A Guide to Visiting the City of Aarhus from Copenhagen
Beyond the beauty of Copenhagen there are some other places around Denmark that are worth hopping on a train for, and if you have a couple of days and want to explore beyond the capital, the second city of Aarhus is the perfect choice! See another side of Denmark with a visit to this creative city, just a few hours from Copenhagen by train.
If you glance at a map of Denmark, it’s hard not to notice lots of islands and that the country’s two main cities - Copenhagen and Aarhus - sit on opposite sides of the nation. Their personalities are just as distinct as their geography. Copenhagen is compact, historic, a city of royal palaces, cobbled lanes and centuries-old neighbourhoods close together. Aarhus feels more youthful, relaxed, with an arts scene, bold architecture and plenty of outdoor terraces. It’s also home to Denmark’s tallest church, Aarhus Cathedral, which rises over the old town. Add in Aarhus’s buzzing student population, a reinvented waterfront and public art, and Aarhus reveals itself as Copenhagen’s lively, laid-back counterpart. Here is our guide to enjoying Denmark’s 'other' city - Aarhus. 
Why Go to Aarhus?
Aarhus has its own personality and a different vibe from Copenhagen. With a history as a strategic port in Medieval times and then a melding of Viking culture, today Aarhus is known for its universities, museums and contemporary architecture. It's a blend and balance of its rich maritime history and an innovative young population that shapes the city's character.
Along with the typical Danish bike and waterways, Aarhus has a more relaxed layout, with quirky modern architecture just steps away from the century's old cobble streets. The city’s architecture here guides you through the historic old town and along the waterfront - there is open space and modern buildings alongside old canal quays, making the sea views a feature of the city. The city is also known for the ARoS Aarhus Art Museum, one of Northern Europe’s most influential contemporary art institutions, which is guaranteed to bring some colour into your day!
Getting There: A Train or Bus Ride away
The easiest way is the train from Copenhagen Central Station to Aarhus Hovedbanegård - you will arrive right in the city centre, ready to hop off and explore. It takes around three hours, so it’s best to stay a night or two in Aarhus (see our tips below for this!), but it's an enjoyable journey and you will see half of Denmark out of the window as it shifts from islands to the mainland of Jutland. Tickets and timetables can be found here. If you’re watching your kroner closely, long-distance buses like FlixBus offer cheaper fares, although they take longer.
The Vikings and Medieval Aarhus
Aarhus is one of Scandinavia’s oldest cities, with a history that stretches back over a thousand years. It breathes history alongside modern buildings. Founded as a Viking settlement in the late 8th century, it grew around a natural harbour that made it an important trading hub between Denmark and the rest of northern Europe. Traces of this early past still lie beneath the modern city and you can explore the history in The Viking Museum. Moving through history landmarks such as Aarhus Cathedral (Denmark’s longest and tallest church) reflect the city’s importance during the Middle Ages as a religious and trade centre. Over the centuries, Aarhus evolved from a fortified medieval town into a thriving port and industrial city, famous for shipping. You can even see the history on show in the Den Gamle By open-air museum, where they have a reconstructed town to journey through the past! In recent decades, it has reinvented itself once again, shifting from heavy industry toward culture and design. The Aarhus you find now is a rich mix of its long history and a buzzing youthful population.
Some of the best sites to see in Aarhus are in the city centre, and as it’s compact you can find plenty to see and do without walking far. For a tour, start with a slow wander to Aarhus Cathedral and enjoy the Gothic grandeur! The surrounding squares and narrow lanes give you an idea of Aarhus's historic past - a contrast to the modern shops and cafe terraces that line the streets now.
Shopping and Chilling
For a look in some of the independent shops and boutiques in Aarhus then head to the Latin Quarter. This is an area that’s particularly popular with students so you can probably find a bargain here, and it’s also where you’ll find plenty of cafes and bars. This is one of our favourite spots for hanging out last there’s some open spaces and terraces along the waterfront so you can grab a drink or watch the world passing by. It gets busy in the evenings and especially in summer - there’s a great vibe and it’s a sociable place to be.
If you're looking for a place to chill out and have a bit of peace away from all the buzz then head to Aarhus Botanical Gardens. Part of the Science Museum, you can visit their greenhouses also or enjoy the patio terrace and cafe.
For something to eat, head to the bus station! Aarhus Street Food is an indoor market built inside the old bus garage and now bursting with flavours and sizzling food stalls. It's packed full of street stalls offering global cuisine from sushi to fried chicken - all in a humble atmosphere that is welcoming and local. There are plenty of choices of inexpensive food here so grab something and pull up a chair. Tacos, bao buns, pasta, noodles - pick up a fresh juice or a drink from the Blue Bar and you're good to go!
For visitors in summer (or nature lovers) then you can even visit the nearby Moesgård Beach - it has blue flag status so it’s lovely and clean to swim here and it’s flanked by coastal forests and the Marselisborg Palace Park - a top spot for students to hang out of course but brilliant for a refreshing dip in summer.
Modern Art and Over the Rainbow
Aarhus’ skyline is famous for one particular kaleidoscopic rooftop art installation - Your Rainbow Panorama from the Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson (also known for the Circle Bridge in Copenhagen).
The ARoS Aarhus Art Museum is one of Northern Europe’s most influential contemporary art institutions and is noticeable around town for its colourful and visually striking circular glass walkway that is suspended above the city. Not only does this mean that if you visit the art museum (well worth it for the permanent collection of art) that from this rooftop installation you can get a birds-eye view of Aarhus from above, but it’s also an experience to walk through and ‘feel’ the colours as you travel through the rainbow. One of our favourite places in Aarhus!
History meets modern architecture
Blending its Viking and medieval roots with some forward-thinking contemporary design, Aarhus had embraced its history to create modern spaces next to centuries-old buildings and streets, creating interesting public spaces and a harbourside that is spacious and designed to actually be a nice place for residents to enjoy. That seems to be important in Aarhus - it is a place that is supposed to be lived-in while still showing its history and reinvention as a modern city. There are buzzing historic streets packed with cafe terraces and locals enjoying themselves, and large open spaces with impressive modern architecture.
One of the most popular and known buildings is DOKK 1 - the giant library/ media space and cultural centre on the harbour designed by Schmidt Hammer Lassen. It anchors Aarhus' waterfront regeneration with the concept of a library which is also a public space. It’s designed to be visited! With wide terraces to enjoy the views on the water.
Aarhus Festival Week
Undoubtedly the most fun time of the year to visit - if you’re in town for Aarhus Festival Week then you can witness the whole city transformed into a music and art filled living experience. For ten days in late-summer the city is filled with art installations, pop up concerts, street dining, performances on boats or even on rooftops - there are all kinds of events taking place. This year is the 60th year of the festival, so expect a big bang! There is a programme of events but also just a lot of improvised fun - grab a beer by the canal and enjoy the outdoor stages, performances, music, arts, and a lot of feel-good buzz. This is always popular with locals but visitors are also welcome!
Stay at Roberta's Society in Aarhus, a Europe's Famous Hostel Member
“Come as you are, stay as long as you like!”
Roberta’s Society in Aarhus, Denmark is a hybrid accommodation and cultural hub that functions as more than just a place to sleep. Located in a renovated 1930s library building in the heart of the city, it combines hostel living with plenty of communal spaces, food and drink, and an active social scene that draws both visitors and locals together. Dormitories to share or Dreamboks private double pod beds, or private rooms available. There are events ranging from film screenings and yoga sessions to talks, live music and club nights at Roberta’s Stage, a dedicated performance space in the basement. Throughout the day the onsite cantina restaurant offers seasonal, shareable meals and the venue regularly hosts creative and community-focused programming that makes it feel like a lively cultural house as much as accommodation for travelers. Find out more and book your bed here.
Roberta's Society and Copenhagen Downtown are part of the Europe's Famous Hostels network, a selection of 55 of the best hostels in Europe for Genuine Backpackers. See you here!