The Old Town (Den Gamle By), Aarhus

Walk through 400 years of Danish town life in a single day at Aarhus’ immersive open‑air museum, where cobbled streets, historic houses and living history tell everyday stories.

4.6

Looking to book tours, experiences or hotels? Let me help you...

Home
Denmark
Horsens
The Old Town

Step into Denmark’s past at The Old Town (Den Gamle By), Aarhus’ remarkable open‑air museum where entire streets and buildings from across the country have been reconstructed. Wander cobbled lanes, timbered merchants’ houses and working workshops, then move through 19th‑century quarters into the 1920s, 1970s and even a street from 2014. Costumed interpreters, historic shops and traditional eateries make this one of Scandinavia’s most immersive journeys through everyday Danish life.

A brief summary to The Old Town

Viborgvej 2, Aarhus C, Aarhus C, 8000, DK
+4586123188
Visit website
Duration: 3.5 to 6 hours
Mid ranged
Mixed
Mobile reception: 5 out of 5

Monday 10 am-5 pm
Tuesday 10 am-5 pm
Wednesday 10 am-5 pm
Thursday 10 am-5 pm
Friday 10 am-5 pm
Saturday 10 am-5 pm
Sunday 10 am-5 pm

Local tips

Plan at least 4–5 hours to explore multiple time periods, go inside houses and visit some of the smaller themed museums without feeling rushed.
Wear comfortable shoes; many streets are cobbled and you will be walking on uneven surfaces and climbing historic staircases.
Check seasonal programmes in advance if you are interested in costumed activities or Christmas events, as these add extra atmosphere.
Combine your visit with the nearby Botanical Garden for a relaxed break between exploring the older and newer town sections.
If visiting with children, look out for family‑oriented activities and interactive spaces where they can try old‑fashioned games or schoolrooms.

Getting There

City bus from central Aarhus

From the central area around Aarhus H railway station, use one of the city buses heading towards Viborgvej and alight near the Botanical Garden, a journey of about 10–15 minutes depending on traffic. Buses run frequently during the day, and a single adult ticket typically costs around 20–25 DKK, with discounts available via travel cards. This option is convenient year‑round and avoids the need to find parking near the museum.
Walking from Aarhus city centre

If you are staying in the central districts, you can reach The Old Town on foot in roughly 20–25 minutes from the main pedestrian streets. The route passes through urban areas and the edge of the Botanical Garden, with some gentle inclines but no demanding terrain. Surfaces are mostly paved, though parts near the gardens can be slightly uneven, so comfortable footwear is recommended.
Taxi from inner Aarhus

A taxi ride from most central hotels or from Aarhus H railway station to The Old Town generally takes around 5–10 minutes outside rush hour. Fares typically fall in the range of 80–140 DKK depending on distance and traffic. This is a practical choice if you are travelling with small children, have limited mobility or are visiting during wet or cold weather.
Cycling from surrounding neighbourhoods

Aarhus is well suited to cycling, and The Old Town is reachable by bike from many neighbourhoods in about 10–20 minutes. Dedicated cycle lanes cover much of the route, though there are short sections shared with traffic. Several bicycle‑parking areas are available near the entrance, but bicycles are not ridden inside the museum streets, so remember a lock and be prepared to walk once you arrive.

The Old Town location weather suitability

Any Weather
Clear Skies
Cold Weather
Mild Temperatures
Rain / Wet Weather

Discover more about The Old Town

A living Danish town preserved in time

The Old Town in Aarhus, known as Den Gamle By, is an open-air museum that feels like a fully formed market town rather than a conventional exhibition. Historic houses, shops and workshops from cities all over Denmark have been dismantled and painstakingly rebuilt here around winding cobbled streets and small squares. Timbered facades lean over narrow lanes, roses climb garden fences and church bells and horses’ hooves add to the sense that everyday life from another era is still quietly unfolding around you. Unlike many museums, the collection is not confined to display cases. You step directly into historic homes furnished with period objects, peek into merchants’ parlours and climb creaking staircases to tiny attics. Small details – worn doorsteps, uneven brickwork, the smell of tar and wood in old workshops – give the impression of a town that has simply continued to exist while the world outside has moved on.

From Hans Christian Andersen’s time back to the 1600s

The oldest quarter of The Old Town evokes a small Danish market town as it might have appeared in the 18th and 19th centuries, and in some cases even earlier. Many of the buildings date back to the 1600s, including merchant houses, warehouses and modest cottages transported here from across the country and reassembled beam by beam. Half-timbered structures, tiny leaded windows and deeply pitched roofs tell stories of pre‑industrial Denmark, when trade, craftsmanship and agriculture shaped everyday life. Here you find an old schoolhouse, a customs booth, a water mill and workshops for trades such as shoemaking and printing. Interiors are carefully recreated with authentic tools, textiles and household items, giving a tactile sense of how people slept, cooked, worked and socialised. In the gardens, traditional vegetables and flowers grow in neat beds, echoing the self‑sufficient rhythms of earlier centuries.

Modernity arrives: the 1927 city streets

Moving forward in time, you step into a 1927 city quarter where Denmark embraces modern urban life. Streets are lined with solid brick facades, painted advertisements and early neon signs. Cars have joined horse-drawn carts, telegraph wires crisscross above and wide pavements invite window‑shopping. A hardware store, bookshop, post office, telephone exchange and a fully recreated car dealership complete with vintage vehicles and workshop equipment reveal the excitement and anxieties of a society being reshaped by technology. Inside these shops, goods reflect changing tastes: mass‑produced household items, cosmetics and packaged foods that made modern comfort accessible to a broader public. Walking this quarter, you sense how quickly the pace of life increased between the late 19th century and the interwar years, and how ideas of fashion, advertising and mobility began to transform Danish towns.

Everyday stories of welfare Denmark and recent decades

Further along the timeline, The Old Town presents scenes from the 1970s, when new social ideas and family structures took hold in Denmark. Here, apartments show shared living spaces, single‑parent households and colourful interiors filled with plastic furniture, posters and vinyl records. A moped repair shop, small convenience store and other businesses illustrate the era of youth culture, expanded education and the growing welfare state. Unusually for an open‑air museum, the story continues right up to the 21st century. A reconstructed street from 2014 features familiar contemporary shops such as a pizzeria, tanning salon, convenience store and a legendary local bar. By placing the very recent past beside the 1970s and earlier, The Old Town invites you to see your own time as part of a continually evolving historical narrative, rather than something separate from “history”.

Costumed life, small museums and seasonal experiences

From spring onwards, costumed staff animate the streets, working as bakers, shopkeepers, farmhands and household servants. They chop wood, prepare meals, tend gardens or serve customers, and are ready to explain their tasks in character. Horse‑drawn carriage rides, traditional games and period music add layers of sound and movement that make the town feel genuinely lived in. Scattered throughout the streets are smaller specialist museums and exhibitions focusing on themes such as toys, clocks, printing, fashion and Danish everyday culture. Temporary exhibitions highlight particular decades or social topics, while seasonal programmes bring extra atmosphere: Christmas markets with illuminated windows and spicy scents, or summer days when washing hangs in courtyards and children play in the alleys. Historic eateries, including a traditional inn and cafes, serve dishes inspired by old cookbooks, making it easy to turn a visit into a full day immersed in Danish history.

Planning your time in The Old Town

With its many streets, interiors and exhibitions spread across several historical periods, The Old Town rewards slow exploration. Allow several hours to wander, pausing to enter houses and talk to costumed interpreters. Families find plenty of hands‑on activities, while architecture and design enthusiasts can trace construction methods and interior styles across four centuries. Because much of the museum is outdoors with some cobblestones and uneven surfaces, comfortable footwear is essential, and a flexible schedule helps you follow your curiosity from one era to the next.

Iconic landmarks you can’t miss

Kunst ved Kaserneboulevarden

0.8 km

Explore contemporary art at Kunst ved Kaserneboulevarden, Aarhus' premier gallery showcasing local and international talent.

Den Svangre

0.9 km

A bronze sculpture celebrating the female form in Aarhus's cultural heart.

Agnete og Havmanden

0.9 km

Discover the poetic fusion of Danish folklore and modern sculpture at Aarhus’ Agnete og Havmanden, a landmark bronze fountain embodying myth and emotion.

Herman Sallings Plads

1.2 km

Aarhus’s vibrant harborfront plaza, bridging the historic city and the modern waterfront, alive with urban energy, culture, and panoramic views.

Endless Connection

1.3 km

Experience the dynamic interplay of art and water at Aarhus's Endless Connection, an interactive fountain by Jeppe Hein.

Aarhus waterfront

1.3 km

Aarhus Waterfront blends urban vibrancy, Nordic design, and harbor heritage with panoramic sea views and lively promenades, making it a quintessential Danish experience.

Frederiks Plads

1.3 km

A vibrant, contemporary city square where modern architecture, open green space, and urban life converge in the heart of Aarhus near Frederiksbjerg.

University Park, Aarhus

1.4 km

Explore seven centuries of art at SMK – Denmark’s national gallery, marrying old masters, modern pioneers, and cutting-edge exhibitions in stunning parkland surroundings.

Folkehuset Trøjborg

1.6 km

Folkehuset Trøjborg blends Danish hygge, vibrant community life, and affordable culture, making it a beloved gathering place in the heart of Aarhus’ Trøjborg district.

Nordisk Film Cinemas Trøjborg

2.0 km

Experience local Danish cinema culture at Nordisk Film Cinemas Trøjborg—an atmospheric neighborhood movie house blending modern comfort with classic charm in Aarhus.

Trøjborg Beboerhus

2.0 km

Experience the vibrant community spirit of Aarhus at Trøjborg Beboerhus, a hub for cultural events, workshops, and local gatherings.

Udsigtspladsen

2.3 km

Experience breathtaking city, harbor, and bay vistas from one of Aarhus C’s most beloved scenic viewpoints, perfect for relaxation and panoramic photography.

Tivoli Friheden

2.4 km

Experience the thrill and magic of Tivoli Friheden, Aarhus' premier amusement park with rides, live music, and family-friendly fun for all ages.

Flagpladsen

3.2 km

Historic plaza overlooking Aarhus Bay, gateway to royal heritage and astronomical discovery.

Marselisborgmonumentet

3.2 km

Standing tall in Mindeparken, Marselisborgmonumentet honors Danish World War I volunteers with solemn beauty, monumental sculpture, and panoramic bay views near Aarhus.

Unmissable attractions to see

Danish Poster Museum

0.1 km

A compact museum inside Den Gamle By where bold graphics, historic campaigns and global visual culture come together in hundreds of eye-catching posters.

Møllen i botanisk have Århus

0.2 km

Urban beach escape south of Aarhus city center, offering clean sands, gentle waters, and year-round access beside forest and royal palace grounds.

Greenhouses in the Botanical Garden

0.3 km

Step into Aarhus’ luminous Greenhouses, where four climate zones, towering tropical plants and Danish landscapes outside create a calm, free botanical escape all year.

Museumsbroen

0.3 km

Historic hilltop observatory in Aarhus offering hands-on astronomy, guided stargazing, and a unique glimpse into Denmark’s pioneering scientific past.

Stenpartiet

0.3 km

A compact rock garden in Aarhus’ Botanical Garden, where stone, slope and hardy plants create a miniature mountain landscape rich in texture and quiet detail.

Mølleparken

0.5 km

Compact yet characterful, Mølleparken is Aarhus’ riverside green room, blending mill-town history, public art, student life and festival energy in one urban pocket.

Møllestien

0.5 km

Pastel cottages, cobbled stones and climbing roses – a tiny historic lane where centuries of Aarhus history live behind colourful facades.

Aarhus Culture Walk

0.5 km

Discover Aarhus' oldest neighborhood, Latinerkvarteret, where historic charm meets modern culture in a vibrant blend of cafés, boutiques, and artistic venues.

Botanical Garden

0.5 km

Free tropical greenhouses and Danish gardens in Aarhus's verdant heart, open year-round.

ARoS Aarhus Art Museum

0.6 km

Ten floors of Danish and international art crowned by a rainbow‑coloured skywalk, ARoS turns Aarhus’s skyline into part of a bold, immersive museum experience.

Kunsthal Aarhus

0.6 km

Free contemporary art in a light-filled modernist space, showcasing international and Danish artists since 1917.

Musikhuset Aarhus

0.7 km

Northern Europe's largest concert hall delivering world-class performances in stunning Scandinavian architecture.

Our Lady Church

0.7 km

Dokk1 is Aarhus’ iconic harborside library and cultural center—where award-winning design, vibrant community life, and panoramic waterfront views combine.

Sherlock Holmes Pub

0.7 km

Discover Aarhus’ charismatic Latin Quarter—a labyrinth of cobbled streets, lively cafés, creative boutiques, and historic charm at the city’s vibrant core.

Klostertorvet

0.8 km

Intimate cobbled square in central Aarhus where monastic history, café life and city shopping streets meet in a relaxed, atmospheric urban pocket.

Modern Nordic bistro flavors and relaxed hotel comfort meet at Restaurant L’øst, a casual yet polished dining room in the very centre of Aarhus C.

Polished menswear boutique on historic Lille Torv, pairing curated designer labels with minimalist interior design and attentive, style-focused service.

Flying Tiger Copenhagen

0.8 km

Aarhus C’s most playful gift shop, renowned for quirky Danish design, affordable treasures, and creative finds—perfect for unique souvenirs and cheerful everyday essentials.

Discover Barstart, Aarhus' premier cocktail bar offering vibrant drinks, small plates, and a unique Tarantino-themed ambiance for an unforgettable night out.

Your Ultimate Free Travel Guide

Discover The Old Town with Evendo, a 100% free app-based travel guide. Explore attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more with ease and convenience.

The Old Town (Den Gamle By), Aarhus

A brief summary to The Old Town

Local tips

For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you

Getting There

City bus from central Aarhus

Walking from Aarhus city centre

Taxi from inner Aarhus

Cycling from surrounding neighbourhoods

The Old Town location weather suitability

Unlock the Best of The Old Town

Buy tickets

Book tours with entry

Book tours without entry

Discover more about The Old Town

A living Danish town preserved in time

From Hans Christian Andersen’s time back to the 1600s

Modernity arrives: the 1927 city streets

Everyday stories of welfare Denmark and recent decades

Costumed life, small museums and seasonal experiences

Planning your time in The Old Town

Iconic landmarks you can’t miss

Kunst ved Kaserneboulevarden

Den Svangre

Agnete og Havmanden

Herman Sallings Plads

Endless Connection

Aarhus waterfront

Frederiks Plads

University Park, Aarhus

Folkehuset Trøjborg

Nordisk Film Cinemas Trøjborg

Trøjborg Beboerhus

Udsigtspladsen

Tivoli Friheden

Flagpladsen

Marselisborgmonumentet

Unmissable attractions to see

Danish Poster Museum

Møllen i botanisk have Århus

Greenhouses in the Botanical Garden

Museumsbroen

Stenpartiet

Mølleparken

Møllestien

Aarhus Culture Walk

Botanical Garden

ARoS Aarhus Art Museum

Kunsthal Aarhus

Musikhuset Aarhus

Our Lady Church

Sherlock Holmes Pub

Klostertorvet

Essential places to dine

Restaurant Malt - Mad, Øl & Vin

Møf

AmoRomA

Restaurant Amalfi

Den Lille Kro

Gastro & Vino

Lupo

Lydmar Restaurang

Bardok

SYV NI 13

Keyser Social

Tir Na nÓg - Irish Gastropub

Restaurant Dauphine ApS

Faour

Restaurant L'øst

Markets, malls and hidden boutiques

1 + 1 Textil & Design

Darling Inspire

Vintage Divine

Epic Panda

Blue Caviar

Hørlyck Aarhus

CHANEL FRAGRANCE AND BEAUTY BOUTIQUE

SEPHORA MAGASIN AARHUS

& Other Stories

UNIQ