Karl WP Beyer In the east of Jutland lies Aarhus, Denmark's second largest city. The city on the Århus Bay has around 362.000 inhabitants (source: City of Aarhus, 2nd quarter 2023). Aarhus is the economic center of Jutland, a transport hub, and a port and university city. In 2017, the city shared the title of “European Capital of Culture” with Paphos in Cyprus.
Aarhus Toldboden – the old customs house
Aarhus long history
Vikings founded the settlement at the mouth of the Aarhus Å river around 770 AD. Since then, the region has been inhabited continuously, and already in 948 the city was a bishop's residence
In the centuries that followed, Aarhus became a maritime trading city of regional importance. At Copenhagen, Flensburg or Altona, all Danish cities at the time, did not match Aarhus. Only the construction of roads and railway lines in the 19th and 20th centuries made the city a traffic junction and grew to become the largest city in Jutland.
City of Aarhus
And something else worth knowing: For centuries, the city name "Århus" has been spelled. Since 2011, the new spelling "Aarhus" has also been in effect. The city leaders justify their decision with the fact that the new spelling can be written without any problems on all Latin-based keyboards.
Aarhus – Jutland's economic metropolis
In terms of throughput, Aarhus is one of the most important Danish ports. The port is a leader in the handling of containers as well as bulk goods. About 60 percent of Danish container handling goes through the port. Aarhus is also a ferry port. Around 800.000 vehicles and two million passengers are handled there every year. From the "Infinite Bro", which is one of the many sights of the city, the extensive harbor facilities can be seen well.
Port area
But the city is not just a port city. It is also an important industrial and media location. Jyllands-Posten, Denmark's largest daily newspaper, is based in the port of Aarhus.
Aarhus - Jutland's cultural centre
With the university, the commercial college, the architecture school, the State College of Music and the drama and drama school, the city is one of Denmark's cultural beacons. Approximately 40.000 to 45.000 students are enrolled at these institutions. With so much teaching and culture, the EU Council of Ministers could not help but award Aarhus the title of “European Capital of Culture” for 2017.
The Rainbow of the ARoS Art Museum
Aarhus O
The city is not only Jutland's economic metropolis and a regional cultural centre. Aarhus sets the tone in Denmark when it comes to architecture. Docklands, the new Hafencity, has been under construction for years. Already from the cruise ship, visitors gain impressions of unique constructional experiments. At this place only the "Isbjerget" (iceberg) should be mentioned as an example of outstanding architecture.
Aarhus at a glance
The city looks clean and tidy. Because of the many students, young people predominate in the cityscape. The gastronomic scene along the pedestrianized Åboulevarden stands up to international standards, and on the outskirts, Aarhus is surrounded by water and greenery.
The Åboulevard
In the inner city, on the other hand, little of the old building structure remains. The buildings are of recent origin; they are mostly modern, practical and good. Worth mentioning are above all those tourist highlights that we under Aarhus sightseeing introduce.
Aarhus – a cruise destination in development
Between 2017 and 2019 cruise ships called at Aarhus in 30 and 40. In 2022, a new record was set with 64 ship calls. The number of cruise passengers rose to almost 90.000. The cruise terminal is located at Bassin 4 opposite the multifunctional building of DOKK 1.
Aarhus - cruise ship berth
Aarhus - DOKK 1
Aarhus is a cruise destination well worth seeing. There is a safe and comfortable route from the cruise ship berth to the city center. The walk takes no more than a quarter of an hour. When ships call, volunteers are available at the port exit to inform guests. The city lends itself to exploring on foot and by public transport. Buses and trams are well positioned and coordinated. Aarhus has further development potential as a cruise destination.
Update June 2023
