The Old Town, Aarhus

in Aarhus

Den gamle - The Old Town
Den gamle – The Old Town
CC BY-SA 2.0 / https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Den_gamle_By_-_Havnen_04.jpg

Den Gamle By is the attraction in Aarhus that most reliably turns a “quick look” into half a day. Set beside the Botanical Garden, it is a full open-air townscape where you walk through real streets lined with historic buildings that have been moved, rebuilt, and furnished to match their era-so you are not just looking at exhibits, you are moving through a believable city.

What makes it special is the breadth: you can drift from older timber-framed houses and traditional workshops into distinctly modern-feeling streets that capture the 20th century and beyond. It is immersive without being gimmicky, and it rewards slow travel-especially if you like lingering in shop interiors, reading details, and noticing how ordinary routines (food, housing, work, leisure) change over time.

History and Significance of the Den Gamle By

Den Gamle By began as a preservation project and became one of Denmark’s defining “living history” museums. The core idea is simple but powerful: instead of isolating objects in display cases, rebuild the environments they belonged to-streets, homes, businesses, and civic spaces-so visitors understand how people actually lived, moved, and worked.

Its significance in Aarhus is also geographic. Placing the museum beside the Botanical Garden makes it feel like a cultural park: you can combine an urban-history deep dive with an easy outdoor break, and you remain close enough to the centre that Den Gamle By can anchor an entire day of sightseeing without complex logistics.

Today, the museum functions as a practical, human-scale introduction to Danish social history. It is not only about “big events”; it is about the lived texture of daily life-housing standards, consumer culture, public services, and changing norms-presented in a way that stays memorable because you walked through it.

Things to See and Do in the Den Gamle By

Start by choosing a “time period strategy” rather than trying to see everything in strict order. Many visitors find it most satisfying to begin in the older market-town streets for the atmosphere, then move forward in time-because the contrast makes the 20th-century areas feel more vivid and surprisingly emotional (a familiar shop sign, a recognisable living-room layout, a shift in what people consider “normal”).

Prioritise interiors and staffed spaces. The workshops, stores, and domestic rooms are where Den Gamle By does its best work: it turns history into something you can read in objects that were made to be used-kitchens, counters, tools, shelves, signs, and small everyday choices. If you are travelling with someone who “doesn’t usually love museums,” these are the moments that typically convert them.

Leave time for the newer streets as well. The modern-era sections give the museum bite: you see how Denmark’s welfare-state era and contemporary life look when turned into history you can walk through, not just talk about.

How to Get to the Den Gamle By

Aarhus Airport (AAR) is the closest airport for the city, and Billund Airport (BLL) is a common alternative for a wider range of routes and carriers. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Aarhus on Booking.com.

If you are arriving by rail, take the train to Aarhus Central Station and continue into the city by foot, bus, or taxi depending on your luggage and weather. Train schedules and bookings can be found on Omio.

Local buses make Den Gamle By straightforward from across Aarhus, and it is also walkable from central districts if you are already sightseeing nearby.

If you are driving, aim for parking near the museum or in a central car park and then finish on foot, as the city-centre area is easiest enjoyed without constantly relocating the car.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Den Gamle By

  • Entrance fee: Adults 145 DKK (01 January – 27 March) / 205 DKK (28 March – 31 December). Children 0–17 free. Students 75 DKK / 105 DKK (student tickets sold on-site only, with valid student ID).
  • Opening hours: (Winter) 01 January – 27 March: Monday – Friday: 10:00–16:00; Saturday – Sunday: 10:00–17:00; 07 February – 15 February: Daily: 10:00–17:00.
    (Summer) 28 March – 30 December: Daily: 10:00–17:00; 24 December & 31 December: Daily: 10:00–15:00.
  • Official website: https://www.dengamleby.dk/
  • Best time to visit: Weekday mornings for calmer streets and easier access to interiors; late afternoon can be lovely too, but allow buffer time so you do not feel rushed at closing.
  • How long to spend: 4-5 hours if you want to properly explore multiple eras and interiors; 2-3 hours for a highlights-focused visit that still feels worthwhile.
  • Accessibility: Expect uneven surfaces and cobbles in the historic streets; many outdoor areas are manageable, and mobility scooters can be borrowed (book ahead in peak season).
  • Facilities: Multiple toilets and baby-changing points are available across the museum, lockers are available for larger bags, and there are eateries for lunch and café breaks so you can pace the visit comfortably.

Where to Stay Close to the Den Gamle By

For a culture-heavy itinerary, base yourself in central Aarhus around the Latin Quarter and cathedral streets so you can walk to museums, cafés, and evening dining; if your main priority is transport efficiency for day trips, stay closer to Aarhus Central Station for the smoothest arrivals and departures while still keeping Den Gamle By within easy reach.

For a classic, walk-everywhere stay in the historic core, choose Hotel Royal. If you prefer a smaller, characterful property with a calm feel but strong central access, Boutique Hotel Villa Provence is an excellent fit. For modern comfort with simple logistics and quick connections across the city, consider Comwell Aarhus Dolce by Wyndham.

Is the Den Gamle By Worth Visiting?

Yes-decisively. If you do one major paid attraction in Aarhus, Den Gamle By is often the best value because it delivers both scale and variety: you get architecture, design, social history, and the feeling of discovery that comes from moving through real spaces rather than scanning a single gallery.

Honest pivot: if you dislike walking-heavy attractions, struggle on cobbles, or only want “masterpieces” and headline objects, this may not be your best use of time. Den Gamle By shines when you enjoy atmosphere, detail, and the slow satisfaction of connecting daily life across different eras.

For Different Travelers

Families with Kids

Den Gamle By works well for families because it feels like a small town adventure rather than a formal museum. Children tend to engage more naturally when they can move from street to street, pop into different rooms, and spot the differences between “then” and “now” without being asked to read long panels.

Plan your visit as short bursts of indoor exploration with outdoor resets. A simple rhythm-two or three interiors, then a snack break, then another cluster-keeps energy steady and reduces the risk of museum fatigue.

Couples & Romantic Getaways

For couples, Den Gamle By is an easy win because it is both structured and wander-friendly. You can follow a loose route, but you can also let the visit unfold organically-finding a quiet street, stepping into a shop, then resurfacing for a coffee break without feeling like you are “doing it wrong.”

It is also unusually good for conversation. The museum is full of small prompts-furnishings, advertising, social norms, domestic layouts-that naturally lead to “What would you have missed?” and “Would you have liked living here?” moments.

Budget Travelers

While it is a paid attraction, Den Gamle By can justify its cost if you treat it as your primary half-day activity rather than a quick add-on. It packs enough content and variety that you can skip another ticketed museum and still feel you had a substantial culture day.

To stretch value, plan your visit around a longer stay inside the museum rather than pairing it with too many other stops. Bring a refillable water bottle, use the on-site cafés selectively, and treat the experience as your main event.

History Buffs

If you care about social history, Den Gamle By is one of the strongest museum experiences in Denmark because it does not flatten the past into a single narrative. It shows the granular reality: how housing changes, how consumer culture arrives, how public services shape daily life, and how “modern” becomes dated faster than you expect.

Go in with a theme-work, domestic life, leisure, or urban change-and you will notice more. The museum rewards people who like comparing details across periods rather than just ticking off buildings.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.6 (19,869)

Recreation of a market town from the time of Hans Christian Andersen, including 75 period houses.

Laura
a week ago
"If I could give this experience 10 stars I would. We went between Christmas and New Years and got to all the Christmas decorations, taste all thefoods and even play Christmas games with the elves. One of the best museums we have ever been to (and we go to a lot)..."
M Hendershot
3 months ago
"A wonderful step back in times past, representing many eras, cultures and historic events. Great for the family and history buffs. This spaciousrecreation is thoughtfully laid out walking through the Vikings to 1970s in the form of Main Street, museum of artifacts, village recreations and country estate with authentic trade shops. Historic coffee and bakery from the 1800s was inviting and delicious. Preteens may not appreciate the historical context of Aarhus, said to be the first civilized port of the Viking era. Well maintained and mostly accessible. Loved our visit..."
Michael Locke
4 months ago
"This place is amazing for kids and adults. It was the highlight of our 3 day trip to Aarhus. We especially loved the 1922 cafe (where we boughtcoffee and pastries prepared, baked, and served like in the original time) and the historic bakery (where we bought actual bread and pastries that would have been available on the original time). The other buildings and exhibits are great too. The festival grounds were especially loved by our 4 year old. Overall, one of the best open air museums we've been to...."

FAQs for Visiting Den Gamle By

Getting There

It sits beside the Aarhus Botanical Garden, just outside the tightest part of the city centre. It is easy to combine with central sights because the area is built for walking and short rides.
Walk west toward the Botanical Garden and follow signs for Den Gamle By; the route is straightforward and popular with visitors. If you prefer a calmer approach, cut through green space near the garden rather than sticking to the busiest roads.
You can take a short taxi or bus ride, or walk if the weather is good and you are travelling light. If you walk, treat it as a warm-up stroll before the more extensive walking inside the museum.
Parking can be convenient if you are coming from outside Aarhus, but once you are central, walking or buses are usually simpler than relocating a car. If you are staying downtown, it is rarely worth driving just for this visit.

Tickets & Entry

You will get the best experience by entering, since the value is in the interiors and the full street network. If you only pass by outside the perimeter, you are essentially missing the point of the museum.
Admission is essentially “all access” to the museum town: streets, buildings, and the core experience areas that bring each period to life. Some special events or guided tours may have their own conditions, so check listings if you are timing your visit for a specific programme.
In peak periods, buying ahead is sensible because it reduces friction at the entrance and makes arrival smoother. In quieter months, you can often decide on the day without much downside.
Large backpacks can be awkward in narrow historic interiors, so travelling lighter makes the visit more comfortable. Respect the boundary between “exhibit” and “set”-even when spaces feel like real homes, treat them as museum environments.

Visiting Experience

If you only have 2-3 hours, focus on one older era plus one newer era for contrast and choose interiors selectively. That approach still delivers the “time travel” feeling without turning into a sprint.
Yes, because it gives you broad cultural coverage in one place and helps you understand Danish life quickly. If you only do one major museum, this one generally offers the most variety.
Pair it with the Botanical Garden/greenhouses and one central museum or viewpoint afterwards. Keeping the add-ons close prevents the day from becoming transport-heavy.
Bad weather is still workable because many interiors are sheltered, but you will walk between buildings, so dress properly. If you have flexibility, choose a dry day to make the outdoor streets feel more enjoyable.

Tours, Context & Itineraries

Some tours mention it or stop nearby, but the full experience usually requires dedicated time inside the museum. It is best treated as its own main activity rather than a quick tour stop.
If you enjoy context and social-history detail, a tour can add depth and help you notice what you would otherwise miss. If you prefer wandering and following your curiosity, independent exploring works very well.
Choose one period area, commit to several key interiors, then finish with a newer-era street for contrast. A short loop works best when you resist the temptation to see “everything.”

Photography

Yes-especially if you like street scenes, textures, and small details that feel cinematic. The best photos often come from quieter corners and doorways rather than the main square.
Morning is often best for softer light and fewer people in your frames. Late afternoon can be atmospheric too, but keep an eye on closing times so you do not lose access to interiors.
Rules can vary by space and exhibition, so follow signage and staff guidance. When in doubt, avoid flash and prioritise respectful, low-disruption photography in smaller rooms.
Look for long, straight street views where façades stack into the distance, then add a foreground detail like a sign or doorway. Those compositions tend to capture the “living town” feeling better than wide shots alone.

Accessibility & Facilities

Some areas can be challenging due to cobbles and historic thresholds, but there are more accessible zones and outdoor areas that remain rewarding. Plan for slower pacing and focus on the sections that are easiest to navigate.
Yes, and you can build your visit around comfortable breaks. It is a large site, so note facilities as you go rather than assuming they are always immediately nearby.
Yes-use cafés and resting spots strategically to avoid tiring out mid-visit. A short break every hour often improves the overall experience.
It is family-friendly, but strollers can be awkward on cobbles and in tight interiors. If possible, keep the stroller for outdoor streets and rely on shorter indoor visits.

Food & Breaks Nearby

Staying around the Botanical Garden and nearby central streets keeps breaks easy without adding transport time. If you want a fuller meal afterwards, head toward the Latin Quarter for more choice.
A classic pairing is to treat Den Gamle By as your main daytime activity, then plan a relaxed dinner downtown. That pacing helps the museum feel like a full experience rather than one stop among many.

Safety & Timing

Yes, it is a well-visited part of Aarhus near parks and central districts. Use standard city awareness, but most travellers find it comfortable and calm.
Early is best for calmer streets and cleaner photos. Later can feel livelier, but mornings typically give the most unhurried experience.

Nearby Attractions to the Den Gamle By

  • Aarhus Botanical Garden - A relaxing green space next door that pairs perfectly with a museum-heavy day.
  • ARoS Aarhus Art Museum - Aarhus's flagship art museum and a strong contrast to Den Gamle By's historical focus.
  • Aarhus City Hall - A modernist landmark and an easy architecture stop in the central area.
  • The Latin Quarter - The best district for cafés, small shops, and a slow wander after your museum visit.
  • Aarhus Cathedral - A central landmark that anchors the historic core and fits naturally into a city-centre walking loop.

The The Old Town appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Aarhus!

Moira & Andy
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!

Read our full story here

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Planning Your Visit

Hours:

(Winter) 01 January - 27 March: Monday - Friday: 10:00-16:00; Saturday - Sunday: 10:00-17:00; 07 February - 15 February: Daily: 10:00-17:00.

(Summer) 28 March - 30 December: Daily: 10:00-17:00; 24 December & 31 December: Daily: 10:00-15:00.

Price:

Adults 145 DKK (01 January - 27 March) / 205 DKK (28 March - 31 December). Children 0-17 free. Students 75 DKK / 105 DKK (student tickets sold on-site only, with valid student ID).

Address: Viborgvej 2, 8000 Aarhus Centrum, Denmark
Aarhus: 1 km
Telephone: +45 86 12 31 88
Official Website

Nearby Attractions

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