Århus Overview

Pedestrian walkways wind through the impressive museums, crowded nightclubs, and well-developed art scene of Århus (OR-hoos; pop. 280,000). Denmark’s second-largest city, Århus is an international melting pot, offering a variety of cultural events and cuisine. But don’t let the upscale atmosphere in the city fool you. Just 10km south are beautiful beaches (yes, some are nude!) and extensive trails for biking, hiking, and running.

Transportation And Practical Information.  Flights use Århus Airport (AAR; ☎8775 7000; www.aar.dk), 45km from the city center, as their base. Airport buses leave from the front of the main terminal building for Århus (45min., 90kr MC/V). The bus from Århus Station to the airport is 90kr one way. Accepts US currency. MC/V. Some budget airlines also fly to Billund (☎7650 5050; www.bll.dk). Trains run to Aalborg (1.5hr., 3 per hr., 118kr), Copenhagen (3.5hr., 2 per hr., 311kr), Odense (2.5hr., 2 per hr, 195kr), and Frederikshavn (2hr., every hr., 205kr). For bus service to Copenhagen and Berlin, check out www.abildskou.dk (☎7021 0888). Buses leave from outside the train station down the street to the right. From May to October, free bikes are available to borrow from stands across the city with a 20kr deposit. MM Cykler Værksted, Mejlg. 41, rents bikes for 65kr per day. (☎8619 2927; www.mmcykler.dk. Open M-F 9am-5pm.)

To get to the tourist office, Banegårdspl. 20, head left after exiting the train station. The office sells the 24hr. Tourist Ticket (55kr), which offers unlimited use of the city’s extensive bus system. The Århus pass (1-day 139kr, 2-day 169kr) includes admission to most museum and sights, as well as unlimited public transit. (☎8731 5010; www.visitaarhus.com. Open mid-June to early Sept. M-F 9:30am-6pm, Sa 9:30am-5pm, Su 9:30-1pm; low season reduced hours.) The main public library, Mølleg. 1 in Mølleparken, offers free Internet. (☎8940 9255; www.aakb.dk. Open May-Sept. M-Th 10am-7pm, F 10am-2pm; Oct.-Apr. M-Th 10am-8pm, F10am-6pm, Sa-Su 10am-3pm.) Postal code: 8000.

Accommodations And Food. T Århus City Sleep-In , Havneg. 20 is conveniently near the city nightlife. From the train station, turn right and follow Ny Banegårds., past the bus station and take a left at the light by the police station. Then turn left onto Haveng. where the street forks to either the train tracks or the harbour. Though surrounded by noisy nightlife, this popular hostel has a relaxed vibe. (☎8619 2055; www.citysleep-in.dk. Breakfast 55kr. Linens 50kr. Towels 20kr. Laundry 32kr. Internet 20kr per hr. Reception closed noon-12 :45pm, 7-7:30pm, and 11pm-7am. Dorms 130kr; doubles 400-460kr. MC/V; 2% surcharge.) Århus Vanderhjem (HI) , Marienlundsv. 10, a short distance north of the city in a public park near the beach, tke bus #1, 6, 9, or 16 to Marienlunds. is a great choice for those looking for quieter surroundings. (☎8621 2120; www.aarhus-hanhostel.dk. Breakfast 55kr. Linens 60kr. Free Wi-Fi. Reception Apr.-Oct 8am-noon and 4-8pm, Nov.-Mar. 8am-noon and 4-7pm. Dorms 185kr; private rooms July to mid-Aug. 506kr, mid-Aug. to June 456kr. 35kr HI discount. MC/V; 2-3% surcharge.)

Quick and cheap takeout joints selling burgers, kebabs, and Asian-inspired meals line Skolegade, which becomes Mejlg. just behind City Sleep-In. Along Aboulevarden you’ll find plenty of cafes. Pinden’s Restaurant, Skoleg. 29 serves traditional Danish food. (☎8612 1102. Entrees 42-86kr. Open daily 11:30am-9pm. AmEx/MC/V. II Mercatina , Mejlgade 18 is known for their extensive menu: there’s a pie for every letter of the alphabet. (☎8612 0048. 80kr per pie.) Netto, across the train station, is a great option to pick up groceries.

Sights. At   Den Gamle By, watch actors bring to life a medieval village with authentic houses from all over Denmark. (Viborgvej 2. ☎8612 3188; www.dengamleby.dk. Open daily mid-June to mid-Sept. 9am-6pm; low season M-Th 8:30-4pm, F 8:30am-3 :30pm.) The 3km   prehistoric trail behind the museum, reconstructs Danish forests from different ages and leads to a popular beach. In the summer, bus #19 returns from the beach to the train station. (Take bus #1 north or bus #6 south.) Århus Kunstmuseum (Aros ) features eight levels of galleries that hold multimedia exhibits and modern art. Highlights include Ron Mueck’s Boy , a colossal 5m statue of a crouching boy. (Aros Alleé 2, off Vester Allé. ☎8730 6600; www.aros.dk. Open Tu-Su 10am-5pm, W 10am-10pm, 90kr, students 75kr.) If you’re near the harbor, climb the Århus Domikrke, the nation’s tallest cathedral. (Skoleg. 17. ☎8620 5400; www.aarhus-domkirke.dk. Open May-Sept. M-Sa 9:30am-4pm, Oct.-Apr. M-Sa 10am-3pm. Free.)

Nightlife And Festivals.  TThe Social Club, Klosterg. 34, has three bars on two levels that bump loud music to dancing and mingling revelers. (☎8519 4250; www.socialclub.dk. All drinks 20kr. Cover after 2am Th 20kr; F-Sa 40kr. 11pm-midnight entrance only with student ID; one free beer and no cover. Open Th-Sa 11pm-6am.) Train, Tolbodg. 6, an old dockside warehouse, now acts as a club and concert hall. (☎8613 4722; www.train.dk. Concerts all ages, club 23+. Club open F-Sa 11pm-late.). The Århus Festuge is a rollicking 10-day celebration of theater, dance, and music held from late August through early September. The streets of Århus are lined with music venues, stages, and galleries. (☎8940 9191; www.aarhusfestuge.dk)

Daytrip From Århus: Billund. Dominating the city (and major transportation hub) of Billund, is one of the world’s best toy fantasies. Release your inner child at the main attraction,  Legoland, an amusement park with sprawling Lego sculptures made from over 50 million candy-colored blocks. The “Power Builder” ride allows you to design your own roller coaster. Buses leave Billund Airport for Legoland (8-10min., 2-3 per hr., 16kr.) If not flying, take the train from Århus to Vejle (45min., 2 per hr., 90kr), then bus #244 (dir.: Grinsted; 61kr, 30 min.) Legoland: ☎7533 1333; www.legoland.dk. Open daily Mar. 15-Oct. 22 10am-6pm with extended hours during the summer; check website for details. Day pass 249kr. Free 30min. before rides close. MC/V.) )