Denmark: Aarhus

[bjorn]

Aarhus is the second largest city in Denmark, but it's arguably the number one city for college students. Aarhus has been an important trade center and seaport since the time of Vikings; now its importance goes way beyond the battle hats with horns.

Danes say Aarhus is a great example of what's good with their cities. It's small enough to be easy for visitors to learn their way around. It's big enough to find plenty of things to keep you busy, day and night. Aarhus' large university population means a hopping nightlife that rivals Copenhagen. And to top it all off, Aarhus is also the center of Denmark's rock music scene.

When to go:
High tourist season in Denmark is July-August. You may want to try the second half of August when the crowds thin out a little. May-June is also a great time, because you can beat the summer crowds and enjoy a lot of fresh springtime greenery. The season for most tourist destinations is April through October.

What to Do:
History/Ruins:
Aarhus has a well-preserved historic quarter. In the center is the Domkirke, Denmark's longest cathedral. The Domkirke is nearly 100 meters long. It's mostly a 15th century Romanesque building built around a 12th century building. Since the 10th century, the area around Domkirke has been the center of life in Aarhus. The old section of town is a tight cluster of medieval streets and includes several churches, museums, and the bulk of Aarhus' nightlife.

Museums:
The city's best-known attraction is Den Gamle By (the Old Town). It's an open-air museum, made up of 75 houses and storefronts brought from all over Denmark. It's a reconstructed provincial town complete with a bakery, silversmith, even a bookbinder. During the day there's an admission fee, but you can watch the town in action. After hours you can roam the grounds for free, however everything is closed. Other museum ideas: Aarhus Kunstmuseum has a comprehensive collection of 19th and 20th century Danish art, and the Moesgard Prehistoric Museum has exhibits from the Stone Age to the Viking Age.

Food/Culinary Info:
In the summer, you can tour the Ceres Brewery on Tuesday, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Natural Wonders
The Jutland peninsula is filled with windswept beaches, moors and marshes. Hiking in this area is not particularly challenging, but the scenery is beautiful. There is a trail in the Moesgard woods that leads walkers through sheep filled fields to a sandy beach.

Cost:
The tourist office offers a three-hour bus tour that takes you to almost all of the Arhus attractions. It's a great value because it includes the tour, entry to the Den Gamle By and a 24-hour bus pass. If you don't want to go on the tour, you can purchase a two-day bus pass for a reduced rate.

Getting Around:
The closest airport to Aarhus is in Tirstrup, a half-hour drive outside the city. There is an airport bus that costs 50kr, and drops you at the Aarhus train station. Trains and buses leave daily from Aarhus to Copenhagen. Both are about a three and a half hour ride, though the bus is a little cheaper. While in Aarhus, buses can get you most places you might want to go. You can also rent bicycles at several places in the city.

Safety:
It's better to be safe than sorry, which translates to 'be careful, and aware' when you are out and about. Aarhus is not a dangerous place, but you should use caution wherever you go.

Language:
Danish is the local language, but almost everyone speaks some English, as it is taught in school.

Party/Social Scene:
Aarhus is a college town, and there are plenty of places to meet students and sample the local nightlife.

Other Info:
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