Aarhus is often referred to as the smallest big city because of its vibrant atmosphere and location. Aarhus offers both forests and beaches close to the city centre, which is a perfect escape on warm days. Aarhus is also home to multiple architectural landmarks, both old and new. As we can't schedule activities at all the amazing places in Aarhus, we've created a guide for you and your classmates.
As you will soon find out, Danes are very fond of bicycles. Even during the winter, you will see most Danes using their bikes as a means of transport. However, the local bus network is well developed and the yellow city buses will take you all over the city. If you bring your own car, you will be able to find parking both in the city centre and on campus. Whilst parking on campus is free but time-limited, you will need to pay on the streets outside of campus. Once you find your parking space, you need to locate the closest parking meter in order to pay for a parking ticket. Please note the parking fines are expensive in Denmark.
If you need to get somewhere fast and easily, you can always call one of the city taxis although they are quite expensive compared to other countries. However, they are safe, reliable, and comfortable.
Aarhus Taxa: +45 89 48 48 48 - they also have an app you can order a taxi from. Read more about it here.
DanTaxi: +45 86 16 47 00 - they also have an app and a website you can order a taxi from. Read more about it here.
One of the easiest ways to get around in Aarhus is definitely by bike. Aarhus is one of the best bike cities in the world and most people in Aarhus prefer their bike over their car. Aarhus is just small enough so that biking from one end of the city to the other takes just around 30 minutes, so most things in Aarhus is rather close to each other.
Therefore, Aarhus decided to have Donkey Republic as their official bike-share provider, so it’s super easy to rent a bike anywhere in the city. To rent a Donkey bike, you only need to download the Donkey Republic app. You don’t need to have an internet connection, be at a docking station or think about opening hours. The bikes are located all around the city and you can track them in the app. Read more about experiencing Aarhus by bike here.
You can also rent a bike for a full month here in Aarhus for only DKK 179 (with student discount) + a sign up fee. This prices includes service if it breaks down. In case this happens, they will come to you and swap it to a new one, thus their name Swapfiets. After placing the order, the bike will be delivered to you. Please note that the minimum contract period is one month with one month notice. Read more about it here.
If you don’t want to get sweaty by biking, you can instead rent an electric scooter by the same concept as with the bikes. The official electric scooter provider in Aarhus is Voi. Just download the Voi-app and see where the nearest Voi-scooter is at the map in the app. Read more about Voi here.
The third way to get around in Aarhus is by bus or 'Letbane'. Aarhus has great public transport; bus, tram and train, but the most frequent one of them is the bus. The bus connections cover most of Aarhus and the busses drive with 10 to 30-minute intervals. The official bus provider in Aarhus is Midttrafik and you can read more about their different tickets here.
There are multiple different tickets, but you can also just buy a single ticket in some of the busses and in the blue busses, you can by it from the bus driver in the bus. If you want to travel by bus more than a couple of times, the single tickets are quite expensive compared to the tourist tickets, where you can travel unlimited for 24, 48 or 72 hours in both the bus and the tram (‘Letbanen’). You can read more about tickets and how to buy them on our Instagram highlight 'Bus guide'.
The official itinerary in Aarhus is Journey Planer (‘Rejseplanen’), which is both a website and an app free to download. Here, you simply enter your current location, where you want to go and when you want to either take off or arrive. Read more about it here.
If you have a day or weekend off, you might want to explore other parts of Denmark. For further inspiration, see VisitDenmark. You can either take a bus or train when getting around in Denmark. For information on train departure times, please visit DSB, Arriva or Rejseplanen. FlixBus is a cheaper alternative to the train with an additional discount for students. Please visit Flixbus for departure times.
Note: If you wish to receive a student discount, it is very important that you bring a certificate of enrollment from either AU or your home university with you as they will check your credits in the bus and train!
You can take the train or bus to Copenhagen's Central Station in 3-3.5 hours. The train leaves for Copenhagen twice per hour. As the capital of Denmark, Copenhagen has a lot to offer. Take a tour on the canal, visit the Little Mermaid and the Queen's Palace, or take a stroll through Tivoli. Or simply just walk around and see all the city has to offer. Read more about it here.
You can take the train or bus to Odense in 1.5 hours. The train leaves for Odense twice per hour. The historic town Odense is the birthplace of famous writer Hans Christian Andersen. Visit his childhood home or enjoy the cobblestone streets with small colorful homes that look like they belong on the pages of a storybook. Read more about Odense here.
You can take the train or bus to Aalborg in 1.5 hours. The train leaves for Aalborg twice per hour. Aalborg is located right at the waterfront, which has received an architectural upgrade in recent years with buildings such as the Utzon Center and the House of Music. Aalborg is also famous for its dramatic street art around the city; one walking tour will take you through more than 50 pieces. Read more about what to do in Nordjylland here.
Aarhus Docklands (in Danish: Aarhus Ø) is a new district in Aarhus, and it is famous for the amazing architecture. The construction of the district began in 2008, a since a lot of famous buildings have been created. You need to see “The Light House”, “The Iceberg” and much more!
Ballehage Strand
The Beach “Ballehage” is a nice natural beach that is located 4 km south of Aarhus. Ballehage is located near the popular attraction “Den Uendelige Bro”.
Address: Ballehage Strand, 8270 Højbjerg
Public transport: From Park Alle/Rådhuset (Aarhus C) you can take bus line 18 towards Mosegaard Museum. You must get off at the stop called “Bekkasinvej/Grumstolsvej”.
Bellevue Strand
The beach called “Bellevue” is a nice sandy beach. Bellevue is located in the northern part of the city about 4 km from Aarhus C.
Address: Bellevue Strand, 8240 Risskov
Public transport: From Park Alle/Rådhuset (Aarhus C) you can take bus line 12 towards Hjortshøj or you can take bus line 17 towards Studstrup. You will have to get off at the stop called “Bellevuehallerne/Nordre Strandvej”.
Den Permanente
The beach called “Den Permanente” is one of the most popular beaches in Aarhus. Den Permante is located in the forest called “Riis Skov”, which is a nice place for walks or a picnic. Den Permanente is located only 2 km from Aarhus University.
Address: Salonvejen 1, 8240 Risskov.
Public transport: From Park Alle/Rådhuset (Aarhus C) you can take either bus line 12 towards Mejlby, where you will get off at the stop called “Stationsgade/Harald Selmers Vej”, or the Letbane towards Grenaa in which you will have to get off at the stop called “Risskov Strandpark”.
Tangkrogen
The beach called “Tangkrogen” is a nice and natural beach, which is located near the castle “Marselisborg” and it is also near the urban area called “Frederiksbjerg”, which is very cozy and charming.
Address: Tangkrogen/Strandvejen (Aarhus Kom), 8000 Aarhus.
Public transport: From Park Alle/Rådhuset (Aarhus C) you can take bus line 17 towards Solbjerg, or you can take bus line 18 towards Moesgaard Museum.
Havnebadet
On Aarhus Ø you will find the charming harbor bath called “Havnebadet” or “Bassin 7”. The harbor bath offers serveral different pools and you will also find different street food places and bars.
Havnebadet is located only 2,6 km from Aarhus University.
Opening hours: 10.00am - 6.00pm.
Price: Free
Address: Havnebadet, 8000 Aarhus C
Public transport: You can take the Letbane and get off at the stop called “Østbanetovet” and walk the rest of the way.
Marselisborg Deer Park
The Marselisborg Deer Park is an idyllic nature park with free-ranging deer in the middle of the forest. If you bring carrots or apples to feed the animals. By doing so, it is possible to get really close the deer.
Botanical garden
The botanical garden has a big greenhouse with plants from all over the world. Outside in the park are lots of different Danish plants. But if you are not a plant nerd, the park is also perfect place to meet up with friends with a picnic basket.
Uniparken
The university park is a beautiful park right beside the university. This is a good place to bring a beer or a coffee, some food or gardens games with your friends or classmates. In the middle of the park there is some small lakes which are mostly known by students from the biggest university event in Denmark; Kapsejlads.
Every Sunday, the popular bar called Alberts has English open mic stand up. Most days of the week they have Danish open mics as well, however, Sundays are for the English crowd!
Time: Every Sunday 19.30 to 21.30 (Danish time). The doors open at 18.00 and when the bar is filled up, the doors close, so be there in advance.
Address: Store Torv 3, 8000 Aarhus C
We recommend taking a trip to the street marked at Ingerslevs Boulevard! Beside the amazing atmosphere, it contains lots of stalls with various of different food experiences. There is everything from flowers, fruits and vegetables to cheese and meat. But the best part is the newly baked bread, the creamy ice cream and the freshly brewed coffee.
Address: Ingerslevs Boulevard 1, 8000 Aarhus C
Time: Every Sunday from 09:30 to 16:00.
Price: Free
Do you like board games? And lots of them? Then this is something for you. Aarhus Brætspilscafé is a board game café in Aarhus, which is a great place to meet up with friends and do something as social and cozy as playing board games. You can buy drinks and snacks at the place and try alle the games you want. To be sure that there is a table for you, they recommend reserving a table (this can be done here).
Address: There are 2 cafés in Aarhus: one at Vestergade 58A, 8000 Aarhus C, and another at Fredensgade 38, 8000 Aarhus C.
Time: The Broad game café at Vestergade opens everyday at 12:00. The one on Fredensgade are closed Monday, during the rest of weekdays it opens at 15:00 and in weekends at 12:00.
Price: 35 DKK per person to play every game you want.
Are you interested in history or archaeology? Or do you just like beautiful nature and architecture? Then you should definitely plan a visit to Moesgaard! Moesgaard Museum is a special museum for archeology and ethnography in Højbjerg, in the south of Aarhus. The majority of the archeological collections are Danish, but also contain changing special exhibitions from around the world.The museum's exhibitions present a number of unique finds from Denmark's antiquity, including Grauballemanden, which is the world's best-preserved bog body, and the weapon sacrifices from Illerup Ådal, which testify to Iron Age power struggles and martial arts. The collection also counts seven local rune stones. The museum also presents the exhibition The Life of the Dead, which tells how different cultures treat the theme of death.
Opening hours: from 2nd of June until 7th of August: 09:00-17.00 Monday-Sunday (on Wednesdays the museum is open 09:00-21.00).
Price: 160 DKK, or 110 DKK for students.
If you like soccer, you should go and cheer on the local team! AGF is Aarhus’ official soccer team, which has home court at Ceres Park & Arena. AGF is one of the best leagues in Denmark, which is called the Superliga. The Superliga is the biggest national league, corresponding to Premier League in England. During the Summer, AGF plays a few games and practice games, so check them out!
Address: Stadion Allé 70, 8000 Aarhus C.
Time: Check the calender at AGF’s website here.
Price: 100-130 DKK for adults and 80-110 DKK for students.
