City in Central Denmark Region, Denmark
Aarhus
Denmark's second city is a compact, young university town with a great art museum, a fast harbor-side food scene and easy beaches. Quieter and cheaper than Copenhagen but still pricey.
At a glance
- Safety5/5Very safeDetails
- Monthly budget$2,860–4,060Comfortable, one person · kr.19,000–27,000Details
- Value for money23/100Better value than 22% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMay–SepWarmest: Jul, 21°CDetails
- Air quality8 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2020) · Fairly cleanDetails
- Internet278 MbpsFixed broadband, Denmark medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableExcellent groundwater; refill anywhere and ask for free tap water in restaurants.Details
- LGBTQ+5/5Very welcomingDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: spoken almost everywhereDetails
- Doctor's visit$75–150Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundBuses and Letbane light railWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardPractically cashlessPractically cashless.Details
Where to stay in Aarhus
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Latin Quarter (Latinerkvarteret) | Cafés, bars and old streets; walk to everything |
| Aarhus Ø (Docklands) | Modern harbor area; swimming and the Isbjerget apartments |
| Frederiksbjerg | Relaxed residential area with cafés, close to the station |
| Trøjborg and Vesterbro | Student areas with cheaper rooms and local bars |
Apps that work in Aarhus
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: Messenger
- Rejseplanen: Journey planner for all public transport
- DSB: Train tickets across Denmark
- Taxis: Taxis are metered and pricey; book by phone or a taxi app. Bike or bus is easier in town.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Denmark.
- Practically cashless Practically cashless. Cards and MobilePay work almost everywhere; carry a card, not coins.
- Currency: Krone (DKK). US$1 ≈ kr.6.65 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Bank ATMs rarely add local fees; avoid Euronet machines and always decline dynamic currency conversion.
- Tipping: Service is included. Rounding up or about 10% for great table service is appreciated, never expected.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay work almost everywhere; locals use MobilePay to pay friends and small sellers.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Schengen member: non-EU visitors give fingerprints and a face photo to the Entry/Exit System (EES) on first entry.
- ETIAS pre-travel authorisation isn't required yet and has no confirmed start date; check the EU site before you fly.
- The Faroe Islands and Greenland are outside Schengen: a Schengen visa isn't valid there, and flights involve passport control.
Emergency numbers
Police 112 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 112 · All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type C, E, F, K · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Lebara and Lycamobile prepaid SIMs sell at 7-Eleven and kiosks; EU roaming rules apply to EU SIMs. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Denmark
Going to Aarhus solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Aarhus meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.