Scandic Aarhus Vest

Christmas in the Old Town

Experience the unique Christmas market, 'Christmas in the Old Town' in Aarhus, where an atmospheric journey through more than 400 years of Christmas traditions forms the framework for a huge Christmas market in the City of Smiles.

The Old Town in Aarhus is the world's first open-air museum of the culture and history of the market towns and consists of 75 houses and buildings dating from the 1500s up to the 1970s. It was here that the popular DR Christmas calendar 'Jul i Gammelby' was filmed back in 1979, and with a mini break or a weekend stay in Aarhus, during Christmas, you have the perfect opportunity to experience the special Christmas atmosphere that is created here. The whole set is set up with authentic Christmas decorations as they have looked from the 1600s up to the mid 1970s. A very special Christmas atmosphere awaits, with plenty of stalls, historic shops and tasty Christmas treats in long lines.

In the Mint Master's Farm, elves are ready to serve you a nice portion of rice pudding and in front of the fireplace, people can gather together and listen to one of the elves tell about his long, exciting life. The children can hand in their wish lists and have fun in the "Christmas'umhej house", where there are both cosy caves and storytelling.

Visit the Merchant's Farm which has been transformed into the beautiful Christmas setting from the 1866 classic 'Peter's Christmas'. The book still has a special place in the hearts of many Danes, and if you have read it or heard the story, visiting the Merchant's Farm at Christmas time is an extra fun and exciting experience.

At Bendtsens Pakhus, you can enjoy an authentic Christmas experience, with everything from mulled wine and doughnuts to honey hearts and lemonade. The whole family can enjoy Christmas - and you can also bring your own food from home to enjoy in the Christmas room.

In other words, Christmas in the Old Town offers a unique Christmas environment that is different and exciting for both children and adults. Risskov offers a wide range of hotels in Aarhus and the surrounding area, so you can find the perfect stay for you. Whether it's a short weekend break, a cosy mini break or a longer Christmas holiday you're looking for, you're sure to find it here.

It is open for visitors every day between 10:00-15:00 from 16. of November until 2nd of January.

The Old Town

Take an amazing journey through time in the heart of Aarhus and visit the Old Town, a unique experience. Experience people as they lived in the late 19th century in the living museum or how about a ride in the horse-drawn carriage? Also visit the oldest part of Den Gamle By and enjoy a real Danish mini-city with all its homes, shops and workshops. The buildings come from towns all over Denmark and have then been reconstructed at the museum. On the fairground you can play skittles or perhaps a ride on stilts could be a fun feature. Try a ride on the air swings or the carousel.

Botanical Garden in Aarhus

Go on a car holiday in Denmark and visit the Botanical Garden in Aarhus with Risskov. Find child-friendly hotels nearby and visit the exciting 'garden', which is located immediately adjacent to 'The Old Town' and covers an area of 21 hectares. Visit the tropical greenhouses, which contain plants from four different climate zones. When it's time for lunch or coffee, pay a visit to the Greenhouse Café in the Tropical House. So be sure to enjoy a day in a botanical paradise, right in the heart of Aarhus. Find child-friendly hotels in the area at Risskov and take the whole family on a drive to the exciting plant kingdom, which also includes carnivorous plants.

ARoS Aarhus Art Museum

For a holiday in Denmark, book a hotel in Aarhus and visit ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum, located in the centre of Aarhus and one of the largest art museums in Northern Europe, with 10 floors filled with impressions, colours and shapes. The museum exhibits art from the Danish Golden Age and Modernism as well as international contemporary art. A number of special exhibitions are also held, while the museum's own collection of 8,000 works is also frequently rotated. There are also plenty of activities for young people, explore the 'Art Box' and make friends with a 'schism', but that's only on Sundays. Take the ride up the iconic rainbow, designed by Olafur Eliasson, and enjoy the beautiful view of Aarhus city through the characteristic rainbow colours. Enjoy the many works of art and by all means take the time to walk around and explore the beautiful collections.

Natural History Museum Aarhus

There are four major permanent exhibitions in the museum as well as changing special exhibitions, filled with experiences and exciting journeys around the wondrous world of nature. Get close to the animals of the African savannah, or how about a journey through time, from the Ice Age to the present day.

Visit the exhibition ´AnimaliA´, which gives an impression of the survival of animals, a visit that gives a different view of evolution. Don't miss the 'Global Backyard', an interesting exhibition on biodiversity. The Natural History Museum Aarhus is the second largest of its kind in the country and houses over 5,000 different animals. Get an exciting introduction to the scientific achievements of natural history research, and be amazed by the details of the exciting journey into the wondrous nature of us all.

Årslev

Take a driving holiday in Denmark and visit the small but charming Årslev which has been considered a village for many years but is now a western suburb of Aarhus. The settlement, according to local historian August F. Schmidt, is believed to have been founded in the 4th or 5th century and was called Arsløf in 1203. Today Årslev is almost joined to the district of Brabrand. Until the municipal reform of 1 April 1970, it belonged to the Brabrand-Årslev parish municipality. In the centre is Årslev Church, which in the terminology of the People's Church is called Sønder Årslev Church to avoid confusion with Årslev near Randers. Find a cheap family holiday at Risskov and get away with the whole family on an experience in Aarhus.

Tivoli Friheden

Located on the outskirts of Aarhus city centre, this lovely theme park offers what most families are looking for when on holiday. Fun and amusing experiences, preferably with lots of activities and crazy rides. In fact, the theme park is within walking distance of the centre of Aarhus. There are several slides, 40 rides, various stalls and a playground. Try the Cobra, which is the wildest roller coaster on site. But first, think about how cool it is to hurtle headfirst at 70km per hour while landing some nice 4.5G curves. Once the buzz is set, there's no way around it, and it goes fast! But now, of course, it's not all adrenaline and speed. There's also Bille City, which is a small town area aimed at visitors with young children, who can try out the Bison Windmill, among other things, and for the slightly older ones, aged between 5 and 8, there's the chance to get their own driving licence and then drive around in the little electric cars. At Tivoli Friheden, everyone, whatever their age, is guaranteed a fun day out, with plenty of experiences, both fast and not so fast.

Marselisborg Castle

Take a cheap car holiday in Denmark and visit Marselisborg Castle, which today serves as the summer and Christmas residence of the Danish royal couple in Aarhus. The building was completed in 1902 as the people's wedding gift to the future King Christian X and Queen Alexandrine. The location of the palace is well chosen for the purpose: Users have a clear view of the sea and forest, but the building is intended to be remote and unappealing to its surroundings. It exudes reserve and distance, with the main staircase emphasising this effect. Find the perfect self-drive tour with Risskov and visit Marselisborg Castle.