Aarhus from new heights
5 beautiful places in the city where you can experience Aarhus from the air.
Here you get the best view of the city
Aarhus is a beautiful city, whether you're strolling through the Latin Quarter, enjoying a cup of coffee by the river, or taking a walk in the forest. But what if you could see the city from a whole new angle? Here are four suggestions for the best places to see Aarhus from above.
Your Rainbow Panorama at ARoS
Aros Allé 2, 8000 Aarhus
Experience Aarhus through all the colors of the rainbow in Olafur Eliasson's iconic artwork. The circular glass walkway at the top of the museum gives you an uninterrupted 360-degree view of both the city center and the bay. It's the perfect place for spectacular photos, as the city changes character depending on the color of the glass you look through.
Aarhus Cathedral tower
Main Square, 8000 Aarhus
If you want to get up close to the city's history, you should take a trip up the Cathedral tower. After 150 steps through narrow stone stairs, you will be rewarded with an authentic view of Strøget and the old streets. For only 20 kroner, you get an experience that combines physical activity with a unique look into Aarhus' development from the Middle Ages to the present day.
Salling RoofTop
Søndergade 27, 8000 Aarhus
Enjoy one of the city's most popular views for free in the middle of Strøget. Here you can relax in soft lounge furniture with a cocktail or venture out onto the Salling Skywalk if you dare to look directly down at the pedestrian street through the glass floor. It's the perfect stop for a break from shopping or a cozy moment at sunset.
Aarhus Eye in Lighthouse
Helga Pedersens Gade 81, 8000 Aarhus
Visit Denmark's tallest building and take the elevator 142 meters up to the city's wildest panorama. The experience starts with an interactive exhibition about the city's history before you step out onto the large roof terrace. From here you get an unobstructed view of Aarhus Ø, the bay and the horizon, making it the city's most modern vantage point.
Nordic Seaplanes – the view from the air
Østhavnsvej 48, 8000 Aarhus C
See Aarhus from a bird's eye view with a seaplane ride. The plane takes off directly from the harbor and gives you a rare overview of the coastline, forests and the city's architecture. It's the most exclusive way to experience the connection between city and nature, as you get the whole of East Jutland served up from above.
Aarhus from above in pictures
Nordic Seaplanes – University
Aarhus Ø with Lighthouse and Aarhus Øje at the top
Boy – ARoS
Aarhus Cathedral – the tower
Salling Rooftop view of the city center
Experience Aarhus from new heights – the complete guide to the best views in the city
Aarhus is a city that is experienced as strongly from above as from below. All around the city you will find vantage points where history, architecture and landscape unfold in a panorama that gives you a whole new look at the City of Smiles. Whether you are looking for a quiet place to enjoy the sunset, a spectacular view of the harbor or a cultural experience combined with a view, Aarhus is full of opportunities.
In this guide, we have collected the most iconic places to experience Aarhus from above. Each place offers its own history, its own angle and its own unique atmosphere, and together they give a complete picture of the city, the bay and the architecture that surrounds us.
View of art and colors
At the top of ARoS you will find Your Rainbow Panorama, one of Aarhus' most famous landmarks. The stained glass walkway gives you a 360-degree view of the city, where the nuances change as you move around. It is both a work of art and an experience, combining the city skyline with the visuals of Olafur Eliasson. Many people go up here to take pictures, find peace or experience the city in a completely different light, and it is an obvious stop for both tourists and locals.
View with history
In the tower of Aarhus Cathedral you will have a steep, narrow and intense climb that ends with one of the most authentic views of the city center. From here you can see Strøget, the harbor and the old streets that wind through the city. The view is combined with a historical experience, where you feel the age of the building and get a glimpse into Aarhus' development from the Middle Ages to a modern cultural city.
Views from lounge chairs and glass platforms
At Salling Rooftop you get a more relaxed experience. Here you can sit down with a cup of coffee, a cocktail or a camera and enjoy the view of the city center from several levels. The glass-enclosed skywalk gives a little sigh of relief, but at the same time a fantastic opportunity to see Strøget and city life from a hanging platform. It is an ideal place for a shopping break, a romantic moment or a spontaneous look over the city.
View from Denmark's tallest building
Aarhus Øje in Lighthouse is the city's newest and highest viewpoint. Here the experience starts in “Byen & Bugten”, an exhibition in the basement that tells the story of the sea, the city and the iconic building. Then Northern Europe's fastest elevator takes you up 42 floors in less than half a minute. From a height of 142,6 meters you get an open terrace area with a panorama of Aarhus Ø, the bay, the harbor and the entire city. The terrace has plenty of space, benches and a glass wall that makes it safe to walk right to the edge and enjoy the view at a leisurely pace.
View from the sky
If you want to experience Aarhus from a bird's eye view, Nordic Seaplanes is a very special opportunity. The plane takes off from the harbor and takes you up above the city, the coastline and the landscape around Aarhus. From here you can see how forests, buildings and neighborhoods are connected, and how the bay shapes the rhythm of the city. It is a spectacular experience, where you get a rare look at the city from the air.
Find your next viewpoint
Experiencing Aarhus from above is not only a beautiful sight, it also gives you a sense of the city's coherence. You can see the harbor meet the forests, the old neighborhoods meet the new construction on Aarhus Ø, and the pulse of the city unfolded like a living map. Each view provides a new layer of understanding, whether you're visiting the city for a day or living here on a daily basis.
This guide is created for tourists, newcomers and locals alike who want to experience Aarhus in a new way. Use it as inspiration, for planning or as an overview and find exactly the place where you would like to see the city from above.