Rick Steves Calls This Charming, Walkable City 'Denmark's Biggest Little Town'

Travelers unfamiliar with Denmark may think that a vacation in Copenhagen is the only real way to experience Scandinavian culture. And while it's certainly Denmark's largest city, and a very walkable one to boot (it even has a pedestrian shopping mall), it's not the only place visitors can explore to experience all that this small but beautiful country has to offer. If you're drawn to cities that feel just the right size — walkable, vibrant, layered with history but refreshingly modern — then Denmark's "world's smallest big city" of Aarhus might be your next favorite discovery. In his blog, popular travel writer Rick Steves affectionately changed the title Aarhus gave itself to "Denmark's biggest little town", and after a visit, it's easy to see why.

After a pleasant 3-hour train ride from Copenhagen, visitors will arrive in this under-the-radar destination (just as cool as Copenhagen) that Steves claims is "easy to handle and easy to like." Located in eastern Jutland on the shores of Aarhus Bay, despite being Denmark's second largest city, Aarhus maintains the charm of a smaller town, with everything within walking or cycling distance. The city's history stretches back centuries: Viking-era settlement, medieval growth, and now a modern hub of culture, design, university life, and green innovation. According to Steves, "Today, Aarhus bustles with a buzzing port, an important university, a bursting-with-life pedestrian boulevard, and an adorable old quarter filled with people living well." Wandering through Aarhus, it's clear that this is a city designed for living — not just visiting. Its compact layout and friendly pace make it an ideal destination for travelers who prefer exploring on foot rather than rushing between attractions.

Upon entering the city, visitors will notice the main pedestrian street, Strøget, threads through the heart of the city, connecting stylish boutiques, cafés, and squares where locals linger over coffee and conversation. Nearby, the Latin Quarter offers narrow cobblestone lanes, colorful façades, and the kind of easygoing charm that feels distinctly Scandinavian yet uniquely Aarhus. For a city of its size, Aarhus delivers a surprisingly rich cultural experience. The ARoS Aarhus Art Museum is a can't-miss stop, home to one of Denmark's most celebrated art collections. Its rooftop installation, "Your Rainbow Panorama" by Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson, wraps visitors in a 360-degree ring of color-tinted glass. This glowing, otherworldly walkway offers panoramic views of the city below.

A short walk away, Den Gamle By ("The Old Town") immerses travelers in the past. According to Rick Steves, "with 80 historic buildings carefully moved here from throughout Denmark, it gives visitors the best possible look at Danish urban life in decades past. Don't be afraid to open doors or poke into seemingly abandoned courtyards — you'll likely find a chatty docent inside, dressed in period attire, eager to describe the artifacts, answer questions, or demonstrate a craft such as blacksmithing or beekeeping." Those interested in the history of the area can visit both the Viking Museum (showcasing artifacts discovered during an excavation in 1960) and the Moesgård Museum, which showcases Denmark's deep prehistoric roots. The Moesgård Museum's architecture alone is worth the trip — though the exhibits inside, including the famous "Grauballe Man" (one of the world's best naturally preserved Iron Age bog bodies), are unforgettable. Visitors can also explore the Occupation Museum, which tells the story of the Danish resistance during World War II.

Although Aarhus is museum-heavy, according to Rick Steves, there's more to this interesting city than just that. He goes on to mention that "the higgledy-piggledy Latin Quarter, encompassing six or eight square blocks, is the oldest quarter, built in the late 14th century after the city knocked down the old Viking fortifications." And of course, no visit to Aarhus would be complete without diving into its culinary scene. Whether it's grabbing street food from around the world at the Aarhus Street Food Market, savoring modern or unique Nordic cuisine, or enjoying the "artfully canalized river, (with) a trendy avenue that's not the town's place to see and be seen", the city's food culture reflects Denmark's blend of sustainability, design, and comfort.

Aarhus may be small and walkable, but its range of accommodations rivals that of a much larger city. Travelers looking for central convenience will find excellent options near Midtbyen, the city's downtown core, placing them within easy walking distance of major attractions. For a chic yet relaxed stay, Hotel Scandic Aarhus City offers minimalist Scandinavian design and calm, modern interiors — the perfect base for exploring the city on foot. If you're after something with a bit more personality, Hotel Royal near the Cathedral Square combines old-world elegance with contemporary comfort, complete with original art and views of the city's historic center. Budget travelers and creatives might gravitate toward BOOK1 Design Hostel, a stylish, social space set in a converted library that blends boutique-hotel aesthetics with the camaraderie of hostel life. No matter where you stay, you'll never be far from a great meal, a scenic stroll, or a cozy café to settle into with a notebook and a view. Aarhus may be Denmark's "biggest little town," but when it comes to hospitality and atmosphere, it feels just right.