Åarhus: Shopping City and European Capital of Culture 2017
Åarhus is Denmark’s most attractive shopping metropolis, ahead of Copenhagen, and was European Capital of Culture in 2017. Åarhus offers a wide range of different shopping opportunities, from small, individual boutiques in the historic Latinerkvarter district to the shopping street Strøget, department stores and the modern shopping center Bruuns Galleri. Moesgaard Museum, south of Åarhus, has prehistoric peat finds, including Grauballe Man, a 2,000-year-old bog body. A must-see is Gamle By, Åarhus’ open-air museum.
Skagen and its festivals
Near the pretty port town of Skagen, at the tip of the Skagens Odde promontory at Grenen, is Denmark’s northernmost point, where the North and Baltic Seas meet. In Skagen there is the Skagen Odde Naturcenter, a natural history museum and a red brick water tower. In the Skagen Klitplantage (dune planting) there are great hiking, cycling and horseback riding trails. South of Skagen you can marvel at the imposing shifting dune Råberg Mile, which moves 20-30 m in a north-easterly direction every year. The winter swimming festival attracts visitors to Skagen in January, the deep sea fishing festival in late May/early June, the Skagen folk/rock festival in July and the Skagen literature festival in September.
- Andyeducation: Introduction to education system in Denmark, including compulsory schooling and higher education.
Ålborg and its history
The city of Ålborg on the Limfjord was already an important port for trade with Norway in Viking times. In the Middle Ages, herring fishing in the Limfjord became very important. In 1342 Ålborg received city rights and in 1554 it became a bishopric. Budolfi Church is the town’s cathedral, the oldest parts date from around 1100. Helligåndsklostret (Holy Spirit Monastery) from 1431 is Denmark’s oldest social institution. The Renaissance building Ålborghus (1540) is the only surviving residence of a royal vassal in Denmark today. In the heart of the city lies the entertainment mile Jomfru Ane Gade with numerous restaurants, nightclubs and pubs. Alsbjerg Bakker (hill) offers a beautiful view of the Limfjord, Aalborg and Aggersund.
Jutland and its beaches
Jutland, the Danish mainland, stretches over 400 km from the German border to the northern tip of the country. On the coast you will find wonderful wide sandy beaches with dune-rich hinterland. In northern Denmark, the Baltic and North Seas meet at the headland near Skagen. In the north of Denmark there are white sandy beaches, great dunes and cliffs, heathland and forest. The west coast of Denmark borders the North Sea. The Wadden Sea begins north of Esbjerg. The changing tides characterize the landscape of the miles of beaches in the southwest. Swimming here can be dangerous for even experienced swimmers and warnings from local authorities should be heeded. East Jutland on the Baltic Sea is green and hilly, has many large forests and beautiful sandy beaches. The Flensburg Fjord lies to the south-east.
Jammer Bay with great sandy beaches
The Jammerbugte region offers pristine sandy beaches with very good water quality (blue environmental flag), dunes, cliffs, heathland, forests and ravines, as well as the peat moss bog area Store Vildmose east of Blokhus and the Slettestrand area with Svinkløv. The Jammerbugte region is one of Denmark’s most popular holiday areas. Mountain bikers are drawn to Slettestrand and hikers like to join a guided hiking tour through the Blokhus dune plantation.
Funen island
The island of Funen, which is connected to the mainland by bridges, is known as the »Garden of Denmark«. Historic castles and mansions stand in parks and gardens. Odense is the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen. Festivals are held annually (July, August) in Odense in honor of Hans Christian Andersen. The HC Andersen Museum and his childhood home are open to visitors. Also of interest are the Railway Museum and Funen Village (a cultural center). The Brandts cultural center is known for its wide range of entertainment. The smaller islands of Langeland, Tåsinge and Ærø to the south of Funen are ideal bathing islands with wonderful beaches. Hobby anglers can be found in North Funen and cyclists can explore the whole island on their bikes.
Lolland island
The island of Lolland in south-eastern Denmark is largely flat and offers many beautiful sandy beaches such as Hummingen Strand or Bredfjed Strand, which is child-friendly. Knuthenborg Park & Safari on Lolland is the largest park in Northern Europe. Åalholm Castle near Nystad houses an automobile museum with Europe’s largest collection of vintage cars. The Lolland-Falster Museum ( www.aabne-samlinger.dk/museumlollandfalster/ ), located in Maribo and Horslunde, is also worth seeing. The museum railway, a historic steam engine, runs from Maribo to Bandholm (journey time 30 minutes). Lolland has good transport links, including the international airfield Lolland Falster Airport.
Island of Falster
On the island of Falster in south-eastern Denmark there are some hills and also a piece of forest. Like the neighboring island of Lolland, Falster is one of the most popular holiday areas in Denmark. The Medieval Center at Nykøbing on Falster brings medieval life back to life with knight tournaments and banquets in the village, harbor and workshops. Falster has a surfing centre, several marinas, beautiful cycling and walking routes and endless sandy beaches.
