Whether you are looking for fantastic nature experiences, family attractions, a city break, or want to explore the 360-kilometre coastline, the Aarhus region has something for you.
The region stretches from Mols Bjerge National Park on the Djursland peninsula to Dollerup Bakker in Viborg, along the Gudenå river from Randers to Søhøjlandet and Himmelbjerget near the towns of Silkeborg and Skanderborg.
No matter where you are in the Aarhus region, you are never far from all the experiences the region has to offer, which means visitors never have to choose between exploring the region’s city attractions and enjoying nature and family time. The city of Aarhus is the region’s urban centre, while the surrounding area is full of nature experiences. In addition, the area is home to many family attractions, including Djurs Sommerland (the largest amusement park in the Nordic region), the Tivoli Friheden amusement park in Aarhus, and various impressive animal parks and internationally recognised museums.
Aarhus is the second largest city in Denmark and an urban attraction itself for those looking to add a big city element to their holiday. In recent years, Aarhus has attracted increasing international interest – no doubt aided by modern urban developments including the establishment of a completely new Aarhus Ø neighbourhood, the emergence of a “new Nordic” gastronomic scene that ranges from Michelin restaurants to street food markets, and the construction of signature attractions, such as the ARoS Aarhus Art Museum and Moesgaard Museum (MOMU).
The Aarhus region consists of the following 8 municipalities: Aarhus, Norddjurs, Syddjurs, Silkeborg, Skanderborg, Favrskov, Viborg, and Randers.
Main towns
Visitors will receive a warm welcome from the region’s many cities and old market towns, which act as focal points of tourism activity. The main ones are:
- Aarhus (approx. 300,000 residents) is Denmark’s second largest city with a thriving student population.
- Randers (approx. 60,000 residents) is a cultural city and a hub of commercial activity.
- Skanderborg (approx. 20,000 residents) has a breath-taking view of the sea and is only a short distance from Aarhus.
- Silkeborg (approx. 50,000 residents) is right next to Denmark’s largest forest and numerous lakes, which provide an ideal setting for a variety of outdoor activities.
- Ebeltoft (approx. 7,200 residents) is a smaller yet beloved holiday town on the Djursland peninsula, connected by ferry to the Sjællands Odde peninsula.
Main attractions
The Aarhus region has something to offer for both children and adults. The Djursland peninsula in particular has a range of family attractions and Aarhus is home to a thriving cultural scene. The main attractions are:
- Djurs Sommerland amusement park (approx. 0.8 mil annual visitors)
- Tivoli Friheden – Aarhus (approx. 0.6 mil annual visitors)
- ARoS Aarhus Art Museum – Aarhus (approx. 0.5 mil annual visitors)
- Randers Tropical Zoo (approx. 0.3 mil annual visitors)
- Ree Park Safari (approx. 0.2 mil annual visitors)
- The Kattegat Centre (approx. 0.2 mil annual visitors)
- AQUA Aquarium and Wildlife Park (approx. 0.1 mil annual visitors)
- HDMS Jylland (approx. 0.1 mil annual visitors)
Main nature experiences
The Aarhus region is also known for its child-friendly beaches and magnificent sceneries. The main nature experiences are:
- Mols Bjerge National Park
- Hærvejen (the Ox Road)
- Kalø Castle (approx. 0.2 mil annual visitors)
- Søhøjlandet (the Lake Highland) and Himmelbjerget hill
- The Gudenå River – a 160-kilometre river that runs through the region and is perfect for canoeing and hiking trips
- Mønsted Limestone Mine - The world’s biggest chalk mine
Gastronomy
For those who appreciate good food, the region has an array of highly acclaimed and popular gastronomic experiences on offer. The main ones are:
- Molskroen
- Frederikshøj Kro – Aarhus
- Restaurant Moment
- Langhoff og Juul – Aarhus and Ebeltoft
- Smag
- Fladbro Kro
- Restaurant Vestermølle
- Kjød og Kul
- Aarhus Street Food
Main events
A large number of events take place in the Aarhus region every year, especially music and cultural festivals. The main events are:
- Aarhus Festuge
- Randers Festuge
- SmukFest
- NorthSide
- HærvejsMarchen
- Riverboat Jazz Festival
- OutdoorFestivalen
- Viborg Snapsting
- Ebelfestival
Infrastructure
The Aarhus region is easily accessible by sea, air, and road. The ferry runs from Ebeltoft to Sjællands Odde, providing easy access for visitors from the Greater Copenhagen area. A well-developed motorway grid facilitates access both along and across the region: the international motorway grid E45/A7 enables visitors from the south to travel directly into Aarhus, and the motorway connections route 15 and route 18 lead them around the region.
Aarhus Airport is well situated on the Djursland peninsula in relation to both Aarhus and its catchment area, and ensures easy access for both domestic and international visitors. A direct ferry connects the town of Grenaa in Djursland with Halmstad in Sweden.
Current capacity
Overnight stays are almost equally split between hotels (33%), camping (28%) and holiday homes (28%). The demand for overnight accommodation around Aarhus and Djursland has particularly risen in recent years.
Danish guests account for 70% of the 4.2 mil overnight guests in the Aarhus region, while the majority of international tourists come from Germany.
