For Austin vibes with Danish type, go to Aarhus—Denmark’s ‘second city’

With its progressive spirit, legendary stay music and festivals, and mouth-watering barbecue, Austin is undeniably cool. For an analogous vibe to Austin, however in Europe, head to Aarhus, Denmark’s second-largest metropolis.

Set on the picturesque Jutland peninsula, Aarhus is among the many world’s happiest cities (presently ranked quantity 4, per the Institute for the Quality of Life). Like Austin, it gives a welcoming ambiance, terrific museums, farm-to-table eating, a dedication to inexperienced areas and sustainability, and a big pupil populationthat provides youthful vitality to the combination.

A walkable metropolis middle—highlighted by the Latin Quarter’s cobblestoned lanes, indie retailers, and comfy cafes—plus quick access to nature and Denmark’s signature hygge, supply loads of causes to go to the “City of Smiles.” 

Living historical past and trendy artwork

At the open-air Den Gamle By (Old Town Museum), wander by 4 centuries of Danish life. Step again in time alongside cobbled streets lined with timber-framed homes from the 1600s, then fast-forward to the improvements of the Twenties, the social actions of the Nineteen Seventies, and a faithfully recreated Y2K-era neighborhood—full with a Blockbuster Video.

Nearby, the hanging ARoS Aarhus Art Museum—one among Northern Europe’s largest—options 5 galleries with over 8,000 works from Danish and worldwide artists, together with Bjørn Nørgaard, Pablo Picasso, and Andy Warhol. Don’t miss “Your Rainbow Panorama,” a colourful round walkway that bathes town in kaleidoscopic hues and gives sweeping 360-degree views of Aarhus and past.

Just exterior town middle—and simply reachable by bike, automobile, or bus due to Aarhus’s environment friendly transit system—the Moesgaard Museum is a must-see for guests of all ages. Set in an architectural marvel nestled inside a bucolic panorama, the museum gives an immersive journey by the Stone, Bronze, Iron, and Viking Ages, in addition to medieval occasions. Many displays invite hands-on exploration, bringing historical past to life. The museum’s treasures embrace the Grauballe Man, a remarkably well-preserved Iron Age physique found in a peat lavatory in 1952.

Just a little additional afield in Silkeborg, Museum Jorn honors the legacy of Danish artist Asger Jorn and carries ahead his mission to make artwork accessible and significant for everybody. Alongside works by Jorn and Per Kirkeby, the museum’s assortment options items by greater than 550 artists from all over the world. Family-friendly do-it-yourself areas and interactive workshops invite budding artists and curious minds of all ages to discover their creativity.

(How to plan a visit to Jutland, Denmark’s Lake District)

Nature simply past town

Like Austin, Aarhus lies near a community of lakes, with its scenic Lake District stretching from Silkeborg to Skanderborg alongside the 98-mile (158 kilometers) Gudenå—Denmark’s longest river. Dive into the time-honored custom of lake bathing at Lake Bath Østre Søbad (close to Almindsø), the place two bathing bridges, a youngsters’s pool, a sandy seashore, and a sauna invite locals and guests alike to chill out and refresh.

In Silkeborg—Denmark’s out of doors capital—go to the Silkeborg Kanocenter to lease canoes, kayaks, and motorboats year-round. Or hop on Hjejlen, the world’s oldest operational coal-fired paddleboat nonetheless in operation, for a scenic experience. Disembark at Himmelbjerget (Sky Mountain) and trek alongside the greenery to one among Denmark’s highest factors. Standing at 482 ft (147 meters), it’s a leisurely climb for many talent ranges, leaving loads of time to savor the surroundings.

National Park Mols Bjerge is an out of doors haven the place you’ll be able to take a scenic drive by rolling hills and fairly peaks (go for an official sightseeing bus tour for the most effective spots), go on a ship journey that features a seal safari, or snorkel within the space’s biodiverse waters teeming with snails, crustaceans, and mussels.

Closer to Aarhus’s metropolis middle, spend the day sunning and swimming at Bellevue Beach, or go to the hanging Infinite Bridge—a round picket walkway that stretches out into the ocean. For a refreshing city swim, take a dip within the Harbor Bath at Aarhus Ø, a vibrant new waterfront district the place trendy structure meets full of life eating places and retailers.

LGBTQ+ inclusivity

In 1989, Denmark turned the primary nation to legally acknowledge same-sex relationships, so it is no shock that Aarhus welcomes all. The metropolis hosted its first Pride in 2012 and continues to go all out with a parade, rainbow-filled picnics on the grass of Rådhuspladsen (City Hall), drag reveals, and different occasions across the metropolis. GBar is a well-liked queer dance membership.

(Must-see LGBTQ-friendly locations for each form of traveler)

The KØN – Gender Museum is likely one of the few cultural establishments to discover gender and equality by thought-provoking displays.

Fruit wine and an Elvis shrine

One of Austin’s main attracts is its proximity to Texas Hill Country’s vineyards. Similarly, Aarhus sits inside straightforward attain of quite a few wineries, together with Cold Hand Winery—a pioneer in Danish fruit wines. Using the method of cryoconcentration, Cold Hand crafts ice wines flavored with apple, pear, and quince, together with fortified and glowing varieties produced from cherry, black currant, and rhubarb.

While Hill Country gives a style of Germany in New Braunfels and Fredericksburg, a visit to town of Randers transports you to the United States on the quirky Memphis Mansion—a Graceland duplicate with an equivalent façade and one of many largest non-public collections of Elvis memorabilia. At the on-site Highway 51 Diner, you’ll be able to bask in burgers, ribs, shakes, and different traditional American fare.

Where to eat and sleep

Fresh seafood shines at Mefisto within the Latin Quarter, whereas Salling ROOFTOP serves smørrebrød and different traditional Danish dishes with a view. Save loads of time for supper at Moment (a 30-minute drive from Aarhus), which has earned a Michelin Green Star since 2020 and encompasses a multi-course meal with ingenious dishes sourced solely from the restaurant’s farm and backyard, paired with the best wine or freshest juice. For one thing informal, take a look at Aarhus Street Food—housed in a collection of former garages—for conventional Danish bites and international eats like tacos and bánh mì.

Rest up at Villa Provence, a captivating French-style boutique resort with a fairly courtyard and hearty breakfast. For distinctive stays exterior city, glamp in a wine barrel or Airstream at Cold Hand Winery, or head to Bjørnen i Bjergene (Bear within the Mountain) at Mols Bjerge National Park, the place Mongolian yurts, wood-burning stoves, and loads of recent air make for a serene escape for {couples} or teams. 

(7 of the most effective gourmand getaways in Denmark)