Aarhus, Denmark: Rainbows, Viking Ghosts & a Baby Moose

Aarhus is Denmark’s second-largest city, but it feels like a secret. A perfectly balanced blend of nature and culture with just enough edge to keep things interesting. It’s where we saw a baby moose take its first steps, wandered through rainbow-colored rooftops, and got lost in time (literally) in an open-air museum.

WHAT WE DID

What We Loved

Aarhus surprised us in all the best ways. Museums, forests, theme parks — this was Denmark with a twist.

Scandinavian Animal Park – One of our favorite animal experiences in Europe. We watched polar bears splash around, bears wrestle in a pond, and yes — saw a baby moose wobble into the world. It’s all set in big, open enclosures that feel close but respectful. Rex couldn’t come, but it was worth the dog-free day.

Djurs Sommerland – An amusement park full of roller coasters, water rides, and a dino-themed land that somehow wasn’t cheesy. Great for older kids and teens, with enough to keep adults entertained too.

Den Gamle By – This open-air museum is like walking through Danish history — literally. Each section recreates a different era, from the 1800s to a perfectly nostalgic 1970s setup. We stepped into old shops, homes, and even a fully recreated 2014 block. Time travel, minus the jetlag.

ARoS Aarhus Art Museum – You’ve seen the photos of the rainbow walkway on the roof, and yes, it’s just as cool in person. The inside is full of contemporary art that’s weird in a good way. We didn’t expect Dylan to be into it, but he was.

Moesgaard Museum – This place is built into a hillside and filled with Viking relics, Bronze Age warriors, and stories told with immersive design. We didn’t go in but explored the beaches everyday.

Tivoli Friheden – A smaller amusement park right in the city, good for a casual afternoon of rides and snacks. We wouldn’t travel for it, but it’s a great add-on if you’re already in town.

If We Had More Time…

There’s always more to see. These are the things we didn’t get to but would love to check out next time:

🛶 The Infinite Bridge – A circular bridge over the sea that disappears into the water. Beautiful, peaceful, and super photogenic.It wasn’t built for the season when we were there.

🌿 Marselisborg Deer Park – A forest park where you can (carefully) walk among free-roaming deer. Next time, we’re bringing apples and more time.

📸 Your Rainbow Panorama at Sunset – We saw it in the afternoon, but next time we’re timing it for golden hour.

🚴 Bike the Forest Routes – Aarhus has gorgeous woodland trails just outside the city. Perfect for a family ride (minus Rex, who still refuses to pedal).

⚓ The Old Town Harbor Baths – For a warm-weather visit, there are public sea baths right in the harbor. Cold dip + hot sauna? We’re in.

WHERE WE STAYED

We stayed in an Airbnb during our time in Aarhus. The location was great — walkable, quiet, and close to everything we wanted to see. Unfortunately, the place itself wasn’t our favorite. It was a little rough around the edges (read: pretty dirty), and we wouldn’t stay there again.
Next time, we’re going with one of the hotels we researched before the trip — the kind of place you actually want to come back to at the end of the day. You can read more about those picks here in our Aarhus hotel guide.

Should You Visit Aarhus?

If you like a city with art, history, and just enough quirky energy to keep it from being too polished — yes. Aarhus gives you access to wild nature, brilliant museums, and surprising moments (see: moose birth) without the big-city overwhelm. It’s Denmark’s best-kept secret — for now.