Making the most of Arhus
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Cruise ships berth close to town and the main attractions are walkable, 1km or 10 min away. Ships use berth no. 129/131; larger vessels use Eastern Harbour berth 503, 3km from the city centre, with shuttles provided.
From the terminal, cruisers can walk to every major Arhus attraction. Cabs and local tour buses are available outside the security gates for those who prefer a ride.
Denmark’s most popular ports are 1.Copenhagen, 2.Skagen and 3.Aarhus.
Cruise schedule for this port. Krydstogtskib means Cruise Ship.
The name Aarhus means “River Mouth”.
Vikings settled the city near the end of the first millennium, and by 1100 it was a major regional port. Aarhus later declined until the 20th century, when the railway restored its role as a commercial centre.
Today, the city is again an educational and commercial centre, with the Danish monarch’s holiday palace. It is also a lively university town, and the University of Aarhus has a wonderful park and museums.
Visit the Old Town, now a museum showing trades from the past. Its buildings were moved to Aarhus from various parts of Denmark, creating a historical setting for the exhibits.
ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum appears unremarkable outside, but inside has nine floors of sweeping curves, soaring spaces and white walls. Its theme is Dante’s The Divine Comedy: enter on level 4, then descend into Hell, De 9 Rum or The 9 Spaces on the black-painted bottom floor with moody installation works, or climb towards Heaven and the rooftop terrace overlooking Århus’s red roofs.
Getting around
The 30 bicycle stands make 250 bikes available free of charge 24 hours a day for further touring.
From mid-June to mid-August on weekdays, the tourist office runs theme-based guided walks covering different sights.
Nearby places
Legoland Park lies in the Danish countryside near Billund, about 90 minutes from the piers. Its more than 60 million Lego blocks form miniatures including the White House and Mount Rushmore, and there is also an amusement park with the usual distractions.
Funen, the garden island and birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen, requires a full-day excursion. His preserved home is a museum, and an open-air museum uses buildings from the 18th and 19th century to recreate town life as it once was.
Fyrkat is one of five circular Viking ring fortresses, built by King Harald Bluetooth with four gates and two roads meeting at the center, now commemorated in Bluetooth technology. The earthen walls and foundations of houses and roads survive, while a recreated Viking farmstead staffed by costumed museum workers offers an engaging view of the Viking Age.
The Lake District on the Jutland Peninsula is a pristine landscape of tranquil lakes, 74 to be exact, woodland, Sky Mountain and Silkeborg, the town of Tollund Man.
Ebeltoft, founded circa 1200 on the southern Djursland Peninsula, is one of Denmark’s top holiday spots. It has old cobbled lanes, hollyhocks, well-preserved half-timbered buildings and popular beaches. Its harbour contains the large battleship, The Frigate Jutland.
Food and shopping
Blown glass and miniature sculptures are unusual and relatively affordable.
The Latin Quarter, once a seedy district, now has galleries of different styles and prices. Many sit along Mollestien and Studsgade, easily reached on the return from sightseeing to the dock.
For rainy weather, Bruun’s Galleri beside the railway station is Denmark’s largest city mall, with 95 shops and a cinema.
Strøget has 850 meters of tightly packed shops on both sides, around 100 in all. This shopping paradise runs from Central Station to the Cathedral along Aarhus’ pedestrianised high street. Allow at least a couple of hours, especially when exploring one or two adjoining pedestrianised streets.
Money
Denmark is outside the EURO monetary system, though major shops may quote Danish kroner and EURO (€). Most major international credit cards are accepted in Denmark.
Staying connected
Danish is spoken, and English is widely understood.
The dock Welcome center provides tourist information and free WiFi at the cruise dock.
In an emergency, dial 112.
Opening Hours and
General hours are Monday to Thursday, 9.30/10.00 a.m.–5.30 p.m.; Friday, 9.30/10 a.m.–7/8 p.m. Some shopping centers stay open until 7/8 p.m. on weekdays. Saturday shops normally close at 12.00 or 1 p.m., and department stores at 2 p.m. On the first Saturday of every month, shops may remain open until 5 p.m.; in Copenhagen, other cities and larger towns, most use this rule. Tourist-area shops can open beyond normal hours, particularly in summer. Shops may open on the first Sunday of every month and on all Sundays in…