If you’re looking to explore Denmark beyond the soaring prices and cyclists of its capital, Copenhagen, the country has much more to offer, and this one city is one of Europe’s most happy and most walkable.
Aalborg residents are the happiest in Europe, according to a European Commission study, and with a wealth of art and breathtaking views on offer, you can experience its chirpy citizens and culture all on foot. As one of Europe’s most walkable cities, its tours cover street art, history, architecture led by guide Kenneth Pinsker, who is full of niche knowledge about his home.
You can explore an underground museum filled with medieval ruins, visit a house where women accused of witchcraft were allegedly seen practising black magic, including a dungeon where they were held before their execution, and discover the story of a Second World War resistance group made up of local teenagers.
Aalborg has now established itself as one of Scandinavia’s key cities for street art, attracting top-tier artists from around the globe such as El Mac, Vhils, Martin Ron and Phlegm, to create murals. Since 2014, initiatives like Out in the Open and WEAART have worked with artists to transform dull stone walls into vibrant canvases. Use an interactive guide or take a guided tour to uncover the stories behind the artwork.
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Lindholm Hoje in Aalborg is also home to an ancient Viking burial. Here you can see the stunning west and north coasts of Denmark. Just a 12-minute drive from the center of Aalborg, this extraordinary viewpoint overlooks the city and is home to 682 tombs and 150 stone boats. dating back to the Germanic Iron Age and the Viking Age. Unearthed in the 1950s after being buried under 4 meters of quicksand, this vast offering a compelling glimpse into history.
While the tour is free, there is an accompanying museum visit, which provides a deeper look into the lives of those early settlers.
The summer months of June, July and August will offer warm, sunny days, but be prepared for occasional showers – the city’s climate is similar to Edinburgh’s. January and February bring cold, windy and rainy weather, making them the quietest and busiest months.
If you don’t mind cold water, Vestre Fjordpark, a popular spot during the summer months, is a recreational area located in the west of Aalborg. It has a giant outdoor swimming pool, kayaking, canoeing and windsurfing facilities, volleyball courts and barbecue. Best of all, it’s completely free, making it a fantastic place to start your day.
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You can also stop at the works of Jørn Utzon, designer of the Sydney Opera House, at the Utzon Centre. Its unique Nordic architectural taste is explored alongside social sustainability for young people and young people. At the heart of their exhibitions is the concept that fabrics are recycled.
If you whet your appetite for a real opera, pay attention to Aalborg’s waterfront – the House of Music, Musikkens Hus. This building houses the Aalborg Symphony Orchestra and a concert hall for Danish and foreign artists.
To dodge the rain as much as possible, plan your visit between May and September. A unique spectacle on the northern Danish coast is the waves colliding where the Baltic Sea meets the North Sea in Skagen. Less than an hour drive away from Aalborg isthe Rubjerg Knude Lighthouse, perched atop a massive, scenic sand dune.
The lighthouse was recently relocated 70 meters inland (about 230 feet) using skates, in an impressive project to prevent it from tumbling into the sea.With new flight routes launching into the city over the summer, there’s no better time to explore this emerging hotspot.
However, things heat up significantly in May, when the week-long Aalborg Carnival, considered the largest in Europe, begins. The occasion features the prominent Carnival Battle bands, which are attended by many carnival bands from all over the world every year. Aalborg will participate.
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