It’s always the same with the little ones: underestimated, ignored, ridiculed. As far as Aarhus is concerned, skeptics can scratch their grins off their faces at the latest since it won the title of European Capital of Culture last year. It’s no longer just students who live here, who noticeably upset the age structure, but people from all walks of life who appreciate the village character and city flair. Not forgetting the Scandinavian design claim, which is reflected in every corner like the cute little houses in the water. Here we meet Hanne Nissen, who now shows us her home.
Hotels in Aarhus
Hästens beds and speakers from Bang & Olufsen. At Oasia, it’s not just the hardwear that’s right: the Nordic flair permeates the entire hotel. If you don’t want to provoke Scandinavian overkill, stay at the Villa Provence and enjoy the fountains and lemon trees in the backyard. The Mediterranean breakfast is worth every calorie. Comwell Aarhus owes its interior to the Danish design brand HAY and also scores with a great view of the city and one of the best gin bars, plus the street food market is just a stone’s throw away.
Oasia, Kriegersvej 27, Aarhus, www.hoteloasia.dk
Villa Provence, Fredens Torv 12, Aarhus, www.villaprovence.dk
Comwell Aarhus, Værkmestergade 2, Aarhus, www.comwellaarhus.dk
Restaurants in Aarhus
The best way to start the day is with freshly brewed coffee. La Cabra even roasts its own beans – and you can taste it. Then it’s off for a cinnamon bun at Langenaes Bageriet. If you prefer to enjoy your breakfast sitting down rather than on-the-go, sit down in the Globen Flakket and feast on waffles, granola, salads, fruit or salmon platters. Haute Friture offers something hearty in between meals with its gourmet hot dogs with wakame, cranberries or duck. Seafood is available at Oli Nico, more upscale Nordic cuisine at Nordisk Spisehus. At Ris Ras you can choose your favorite beer from over 100 varieties – not bad either!
La Cabra, Graven 20, Aarhus, www.lacabra.dk
Langenaes Bageriet, Langenæs Allé 14, Aarhus, www.langenaesbageriet.dk
Globen Flakket, Åboulevarden 18, Aarhus, www.globen-flakket.dk
Haute Friture, Graven 16, Aarhus, www.facebook.com
Oli Nico, Mejlgade 35, Aarhus, www.olinico.dk
Nordisk Spisehus, M.P. Bruuns Gade 31, Aarhus, www.nordiskspisehus.dk
Ris Ras, Mejlgade 24, Aarhus, www.facebook.com
Shopping in Aarhus
Even if you’re not a fan of big department stores, you should take a look around the Magasin, one of the oldest of its kind in Denmark. Here you’ll find Danish design galore – from fashion to kitchen utensils. Designer Zoo proves that the Danes promote locality with its selection of collections from over 100 Danish designers. No. 4 is a paradise for browsing for souvenirs and items in the “want-to-have” category.
Magasin, Åboulevarden 70, Aarhus, www.magasin.dk
Designer Zoo, www.facebook.com/Designer-Zoo-Aarhus
Nr4, Jægergårdsgade 51, Aarhus, www.nr4.dk
Party
St. Paul’s Pharmacy is one of the most legendary addresses in Aarhus – along with Train, the nightclub that Danes travel from as far as Copenhagen to visit. The bars Herr Bartels, Mikkeller (best craft beer) and Gedulgt, which dedicates a kitschy-sweet cocktail to the classic film “American Beauty”, are also very relaxed.
St. Paul’s Pharmacy, Jægergårdsgade 76, Aarhus, www.stpaulsapothek.dk
Train, Toldbodgade 6, Aarhus, www.train.dk
Mr. Bartels, Åboulevarden 46, Aarhus, www.herrbartels.dk
Mikkeller, Jægergårdsgade 59B, Aarhus, www.mikkeller.dk
Gedulgt, Fredensgade 41, Aarhus, www.gedulgtbar.dk
Quarters
There are plenty of boutiques and stores waiting to be discovered in the Latinerkvarteret district. The area around the harbor is called Aarhus Ø and is home to, among other things, the city library, where a gong sounds every time a new Aarhusian is born. To the south of the station is Frederiksbjerg, where there is a twice-weekly market and numerous bars, stores and restaurants in the street Jaegersgardsgade.
Must do
A trip to the Kunsthal Aarhus is just the thing for a gray day. And if you want to take your cultural aspirations to the extreme, take a seat in the Aarhus Theatre and marvel at the stage and what’s happening on it. Also cool: the Institut for (X) building ensemble, where artists and designers not only work, but also live. The vibe almost overwhelms you here.
Kunsthal Aarhus, J. M. Mørks Gade 13, Aarhus, www.kunsthalaarhus.dk
Aarhus Theatre, Teatergaden, Aarhus, www.aarhusteater.dk
Institute for (X), Skovgaardsgade 5C, Aarhus, www.institutforx.dk
Events
Christmas market
24.11.
Stalls, flea market, bakery workshops and everything that creates a great Advent atmosphere.
Hanne Nissen
is a blogger.
loves winter and hot chocolate.
hates spoilers.
Here are our tips for a short trip to Sintra.