Donbækhaven, Aarhus
Historic Building in Aarhus
Set in the southern part of Mindeparken (Memorial Park), Donbækhusene are two small, thatched-roof houses that feel almost out of place in the middle of a grand city park. They sit near Donbækken (the small stream they are named after), with lawns, trees, and quiet paths around them-more “local picnic spot” than headline tourist attraction.
They are worth seeking out if you like the small details that make a place feel lived-in: humble historic buildings, a calm corner of greenery, and the sense that you have stepped into a fragment of old Aarhus that survived (and was later rebuilt) inside the modern city.
Table of Contents
- History and Significance of the Donbækhusene
- Things to See and Do in the Donbækhusene
- How to Get to the Donbækhusene
- Practical Tips on Visiting the Donbækhusene
- Where to Stay Close to the Donbækhusene
- Is the Donbækhusene Worth Visiting?
- For Different Travelers
- FAQs for Visiting Donbækhusene
- Nearby Attractions to the Donbækhusene
History and Significance of the Donbækhusene
The two houses were built in 1828 and 1850 and are closely tied to the working life of the former Marselisborg estate (Marselisborg Gods), not the nearby Marselisborg Palace-a common misconception. They were used as housing for estate staff and later also for forest workers, reflecting how this whole area south of the centre was shaped by landholding, forestry, and practical day-to-day labour rather than royal pageantry.
In more recent decades, the buildings continued to serve functional purposes for the municipality (as a materials yard and lunch space for operations staff), which is part of what makes them feel authentic: they were working buildings first, “heritage” second.
The original structures were destroyed by arson-related fires in April 1996, but the municipality rebuilt them in their original style. That reconstruction matters because Donbækhusene are a rare surviving (and carefully restored) example of modest service housing in a park landscape otherwise dominated by big memorial gestures and sweeping views across Aarhus Bay.
Things to See and Do in the Donbækhusene
Start by approaching them slowly through the park paths so you get the full contrast: wide lawns and formal memorial space, then these compact thatched houses tucked beside the stream. They are best appreciated as an atmospheric stop-take a few minutes to look at the proportions, the roofline, and how the buildings sit in the landscape rather than expecting an “inside visit” experience.
This is also a good “pause point” in a longer walk. The area is known as a popular packed-lunch destination, and there is an orchard-like garden feel nearby that suits a short break before continuing deeper into Mindeparken or toward the forest edges.
If you enjoy low-key photography, Donbækhusene deliver simple, strong frames-especially in softer light-because the thatch, greenery, and water create texture without the visual clutter you often get in city-centre streetscapes. Pair it with a short loop to the main memorial monument to see how different layers of local history sit side by side in the same park.
How to Get to the Donbækhusene
Donbækhusene sit inside Mindeparken in south Aarhus, and the simplest approach is usually to aim for Mindeparken/Marselisborg Palace area first, then walk the final stretch through the park paths.
The nearest airport is Aarhus Airport (AAR); from there, continue into Aarhus and then travel south toward the Mindeparken area. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Aarhus on Booking.com.
If you are arriving by train to Aarhus H (Aarhus Central Station), you can connect onward by city bus or taxi, or cycle if you are comfortable with urban bike lanes. Train schedules and bookings can be found on Omio..
If you are driving, use parking options around the Mindeparken/Marselisborg area and treat Donbækhusene as a short walk within the park rather than trying to park directly beside them. .
Practical Tips on Visiting the Donbækhusene
- Entrance fee: Free
- Opening hours: 24 hours
- Official website: https://kongelunden.aarhus.dk/oplev/attraktioner/donbaekhuse
- Best time to visit: Late morning or early afternoon for a quiet, unrushed walk through Mindeparken and softer light on the thatched roofs.
- How long to spend: 15-30 minutes as a scenic stop, or about an hour if you combine it with a loop through the memorial monument and nearby gardens.
- Accessibility: Paths through Mindeparken are generally manageable, but surfaces can vary, and some routes involve gentle slopes; stick to main paths for the easiest access.
- Facilities: There are park spaces for breaks and picnics, but do not rely on dedicated on-site visitor services at the houses-plan cafés/restrooms around your wider Mindeparken or city-centre route.
Where to Stay Close to the Donbækhusene
For a culture-heavy Aarhus itinerary, base yourself in Aarhus C so you can walk to major sights and take an easy bus/taxi ride south to Mindeparken; if your focus is green space, coastal walks, and quick access to the Marselisborg area, staying on the southern side of central Aarhus (toward Frederiksbjerg) can be the most convenient compromise.
A classic central option with immediate access to the historic core is Hotel Royal, which keeps you close to key sights while still being a straightforward hop to Mindeparken. For a modern stay that works well for short breaks and smooth transport connections, Comwell Aarhus Dolce by Wyndham is a strong base near the station area. If you want a reliable budget-friendly option with an easy city-centre location, Wakeup Aarhus is practical for getting around without overpaying for the room.
Is the Donbækhusene Worth Visiting?
Yes-if you like small historic details and the “texture” of a place more than big-ticket attractions. Donbækhusene are the kind of stop that makes a walk through Mindeparken feel richer, because they add a human-scale story about work, housing, and the everyday life behind grand estates and memorial landscapes.
Honest pivot: if you prefer attractions with interiors, exhibitions, or a clear “thing to do,” you may find this too subtle. In that case, keep it as a quick photo-and-stroll add-on while prioritising nearby headline stops like the memorial monument, the palace area, or a major museum.
For Different Travelers
Families with Kids
For families, Donbækhusene work best as a short “spot the thatched houses” moment within a bigger park outing-something that breaks up walking without requiring long attention. Combine it with playground time elsewhere in Mindeparken and treat the houses as a quick curiosity rather than the main event.
If you are using a stroller, plan a route that stays on the widest park paths and avoid turning it into a long detour. A simple approach is to do a short loop: houses, a brief stop by the stream, then back to a main path toward more family-friendly facilities.
Couples & Romantic Getaways
For couples, this is a good slow-travel stop: quiet park atmosphere, a small historic scene, and the feeling of finding something slightly off the obvious tourist track. It works particularly well as part of an unhurried walk where the park itself is the experience rather than a checklist of monuments.
To make it feel more “date-like,” time it for softer light and then continue your walk toward viewpoints over the bay or a cosy café stop back toward the city. The charm here is understated, so it pairs best with a route that stays relaxed.
Budget Travelers
Donbækhusene are ideal on a budget because they cost nothing and still give you a distinct “Aarhus detail” to take away. Use them to add depth to a free day built around parks, viewpoints, and neighbourhood walks.
The main budget risk here is time, not money: keep it efficient by folding the stop into a Mindeparken loop instead of making a special trip just for the houses. That way you get value from the park, the memorial setting, and the scenery in one outing.
What Other Travellers Say...
FAQs for Visiting Donbækhusene
Getting There
Tickets & Entry
Visiting Experience
Tours, Context & Itineraries
Photography
Accessibility & Facilities
Nearby Attractions to the Donbækhusene
- Marselisborg Monument (World War I Memorial): A major memorial structure within Mindeparken that gives the park its solemn historical focus.
- Marselisborg Palace gardens: When open to the public, the palace gardens add a classic “royal Aarhus” layer to the same south-city area.
- Den Uendelige Bro (The Infinite Bridge): A distinctive circular bridge/pier that is a favourite for coastal views and photos.
- Marselisborg Forests: Coastal woodland trails that extend the outing into nature with easy, scenic walking routes.
- Tivoli Friheden: A nearby amusement park that works well if you want to pair a calm park walk with a livelier, activity-focused stop.
The Donbækhaven appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Aarhus!
Moira & Andy
Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!
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Planning Your Visit
24 hours
Free
Nearby Attractions
- Marselisborg Castle (0.3) km
Castle, Gardens and Sculpture - Marselisborgmonumentet (0.6) km
Memorial, Monument and Park - The Infinite Bridge (1.1) km
Bridge - Fredens Church (1.2) km
Church - Tivoli Friheden (1.3) km
Amusement Park and Theme Park - Aarhus Central Station (2.7) km
Train Station - Agnete og Havmanden (2.8) km
Attraction, Sculpture and Statue - Aarhus City Hall (3.0) km
Attraction - ARoS Aarhus Art Museum (3.1) km
Arts Venue and Museum - Dokk1 (3.1) km
