GETMEOVERTHERE

If you’re looking for a real-life account of solo travel in Aarhus then you’re in the right place!

I visited Aarhus by myself and had a great time. Denmark’s second city is perfect for a solo weekend trip, and it’s small so you can navigate it easily. Whether you visit in summer for harbour swims and festivals, or in winter when it’s snowy and festive, you’ll enjoy yourself!

If you’re considering a solo trip to Aarhus, here’s my experience to help you make up your mind.

Is Aarhus a Good Destination for Solo Travellers?

The short answer to the question, ‘Is Aarhus a good destination for solo travellers?’ is… it depends!

I personally loved it for a city break – but whether or not you will too depends on what you look for in a trip… let me break it down.

You will like Aarhus for a solo trip if…

You’re a seasoned solo traveller
I’ve been to places by myself a lot so I am happy to be solo anywhere really – I don’t need a place to feel particularly lively or tourist-friendly.

You like Denmark – and Scandinavia
If you’re a fan of the hyggelig life then Aarhus will be a firm favourite – there are plenty of nice coffee shops and boutiques to browse.

You like a chilled, laidback trip
Aarhus is a small city full of locals so it’s not somewhere to come to party or to pack in the sights.

You probably won’t like Aarhus for a solo trip if…

You don’t travel solo a lot
Aarhus doesn’t have a lot of solo travellers, it’s more of a locals’ city.

You like to meet people and make friends on solo trips
Again, since Aarhus isn’t a popular solo traveller destination, you won’t find lots of tourists here or a big programme of events for meeting other travellers.

You like large, lively destinations
Aarhus is small, if you want to visit a Danish city and meet people choose Copenhagen.

You have a tight budget
Denmark isn’t a cheap country, so if your funds are tight they will go further elsewhere in Europe.

Where To Stay in Aarhus as a Solo Traveller

Staying somewhere solo is always tricky, because you don’t get to split the cost of accommodation with anyone else.

When I was in Aarhus, I stayed in a room in someone’s apartment through Airbnb. I did this because accommodation was expensive, and this was cheaper than getting a whole apartment or hotel room.

And actually, it was this trip that cemented for me that getting a room in someone’s place is my preferred way to stay!

It’s SO much more cosy and welcoming than a bleak budget hotel room. If your host is friendly and gives you loads of tips and advice, maybe even takes you out, then great. But even if they are more reserved, I still like that bit of human contact you get – it matters when you’re by yourself.

The room I stayed in isn’t taking reservations but here are some nice ones that are:

If you prefer to stay in a hotel or apartment though, here are some places for every budget:

The Best Things To Do In Aarhus Solo

Aarhus has plenty to keep you occupied as a solo traveller:

ARoS Museum

A museum is always a good choice for a solo traveller because it’s not really a group activity! It’s about experiencing the exhibit and taking it all in – and no one notices if you’re alone or not. You can also let it take up as much or as little time as you like.

I loved walking through Your Rainbow Panorama, the Olafur Eliasson exhibit on the roof – I’m not a huge fan of art galleries on holiday so I skipped the rest of it. However since I went there’s another installation there now, As Seen Below, by James Turrell, which I would definitely go and see.

Den Gamle By

I absolutely loved Den Gamle By and it’s my top recommendation for Aarhus. It’s an open air museum showing local life from the 1600s to the present day. It’s really fun to walk up to the buildings and just step inside, not knowing what you’ll find.

The nature of this attraction means there are lots of kids and families here but that doesn’t mean you can’t also enjoy it solo. I actually love being solo in these kinds of places because as one person it’s very easy to wiggle through crowds and find your way.

Cafe hopping

Denmark has its reputation for coffee and cinnamon buns and to be honest that was a significant reason for my trip. There are lots of spots to choose from in Aarhus and no one cares that you’re by yourself.

I tried…

Aarhus river

A walk along the river is a good way to orientate yourself in the city, as it runs through the centre and takes you all the way to the harbour.

Aarhus docklands and havnebadet

Known as Aarhus Ø, in summer you can swim here – I love swimming as a solo activity because it’s not like you need anyone to do it. Just ask someone next to you to watch your things.

I can spend a good few hours sitting by the water and hopping in and out – I’ve actually not done this in Aarhus because I went in December and that is a strictly no swimming time for me! But I’ve done it in Copenhagen and if I came to Aarhus in summer I’d definitely be doing this!

And even if it’s too cold to swim, there’s a big cultural complex here, Dokk1 – great for having a mooch, appreciating the architecture and admiring the harbour views.

Dicte Crime Reporter DIY tour

OK this is a niche one, but if you’ve seen the show Dicte Crime Reporter, it’s set in Aarhus and you can make your own pilgrimage to places in the show. There’s even a page on the VisitAarhus website so you can plan your route.

Moesgaard museum

Moesgaard Museum on the outskirts of Aarhus is all about archaeology and ethnography. It’s a very cool modern building with a grassed-over roof with great views.

How to do Aarhus on a Budget

You can do Aarhus on a budget, not least because budget is a relative term!

You won’t find rock bottom prices here, so if that’s what you’re looking for, you’re better off going elsewhere. But if you want a Danish trip without a giant price tag, there are plenty of ways to keep your costs down:

Stay in a room in someone’s apartment
By staying in a room in someone’s apartment, I got to pay less than I would have for a hotel room – yet I still got the use of a whole apartment. My host was really friendly and even lent me her card for the art gallery so I could get in for free.

Keep an eye out for cheap flights
The reason for my trip to Aarhus was actually because I fancied a trip to Copenhagen but when I saw the flight prices I realised I could visit Aarhus for a lot cheaper; this will depend on your local airport, but Londoners especially – take note!

Choose one or two activities
When I travel on a budget I generally pick one or two paid-for activities and spend the rest of the time walking around and enjoying the atmosphere. In Aarhus I chose Den Gamle By, which I 100% recommend, and ARoS, although I didn’t end up having to pay for it.

Combine meals at home with treats out
When I’m in Denmark I am all about the cardamon and cinnamon buns, so that’s what I spent my money on in terms of treats out. Otherwise I got food from the supermarket and made meals at home.

Visit in summer
This is a tip I picked up from visiting Copenhagen in summer a couple of times. When the weather is mild you can spend time outdoors, having picnics or swimming in the harbour, which is free. But in winter you want to be indoors, and this influences what you spend – as you’ll want to be inside, so you end up visiting more attractions, shopping or sheltering in cafes.

How Many Days Do You Need in Aarhus?

You only need a couple of days in Aarhus – so a two-night stay is perfect. This gives you time to wander the city, hang out at the harbour, visit some attractions and just soak up the vibes.

I would only suggest a longer stay if you plan to visit the surrounding area or another city.

FAQs for a Great Aarhus Solo Trip

Is Aarhus safe for solo travellers?

I can speak for my experience – as a white, native English-speaking solo traveller I felt very safe in Aarhus. I felt fine walking around by myself any time during the day and night.

Is Aarhus expensive?

Yes, Aarhus is expensive in terms of European city destinations – you’ll be paying more for accommodation and drinks and food than a German or Polish city for example.

But as a Scandinavian city, I found it a bit cheaper than Copenhagen, and my flights from London were very cheap, so that had a significant impact on the overall cost of the trip for me.

Accommodation was expensive, hence my decision to rent just a room in someone’s apartment.

Is Aarhus worth visiting solo?

I liked Aarhus for a solo trip, because I wanted to visit a Scandi destination but didn’t want the crowds of a capital city.

However Aarhus is small, and because it’s mostly locals here and few tourists, it was noticeably full of families and kids – so if that makes you feel some kind of way, you’ll be better off in Copenhagen!

Can you do Aarhus as a day trip from Copenhagen?

Technically yes you can do Aarhus as a day trip from Copenhagen; it’s about three hours by train. However, if you are visiting the capital I’d say focus on that as your destination.

Aarhus is more a spot to add to your list if you’re looking for somewhere new – I wouldn’t personally go out of my way to add it on to a trip elsewhere. I think a lot of people end up visiting Aarhus as a day trip from a cruise, which makes sense because it’s compact and so ideal for a short visit.