URBAN EXPLORATION #1 Star Of The North
Hop off the hygge bandwagon and head to Aarhus, European City Of Culture 2017, without a woolly jumper in sight
HORN OF PLENTY
Aarhus is better known for its secondhand shops than highend menswear (though for the latter, head to Harder harder.dk). It does, however, boast a fine pedigree in design stores. Our top pick, Hornvarefabrikken hornvarefabrikken.dk, sells everything from jewellery to cutlery via homewares, all hand- crafted from cow horn.
GREAT ESCAPE
Dropping kroner like they’ve gone out of fashion is worryingly easy in Aarhus. But you can soak up all the sights and sounds of this culturally rich city – without unpocketing your wallet – on the free-to-hire bikes. Cycle down woodland coastal trails south of the centre and watch the bay of Aarhus’s icy waves lap against bare beaches of pristine white sand.
DAILY BREAD
For haute Nordic cuisine without the fussiness, head for Hærværk restaurant-haervaerk.dk in the city’s foodie heartland, where the set menu changes based on whatever takes the chef’s fancy that morning. For simpler tastes, the best smørrebrød – Aarhus’s trademark open sandwiches – can be found at Raadhuus kafeenraadhuus-kafeen.dk.
PLAY TIME
Aarhus has no shortage of bars for those looking to make merry with the locals. Play ping-pong while you sip on Danish beer at hipster hangout Shen Mao shenmao.dk, or for one of the more bizarre drinking experiences you’re ever likely to have, head to Cirkuskroen cirkuskroen.dk, where 500 clown puppets and figurines hang from the ceiling of an intimate, little pub.
CULTURED VIEW
For its size, Aarhus punches above its weight in cultural terms, hence its recent European Capital of Culture status. Even if you’d rather watch paint dry than see a worldclass art collection, AROS aros.dk is a must-see for its panoramic city views, observed through coloured glass, and the exceptional food hall. Try the red deer with reindeer moss and blackberries.
LATIN CLASS
To the north of the city’s historic Latin Quarter, Guldsmeden Hotel guldsmedenhotels.com/aarhus epitomises unpretentious Danish simplicity. The 27 rooms aren’t ostentatious nor nauseatingly hygge – just laidback luxury, from beds carved out of Danish teak to organic produce at the breakfast buffet. You won’t find a more authentic hotel for the price.