Århus
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History
Århus is Denmark's second largest city with a population around 300,000 habitants. It's one of Scandinavia's oldest cities and dates back to year 770. The Vikings settled by the mouth of the river where the cathedral is today. The "Bispetorv" square was also the centre of the town back then.
The Vikings chose Århus because of it's position in the bay. It was easy to reach from the sea and they could sail many kilometres into the hinterland by using the river. Here they were protected against possible hostile attaks from the sea. The Vikings called the town "Aros" which means the mouth of the river and it's the word from which "Århus" of today originates.
The city grew up around the mouth of the Århus Å river and started to expand outside the original area in the 12th. century. Though it wasn't until mid 19th- century that the actual expansion of Århus into the city we know today began to take place.
Getting to Århus
Århus airport services several European flights. An option is also to fly into Billund airport. Eurolines is another option who has a wide bus service around Europe. Finally you can take the train, maybe using interrail.
Getting to/from the airport
You can catch the airport bus from Århus airport. It's a 45 minutes ride and will take you to the train station in the centre. One way ticket is 90kr. If you chose to fly to Billund there's an airport bus directly to Århus, stopping in the centre as well.
Getting around in Århus
You can drive around Århus but there can be lots of traffic and it's quite expensive to park your car, unless you are willing to walk a lot. Instead use the public buses which takes you anywhere in the city and in the suburbs. Timetables can be found here. Tickets are for adults 18kr. and a travel ten is between 115-210kr. depending on how many zones you need to cover.
Of course you can also walk around the city which will make you able to see more of the city.
Sights
Den Gamle By is an outdoor museum where you can experience life as it was lived when H.C. Andersen was alive. Visit the different houses, shops and gardens to get a feeling of it all. From Easter to Christmas you can experience the town with people working and living in the houses and maybe get a chat with one of them.
Moesgård Museum has an archaeological and ethnographic collections. You can also visit the various houses of the Vikings. It's also here you can experience the Vikings fighting once a year in July.
Aros is the art museum.
