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Salling ROOFTOP, Aarhus

Aarhus’ open-air living room in the sky: free city views, glass skywalk thrills, lush roof garden and relaxed café culture atop the Salling department store.

4.6

High above Aarhus’ main shopping street, Salling ROOFTOP crowns the Salling department store with a free 360-degree viewing deck, glass skywalk and lush city roof garden. This expansive urban terrace blends panorama views of the harbor and cathedral spires with cafe and wine bar service, lounge areas, sculptures and sky swings. It is a central, easy-to-visit spot for coffee, cocktails, light meals and striking photos in every season.

A brief summary to Salling ROOFTOP

  • Søndergade 27, Aarhus, Aarhus C, 8000, DK
  • +4587786000
  • Visit website
  • Duration: 0.5 to 3 hours
  • Mid ranged
  • Environment icon Mixed
  • Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
  • Monday 10 am-7 pm
  • Tuesday 10 am-7 pm
  • Wednesday 10 am-7 pm
  • Thursday 10 am-7 pm
  • Friday 10 am-7 pm
  • Saturday 10 am-6 pm
  • Sunday 10 am-6 pm

Local tips

  • Come early on sunny weekends to enjoy front-row views and lounge seating before the rooftop becomes busy around midday and mid-afternoon.
  • Try the glass skywalk even if you are nervous with heights: step slowly, look ahead rather than down, and let someone else take the photos.
  • Bring an extra layer outside of high summer; the rooftop is more exposed to wind and can feel cooler than street level.
  • Entry to the rooftop is free, so you can simply enjoy the views and garden and only buy food or drinks if you wish.
  • Pets are not allowed on Salling ROOFTOP or in the Roofgarden, so plan accordingly if you are exploring Aarhus with a dog.
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Getting There

  • Walking from Aarhus H (central station)

    From Aarhus H, allow about 10–15 minutes on foot to reach Salling department store in Midtbyen. The walk is along busy, mostly level city streets and pedestrian zones, suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. There is no cost, but in wet or icy weather the final stretch on the pedestrian street can feel a little slippery, so wear shoes with good grip.

  • City bus to Aarhus city centre

    Multiple city bus routes stop within a 5–10 minute walk of Salling on key central corridors such as Park Allé and Banegårdspladsen. Typical single tickets within Aarhus city cost around 20–25 DKK and buses usually run every 5–15 minutes during the day. Most buses are low-floor and accessible, but services can be crowded at rush hour and on rainy days.

  • Driving and parking in central Aarhus

    If you arrive by car, plan to use a nearby multi-storey car park, such as those attached to central shopping centres or municipal garages within roughly 5–10 minutes’ walk. Expect to pay about 15–30 DKK per hour depending on the facility and time of day. Spaces can fill quickly on Saturdays and during December, so allow extra time and be prepared for narrow ramps and tight turns in some older garages.

  • Cycling in the city centre

    Aarhus is cycle-friendly, and many visitors arrive by bike, using the city’s network of cycle lanes. Travel times from most central neighbourhoods are 5–15 minutes. You can lock your bike in public racks near the main pedestrian street; there is no direct cycle access onto the rooftop itself. Be aware that bike parking is busy at peak shopping hours and during major events.

Salling ROOFTOP location weather suitability

  • Weather icon Clear Skies
  • Weather icon Mild Temperatures
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  • Weather icon Cold Weather
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Discover more about Salling ROOFTOP

Skyline views above the heart of Aarhus

Perched on top of the Salling department store on Søndergade, Salling ROOFTOP lifts you straight from the bustle of the pedestrian street into open sky and sweeping city views. From the large terraces you can trace the curve of Aarhus Bay, pick out the cathedral spire and the ARoS art museum, and watch buses and cyclists thread through the streets far below. The design is intentionally open and multi-level, with broad decks, raised platforms and sheltered corners that invite you to wander rather than simply look. Even on cooler days, blankets and heat lamps often make it possible to linger over the panorama while the city hums beneath your feet.

Glass skywalk and urban thrills

One of the rooftop’s most distinctive elements is its glass skywalk, a walkway projecting over the edge of the building that leaves only clear glass between you and the shopping street 27 meters below. Stepping out over this transparent floor adds a gentle dose of adrenaline to the otherwise relaxed atmosphere and gives a dramatic vantage point for looking straight down into the urban canyon. The skywalk and surrounding viewing platforms create varied perspectives on the cityscape, from wide-angle horizons to close-up glimpses of rooftops, chimneys and nearby towers. At night or during the Christmas season, lights and decorations across central Aarhus turn this elevated perch into a particularly atmospheric lookout.

Roofgarden: a park in the sky

Extending beyond the main terraces, Salling ROOFGARDEN transforms a large section of the roof into an elevated city park. Here, trees, shrubs, roses and hundreds of perennials are planted in layers, softening the hard edges of the architecture and offering a surprisingly green refuge above the streets. Artistic sculptural benches, sky swings and winding paths give this area a playful character. You can slip into quiet nooks among the plantings, pause at viewpoints framed by foliage, or sit on imaginative seating that doubles as public art. The mix of greenery, design and open sky makes the garden area rewarding in all seasons, from fresh spring growth to frosty winter outlines.

Café life, cocktails and seasonal events

Food and drink are central to the experience. The rooftop café and bar serve brunch-style plates, smørrebrød, salads, burgers, snacks and desserts alongside coffee, soft drinks, wine and cocktails. There is both indoor seating and outdoor lounge furniture, so you can choose between cozy shelter and full exposure to sun and breeze. Throughout the year, the space hosts events ranging from intimate concerts and DJ evenings to themed dining nights. The rooftop can also be booked for private functions in set areas, combining city views with a tailored food and drink setup. Even outside event times, the blend of music, clinking glasses and relaxed conversation gives the terraces a sociable, urban vibe.

Architecture, access and practical details

Opened in 2017 and later expanded with the Roofgarden, Salling ROOFTOP has been recognized for its innovative architecture and its role in turning a department store roof into a public city space. The design stitches together bar, bistro, zen-like garden zones, stage areas and the skywalk into one coherent rooftop landscape. Access is via the store’s lifts and escalators, and entry to the rooftop itself is free, with payment only for what you eat and drink. Dogs are not allowed, and some areas can feel busy at peak times, though there are usually quieter corners deeper into the garden. With level access points and wide decks, much of the rooftop is reasonably manageable for visitors with limited mobility, though the glass skywalk may feel challenging for anyone with a strong fear of heights.

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