Aalborg: the relaxed city in northern Denmark

Port city, cultural centre, handball stronghold – Aalborg has a lot to offer. The city in the north of the country impresses with a mixture of history and modernity – here you will find small alleyways with half-timbered houses next to futuristic-looking art museums. If you’re curious, you can find out everything you need to know for a trip to Aalborg here.

Why go to Aalborg?

Aalborg may be the fourth largest city in Denmark, but it has not lost its charm and cosiness. The harbour city on the Limfjord is a city of contrasts – the old town is characterised by old half-timbered houses and cobblestones, but you can also find modern art here. There is also a wide range of art and culture on offer – Aalborg has several cultural centres that not only impress with their exhibitions and programmes, but are also real architectural eye-catchers. Aalborg has developed an exciting cityscape that invites you to explore and discover.

Where is Aalborg located?

Aalborg is located in North Jutland, the northernmost region of Denmark. The city lies on the Limfjord, which connects it to the Baltic Sea, which is around 35 kilometres away. The next largest city is Aarhus, which is also located on the Danish mainland and is around 120 kilometres away by car. The capital Copenhagen is just over 300 kilometres away by car. The port city of Frederikshavn, from where you can take a ferry to Gothenburg, is just over 60 kilometres away, as is the city of Hirtshals, from where there are ferry connections to Kristiansand in Norway.

Aalborg: weather

Aalborg has a relatively mild climate, which is ideal for a city trip. The best time to visit is from May to September, as temperatures are at their highest during these months and there is relatively little rainfall. The warmest month is July, when temperatures reach an average of 21° Celsius. Even in August, the temperature often climbs to the 20° mark. The coolest months are January and February, when temperatures average 3° Celsius. The rainiest month is October.

Sights and activities in Aalborg

Aalborg Old Town

Aalborg’s old town centre is perfect for a relaxing stroll, a walk or a coffee. The narrow cobbled streets are lined with cosy, historic and interesting houses, some of which date back to the 17th century.

The town is also a unique art project: thanks to graffiti artists, many of the town’s house walls have been transformed into huge works of art which, together with the colourful half-timbered houses, give the town centre a varied, creative and colourful atmosphere.

Aalborg is also home to one of the most iconic streets in the world, Hjelmerstald. This small street attracts visitors with its winding houses and colourful lighting that changes from minute to minute.

Aalborg Zoo

Aalborg Zoo is a popular destination for young and old alike. It is open 363 days a year and is home to well over 100 different animal species – the zoo is the only one in Denmark where you can see African elephants, Bornean orangutans and Asiatic lions.

The zoo is also very child- and family-friendly, offering short distances, a large adventure playground and a farm with native farm animals. The programme also includes feedings and other shows, which not only provide information about the various animal species, but also about nature and species conservation. Aalborg Zoo is around 15 minutes’ walk from the city centre.

Art and culture in Aalborg: museums and co.

Aalborg has a rich cultural offering. The city is home to several museums and other cultural centres where you can easily lose yourself.

One museum highlight is the Kunsten Museum of Modern Art, whose building is a work of art in itself. It was designed by Finnish star architect Alvar Aalto and is home to numerous art exhibitions.

The Utzon Centre is also an impressive and futuristic building where you can visit changing exhibitions on exciting topics. There are also courses, tours and events for the whole family.

Another architectural highlight of the cultural offerings is the Musikkens Hus, which is located on the harbour front and is mainly used for concerts. It is located directly opposite the arts centre Nordkraft, which is an old industrial building and is now used for theatre events and concerts, but is also home to a cinema, gymnasiums and lounges.

Handball in Aalborg

Anyone interested in European handball will be familiar with Aalborg – the city is home to the successful club Aalborg Håndbold, which has won the Danish championship several times and has also impressed at international level. The home games are played in the Gigantium Arena, which has space for almost 6,000 handball fans, but is also used for concerts and ice hockey. The arena has hosted matches at the European Women’s Handball Championships and the European Men’s Handball Championships.

Aalborgtårnet

The view from the top is a rare experience in Denmark, but you can visit the Aalborgtårnet in Aalborg and enjoy the view over the city and region. The steel lattice tower is 55 metres high and was opened in 1933. At the top there is not only a fantastic view, but also a tower restaurant. The trip to the viewing platform costs 40 Danish kroner for adults and 30 Danish kroner for children.

Accommodation in Aalborg

Hotels in Aalborg

As a large city, Aalborg has a number of hotels to offer. From chic star hotels to cosy B&Bs, everyone can find the right hotel for them in Aalborg. Hotels often offer the convenience of being centrally located so that the hotspots can be reached quickly on foot. Highlights in Aalborg include Hotel Scheelsminde, a cosy family-owned hotel just a five-minute drive from the train station with a wellness centre and gourmet restaurant, or Zleep Hotel Aalborg, which is very centrally located yet offers quiet accommodation.

Holiday flats in Aalborg

Holiday flats give you the feeling of being at home even on holiday. Accommodation in a holiday flat is particularly suitable for families and other groups, as this type of accommodation often offers plenty of space and your own cooking facilities.

Camping in Aalborg

If you want to take it easy and get closer to nature, you can go on holiday to a campsite. Camping in Denmark is very popular, which is why there are several campsites in the Nordjylland region, including in Aalborg. Campsites often offer various services and accommodation of all kinds, from glamping to simple pitches. The campsite in Aalborg is close to the city centre and a sandy beach.

Travelling to Aalborg

Flights to Aalborg

Aalborg has its own airport, which is located around seven kilometres northwest of the city centre. It is served by direct flights from London. Once you arrive at Aalborg Airport, you can continue your journey either by public transport, taxi or rental car.