.

Beach

There are beautiful beaches around Aarhus, ideal for sunbathing, swimming and canoeing. The coastal beaches, some of which are kilometers long, are bordered by adjacent beech forests and thus make a nice walk possible even when it is hot. Particularly recommended are Bellevue, Moesgård and Den Permanente as well as the natural beach Ballehage, which can be reached by bike or bus.

In the end, Aarhus showed itself from its best side again. Aarhus, I'll be back very soon!