Aarhus second best in Europe: World’s Smallest Big City

By Marina Aagaard, MFE. Photo: Henrik Elstrup Aagaard

Aarhus, second city of Denmark, and also a so-called second city sight-wise; when everybody has seen Copenhagen, where to next? And now also second on the Lonely Planet Best in Europe list. That’s okay.

Aarhus second best in Europe

The town where I was born and raised, Aarhus, on the peninsula Jutland in Denmark, in 2016 was named among the best places in Europe by Lonely Planet travel guide.
In second place, just before Venice, the most beautiful city, can you believe it?

Director of Visit Aarhus, Peer H. Kristensen, was delighted, but sincerely hoped, that the citizens of Aarhus will become better ambassadors in the future. Right now we, the natives, are a little too used to our city to truly appreciate and brag about it …

Lonely Planet: Best in Europe 2016

Peloponnes, Greece
Aarhus, Denmark
Venice, Italy
Dordogne, France
Lviv, Ukraine
Warwickshire, Enland
Extremadura, Spain
Tenerife east coast, Canary Islands
Texel, Holland
Northern Dalmatia, Croatia

Actually Aarhus is worth a visit, for an extended weekend trip, or even a week, which would give you time to visit one of the Danish National Parks in Jutland: Vadehavet, Thy or Nationalpark Mols Bjerge, the latter close by (my new neighborhood as it is).

If you decide to stay in the city you can spend a day in and around Aros, the main art museum of Aarhus, which had an amazing roof top added later (60 mio. DKK, 10,7 mio. USD): Your rainbow panorama by Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson (top photo).

City of the Smile

Aarhus is a fairly small city – 264,716 inhabitants in the inner urban area and 330,639, municipal population (2016) – has been named ‘City of the Smile’ and ‘World’s Smallest Big City’, especially the latter being reasonable descriptive: Aarhus offer smaller scale sight-seeing opportunities and facilities similar to those of bigger cities.
There is a concert hall, Musikhuset, for opera and classical music, and there is a small, cozy theatre (plays in Danish, though) as well as exciting modern dance scenes.

Aarhus has a festival week, Festugen, first week of September every year. There is an abundance of music, dance and plays in many genres. A lot of the events are free. There are also many beer stalls and tents, some with live music, during festival time making the event and city a bit loud and messy in some places. (photo above: Sculpture by the Sea 2015).

The city has affordable – not supercheap nor overly expensive – offers for shoppers from visiting cruise ships and elsewhere. Exclusive top brands like Prada, Gucci and Hermes may not have shops in Aarhus, but you can get Danish design fashion, jewellery and art.

Top-10 Reasons to Visit Aarhus

Worldclass architecture, old and new, some street art
Great museums: Aros, MOMU (photo), Den Gamle By (open air museum) a.o.
Michelin food, quite a few star restaurants (see list below)
Nice quarters, e.g. Latin Quarter with designer fashion and organic food
Harbour, not especially tourist friendly, but nice anyway and with two little marinas
Great music and dance, not only local stars; also international guests
Pedestrian streets with coffee shops, bars and small restaurants
Shopping, Danish design fashion, furniture, art
Fairly friendly people; Danes may look ‘busy’, but do ask, give us a poke
Great surroundings, bay area, forrest and fields

Come and see us : – )

Top-10 Aarhus Restaurants (2016)

Restaurant Frederikshøj
Michelin starred restaurant Restaurant Frederikshøj is in the top-league of Danish gastronomy, thanks in no small measure to the prize-winning celebrity chef Wassim Hallal. Restaurant Frederikshøj became a star in Guide Michelin Nordic Cities 2015 and again in Michelin Nordic Guide 2016.

Restaurant SUBSTANS
Michelin starred restaurant 2016. Restaurant SUBSTANS had a star in Guide Michelin Nordic Cities 2015 and again in Michelin Nordic Guide 2016

Restaurant Gastromé
Michelin starred restaurant In Restaurant Gastromé you can experience gourmet country-inspired cuisine at Michelin-standard. Once again the restaurant recived a star in Michelin Nordic Guide 2016. The two chefs’ philosophy translate into their wine, food and quality.

Guide Michelin Bib Gourmand. Guide Michelin also awards the Michelin Bib Gourmand, and two restaurants in Aarhus have received this award which is designated to restaurants which serve exceptionally good food at moderate prices.

Restaurant Pondus
Michelin Bib Gourmand Restaurant Pondus was awarded a Bib Gourmand in Guide Michelin Nordic Cities 2016, given for high quality food at affordable prices. At restaurant Pondus the focus is on modern and simple Danish cuisine combined with ecology and Danish commodities. With a feeling of french bistro.

Restaurant Hærværk
Michelin Bib Gourmand Restaurant Hærværk was awarded a Bib Gourmand in Guide Michelin Nordic Cities 2016, given for high quality food at affordable prices.
The commodities dictate the menu. Unpredictability, free hands and solid craft is what characterize this restaurant.

Ratings in Guide Michelin. In addition to Michelin stars and Bib Gourmand awards, several restaurants in Aarhus are rated in Guide Michelin Nordic Cities 2015, which only recommends the very best of restaurants in Scandinavia.

Nordisk Spisehus
Delicious Scandinavian cuisine and wonderful wines at the critically acclaimed Nordisk Spisehus eating place ? in the heart of Aarhus. A true Scandinavian gastronomic experience at its very best, when its team of top chefs, including members of the National Culinary Team of Denmark, compose luxurious Scandinavian menus which are always prepared from fresh seasonal produce.

Kähler Spisesalon
Prizewinning open sandwiches in a unique setting At Kähler Spisesalon you will immediately sense the passion and love for Kähler?s world-famous ceramics. The unique ceramic design of Kähler converges elegantly with the classic and modern Danish dishes on the menu.

Ferdinand
Hotel & Restaurant Ferdinand is placed on Åboulevarden in the centre of the city. Ferdinand was named the best Danish brasserie of 2009 by Den Danske Spiseguide (The Danish Restaurant Guide). Gourmet dinners, high quality combined with simplicity and elegance. Includes dishes in all price classes. In addition you can also choose from a large assortment of wines.

Castenskiold
Enjoy an exclusive dinner at Castenskiold – Food & Nightclub. Their main concept is the new initiative which should invite everyone to culinary curiosity. They have made more room at the tables so the shared food experience gets elevated without having soaring prices.

Frøken Koch
Classic cuisine with care & consideration Overlooking the Marina in Aarhus and in a simple black and white setting that is warmly illuminated by copper lamps, you will find “Frøken Koch”. A popular restaurant by the local Koch Brothers’ where they serve classic Danish cuisine. They will serve you a full plate of simple, honest and no-frills food that is expertly prepared and served with the unique care and consideration that is characteristic to the Koch Brothers and their varied restaurants.

There are actually many more restaurants with very nice food, indian, persian, vietnamese, japanese, thai, greek and more, as well as these:

Restaurant ET
French restaurant in Aarhus, mentioned in the 2015 Michelin Guide.

Restaurant MASH
American steak restaurant in Aarhus, reviewed in the Michelin Nordic Guide 2016

Brasserie Belli
French restaurant in Aarhus. Reviewed in Michelin Nordic Guide 2016.

Møf
Danish restaurant in Aarhus, mentioned in the 2016 Michelin Guide.

F-Høj Deli
Café and deli in Aarhus, mentioned in the 2016 Michelin Guide.

And a personal favourite for a wonderful Sunday Brunch with a lovely view:

Varna
Goumet restaurant just outside the city centre. Run by master chef Palle Enevoldsen (earlier together with Michelin chef Wassim Hallal). Very nice restaurant by the bay.

Bon Appetit!

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