Top 5 Things to Do in Aarhus, Denmark

Deep within the picturesque landscapes of Denmark, a “City of Smiles” emerges, bearing the weight of centuries gone by. Aarhus, the ancient marvel that has witnessed the flow of time for over 1,200 years, stands as proof of resilience and rich history. Once a humble Viking city, it has blossomed into a vibrant cultural and economic hub, attracting adventurers from far and wide. In this article, we will look into the top things you can do in Aarhus and throw a comprehensive travel guide your way. Why wait? Let’s dive in.

Visit The Famous Aarhus Domkirke

The Aarhus Domkirke, or Aarhus Cathedral, is a striking landmark that dominates the city's skyline. Enter the sacred chambers of this beautiful building, and you will find yourself in a timeless environment. The Domkirke has been an important part of Danish culture since its founding in the 12th century. You can make out the fine Gothic embellishments as you approach its impressive entrance. The exterior's stonework is a stunning display of the craftsmanship that went into its creation. Feelings of awe and peace wash over while entering the cathedral. Here the large foyer and the splendor of the holy place spread out before you. Admire the sky-high arched ceilings that appear to go on forever. Sunlight entering through the stained glass windows creates a kaleidoscope of colors on the walls, giving the room a spiritually uplifting atmosphere.

As you progress through the building, your attention will inevitably be drawn to the exquisite altarpieces. These works of art passed down through the years, reflect biblical narratives and are bound to stir your soul with their beauty and solemnity. Interesting Fact: There are more than 200 kilometers of bike trails and lanes in Aarhus, making it a very bike-able city.

Take a Tour of the Magnificent Botanical Gardens

The Aarhus Botanical Garden is a peaceful haven in the middle of Denmark's second-largest city. Anyone looking for a tranquil respite from the bustle of city life will find what they want in this beautiful garden. The Botanical Garden is quite easy to get to. You can take a bus or stroll there if you're already nearby. This garden's vast vistas, colorful blooms, and unique plant collections are sure to captivate visitors. The garden's well-kept trails lead to various themed areas that feature ecosystems and plants of varying types. Everywhere you turn, there's something fresh and beautiful to see, from tranquil ponds covered with water lilies to lush greenhouses brimming with exotic plants.

Plan a Visit to The Aros Aarhus Art Museum

The Aros Aarhus Art Museum is an artistic treasure of Aarhus. This fascinating museum is notable for its extensive collection of modern artwork and its unique and eye-catching structure. Upon entering, you'll be met by the museum's signature rainbow panorama, a circular corridor surrounded by colored glass panels that frame sweeping city views. It's an eye-popping, one-of-a-kind prologue to the rest of the museum's artistic treasures.

The museum's rooftop features "Your Rainbow Panorama," one of its most popular displays. This glass ring overlooks all of Aarhus, and its colors shift with the light. It's an impressive all-encompassing spectacle that incorporates the city's landscape, architectural features, and works of art.

Try Street Food at Tatashe

If you're a street food lover craving bold flavors and a touch of spice, Tatashe is the place to be! The extensive menu and wide variety of dining options at Tatashe indoor market ensure that there's something for everyone, catering to different tastes and dietary preferences. One of the highlights of Tatashe's menu is its charcoal-grilled jerk pork. Prepared with a perfect balance of spices and smokiness, each bite bursts with juicy and flavorful goodness. If you're in the mood for something with a kick, Tatashe's spicy ribs are a must-try. These succulent ribs are seasoned with a fiery blend of spices that pack a punch of flavor. For those looking for traditional stews, Tatashe has got you covered. Their menu features a variety of hearty stews prepared with either beef or goat.

Explore Dan Gamla (Open Air Museum)

The Dan Gamla By Museum, often known as "The Old Town Museum," is a must-see for any visitor to Aarhus, Denmark, and provides an unforgettable adventure for kids and adults alike. Step inside and be transported back in time as you encounter people dressed, working, and behaving just as they did in the olden days. You'll see people doing things like chopping wood, stitching, and serving customers in quaint businesses as if they were living in the past. You can also take advantage of the museum's many services, including the opportunity to get involved, the availability of kid-friendly activities, and living history demonstrations. The museum holds numerous events throughout the year, such as themed days, concerts, and special exhibitions, so there is always something new to see.

Where To Stay? DanHostel

Danhostel Aarhus is a comfortable and wallet-friendly choice for a stay in Aarhus.

The hostel offers paid private parking nearby and free high-speed internet (WiFi). Guests can enjoy breakfast and enjoy amenities like the game room and patio. For families, there are books, DVDs, and music for children. Other amazing options include city and landmark view rooms; non-smoking and family rooms are available. Long Story Short

All in all, Aarhus City is a treasure trove of culture, art, and gastronomy. With its friendly locals, stunning landscapes, and vibrant arts scene, it is a destination that will leave you enchanted and yearning for more. So what’s stopping you from exploring this hidden gem?

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Top 4 Coffee Houses in Vienna, Austria

Table of Contents

Cafe Central

Cafe Hawelka

Cafe Frauenhuber

Cafe Museum

The Coffee Culture

The traditional Viennese coffee house is like an elegant living room where you can sit long while reading newspapers and drinking coffee. These establishments have antique furniture and tuxedo-clad waiters who balance silver platters of pastries on their fingertips.

In Vienna, coffee serves as more than an afternoon pick-me-up or a morning boost. Coffee is a way of life and a distinctive and important component of local culture in Vienna, which is consistently regarded as the city with the highest quality of life.

When I traveled to Vienna, I stayed at Wombats City Hostel, Vienna Naschmarkt, at $110 for three nights ($36 per night). It is a 6-bed mixed dorm hostel with a shared bathroom and a shower. The room had a sizable window and was clean. My experience went smoothly and felt like heaven in a city full of peaceful coffeehouses. Let's talk about how far the cafes are from the hostel and how you can reach them.

Cafe Central

As you indulge in Café Central's mouthwatering selection of gourmet dishes, take in the historic surroundings. A group of authors and poets, including Polgar, Zweig, and Altenberg, as well as a revolutionary (Trotsky), a psychotherapist (Freud), and an architect (Loos), entered a café. The menu offers a wide variety of traditional Viennese cuisine, specialty coffee drinks, and sweets from the on-site patisserie.

Location From Hostel -Wombat's City Hostel

It takes 13 minutes to reach Cafe Central from Wombat’s City Hostel Vienna Naschmarkt. You can easily travel by car. As the hostel is located in the city’s main area, it is not difficult to reach your favorite destinations.

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Cafe Hawelka

Cafe Hawelka, which Leopold Hawelka opened in 1939, features warm wood panels and dimly lighted hanging globe lamps, giving it a bohemian feel. Artists and performers like Oskar Werner and Friedensreich Hundertwasser visited it in its early years. Café Hawelka and many other cafes in Vienna have no menu. Instead, the waiter will give you options for you to choose from. When the bill comes, you could be surprised! Two Melanges, a slice of Sachertorte, a piece of apple strudel, and a small water bottle cost around €24. It seems quite expensive, but it's worth enough.

Location From Hostel - Wombat's City Hostel

By car, it takes 8 minutes to reach the cafe from Wombat’s city hostel. Vienna's main modes of transportation are buses, trams, trains, and underground trains, which are available every time. So you would not have to worry about walking to your favorite spots.

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Cafe Frauenhuber

Cafe Frauenhuber is the oldest coffeehouse in Vienna, Austria. Local cuisine is served in a classic cafe in a former medieval bathhouse where Mozart and Beethoven once performed. When people say that Vienna's coffee house culture has a lengthy history, they mean it. Café Frauenhuber will shortly mark 200 years in business in a structure that is more than 300 years old. A slightly oddball mixture of styles can be found inside, largely due to the establishment's antiquity. The crimson upholstery, bentwood-style chairs, and hardwood hat stand contrast with the white vaulted ceiling's broad arches. The cuisine is as traditional as possible. If you haven't had traditional Vienna cuisines like Kaiserschmarrn, apple strudel, Schnitzel, sausages, or Serviettenknödel, now is your opportunity.

Location From Hostel - Wombat's City Hostel

The distance between the cafe and Wombat’s City Hostel is 2.4 km by car and about 15 minutes by train.

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Cafe Museum

Vienna's Café Museum has been a modern marvel for all the senses since 1899. Visit here to experience Vienna coffeehouse culture. The Ferrari-red Chimbali coffee maker is adjacent to where enticing pastries are displayed, adding to the persuasive ambiance. The sound of spoons clattering and the aroma of freshly brewed Meinl coffee fill the room. Silver globe lighting fixtures in the classic Josef Zotti design from the 1930s produce a highly unique lighting effect.

Artistic innovators like Klimt, Schiele, and Loos found caffeine-filled sustenance at Café Museum. Museum Café Artists and intellectuals of the day were drawn to Loos's unassuming, straightforward style. He presumably joined Otto Wagner, Gustav Klimt, Franz Lehár, Oskar Kokoschka, and Egon Schiele as frequent visitors.

Location From Hostel - Wombat's City Hostel

The distance between Cafe Museum and Wombats City Hostel is 1.2 km by car and 9 minutes from the train station.

The Ancient City of Ephesus (Selçuk)

Table of Contents

- Where to Stay

- Beds

- Transportation

- Itinerary

- Library of Celsus

- Terrace Houses of Ephesus

Where To Stay

Ephesus Hostel is a family owned and operated hostel. The staff were extremely friendly and accommodating to all of my needs. I even was offered Tea when I got back from a long day of touring the city of Ephesus. Drinking tea with one of the workers gave me insight into what it was like to be a Turkish citizen. The hostel also offers a variety of amenities, laundry facilities, and a common area where you can meet other travelers. the hostel was brand new, clean, and the beds had curtains. I had a great experience staying at the Ephesus Hostel.

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Ephesus Hostel

Beds

The rooms were clean and comfortable and the wifi was not reliable at all, but apparently that is a thing city wide. All beds in the dorm rooms have a plug outlet for you to charge your devices at night. Turkey operates on 220 volts, 50 Hz, with round-prong European-style plugs that fit into recessed wall sockets /points. Along with a reading light, placed right by the pillow.

Ephesus Hostel Beds

Transportation Istanbul - Selçuk (Ephesus) 8 Hours

I decided to travel Turkey by bus, since it was the cheapest option. For this trip I rode on Pamukkale Bus Company. The Journey started from Istanbul Otogar - Main bus Terminal, this bus terminal has restaurants, and places to buy snacks for your long journey. I recommend you get to the bus terminal 1 hour before if this is your first time traveling in Turkey.

For booking all busses in Turkey I used:

12Go Asia

For the 8 Hour journey, we had a bus attendant that offered ice cream, snacks, Pepsi, and tea. Typically for long bus journeys like these, the bus driver will stop at a restaurant/ Bus stop halfway through the trip. They will get off and start eating, this is your time to get out and start eating too. I didn't know this and I sat on the hot bus in the middle of summer and didn't know what was going on.

Place to Eat and Get Snacks

Bus Company Pamukkale

Day 1

I went to the City of Ephesus an ancient Greek city located in present-day Selçuk, Turkey. Founded by Greek settlers from the Ionian city-state of Miletus in around 1000 BC.

I recommend starting with the Ancient Greek Theatre first since it is closes to the entrance. The theatre is one of the largest and best-preserved ancient Greek theaters in the world, having a capacity of 25,000 people. It was built around the 3rd century BC and used for public meetings, theatrical performances, and religious ceremonies.

Ephesus Ancient Greek Theatre

Library of Celsus

Immediately after leaving the Theatre I headed to The Library of Celsus in Ephesus since I had seen so many beautiful photos of the library. The Library is a Roman-era library built in honor of the Roman Senator Tiberius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus in the ancient city of Ephesus. It was built in honor of Celsus' father, who was a wealthy Greek man from the city of Sardis. The library was built in the 2nd century AD, and is the only surviving example of a Roman-style library in the world. It was used to store 12,000 scrolls and served as a place of learning for the citizens of Ephesus. Scholars have said that this is where the modern book was created.

The Library of Celsus

Terrace House at Ephesus

The last major thing I saw was the House of Terrace. These multi-story homes were built in the 5th century BC, and many remain intact today. The terrace houses feature a central courtyard and three or four stories, with a kitchen, living area and bedrooms on each floor. The houses are decorated with frescoes, mosaics, and marble sculptures depicting scenes from everyday life. The terrace houses offer a unique insight into the everyday lives of the people who lived in Ephesus thousands of years ago. This will cost extra, but I think it is worth the price.

Notice How the Walls Have Mosaics on them