Den Gamle By – The Old Town

Step through five centuries of Danish life in this immersive open-air museum of reconstructed historic buildings.

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The Old Town

Den Gamle By is Denmark's premier open-air town museum, featuring 75 meticulously reconstructed historic buildings spanning from the 1550s to 2014. Located within the Aarhus Botanical Gardens, this immersive attraction transports visitors through centuries of Danish urban life, from half-timbered Renaissance structures to 1970s apartments and a contemporary 2014 street. With costumed interpreters, working shops, period restaurants, and interactive experiences, it offers a living chronicle of everyday Danish culture and craftsmanship.

A brief summary to The Old Town

Viborgvej 2, Aarhus C, Aarhus C, 8000, DK
+4586123188
Visit website
Duration: 2.5 to 5 hours
Mid ranged
Outdoor
Mobile reception: 4 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

Visit from April onward to experience costumed interpreters performing period-appropriate activities and engaging with visitors throughout the museum.
Wear comfortable walking shoes; cobblestone streets in the 1864 neighborhood can be challenging for some visitors, though mobility scooters are available free of charge from the Information desk.
Plan for at least 3–4 hours to meaningfully explore multiple eras; the museum is extensive and rewards unhurried exploration of buildings, shops, and gardens.
Bring cash for purchases in historical shops and for dining at period restaurants; the bakery's fresh bread and traditional Danish open-faced sandwiches are worth sampling.
Dogs are welcome in the streets but not in buildings; service dogs and guide dogs are exempt from this restriction.

Getting There

Public Bus

Several public bus routes serve Den Gamle By directly. Journey time from central Aarhus is approximately 10–15 minutes depending on the route and traffic conditions. Buses are frequent during daytime hours, with reduced service in early morning and evening. Single tickets cost around 24 DKK (approximately 3.20 EUR) for a standard journey within Aarhus.
Bicycle

Aarhus is a highly bicycle-friendly city. Den Gamle By is accessible by bike from central Aarhus via dedicated cycle paths, taking approximately 15–20 minutes depending on your starting point. The museum has bicycle parking facilities available. This is a popular and practical option for visitors staying in the city center.
Taxi or Rideshare

Taxis and rideshare services (such as Uber or local alternatives) operate throughout Aarhus. Journey time from the city center is approximately 10–15 minutes depending on traffic. Costs typically range from 80–150 DKK (approximately 11–20 EUR) for a standard trip from central Aarhus.
Personal Vehicle

Den Gamle By has on-site parking available. Free disabled parking is provided for vehicles displaying a disabled permit. Standard parking rates apply for other vehicles. The museum is located at Viborgvej 2, 8000 Aarhus, with clear signage from major roads. Journey time from central Aarhus is approximately 10 minutes by car.

The Old Town location weather suitability

Any Weather
Mild Temperatures

Discover more about The Old Town

A Living Chronicle of Danish Urban Culture

Den Gamle By opened in 1914 as Denmark's first open-air museum dedicated to town culture rather than rural life, and it remains one of the country's most visited attractions outside Copenhagen. The museum houses 75 buildings collected from across Denmark, each carefully relocated and reconstructed to preserve authentic architectural and social history. These structures span from a storage house built around 1550 to contemporary installations, creating a unique narrative of how ordinary Danes lived, worked, and shaped their communities over five centuries. The museum's layout is organized chronologically, allowing visitors to walk backward through time. Each era is represented as a complete neighborhood with streets, residences, shops, workshops, and public spaces that reflect the material conditions and social values of their period. This approach transforms the museum from a static collection into an immersive environment where history becomes tangible and relatable.

Medieval and Renaissance Foundations

The oldest section features buildings from before 1900, including structures from the era of Hans Christian Andersen. These predominantly half-timbered Renaissance buildings showcase the craftsmanship and architectural traditions of Denmark's medieval and early modern periods. The Mayor's House from Aarhus, dating to 1597, stands as one of the most significant Danish half-timbered Renaissance buildings and serves as a centerpiece of this section. Visitors encounter a small market town atmosphere with traditional residences, workshops for various trades, a school, a customs office, and a post office, all furnished and decorated to reflect daily life from 1600 to 1850.

Industrial Progress and Urban Modernization

The 1927 neighborhood captures the moment when Denmark embraced modernity. Streets feature electric streetlights, telephone wires, automobiles, and sidewalks—innovations that transformed urban life. The period includes a hardware store, bookstore, soap house, telephone exchange, and the authentic car dealership Automobilforretning Carl Christensen with its own workshop. This section illustrates how mass production and consumer goods began entering ordinary households, and how the automobile reshaped urban planning and social interaction.

Welfare State and Cultural Shifts

The 1970s quarter presents a dramatically different social landscape. Visitors encounter apartments representing diverse household structures: a nuclear family, a collective living arrangement, a hippie couple, and a single mother—reflecting the era's social experimentation and changing family structures. The neighborhood includes a radio and television shop, convenience store, butcher, paint and wallpaper shop, kindergarten, hairdresser, and moped workshop. Backyards display period vehicles and feature scout meeting places and decorated outdoor toilets adorned with era-specific poetry. This section demonstrates how welfare policies, feminism, and counterculture movements reshaped Danish society.

Contemporary Life and Ongoing History

The newest addition, Queen Margrethe's Street from 2014, represents a striking departure from traditional museum practice by documenting the present. The street features contemporary storefronts including a tanning salon, 7-Eleven, bank, pizzeria, and the Bent J jazz bar, where the scent of spilled beer and smoke lingers authentically. Two apartments showcase modern life: one belonging to a single woman named Rikke, and another home to a rainbow family with three children. Recorded interviews with residents discuss contemporary concerns—work, parenting, relationships—making clear that history continues to unfold. This section challenges visitors to recognize their own era as historically significant.

Living History and Immersive Experience

From April onward, costumed interpreters inhabit the museum year-round, engaging in period-appropriate activities: baking bread using historical recipes, chopping wood, crafting goods, and operating shops. These living historians invite interaction, sometimes enlisting visitors to fetch water from wells or carry waste to dung heaps. Horse-drawn carriages offer rides through the streets, and working shops allow visitors to make purchases from historical merchants. The museum's own bakery produces fresh bread and cakes daily using traditional methods, while the restaurant Gæstgivergården serves dishes inspired by historical cookbooks, including open-faced sandwiches and warm lunch options. Seasonal variations mean different restaurants operate depending on the time of year, with up to three venues open during summer months.

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.

Den Gamle By – The Old Town

A brief summary to The Old Town

Local tips

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

Getting There

Public Bus

Bicycle

Taxi or Rideshare

Personal Vehicle

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 Chronicle of Danish Urban Culture

Medieval and Renaissance Foundations

Industrial Progress and Urban Modernization

Welfare State and Cultural Shifts

Contemporary Life and Ongoing History

Living History and Immersive Experience

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

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