With feet up in woollen socks, we were relaxing on the cushioned window benches beside large glass windows in our cosy hotel lobby of Aarhus. Danish Christmas beer in one hand, the faint volume of the radio playing jazz in the background, I was looking at the quiet roads outside and wondering how different I had imagined the Aarhus city to be.
It was a month-long planning every night after work when I would open a map of Denmark, Lonely Planet guide of Denmark and various articles listing cities, cosy towns in this tiny but expensive country. We were putting together office holidays and the balance of our annual leaves to spend about 15 days living a completely new surrounding.
I was excited at the same time alarmed if the expenses in Denmark will stay within the planned budget. This was the most expensive country we were visiting so far.
After spending a Christmas between the mountains of Austria, slowness of a place has had a magnetic attraction while deciding on a travel destination. For similar reasons, I was keenly searching for small towns in Denmark.
Aarhus is the second-largest city of Denmark so it wasn’t the first choice. It was pulled into our itinerary because of the flight connections we found available. We had decided to fly into Billund and spend a few days in nearby towns before visiting the one city, Copenhagen.
Denmark enters the holiday mood very early in December and only Aarhus presented convenient commute from Billund airport after landing in the evening.
A considerable duration of travel through the silent roads and rare sight of humans around, we reached an equally quiet last stop when the bus driver announced it is Aarhus. As we pulled our bags out, looking at our booking confirmation screen he pointed at the hotel we were to spend the next 4 nights.
It took less than 5 minutes to arrive at our accommodation. The height of the hotel and a few of the neighbouring buildings assured that Aarhus is a city but the unexpected silence of the city spoke a different truth.
Aarhus City with a beautiful promenade.
I was staring at the same silence through the lobby window, hours after we had checked-in and stepped out for the first dinner in this city. The roads were wide with traffic signals at every intersection and a short walk led to a charming promenade, Aboulevarden, with a long river flowing in the middle and small bridges connecting one side to the other, all of this again promising we are in a city.
We were too late for a sit-down dinner, so a pizzeria satisfied us that night and we walked back slowly looking at that one long queue outside a nightclub and listening to a group of four friends signing from a balcony on the fifth floor of an opposite building.
Later that night, resting in the most comfortable corner of the hotel lobby I was smiling that the city label isn’t disappointing but it was my presumptions of ‘the city’ that had failed me. The soothing effect of Aarhus brought a goodnight’s sleep.
As the daylight shone on Aarhus, the next morning, I was captivated by the red roof houses, cyclists on the long harbour, massiveness of Dokk1 and the vastness of the sea.
Lane of ancient charm from 18th-century
The experience in this city continued to become intriguing as the hours passed by. A short walk away from Aboulevarden to the adjoining lanes appeal with its architecture, earthy tones and cobblestoned lanes.
I wanted to absorb the old world charm even further, so I made sure that we follow the google maps to pass-through Mollestien. It is a street which retains the 18th-century cottages softly lit with candles and lamps from what you could see through the small rectangle windows. The cottages were placed in two rows with a calm lane running between them, lined with Christmas trees at that time of the year.
Vist The Old Town Museum of Aarhus
My quest for old-world charm was fulfilled with the time spent in Mollestien but the day’s agenda included Den Gamle By so we went ahead with the plan. Delighted that we did, because it was beyond exciting to see the different lifestyles and changing Christmas traditions in this tiny country, over the years.
After meeting the people as they must have lived centuries ago, we returned to the city, I realised that the city has developed over the years, changed from small cottages to high rise buildings, traditional outfits to universally standard dressing and so on, but one aspect noticeably retained by Aarhus is the time to slow down and spend it in relaxation.
Aarhus turned out to be a city that allowed space and time to be explored without a rush. It presented a beautiful concoction of old and new worlds.
I’m interested to know if you’ve visited a city and experienced the perfect blend of old & new? Or if you’ve visited Aarhus and had a different experience? Do share your thoughts 🙂 Here’s a small photo tour of Aarhus.
More Details About Aarhus City
These details about Aarhus city are publicly available on the web.
Aarhus is a city in Denmark on the Jutland peninsula’s east coast. Den Gamle By is its old town open-air museum, with centuries-old timbered houses.
Nearby are the greenhouses of the Aarhus Botanical Garden. In the center, the multistory ARoS art museum shows global contemporary works. The underground Viking Museum explores early local history. Nearby, Aarhus Cathedral has restored 14th- to 16th-century frescoes.
Top Attractions in Aarhus
ARoS Aarhus Art Museum
ARoS is one of the largest art museums in Northern Europe.
Den Gamle By – The Old Town Museum
‘Den Gamle By’ (The Old Town Museum) is a perfectly unique attraction in Aarhus for the whole family to go on fascinating journey back in history.
Moesgaard Museum
The past is brought to fascinating life at the Moesgaard Museum in Aarhus. Moesgaard Museum has three Michelin stars in the Michelin attraction’s guide.
The Concert Hall Aarhus
The Concert Hall (Musikhuset Aarhus) is the largest Concert Hall in Scandinavia and is home to the Royal Academy of Music in Aarhus, the Aarhus Symphony Orchestra and the Danish National Opera.
Tivoli Friheden
Tivoli Friheden is a theme park in the center of Aarhus located within walking distance from the city centre in the beautiful Marselisborg Forest. Make sure to visit Tivoli Friheden this year.
Tropical Houses at the Botanical Garden
The Tropical Houses (the Greenhouses in Danish “Væksthusene” in the Botanical Gardens) are a place where a numerous plant collections are presented in four different climate zones.
Rainbow Panorama
Rainbow panorama on the roof of ARoS
Himmelbjerget – “The Sky Mountain”
Himmelbjerget “The Sky Mountain” rises 147 metres above the landscape.
Natural History Museum
At Naturhistorisk Museum, the Natural History Museum in Aarhus.
Experience Christmas in Aarhus
When Christmas is near, and the dark days provide perfect moments of cosy togetherness and intimacy, it is an ideal opportunity for taking a break away together with your loved one celebrating Christmas in Aarhus.
Plan Your Trip To Aarhus City
Find information and inspiration about Aarhus such as new experiences, attractions, museums, accommodation, events and activities as well as shopping, restaurants, and practical information for your holiday. find more details on Visit Aarhus Official Website.
