Aarhus – Denmark’s ‘art-house’ city break

Creative and innovative, Aarhus, Denmark’s second largest city, offers a vibrant art and cultural scene making it an excellent choice for an ‘art-house’ weekend away. Retaining its status from the 70’s as Denmark’s ‘City of Music’, Aarhus has continued to grow its well-deserved reputation for nurturing and supporting the arts with theatres, museums, galleries and music venues popping up throughout the city.

Aarhus’s recent and most impressive development must be the ARoS (aros.dk). Opened in 2004, this striking modernist white building has put Aarhus firmly on the map as a city of art and culture. One of the largest and architecturally impressive museums in Northern Europe, it houses the largest collection of art outside Copenhagen, spanning some 300 years, from traditional Danish to contemporary international works of art. Ever evolving, its newest installation on the roof, ‘Sky Space’ by the Danish Artist Olafur Eliasson, is due to open within the next year or two.

In addition to this art ‘Powerhouse’, Aarhus’s smaller modern galleries and handicraft workshops, such as Galleri Jarsbo, Ulrik Witt’s House, 1+1 textil, 24M and Nr 4, showcase an inspiring collection of works from world-renowned to young contemporary artists. Covering everything from paintings, ceramics, glass and textiles to handmade jewellery, many are run and owned by the artists providing the unique opportunity to meet the person behind the works of art.

And if less static art is more to your liking, you won’t be disappointed. Resonating throughout the various concert halls, music venues and local cafes, Aarhus caters to a wide variety of music lovers with everything from opera and jazz to rock and hip-hop. Building on its standing as the ‘City of Music’, it also plays host to a number of internationally acclaimed festivals including the popular SPOT Festival in June (rosa.org), Aarhus International Jazz Festival in July (jazzfest.dk) and Scandinavia’s largest hip hop festival ‘Aarhus Took It’ in October (aarhustookit.dk).

There are also over 30 theatres in the city offering a highly varied and colourful theatrical programme. Covering a very broad spectrum, from classical performances at the Helsingor Theater (dengamleby.dk) - Denmark’s oldest theatre - to more experimental acts from Teater Gruppe 38 (gruppe38.dk), there is something to suit all tastes and ages. For a real treat, book a prime seat in the lavishly adorned Aarhus Theatre (aarhusteater.dk) with its extravagantly decorated interior or in one of the eight auditoriums at the city’s sparkling palace-like glass Concert Hall, Musikhuset Arhus (musikhusetaarhus.dk).

To find out more about the city and its history, other attractions well worth a visit include the Moesgård Museum (moesmus.dk) which goes back over 1300 years to the days of the Vikings; Den Gamle By - The Old Town (dengamleby.dk) - a 5 star attraction literally housing a stunning collection of 75 authentic historic buildings to offer a living history of life in the 1900’s; and one of the few Women’s Museums in the world providing an insight into the life of Danish women over the centuries (womensmuseum.dk).

With so much to see and do, an excellent way of experiencing all the arts is to stay during Aarhus Festival Week. Running from mid August to the first week in September, the festival is themed differently each year and covers everything from theatre performances, concerts, opera and ballet to sport (aarhusfestuge.dk).

Alternatively, in October, a condensed version, aptly named the ‘Night of Culture’, offers visitors the unique opportunity to visit buildings and institutions, which are normally not open to the public, to see a selection of musical and theatre performances, poetry readings and art exhibitions all in one night (kulturnataarhus.dk).

Complemented by excellent range of restaurants, cafes and bars, Aarhus is the perfect weekend escape to have your fill of art and satisfy the hungriest of appetites.

Getting There

Less than two hours flying time, Sterling has direct daily flights from Gatwick to Billund from where there is an easy 90 minute bus transfer which takes visitors directly into the city (sterling.dk). Aarhus also offers a good range of accommodation from international hotels to private bed and breakfast accommodation and hostels.

In June 2008, the 65 bed roomed A new boutique hotel, Hotel Oasia has recently opened offering distinctly Nordic designed rooms with clean lines and discreet luxury. A one night stay costs from £140 per room per night based on two sharing (hoteloasia.dk).

For more information on Aarhus go to visitaarhus.dk.