must-visit in AarhusMuseum

The Old Town (Den Gamle By)

📍 Viborgvej 2, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark

1 photos

4.6/ 5.0

★★★★★

Quick Facts

Location: Denmark, Aarhus
Category: Museum
Duration: 3-4 hours
Opening Hours: Daily 10:00-17:00, longer hours in summer, effectively open year-round
Ticket Price: Adult: Free · About DKK 190 for adults in the main season, about DKK 145 in winter; under-18s free
Address: Viborgvej 2, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
Coordinates: 56.1567, 10.2108

Introduction

Den Gamle By, The Old Town, lies just north of central Aarhus beside the free Botanical Garden and opened in 1909 as the world's first open-air museum. Seventy-five historic half-timbered houses from across Denmark were moved here to recreate town lanes from the 1700s to the 1900s: the bakery exhales warm pastry, the smithy rings, the apothecary shelves century-old jars, and staff in period dress bring it all to life - and are happy to stop and tell you the stories. Try forging, baking, churning butter and old-style printing, and step into a 1974-style working-class flat for another slice of the past. In December the whole town becomes a fairy-tale market of candlelight and mulled wine, a Danish family tradition. Allow 3-4 hours; the 48-hour Aarhus Card covers this museum, ARoS and city transport, which makes a cultural day easy value.

✨ Highlights

The world's first open-air museum

Founded in 1909 and the origin of the open-air museum form, with 75 historic Danish houses moved here from across the country.

Four centuries of streets

From 17th-century timber farmhouses to 20th-century bakeries and grocery shops, cobbled lanes trace about 400 years of Danish daily life.

The 1974 flat

Step into a 1970s apartment along with period record and electronics shops - a Danish working-class home of half a century ago.

Living history

Costumed staff bake cinnamon rolls at the bakery, work the forge and weigh herbs at the pharmacy, and are happy to talk.

Hands-on workshops

Try churning butter, weaving and old-style printing; you can take home what you make.

Christmas fairy-tale market

In December the whole town becomes a market of candlelight and mulled wine - a Danish family tradition.

🛈 Practical Info

→Time needed：Allow 3-4 hours; half a day if you read every shop and workshop.

→Pass option：The Aarhus Card (24h DKK 329 / 48h DKK 429) covers this museum plus ARoS and 25+ more venues, and includes city transport.

→Combine with：The Botanical Garden, ARoS art museum, Aarhus Cathedral and the Latin Quarter make the classic cultural day.

→Worth it?：Yes - Aarhus's most distinctive attraction. It is not a look-only museum but history you can smell, touch and talk about; ideal for families and photographers.

→Watch out：Cobbles throughout, so wear flat shoes; the old bakery is cash-only, so carry small change; some indoor houses queue by scheduled slot - check the day's timetable on arrival.

→Opening Hours：Daily 10:00-17:00, longer hours in summer, effectively open year-round

→Transportation：Buses 11 and 12 stop directly at Den Gamle By; about a 20-minute walk from the centre, right beside the free Botanical Garden.

Ticket Information

Ticket Information
Adult	Free

About DKK 190 for adults in the main season, about DKK 145 in winter; under-18s free

💡 Tips

• Buying online in advance saves a little and skips the queue - worth it in peak season (June-August).

• The old bakery is cash-only, so bring small change for fresh cinnamon rolls.

• The bakery's hot cinnamon rolls are limited daily - buy at opening for the best chance.

• Some indoor houses queue by scheduled slot; check the day's timetable on arrival.

• Wear flat shoes - the cobbles are uneven and heels will catch.

• The 48-hour Aarhus Card covers this museum, ARoS and city transport - it pays for itself at two museums.

FAQ

What are the opening hours of The Old Town (Den Gamle By)?

Daily 10:00-17:00, longer hours in summer, effectively open year-round

How much is the admission for The Old Town (Den Gamle By)?

Adult: Free; About DKK 190 for adults in the main season, about DKK 145 in winter; under-18s free

Any practical tips for visiting The Old Town (Den Gamle By)?

Buying online in advance saves a little and skips the queue - worth it in peak season (June-August). The old bakery is cash-only, so bring small change for fresh cinnamon rolls.