Aarhus

Aarhus is a picturesque city in the heart of the Jutland Peninsula. With an extraordinary creative vibe, Aarhus has become known as the new Scandi capital for coolhunters. Read more about all the ferry crossings to/from Aarhus on Ferryhopper, discover what to do and see during your stay there, and learn how to plan your ferry trip in Scandinavia!

Check out the following sections and find detailed information about:

• Aarhus ferry port
• Holidays in Aarhus

Stunning aerial view of the port and city of Aarhus, Denmark

Aarhus ferry port

The Port of Aarhus is one of Northern Europe’s biggest ports. Located in the city of Aarhus, the port handles over half of the country’s container traffic, making it the largest in Denmark. Keep reading to learn more about its ferry routes and how to get there.

Ferries from Aarhus port: schedules and tickets

• Aarhus - Odden ferry: there are up to 35 daily Aarhus-Odden ferries that make the crossing in 1-1.5 hours. Ferry tickets from Aarhus start at around €20.

Ferries to Odden from Aarhus are primarily operated by the high-speed ferries of Molslinjen.

Where is the ferry port in Aarhus?

The port of Aarhus, Denmark is situated in Aarhus Bay on the east coast of the Jutland peninsula. Molslinjen’s ferry terminal is located at Aarhus C (the city center) and more specifically, at Østhavn (Eastern port).

How to get to Aarhus port?

The easiest way to get to the ferry terminal is by taking Marselis Boulevard and then following Østhavnsvej all the way to the end. It’s about a 30 minute walk or 10 minute drive from the city center. 

The terminal is also served by regular shuttle buses, as well as direct bus services from/to the airport and other nearby destinations.

Impressive view across the harbor and old port buildings

Holidays in Aarhus

Aarhus is Denmark's cosmopolitan second city and an emerging European destination for architecture lovers, food fans and festival goers. Compact and photogenic, it is full of architectural landmarks, lauded restaurants and world class cultural events. So much so that in 2017, Aarhus was designated as the European Capital of Culture. 

To add to that, this Viking-founded city is also a great place to explore and practice outdoor activities, including biking, hiking and kayaking. It is surrounded by natural reserves, so visitors can take in the stunning views of the sea and countryside. A shining example of Denmark’s warm and welcoming attitude, no wonder why Aarhus has embraced “City of Smiles” as its motto.

How to get to Aarhus

You can travel to Aarhus by plane, bus, train, car or ferry. The main airports serving the city are Aarhus Airport and Billund Airport, 50 minutes and 1.5 hours away respectively. Alternatively, you can fly to Copenhagen Airport, which has direct connections to airports all over the world, and then take a train directly from the airport to Aarhus Main Station (3.5 hours).

It is also possible to arrive in Aarhus by train. You can easily reach the city thanks to several rides available from Hamburg (4.5 hours) or Copenhagen Central Station.

Alternatively, if you feel like traveling around Denmark by ferry and admiring breathtaking views, that’s possible as well! The Odden - Aarhus ferry route allows you to travel between Denmark’s 2 largest cities, Copenhagen and Aarhus.

What to do in Aarhus

When visiting Denmark, don't miss this charming city, home to lovely historical streets with colorful houses, trendy stores and must-try restaurants. Start your holidays here by heading to the industrial waterfront to find Dokk1, home to Scandinavia's largest public library. Across town, walk inside Olafur Eliasson's rainbow-coloured rooftop walkway on the top of ARoS Aarhus Art Museum and enjoy a magnificent view of the city. 

While you’re exploring the old part of town, be sure to wander along Møllestien, a picturesque cobbled street with tiny old half-timbered houses and climbing roses. This is easily Aarhus’ prettiest street (and the most photographed too). Just a 10-minute walk from Møllestien is the Latin Quarter, the oldest and most unique district in the “City of Smiles” definitely worth a stroll through. 

In addition, in case you’re wondering what is the most exciting and wholesome family attraction in Aarhus, the Tivoli Friheden amusement park is the ideal place to be. Your little ones will love it here as they can choose from 4 roller coasters, 40 rides, stalls, games, and playgrounds.

Lastly, any music lover's bucket list should include a visit to Aarhus’ Concert Hall, the largest one in Scandinavia! Along with concerts of various musical genres, Musikhuset Aarhus also hosts theater and dance performances, and free family events.

 

The impressive rainbow panorama on the roof of ARoS Aarhus Art Museum

Sightseeing in Aarhus

Aarhus is a city filled with many unique sights and landmarks that are well worth visiting. Here are some of the most popular attractions for sightseeing in and around Aarhus:

• The ARoS Aarhus Art Museum, the oldest public art museum in Denmark outside Copenhagen with a rainbow panorama
• The Moesgaard Museum, a museum dedicated to archaeology and ethnography 10 km south of Aarhus
• The Green Museum, Denmark's national museum for hunting, forests, agriculture, and food
• Dokk1, a beautiful glass building beside the harbor that houses Aarhus’ Library
• The Aarhus Cathedral, Denmark’s longest and tallest church spanning 93 meters
• The Aarhus Theatre, a must-see architectural landmark renowned for its art nouveau design
• The Church of Our Lady, one of the largest churches in Aarhus
• The Den Gamle By (The Old Town), an open-air town museum with 75 historical buildings
• The Glasmuseet Ebeltoft, an international museum of modern glass art
• The Botanical Garden, a cozy oasis with 4 climate-controlled greenhouses
• The Isbjerget, a residential building which has won architecture awards
• The Mønsted Limestone mines, the world's largest lime pits

Den Gamle By, the fascinating open-air museum in the heart of Aarhus

Nightlife in Aarhus

Aarhus is home to the largest university in Scandinavia with a vibrant student population, so there's always a party going on in this picture-perfect, waterfront city! 

The city’s nightlife is centered around Åboulevarden, a boulevard located by the Aarhus River in the central part of the city. For an after-dinner drink in Aarhus, you can also head to the alternative neighborhood of Mejlgade and the Latin Quarter, home to some trendy, laid-back bars and restaurants.

In summer, Aarhus’ beaches become party hubs with music, dance and DJ parties. The hippest part of Aarhus during this time of the year is Strandbaren, a beach bar with many sports activities and parties.

Tip: the best way to feel the special spirit of the Aarhus nightlife is to visit Train, one of Denmark's biggest and leading nightclubs.

Food in Aarhus

Aarhus is considered to be the new Scandi capital for foodies, buzzing with restaurants, many of which showcase New Nordic cuisine. Here are a few finger-licking dishes that visitors should try when in Aarhus:

• smørrebrød (a sandwich made with dense, dark rye bread filled with meat, fish or cheese)
• stegt flæsk (crispy pork belly with boiled potatoes and a parsley sauce)
• bøfsandwich (the Danish take on a hamburger)
• fiskefrikadeller (cod meatballs)
• hot cinnamon rolls

Smørrebrød, the delicious traditional Danish sandwich

Tips

Here are 4 tips for your stay in Aarhus:

1. To experience Danish culture and heritage alongside stunning natural surroundings, embark on the Kulturringen (The Culture Ring) bicycle route in East Jutland. It is 540 km and is divided into 20 stages.
2. For delicious and sustainable street food from all corners of the world, visit the  Aarhus Street Food hub located in shipping containers inside a former bus garage.
3. The two main paved squares of Aarhus are the Lille Torv (the small square) and the Store Torv (the big square).
4. Aarhus has a long music history and organizes many festivals throughout the year. Some highlights include the Flower Festival in Tivoli Friheden, the Aarhus Jazz Festival and Stella Polaris.

Useful information about Aarhus

Aarhus is a modern and well-equipped city, offering a wide range of services to visitors. As far as accommodation goes, Aarhus offers a range of options to suit different preferences and budgets. You can choose between luxury hotels, B&Bs and youth hostels. If you want a more outdoor experience, the city also provides a variety of camping possibilities.

If you’re a first timer, we recommend staying around Aarhus C, the city’s centremost district. If you’d rather stay closer to the port, Aarhus Ø, the redeveloped harbor area with cutting-edge buildings, is the place for you. During the summer months, if you want to be closer to the beach and the forest, try finding accommodation at Risskov.  

Related to hospitals, Aarhus has a well-developed healthcare system. You can easily find emergency care at the city’s major hospitals, such as the University hospital.

Important phone numbers for your stay in Aarhus

Here are some useful contacts for your trip to Aarhus:

• Aarhus Port Authority: +4586133266
• Aarhus Police Headquarters: +4587311448
• Aarhus University Hospital: +4578450000
• Medical emergency number: +4570113131
• Tourist information: +4587315010
• European emergency number: 112

Transportation in Aarhus

Despite being the second-largest city in Denmark, Aarhus is still small enough to explore on foot or by bicycle. The city’s public transportation system is also very efficient and reliable. Using the municipal buses and Letbanen, Denmark's first light rail, makes getting around Aarhus and the surrounding area easy. The city buses are yellow and operate in the heart of Aarhus throughout the day. 

If you want to travel longer distances, you can also choose to go by one of the blue regional buses. Keep in mind that the majority of the bus services pass through the area around the Central Station and the City Hall.

Tip: buy the 24-hour AarhusCARD and gain access to 20 museums, attractions and activities. Tickets for public transportation are also included in the price. Alternatively, purchase the AttractionPASS if you’re planning to visit more than 40 attractions.

Sign leading visitors to the highly-praised street food court in Aarhus

Book ferry tickets online for Aarhus

At the moment, it’s not possible to book ferry tickets from/to Aarhus on Ferryhopper. As we focus on including more routes, check out our interactive Map of ferries, browse all available ferry schedules in Denmark and book ferry tickets for your next trip!