Best Hotels in Aarhus for Every Budget — 22 Real Picks From £77 (2026)

Our top Aarhus hotel pick for 2026 is the Hotel Royal — the city's historic five-star on Store Torv beside the cathedral, from around £259 a night — but the honest story of Aarhus is that it is a compact, youthful second city, and its best rooms are comfortable four-stars and a handful of standouts rather than a wall of five-star towers. That is part of the appeal: a shorter, cheaper Danish break than Copenhagen with big-hitter culture at smaller-city prices. We've built this guide around all 22 real, distinct, currently bookable hotels in the city — grouped into the best-rated stays and the cheaper beds, each linking straight to its live prices. The honest floor is around £77 a night at a central hostel, and the key thing to understand is this: as across Scandinavia, in Aarhus the room is rarely what stings — it is the food, drink and especially the alcohol. Denmark uses the krone, not the euro, and the city is nearly cashless, so plan for card spending on meals rather than cash for the room.

Jump to your budget: Best-rated stays · Budget stays from £77

Scout's 3 best-value picks right now: 🛏 Scandic Aarhus Vest — from ~£101, the cheapest genuine four-star in the city, a reliable Scandic west of the centre with easy links in. 🏙 Cabinn Aarhus — from ~£78, a central budget hotel with nearly 12,000 reviews, one of the best-value beds in town. 🎒 Danhostel Aarhus City — from ~£77, a modern riverside hostel with private rooms as well as dorms, minutes from the old town. From-prices are live rates pulled while writing — tap any hotel for today's price on your dates.

Aarhus sits on the east coast of the Jutland peninsula, Denmark's second city and a roughly two-hour flight (plus transfer) from the UK — a handsome, walkable university town with a big student energy and a shorter, cheaper feel than Copenhagen. The defining sights — the ARoS art museum with Olafur Eliasson's rainbow panorama walkway; the open-air living-history streets of Den Gamle By; the café-and-boutique lanes of the Latin Quarter; the cathedral and Store Torv; and the grass-roofed Moesgaard museum — all sit within the compact centre or a short bus or bike ride of every hotel here. Most UK visitors reach the city via Copenhagen (CPH) and the ~3-hour direct train, or fly to Billund (BLL) or Aarhus (AAR). Denmark uses the krone (DKK / kr), not the euro, the city is close to fully cashless, and the sweet-spot months are May–June and September. Compare live Aarhus hotel prices or search flights to Aarhus (AAR).

At a glance — the best-rated tier compared, before the full reviews:

The Best-Rated Stays in Aarhus

Here's the honest picture: Aarhus is a compact, youthful second city, not a luxury-tower capital, so its best rooms are one grand old five-star and a strong bench of comfortable four-stars — and that is exactly what most visitors want. This tier gathers the eight highest-rated, most characterful hotels in the city, from the landmark Hotel Royal to the design-led four-stars and reliable Scandic names. Expect roughly £100 to £260 a night for most of them, with the boutique Villa Provence sitting higher, and every one within an easy walk or short ride of the centre.

1. Hotel Royal — Aarhus · 5★ · 1,363 reviews · from ~£259/night. The city's landmark five-star and our top pick, a historic hotel on Store Torv right beside the cathedral in the heart of the old town, with grand heritage rooms, a casino and classic Danish elegance. Central, formal and unmistakably special, it is the definitive Aarhus splurge and a genuine piece of the city's history. You step straight out into the cathedral square and the Latin Quarter.

2. Villa Provence — Aarhus · 4★ · 917 reviews · from ~£505/night. The priciest stay in this guide and worth it for the character — an intimate, French-styled boutique four-star near the centre, with individually decorated rooms, antique furnishings and a charming courtyard that feels transplanted from the south of France. Romantic, personal and quietly luxurious, it suits couples who want atmosphere over a big-hotel feel. A special-occasion favourite in a walkable central spot.

3. Comwell Aarhus Dolce by Wyndham — Aarhus · 4★ · 2,188 reviews · from ~£211/night. A large, full-service four-star with spacious modern rooms, a restaurant, spa and conference facilities, well-placed for both business and sightseeing near the centre. Comfortable, reliable and well-equipped, with parking for drivers. A dependable choice for travellers who want a full-service hotel with room to spread out at a fair four-star rate.

4. Hotel Marselis — Aarhus · 4★ · 5,155 reviews · from ~£208/night. A calm, well-reviewed four-star on the coast just south of the city in the leafy Marselisborg area, with sea-facing rooms, a spa and a restaurant looking out over the bay. A short bus ride or drive from the centre, it trades a downtown address for peace and water views. Ideal for travellers who want a restful, scenic base with easy parking and forest walks nearby.

5. Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel Aarhus — Aarhus · 4★ · 6,655 reviews · from ~£180/night. The most-reviewed four-star in the city, a large, dependable Radisson Blu near the centre with comfortable rooms, a restaurant and reliable service — the obvious pick for travellers who want a big, well-run hotel with a predictable standard. Its huge review count reflects consistency, and it is within walking distance of the main sights. A safe, well-placed all-rounder.

6. Scandic Aarhus City — Aarhus · 4★ · 2,186 reviews · from ~£149/night. A modern four-star Scandic right in the heart of the city, with fresh, comfortable rooms and a genuinely central location a short walk from ARoS, the cathedral and the Latin Quarter. Well-run and reliably good value for a central four-star, it suits travellers who want to be in the thick of things without a luxury price. One of the best-placed hotels in this tier.

7. Scandic The Mayor — Aarhus · 4★ · 2,309 reviews · from ~£133/night. A stylish, design-conscious four-star by the river near the centre, with smart Scandinavian interiors, comfortable rooms and an easy walk to the old town and the waterfront cafés. Well-reviewed and good value for the standard, it suits travellers who want design character and a central-adjacent location at a fair rate. A dependable, good-looking mid-tier pick.

8. Scandic Aarhus Vest — Aarhus · 4★ · 1,695 reviews · from ~£101/night. The cheapest genuine four-star in the city and one of the best-value picks in this guide — a reliable Scandic west of the centre, with fresh modern rooms, parking and easy bus or light-rail links into town. Well-run and comfortable at the tier floor, it suits travellers who want dependable four-star comfort and don't mind a short ride in. A budget champion of this post.

Prices here are live from-rates pulled while writing; peak summer and Christmas run higher. See all Aarhus stays for live availability, or search flights to Aarhus (AAR).

Cheap Hotels in Aarhus — 22 Real, Bookable Options From £77

Here's the honest news about budget Aarhus: the room is rarely what makes the city expensive, and unlike bigger capitals, the cheapest beds sit right in or beside the centre. Real, bookable rates start around £77 a night at a central riverside hostel, and this tier runs up through the £90s and £100s for well-rated hotels — though a couple of central three-stars stretch to roughly £190–255 in peak season, so the true top of the band is higher than the floor suggests. Two things to keep in mind: Denmark uses the krone, not the euro (pegged to the euro, so rates are stable), and the country is close to fully cashless, so bring a contactless card. And budget for the food and drink, not just the bed — a beer runs £6–8 and dinner adds up, though as a student city Aarhus has more affordable eating than its size suggests. Below are the 14 cheaper stays, ordered from the lowest nightly rate up.

9. Danhostel Aarhus City — Aarhus · hostel · 1,600 reviews · from ~£77/night. The cheapest real bed in this guide — a modern, central hostel by the river a short walk from the old town, offering private rooms as well as dorm beds, with over 1,600 reviews behind it. Clean, well-run and genuinely cheap for a Danish city, it is ideal for budget travellers, solo visitors and anyone who wants a walkable base without a hotel price. A budget champion of this post.

10. Cabinn Aarhus — Aarhus · 2★ · 11,937 reviews · from ~£78/night. The most-reviewed hotel in this guide by a wide margin, a big, central budget hotel offering compact, cabin-style rooms at a very low rate, moments from the centre and the harbour. No frills, but reliably clean and unbeatable value for a central Aarhus bed. A dependable, well-tested choice for travellers who just need a comfortable place to sleep and plan to spend their days in the city.

11. Four Points Flex by Sheraton Aarhus Viby — Aarhus · 3★ · 2,015 reviews · from ~£95/night. A modern, well-reviewed three-star in Viby, just south of the centre, with fresh, functional rooms, parking and easy links into town. Reliable Marriott-family standards at a budget rate make it a solid value pick for drivers and travellers happy to stay a short ride out. A dependable, good-value southern base.

12. Wakeup - Aarhus — Aarhus · budget hotel · 7,526 reviews · from ~£97/night. A well-reviewed central budget hotel with over 7,500 reviews, offering smart, compact modern rooms at a low rate in a walkable location. Better looking than its price suggests and reliably well-run, it is one of the best-value central beds in the city. Ideal for travellers who want a fresh, central room without paying a four-star rate.

13. Four Points Flex by Sheraton Aarhus Skejby — Aarhus · 3★ · 134 reviews · from ~£103/night. A modern three-star in Skejby, north of the centre near the university hospital, with fresh, functional rooms, parking and light-rail links into town. A newer listing with fewer reviews, but reliable Four Points standards at a fair rate. Handy for the hospital and business park, and good value for drivers wanting a quiet northern base.

14. athome apartments — Aarhus · aparthotel · 139 reviews · from ~£119/night. Self-catering serviced apartments around the city, offering flats with kitchens — great for families, longer stays or anyone who wants to cook and spread out. A smaller listing with fewer reviews, but good value for the space and independence. Handy for travellers who prefer their own kitchen and more room than a hotel offers at a fair nightly rate.

15. Hotel Faber — Aarhus · 3★ · 97 reviews · from ~£141/night. A small, comfortable three-star offering tidy, straightforward rooms at a fair rate near the city. A smaller listing with fewer reviews, but a reliable, no-fuss option for travellers who want a simple, well-kept room without a chain-hotel price. Good value for a compact stay close to the centre.

16. Milling Hotel Ritz Aarhus City — Aarhus · 3★ · 6,029 reviews · from ~£155/night. A characterful, well-reviewed three-star in a handsome 1930s building opposite the central station, with classic, comfortable rooms and a genuinely central location a short walk from the sights. One of the best-reviewed budget-tier hotels in this guide, with over 6,000 reviews. Ideal for rail arrivals and travellers who want old-school character in the heart of town at a fair price.

17. Hotel GUESTapart — Aarhus · aparthotel · 4,764 reviews · from ~£164/night. A well-reviewed apartment-hotel offering self-catering studios and flats with kitchens, great for families and longer stays who want to cook and spread out. With over 4,700 reviews, it is a reliable, good-value choice for travellers who prefer their own space and a kitchen. Handy for independent trips and a fair rate for the room you get.

18. Hotel Årslev Kro — Aarhus · 3★ · 199 reviews · from ~£167/night. A traditional Danish inn (kro) on the western edge of the city, offering comfortable rooms, a restaurant and parking in a quieter, more rural-feeling setting. A smaller listing with fewer reviews, but a characterful, well-kept base for drivers who want peace and traditional hospitality away from the centre. Good for a calmer stay with easy road access.

19. BOOK1 by Brøchner Hotels — Aarhus · new listing · from ~£171/night. A fresh, design-led central hotel from the well-regarded Danish group Brøchner Hotels, with stylish modern rooms in a walkable spot near the centre. A brand-new listing with reviews still building, so it comes without the track record of the bigger names, but the group's reputation and central location make it a promising pick for design-minded travellers. Tap through for the latest availability.

20. Robertas Society — Aarhus · 2★ · 76 reviews · from ~£176/night. A small, characterful central stay offering simple, individual rooms in a walkable spot near the city's cafés and nightlife. A smaller listing with fewer reviews, but a personal, well-placed option for travellers who want a compact central base with a bit of character. Good for short city stays where location matters most.

21. Radisson RED Aarhus — Aarhus · design hotel · 3,775 reviews · from ~£192/night. A playful, design-led hotel from Radisson's RED brand by the harbour and the striking Dokk1 waterfront library, with bold, colourful interiors, a lively bar and fresh modern rooms. Well-reviewed and stylish, it suits younger travellers and couples who want personality and a buzzy setting near the water. A distinctive, contemporary choice at the top of the budget tier.

22. Hotel Atlantic — Aarhus · 3★ · 221 reviews · from ~£253/night. A three-star by the harbour and the Dokk1 waterfront, offering comfortable rooms with some water-facing views a short walk from the centre. The priciest of the cheaper tier, its rate reflects the central-harbour setting rather than the star count, so check dates for value. Handy for the waterfront, the light rail and arrivals, and a comfortable, well-placed base for exploring the city on foot.

Price note: every from-price above is a live rate captured while writing, in pounds sterling. Aarhus's cheaper tier genuinely spans roughly £77 at the low end to around £255 at the top on peak dates — reasonable for a Danish city, and cheaper than Copenhagen, with the added bonus that the cheapest beds here sit right in or beside the centre. Remember that in Aarhus the room is rarely the expensive part: food, drink and alcohol are where the budget goes, with a beer around £6–8 and dinner adding up, though the city's street-food hall and bakeries keep costs down. Denmark uses the krone, not the euro, and the city is nearly cashless, so bring a contactless card. Rates climb in peak summer and over Christmas, so check your dates. Tap any hotel for today's total on your dates, taxes included. See all Aarhus stays or search flights to Aarhus (AAR).

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Planning a bigger Danish trip? This guide uses the same real-price, every-budget approach:

• Best Hotels in Copenhagen

Aarhus Hotels FAQs

What is the cheapest hotel in Aarhus? On recent searches the lowest real, bookable rate is Danhostel Aarhus City from around £77 a night — a modern hostel with private rooms as well as dorms, a short walk from the centre and the river. Just above it, Cabinn Aarhus comes in from about £78, Four Points Flex by Sheraton Aarhus Viby from ~£95 and Wakeup - Aarhus from ~£97. All four are genuinely central or a quick ride in, and for a Danish city £77 is a reasonable floor — Aarhus is noticeably cheaper to sleep in than Copenhagen.

How much does a budget hotel in Aarhus cost per night in 2026? Realistically £77–190 a night for the cheaper tier on most dates, with the very top of the band reaching around £255 at a couple of central three-stars in peak season. The floor is around £77 at Danhostel Aarhus City and £78 at Cabinn Aarhus, with well-reviewed names like Four Points Flex, Wakeup - Aarhus, Milling Hotel Ritz and Hotel GUESTapart running roughly £95–165. Prices climb in summer and over Christmas, so check your dates. As across Scandinavia, the room is rarely what stings — food, drink and alcohol are where Aarhus gets expensive.

Is Aarhus cheaper than Copenhagen? Yes, noticeably. Aarhus is Denmark's compact second city, and both hotels and eating out run cheaper than in the capital. Where Copenhagen's budget floor sits around £72 and its best rooms are true five-stars, Aarhus starts around £77 but its ceiling is far lower — the city's best stays are excellent four-stars and one landmark five-star rather than a wall of luxury towers. If your priority is a good-value Danish city break with big-hitter culture but smaller-city prices, Aarhus delivers it, and the ~3-hour train from Copenhagen makes pairing the two easy.

What is the best area to stay in Aarhus? For first-timers, the city centre around the Latin Quarter, the cathedral and Store Torv is ideal — walkable, full of cafés and boutiques, and close to ARoS and the river. The streets around the central station and Banegårdspladsen are handy for arrivals and put you a few minutes from everything. Aarhus is small and flat, so almost any central hotel keeps the main sights, the harbour and Den Gamle By within an easy walk or a short bus ride. Staying central here does not cost dramatically more than staying out.

Is Aarhus expensive for UK visitors? Aarhus is more affordable than Copenhagen but still a Scandinavian city, so plan for it. Hotel floors are reasonable — real beds from around £77 a night — and museums, buses and bikes are fair value. Where Aarhus bites is food, drink and especially alcohol: a beer in a bar is often £6–8, a sit-down dinner adds up quickly, and restaurant prices reflect high Danish wages. Denmark uses the krone, not the euro, and the city is nearly cashless, so budget for card spending on meals rather than the room.

Can you stay in central Aarhus on a budget? Yes — unlike bigger cities, Aarhus keeps genuinely cheap beds right in the centre. Danhostel Aarhus City (from ~£77) sits by the river a short walk from the old town, Cabinn Aarhus (from ~£78) and Wakeup - Aarhus (from ~£97) are both central budget hotels, and Milling Hotel Ritz (from ~£155) is a characterful three-star opposite the station. Because the city is so compact, a budget bed here almost always puts you within walking distance of ARoS, the cathedral and the Latin Quarter.

Is there a hostel in Aarhus? Yes. Danhostel Aarhus City is the standout — a modern, central hostel from around £77 a night with private rooms as well as dorm beds, over 1,600 reviews and a riverside location minutes from the old town. For budget-minded travellers, Cabinn Aarhus (from ~£78) and Wakeup - Aarhus (from ~£97) also offer simple, cheap, cabin-style rooms in central spots. For two people sharing, a private hostel room or a budget cabin hotel is often the best value in the city.

What is the best hotel in Aarhus? For a landmark stay, Hotel Royal is the icon — Aarhus's historic five-star on Store Torv by the cathedral, from around £259 a night, with grand heritage rooms and a central-square setting. For boutique character, Villa Provence brings a French-styled four-star hideaway near the centre, while the Radisson Blu Scandinavia is the biggest, most-reviewed four-star in the city. Aarhus is a compact second city, so its best rooms are comfortable four-stars and a couple of standouts rather than a row of five-star towers — and that is part of its charm.

Does Aarhus have five-star hotels? Aarhus has one classic five-star — Hotel Royal, the historic landmark on Store Torv by the cathedral, from around £259 a night. Beyond it, the city's best rooms are excellent four-stars: the design-led Villa Provence, the waterside Hotel Marselis, the big Radisson Blu Scandinavia and several reliable Scandic hotels. This is a compact, youthful university city, not a luxury-tower capital, so the honest picture is one grand old five-star plus a strong bench of comfortable four-stars — which is exactly what most visitors want.

Where should first-time visitors stay in Aarhus? First-timers should aim for the central core — the Latin Quarter, the streets around the cathedral and Store Torv, or near the central station. From there you can walk to ARoS art museum, Den Gamle By, the river cafés and the Latin Quarter's boutiques in minutes. Hotel Royal, Milling Hotel Ritz, Scandic Aarhus City and the budget-friendly Wakeup - Aarhus and Cabinn Aarhus all put you in or beside this walkable centre. Aarhus is small enough that a central base means you rarely need transport.

What currency does Aarhus use — euros or krone? Denmark uses the Danish krone (DKK / kr), not the euro — it is in the EU but kept its own currency, which surprises many first-time visitors. The krone is pegged to the euro, so rates are stable. Just as important, Aarhus is close to fully cashless: cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay and the local MobilePay are accepted almost everywhere, and many places prefer or expect card. Bring a contactless card or phone wallet rather than exchanging cash; you will rarely need notes.

How do I get from the airport to Aarhus city centre? Two airports serve the city. Aarhus Airport (AAR) at Tirstrup is about 40 km northeast, with an airport bus (route 925X) into the centre in around 45 minutes. Billund Airport (BLL), about 100 km southwest, has more UK flights and a coach that takes roughly 90 minutes to Aarhus. Many UK visitors instead fly to Copenhagen (CPH) and take the direct train, which reaches Aarhus in about three hours. Check which airport your fare uses, as the transfer times differ a lot.

How far is Aarhus from Copenhagen? About three hours by direct train. Aarhus sits on the Jutland peninsula across the water from Zealand, and fast, frequent DSB trains link the two cities via the Great Belt bridge in roughly 3 hours, making a two-city Danish trip easy. You can also fly into Aarhus (AAR) or nearby Billund (BLL), but for most UK visitors the simplest route is a flight to Copenhagen and the train across, or a direct flight to Billund and the coach in.

Why is food and drink expensive in Aarhus? High Danish wages, taxes and a focus on quality push restaurant and bar prices up, though Aarhus is a touch cheaper than Copenhagen. Expect roughly £6–8 for a beer in a bar, £12–18 for a casual main and more for a proper dinner. The money-savers are lunch specials (many places do a good-value frokost), the city's excellent bakeries for pastries, and the Aarhus Street Food hall by the station for cheaper, varied meals. As a student city, Aarhus has more affordable eating than its size suggests if you look.

Which Aarhus hotels are best for couples? For a romantic stay, Villa Provence is the standout — an intimate, French-styled four-star with a courtyard and boutique feel near the centre. Hotel Royal brings historic grandeur on the cathedral square, the Radisson RED Aarhus offers playful design by the harbour, and Hotel Marselis pairs sea views with a calm setting just south of the city. Couples who want atmosphere over a five-star price should look at Villa Provence and the design-led central four-stars.

Which Aarhus hotels are family-friendly? Larger hotels and apartment-style stays work best for families. The Radisson Blu Scandinavia and the Scandic hotels (Aarhus City, The Mayor and Aarhus Vest) offer roomy family options and reliable amenities, while athome apartments and Hotel GUESTapart provide self-catering flats with kitchens — great for cooking and spreading out. Cabinn Aarhus and Wakeup - Aarhus are budget-friendly for families happy with compact rooms. Aarhus is very family-friendly, with Den Gamle By, ARoS and the beaches an easy trip.

Is Aarhus walkable or do I need transport? Aarhus is very walkable — the centre, the Latin Quarter, ARoS, the cathedral, the river and Den Gamle By are all within an easy stroll of each other and of most central hotels. For anything further, the city has buses and a light-rail (letbane) line, and like the rest of Denmark it is superbly cycle-friendly, so hiring a bike is a lovely way to get around. If you stay centrally, you will barely need transport at all.

When is the best time to visit Aarhus? Late spring and summer (May–August) are the best months, with long days, outdoor cafés and festivals like NorthSide and the Aarhus Festuge in late summer — though these are also the busiest and priciest weeks. September is a lovely, quieter shoulder month. Christmas is atmospheric, with Den Gamle By's famous market, but cold and darker. For the best balance of value, weather and daylight, aim for May–June or September, when hotel prices ease from their summer peak.

What is there to do in Aarhus? Plenty for a compact city. See the rainbow panorama walkway at the ARoS art museum, wander the open-air living-history streets of Den Gamle By, explore the café-and-boutique lanes of the Latin Quarter, visit the Moesgaard prehistory museum and its grass-roofed building, and relax on the beaches and at the harbour baths in summer. The cathedral, the ARoS rooftop and the buzzy student atmosphere round it out — much of the joy is simply walking this handsome, easygoing second city.

Is it safe to stay in Aarhus? Aarhus is a safe, easygoing city — Denmark is consistently among the safest countries in Europe, and Aarhus is a relaxed university town where the central districts are perfectly comfortable to stay in. As in any city, use normal common sense late at night around the station and nightlife areas and keep an eye on belongings in crowds, but there is no budget-versus-safety trade-off here: cheaper central hotels are simply cheaper, not less safe.

Which Aarhus hotels have the best guest reviews? By review volume, Cabinn Aarhus leads with nearly 12,000 reviews, followed by Wakeup - Aarhus and the Radisson Blu Scandinavia with over 6,000 each, and Milling Hotel Ritz and Hotel Marselis close behind. The landmark Hotel Royal has over 1,300 reviews. High review counts on well-run hotels are the safest bet for a predictable stay, while smaller boutique names like Villa Provence have fewer reviews but score highly on character.

Do I need cash in Aarhus? Almost never. Denmark is one of the most cashless societies in the world — cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay and the local MobilePay app work virtually everywhere, from museums and buses to cafés and market stalls. Bring a contactless bank card or phone wallet and you are set. There is little reason to exchange pounds for krone in advance; if anything, notify your bank you are travelling so your card is not blocked, and use a card with low foreign-transaction fees.

How many days do you need in Aarhus? Two nights is the sweet spot for the city itself — a day for ARoS, the cathedral and the Latin Quarter, and a day for Den Gamle By and the harbour or Moesgaard. Add a third night if you want the beaches, a slower pace or a day trip. Aarhus is compact, so you can see the highlights in a long weekend, and it pairs beautifully with Copenhagen (about 3 hours by train) for a week-long two-city Danish trip.

Can I fly directly to Aarhus from the UK? There are some direct flights to Aarhus Airport (AAR), but the network is limited. More UK travellers fly to Billund (BLL), about 90 minutes away by coach, or to Copenhagen (CPH), which has frequent direct flights from across the UK and a direct train to Aarhus in about three hours. Check which airport your fare uses and factor in the transfer — sometimes the cheapest flight into Copenhagen plus the train beats a pricier direct option.

Which Aarhus hotels have parking? Several. The out-of-centre and larger hotels are the easiest for drivers — Hotel Marselis south of the city, Comwell Aarhus Dolce by Wyndham, the Scandic hotels and Four Points Flex by Sheraton (Viby and Skejby) all have parking. In the compact centre, parking is limited and paid, so many visitors skip the car and use buses, bikes or the light rail. If you are driving, choose a hotel with its own car park and expect to pay for central spaces.

How do I save money in Aarhus? The room is often the cheap part, so save on food and drink. Eat your main meal at lunch, when many restaurants run a good-value frokost; graze at the Aarhus Street Food hall by the station; and lean on the city's superb bakeries for cheap, delicious pastries. As a student city, Aarhus has plenty of affordable cafés and bars. A hotel with a good breakfast buffet or a kitchenette (athome apartments, Hotel GUESTapart) stretches the budget further, and bikes and buses beat taxis.

What is ARoS and is it worth it? ARoS is Aarhus's landmark art museum and one of the biggest in Northern Europe, famous for Olafur Eliasson's "Your Rainbow Panorama" — a circular rooftop walkway of coloured glass that lets you see the city through every hue. Inside are strong modern and contemporary collections across nine floors. It is genuinely worth it and a short walk from most central hotels; allow a couple of hours, and enjoy the rooftop views of the city and bay from the rainbow ring.

How do I book these exact Aarhus hotels at the prices shown? Every hotel name in this guide links to that hotel's live page on JetMeAway — real-time rates, all taxes shown, and a date picker to match your trip. The from-prices quoted here were pulled on live searches while writing, so your dates will differ; tap through for today's number. No booking fees either way.