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Denmark is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe! I have been fortunate enough to visit Denmark four times over the past couple of years. On my second trip to Copenhagen, I decided to check out the coastal town of Aarhus! I enjoyed my visit so much, but I wasn’t as prepared as I could have been. So if you are traveling solo, I created the perfect Copenhagen to Aarhus itinerary.
Aarhus is an idyllic small Danish city sitting seaside on the country’s northeast coast. This is the kind of destination you only need a few days to visit. It’s compact, quaint, safe, and stylish! The type of place that is ideal for a weekend trip.
The Perfect 2-Day Copenhagen to Aarhus Itinerary
The perfect itinerary is all about planning. Allowing yourself time to get to your destination and not be too rushed is key. Why bother going if it is going to be stressful and annoying? So before we get to the itinerary in Aarhus, first, we must plan how you get to Aarhus!
Getting from Copenhagen to Aarhus
Train between Copenhagen to Aarhus
The journey time via train from Copenhagen is around 3 hours and 20 minutes. I would recommend traveling by train rather than a flight from Copenhagen. The high-speed train is more enjoyable than the hassle of flying.
It would be best to plan your logistics for a genuinely perfect Copenhagen to Aarhus itinerary. This means getting your train tickets ahead of time. The main train companies in Denmark are all associated with DSB. The train departs from Copenhagen several times a day. I would recommend you start your train journey around 8 am.
Departing from Copenhagen at 8 am will get you to Aarhus by train before lunchtime. Plan to take 30 minutes to get yourself checked into your hotel, then into the city center of Aarhus.
Copenhagen to Aarhus by Ferry
You could also travel from Copenhagen to Aarhus by ferry! The fastest way will be with your own car, and it will take in total about 3 hours to reach Aarhus. The cost ranges from 199 DKK – 599. The ferry has a nice cafeteria where you can buy food and drinks while enjoying the sea views.
Without a car, you will need to take a bus (Kombardo Expressen) provided by Molslinjen, the Ferry Operator. The bus tickets range between 49 DKK to 180 DKK depending on how far in advance you book.
*The site to book the bus didn’t appear to have English translation, so add a Google translate feature to your web browser.
Book Ferry Tickets with Molslinjen
Best Travel Guides for Denmark
Day 1 Aarhus Itinerary Idea
Now that you have arrived in Aarhus from Copenhagen, it’s time to plan your day. Choose the best day itinerary items from the suggestions below. You can mix and match what you really want to do in Aarhus. Below is the most popular day activity in Aarhus!
Self-Guided Mystery Walking Tour in the Center of Aarhus
This mystery-solving self-guided tour starts in the center of Aarhus. Inspired by World War II events. Walk around the city as a member of the Danish resistance to carry out a secret mission!
The game is over when you solve the mystery fulfilling your mission! If you are interested in World War II history, this is the perfect itinerary idea for you!
>> GET TICKETS
Den Gamble By
Ever wonder what it would be like to live in a different time period? You can experience this here at Den Gamble By!
Den Gamble By means “The Old Town” in English. This open-air town museum is extraordinary. It is located in the Aarhus Botanical Gardens.
Spend a half-day strolling around real-life enactments of life before the 1900s, during the 1920s, and 1970s! For the perfect Copenhagen to Aarhus itinerary, be sure and include Den Gamble By!
*Sadly, I arrived when they were closing, so I only got 30 minutes for a quick glimpse.
Food Market of Aarhus
For the perfect Copenhagen to Aarhus itinerary, you must find good food! The best restaurants always require you to book days in advance, so keep that in mind. In Aarhus, this is important in the tourist season. If you are not prepared, you may find yourself out of luck.
It would be a shame to travel from Copenhagen and not try the Aarhus Central Food Market.
Aarhus Street Food Market is a unique place where you can try street food from over 30 kitchens! The market itself is in an old converted bus station, a very cool space. It is open daily from 11:30 am to 9:00 pm!
Since food is my favorite part of traveling, I would try to hit both markets during my stay! Aarhus is a wonderful destination if you want to see more of Denmark! I hope you enjoy your trip!
Free Google Map of Aarhus
*This Google Map is PRELOADED with all the locations from this post! Just save it on your phone and use it!
Best Tours of Aarhus
Day 2 Aarhus Itinerary Idea
I am a big fan of traveling to take pictures of the world’s architecture. There is no shortage of impressive buildings and landscapes in Denmark. The Danish have beautiful churches that are perfect for photographing.
Aarhus Cathedral
The Cathedral of Aarhus is the tallest church in Denmark! This Cathedral has a height of 96 m and 93 m in length. Be sure to get your wide-angle lens ready for these photos!
The journey time to walk from the central train station in Aarhus to the Cathedral is only 11 minutes. So if your perfect Copenhagen to Aarhus itinerary is limited to a couple of things, check out this church.
Aarhus Harbor
If you are visiting a coastal town, you must check out its coastal attractions! Aarhus has a very unique and impressive harbor with lots to do.
This most iconic harbor has a few must-see attractions. The most famous is known as the Iceberg Building. You might have guessed; it’s a cluster of buildings all shaped like an iceberg. It is a unique apartment building complex worthy of some photographs.
Also in the harbor is the “Havnebadet,” meaning harbor bath. This is a must if you are visiting in warm weather months. Pack that bathing suit and sunscreen. I, unfortunately, visited in winter.
Dress Warm in Aarhus
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Kristen says
Really great guide and I love that you included different options. I also really like your overall blog look/feel and how everything is on theme, even down to your photo editing! I’ll definitely be saving this guide!
Shay says
I really love the edits on your photos. They all have a pink tint – and it matches your blog! Anyways, thanks for the tips! Hoping to visit Copenhagen in the near future. Now I’ll have to add Aarhus to the list!
Cristina says
I have been thinking of travelling to Copenhagen, so this itinerary is perfect for me 🙂 I hope I can visit it soon. It looks so beautiful!
Josy A says
Aarhus looks amazing to visit in the snow! I am guessing you were wrapped up warm so you could walk around and see the gorgeous architecture and the coast. I love the mix of exploring outside, then getting cozy to chow down on tasty food.
I have to admit though, the Havnebadet sounds like a bad idea in winter!
Farrah says
I’ve never been to Copenhagen but would love to go someday! I tend to plan my travels around food so I’d absolutely be up for that food market! <3
Melissa Byron says
Copenhagen is one of the best cities in the world! If you have more questions, feel free to reach out!
Kate Toll says
How fun! I’ve visited Copenhagen but never Aarhus! It sounds like a wonderful addition to any Copenhagen trip. I especially love how the food markets sound, and the snow is truly beautiful!
Sarah says
I can’t wait to go to Copenhagen – my parents went years ago and I fell in love with their photos. I’d really love to go for a Christmas market (although I know it will be quite cold, but as a Canadian I think I can handle it haha!). Thank you for the tips!
Karen says
This is a place I’d like to visit one day. I love real-life enactments so would be all over DEN Gamble. The photos in the winter are wonderful. Such a treat to see snow on a blog post.
Sydney says
Saved for later! I hope I get to go next summer, I’m dying to visit 🙂 great article!
Amy Mikolajczyk says
The central food market is permanently closed according to Google. 🙁
Melissa Byron says
You are so right! What a major bummer! The Aarhus Street Food Market is still going strong! Thanks for updating me on the central market so I can revise it! Have so much fun in Aarhus!