--- description: Find out why Aarhus, Denmark is on TIME’s list of the world’s greatest places of 2023. title: Aarhus, Denmark: World's Greatest Places 2023 image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blta82a66a7221ca22b/698a3b1f457a521c60d67671/Worlds-Greatest-Places-Aarhus-Denmark.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 --- Mar 16, 2023 # Aarhus, Denmark The sea and the stars by [AnneLise Sorensen](/author/annelise-sorenson/) ## AnneLise Sorensen Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close  The Ole Rømer Observatory Science Park in Aarhus, Denmark. The Ole Rømer Observatory Science Park in Aarhus, Denmark.Courtesy Ruslan Merzlyakov/The Science Museums/Aarhus University Design-driven Aarhus has long embraced the sea, and this year even more so. In early summer, the city’s harbor will transform into a maritime celebration as a host of the Ocean Race, one of the longest round-the-world sailing challenges, with in-port races and other events. Aarhus’s cuisine abounds with innovative seafood, including at the Michelin-starred [Substans](https://restaurantsubstans.dk/ "undefined"), where you can dine on lobster from the Bay of Aarhus while taking in views of it. At [Frederikshøj](https://frederikshoj.com/ "undefined"), awarded a second Michelin star in 2022, the playful cuisine might include truffles from Marselisborg Forest or oysters from Venø island. The ocean even frames the city’s cutting-edge architecture, including Dokk1, one of the largest libraries in Scandinavia, and the Bjarke Ingels-designed harbor bath, where you can splash in floating seawater pools. Explore the history of Aarhus’s seafaring founders–the Vikings–at the [Moesgaard Museum](https://www.moesgaardmuseum.dk/en/ "undefined"), an architectural marvel with a grass roof. Gaze at the Nordic skies at the newly reopening, beautifully restored, 112-year-old [Ole Rømer Observatory](https://sciencemuseerne.dk/en/ole-roemer-observatory "undefined"), or at the [ARoS art museum](https://www.aros.dk/en/ "undefined"), which is crowned with a rainbow walkway by artist Olafur Eliasson. Then rise above the center of Aarhus at the Salling department store, which last year unveiled a magical urban garden on its rooftop terrace, and take in sweeping city views. 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