6.5 Passing Through Aalborg
From Skagen to Aarhus you are mostly on the move, and along the way you will pass through the relatively large city of Aalborg. The recommended stop is the Utzon Center (Address: Slotspladsen 4, 9000 Aalborg), a museum dedicated to the architect of the Sydney Opera House, and another notable venue is the House of Music (Address: Musikkens Pl. 1, 9000 Aalborg), a uniquely designed concert hall.
We did not have time to visit the museums; we only stopped at the entrance of the concert hall. Next door there is an underground parking garage—just a two-minute walk away. When we noticed the main door was open, we went in. A staff member approached, and although I thought they might stop us, they informed us that we were welcome to go upstairs and take a look. The interior of the concert hall is elegantly designed, and the view from the upper terrace is quite charming.
6.6 Aarhus Dinner
Seacrets Seafood
Address: Fredensgade 54, 8000 Aarhus
Average cost: 200 DKK per person
Rating: 4 stars
This well-reviewed small seafood restaurant has a limited menu – typically, one fish is served per person. We ordered a single fish; the owner recommended the spicy version, which wasn’t particularly hot but rather a bit sour. The sauce was average, yet the fish was very fresh. The mussels were large, although no sauce was added; personally, I am not very fond of mussels, and without any sauce they were even less appealing.
The side dishes included rice, cauliflower, and eggplant—the portion of eggplant was too small. Worried it might not be enough, we also ordered fries and fried chicken, which we do not recommend.
Aarhus Street Food
Address: Ny Banegårdsgade 46, 8000 Aarhus
Rating: 4 stars
This food market, though quite commercialized, offers international dishes from various cuisines. Note that some stalls had rude attitudes—for example, a duck burger stall refused us permission to take photos and was impolite. There is also a traditional Danish restaurant that seems to serve only a couple of dishes each day, which appears decent. By evening, the courtyard fills with many young people enjoying beer and conversation in a lively atmosphere.
6.7 Aarhus Accommodation and Parking
Hotel Atlantic
Address: Europaplads 10, Aarhus C
Rating: 5 stars
Price: 1200 RMB
This hotel is well located with friendly service and clean rooms, and complimentary drinks are provided. The breakfast is also quite good, with a terrace offering views over downtown Aarhus.
Finding parking was somewhat challenging. Cheaper parking spots are available on the side of the hotel, whereas other spots can charge up to 700 DKK per night. After asking at the front desk, we learned that the inexpensive spots were already full, so they suggested parking in the underground garage at the library Dokk1 across the street (Address: Hack Kampmanns Plads 2, 8000 Aarhus Centrum). This parking facility is impressive, as it automatically transports your car underground 24 hours a day. We parked for over a day at a total cost of 270 DKK. First, you drive into a small room and must align your car perfectly on the track; if misaligned, the machine instructs you to adjust until properly parked. Then, you turn off the engine and unload your luggage outside. On an external screen, you confirm that no one is inside before closing the door and having your car transported underground. The next day, you simply enter your license plate number on a large screen, pay, and your car is delivered to a designated room for retrieval. The entire process is fully automated with no manual intervention. The parking roof even features an upside‐down model of Aarhus, which is quite amusing.
Day 7: Aarhus to Copenhagen
Ferry + Self-driving: 3 hours
Attractions: Aarhus Cathedral, Aarhus Theatre, ARoS Art Museum, The Old Town, The Infinite Bridge, Marselisborg Deer Park
7.1 Aarhus Cathedral and Old Town
Aarhus Cathedral
Address: Store Torv, 8000 Aarhus
Admission: Free for the church; climbing the tower costs 20 DKK or 3 Euros in cash
Rating: 4.5 stars
Located in Bishop’s Square, the cathedral has been under construction since the 12th century and is the longest and tallest church in Denmark, measuring 93 meters in length and 96 meters in height. The interior is quite austere, but the ancient wall paintings are worth seeing. I particularly admired the decorative wall in one of the side chapels. The organ, built in 1730, is Denmark’s largest, boasting over 6000 pipes.
We took a brief stroll and then decided to climb the bell tower. The entrance to the tower is at the church’s main entrance and requires a ticket. With no one at the ticket counter, a Danish sign instructed us to call the staff. After we did so and informed them of our wish to climb, the staff arrived, collected our payment, and opened the door, instructing us to lock it upon exit. We climbed 150 steps to the top of the tower, passing ancient clocks along the way. The top is protected by an iron railing; while a DSLR might not capture the view due to the railing, mobile phone photos come out beautifully.
From the cathedral, you can see the transparent, semi-circular structure of the cultural center, Domen Aarhus, by the sea.
Aarhus Cathedral and Den Gamle By Sightseeing Tour Guide
7.2 The Old Town Museum
Address: Viborgvej 2, 8000 Aarhus Centrum
Hours: 10:00–17:00
Admission: 190 DKK
Duration: Approximately 4 hours
Rating: 5 stars
The Old Town Museum is an outstanding open‐air museum that recreates an entire town. Wandering through it is like strolling through a real city, as each house offers different exhibits. It is best to take photos at the outset when there are fewer people.
The museum presents a wealth of historical displays ranging from the origins of religion, the evolution of urban transportation, historical figures, to collections of clocks and jewelry. If you wish to fully absorb the detailed explanations, you might need about an hour; we, however, only spent about half an hour glancing through. We then casually explored various rooms that were open, such as a textile workshop, a canning factory, and a painting studio.
The toy museum displays many vintage toys, and near a square marked “N” there are benches for resting, with a pleasant fountain in the center. Further along, the riverside scenery is delightful with a waterwheel, distinctive houses, and reflections in the water. Within the park, you can also take a carriage ride with drivers dressed in 19th-century attire. Along the way, you pass several small food outlets—one selling hot dogs (which tend to have long queues at midday)—and a bakery offering traditional Danish pastries that are quite tasty. There is also a restaurant inside the park, though it may take longer to dine there. It is advisable to either bring your own sandwich or allot an extra hour for a proper meal. Note that one ice cream shop was closed, likely due to the off-season, and despite searching, I couldn’t find any mineral water until I reached the ticket hall where water was available for purchase. All food outlets here seem to sell only beverages, not mineral water. Additionally, we passed a shop selling the only traditional perfume handed down through generations—a curious find—and a stamp museum that showcased stamps from various eras was also quite entertaining.
Denmark Road Trip Itinerary: Aalborg, Aarhus & Copenhagen Travel Guide
7.3 The Infinite Bridge
Address: Ørneredevej 3, 8000 Aarhus
Duration: Approximately half an hour
Open: 24 hours
Admission: Free
Rating: 4.5 stars
Following the directions, we drove to this bridge. A parking lot is available by the roadside; if it is full, additional free parking spots can be found along the way. This circular coastal bridge was built in 2015. Up close with a 24mm lens, its design is hard to capture in its entirety. Although it may not appear particularly striking to the naked eye, the bridge makes for an excellent backdrop for portrait photography.
7.4 Marselisborg Deer Park
Address: Ørneredevej 6, 8270 Højbjerg
Open: 24 hours
Duration: Approximately half an hour
Admission: Free
Rating: 5 stars
Located very close to The Infinite Bridge, Marselisborg Deer Park is spacious and home to many deer. Both the park’s main gate and within its grounds, signs prohibit feeding the deer—and most visitors comply. A few tourists who brought carrots ended up being swarmed by deer, which felt a bit dangerous.
I sat at a picnic table, and soon a group of deer gathered nearby; one even lay next to a chair without any fear. I refrained from disturbing it, appreciating the peaceful coexistence. As I wandered through the park, a small deer even followed me and allowed me to pet it without making a sound.
7.5 Ferry from the Jutland Peninsula to Zealand
Reservation: (link removed)
Route: Jutland Peninsula – Zealand (Aarhus-Odden)
Duration: 1 hour 20 minutes
Price: 249 DKK for two people with one car; buffet: 180 DKK per person
Aarhus Port Address: Færgevej 7A, 8000 Aarhus C
We booked an evening ferry departing at 17:40 via the official website and later received an email confirmation for online check-in, so it was only necessary to arrive at least 10 minutes before departure. We followed the address to the port, joined the flow of traffic, and boarded with ease.
After parking our car, we asked the staff for directions to the dining area in the restaurant. Having reserved the buffet, we had a little over an hour to dine on board. It is advisable to grab your food immediately upon boarding, as some dishes may run out—though they will be replenished, waiting may be required. The buffet offered vegetables, meat, and bread; the food was decent but not outstanding. One Danish specialty was a chicken sauce served in a puff pastry bowl.
7.6 Car Return at Copenhagen Airport and Copenhagen Accommodation
A friend booked a rental car via a popular car rental service. At Copenhagen Airport’s car return area, the attendant charged a fee for vehicle maintenance as per regulations and sent us an electronic receipt. Any damage required us to take photos and later upload them to the insurance company. After returning home, we applied for a refund through the rental service’s insurance option, and the process was smooth and completed in under a month.
From Copenhagen Airport, the metro can take you to the city center, where ticket machines are conveniently located.
25Hours Hotel
Address: Pilestraede 65, Indre By, Copenhagen
Price: 1925 RMB per night
Rating: 5 stars
The hotel boasts an excellent location, close to bus and metro stations. We loved the décor and even spent time taking photos of it. The front desk provided excellent service, and the lobby offers drinking water. Even the corridor leading to the rooms has its own unique charm, with several old typewriters on display—even if they don’t work perfectly, I still managed to type a letter to myself.
Day 8: One-Day Tour of Copenhagen
8.1 Grundtvig’s Church
Address: På Bjerget 14B, 2400 København NV
Hours: 10:00–16:00 (closed on Mondays)
Duration: 1 hour
Rating: 4.5 stars
Admission: Free
Designed between 1912 and 1913, with construction beginning in 1921 after World War II and completed in 1940, Grundtvig’s Church is a fusion of several architectural styles. It combines the modern geometric elements of Expressionism with Gothic features and the style of European cathedrals.
The church’s most distinctive feature is its west façade, which resembles a giant organ. Unfortunately, when we visited in the morning the building was backlit; it is advisable to visit in the afternoon. The bell tower rises to 49 meters with a stepped gable typical of Danish churches, and the entire structure is built from traditional Danish handmade yellow bricks—approximately 5 million bricks in total. The interior, reminiscent of a typical Gothic church with a central nave, side aisles, and a small transept, can accommodate up to 1400 people. The stepped walls provide an excellent backdrop for photos.
8.2 Superkilen Park
Address: Nørrebrogade 210, 2200 København
Admission: Free
Open: 24 hours
Duration: Approximately half an hour
Rating: 4 stars
This linear park is a popular social media spot thanks to its uneven surfaces and rising curves. If you visit during cherry blossom season, sitting on one of its benches is especially delightful. Apart from being a great photo opportunity, there isn’t much else to see, so if you’re short on time, you may skip it.
8.3 The Round Tower and Trinity Church
Address: Købmagergade 52A, 1150 København
The Round Tower is open from 10:00 to 20:00.
Trinity Church is open from 09:30 to 16:30 (on Sundays from 09:30 to 12:00).
Admission: 40 DKK
Duration: 1 hour
Rating: 5 stars
The Round Tower is part of the Trinity Church complex, which also includes the Copenhagen University Library. It was built to serve as an observatory, a student church, and a library for scholars. The interior is modest, with the impressive chandelier and gold-trimmed ceiling as highlights.
Astronomy flourished in the 17th century, spurred by international rivalries that demanded precise navigation and astronomical techniques. The first observatory in the area was built in 1632, and construction of the Round Tower began in 1637. Visitors must climb its gradually sloping levels in sequence, with some areas requiring a wait. There is also a scale model, astronomical exhibits, and a small viewing window that reveals Denmark’s geographic zero point—every measurement in Denmark begins from this point. Looking through a transparent glass floor 25 meters down shows this reference point. The rooftop terrace, protected by a railing, offers splendid views of Copenhagen’s old town.
8.4 Christiania
Coordinates: 55.67332761767232, 12.596247405065222
Duration: 1 hour
Rating: 5 stars
Christiania is a self-proclaimed autonomous area in Copenhagen that operates under a communal system. It has its own governing council and approximately 900 residents, most of whom are hippies, free-spirited artists, grassroots activists, or rock musicians with a strong sense of independence. The area has its own currency system, post office, health clinic, and school, and is exempt from Denmark’s indoor smoking and cannabis restrictions. It even has its own national anthem, flag, and emblem.
Although there are signs at the entrance prohibiting photography and imposing other rules, these restrictions have relaxed in recent years, allowing for casual photos of graffiti as long as residents are not featured. The most distinctive street, Pusher Street, is known for selling cannabis and even firearms, so it is best not to take out your camera. When we visited, the Copenhagen Police had placed a warning sign at the entrance about frequent criminal activity, advising tourists against entering. Consequently, we decided to skip the interior.
