Guide: Must-See Architecture in Aarhus
By Asta Melchior Jelsing
August 19, 2024
When you think of Aarhus, is it the City Hall or the rainbow panorama on the roof of ARoS that comes to mind? The city boasts many iconic buildings, and we’ve selected a handful of architectural highlights you simply can’t miss. Here’s our guide to six structures that define Aarhus’ skyline and character.
Click on the markers to get to the description of each place.
Aros
Aros
Aros Allé 2, 8000 Aarhus, Danmark
Aarhus Domkirke
Aarhus Domkirke
Store Torv, 8000 Aarhus, Danmark
Dokk1
Dokk1
Hack Kampmanns Plads 2, 8000 Aarhus, Danmark
Aarhus Teater
Aarhus Teater
Teatergaden 1, 8000 Aarhus, Danmark
Lighthouse
Lighthouse
Helga Pedersens Gade 1, 8000 Aarhus Centrum, Danmark
Aarhus Rådhus
Aarhus Rådhus
Aarhus Rådhus, Sønder Allé 2, 8000 Aarhus, Danmark
Get an overview
1. Aros
– Experience Aarhus in Rainbow Colors
Designed by Schmidt Hammer Lassen, ARoS is famous for its red cubic shape and Olafur Eliasson’s colorful rainbow panorama on the rooftop. It’s also one of Northern Europe’s largest art museums, housing around 8,000 works of art.
Did you know?
- In 2025, you can experience the massive art installation The Dome, A Skyspace by James Turrell. With its enormous dome situated in the park between ARoS, the Concert Hall of Aarhus, and Ridehuset (the Riding House), it’s predicted to become a future landmark of Aarhus.
Photo: Schmidt Hammer Lassen
2. Aarhus Cathedral
– Explore Centuries of Danish Church Architecture
Located in the heart of Aarhus at Store Torv, Aarhus Cathedral dates back to around 1200 and stands as a monument to centuries of Danish church architecture, blending Romanesque and Gothic styles with later alterations and restorations.
Did you know?
- Aarhus Cathedral is Denmark’s longest and tallest church. The red brick church features a 92-meter-tall tower and stretches 93 meters in length, providing seating for around 1,200 people.
Photo: Frame and Work
3. Dokk1
– Enjoy the Harbor View with a Library Book in Hand
Dokk1, designed by Schmidt Hammer Lassen, is a multifunctional meeting place that connects the city center with the harbor. Inside, it houses a library, city archives, and a few private companies. Outside, the building rises above street level like a concrete ship.
Did you know?
- Dokk1 was part of a larger and quite visionary plan from 1997 to improve and expand the Aarhus harbor area, freeing up the zones closest to the city for uses other than harbor operations. Dokk1 was a central element in this plan.
Photo: Aarhus Bibliotekerne
4. Aarhus Theatre
– Discover the Details
Aarhus Theatre is renowned for its enchanting facade and artistic decorations, both inside and out. The theater was designed by Hack Kampmann in 1900 and stands as a cultural center next to Aarhus Cathedral.
Did you know?
- The construction of Aarhus Theatre was financed by selling shares to the town’s citizens. A total of 20,000 DKK (equivalent to about 1.6 million DKK today) was raised from 500-600 shareholders in the A/S Aarhus Ny Teater company.
Photo: David Bering
5. Lighthouse
– See Aarhus from New Heights
Lighthouse, Denmark’s tallest building at 142 meters, stands on Aarhus Ø and was named the world’s most beautiful high-rise in 2023. The building, with its wave-like facades inspired by the sea, features an observation deck and artworks by Hans Krull and Peter Birk. Lighthouse was designed by the architectural firm 3XN.
Did you know?
- You can visit Aarhus Eye, the public observation deck on the 44th floor, offering a stunning panoramic view of Aarhus. There’s also a restaurant, and the ground floor houses an exhibition about Aarhus Bay.
Photo: Andreas Kirkelund
6. Aarhus City Hall
– Admire the Gesamtkunstwerk
Aarhus City Hall stands as a masterpiece of functionalist architecture in Denmark. It’s particularly known for its sculptural tower and clock face, surrounded by gray columns. Everything from the lamps to the elevator buttons was designed by Arne Jacobsen and Erik Møller, who also enlisted Hans J. Wegner to design the furniture – a true Gesamtkunstwerk.
Did you know?
- The City Hall wasn’t originally supposed to have a tower. Arne Jacobsen and Erik Møller won the architectural competition for Aarhus City Hall in 1937 with a design that didn’t include a tower. However, public protests led them to add the 60-meter tower without a spire.
Photo: Visit Aarhus
This is an English translation made with an AI-based service and subsequently reviewed by an editor. For any clarifications, refer to the original Danish version.