Car hire in Aarhus - Best rates guarantee

Denmark’s second largest city is an upcoming destination that attracts festival-goers and tourists in need of a relaxing short break in an appealing European city. Whilst Copenhagen is still in pole position regarding the number of annual visitors, Aarhus is slowly but surely building its reputation as European Capital of Culture. You can feel its arts scene as well as architectural heritage blossom every step of the way when exploring Aarhus.

Car hire in Aarhus is an excellent idea if you would like to travel around the city. Splendid natural surroundings such as deep woods, lakes and rivers are within easy reach with Auto Europe. Thanks to our business partners in Denmark, we are proud to offer you some of the lowest rental prices on the market. Make a search on our booking engine with the desired dates and car classes. All available vehicles for the given dates will be displayed in the search results. Our car hire specialists can also help you arrange car rental in Aarhus. Call us on +44 123 3225 114.

For more informatin, please take a look at our Denmark driving information guide page.

How is the traffic in Aarhus?

Traffic in Aarhus does not differ much from that in other smaller European cities. Please note that cyclists have the right of way in Denmark. Be extremely careful as you can expect to encounter them year-round, even in winter.

Traffic in Aarhus does not usually get extremely congested. There are times, for example during rush hour, when you could temporarily be caught in a traffic jam, but it dissipates rather quickly.

Where can I park my car hire in Aarhus?

Opt for a self-drive holiday in Aarhus and do not worry about parking. We bring you an overview of parking options in the city. The good news is that there are a number of places in central Aarhus where you can park your car hire in Aarhus for free! For example, leave your rental at Tietgens Plads, close to the city’s main shopping street or in Botanical Garden at Poppelpladsen. Take advantage of free parking near the sea – drive along Marselisborg Havnevej to Marselisborg Lystbådehavn. Park your car at Tangkrogens Parkeringsplads near many popular tourist attractions. If you are heading for Ceres Park and Arena or amusement park Tivoli Friheden, you can park in front of the park for free. However, when big events are happening at the arena, there may be a shortage of available parking slots.

Municipal car parks offer paid parking and usually charge per hour. On-street parking is also available in Aarhus. It is usually free from 7pm to 9am during the week, all day Sunday and after 4pm on Saturday. Parking meters accept cards as a method of payment.

Aarhus Airport

Aarhus Airport is the nearest airport to the city and connects this part of Denmark with Copenhagen, Norway, Sweden, Spain and the UK. Located in Tirstrup about 19 miles from the city, the airport can be reached in about half an hour.

Aarhus Airport (AAR)
Website: Aarhus Airport
Address: Ny Lufthavnsvej 24, 8560 Kolind, Denmark
Telephone: +45 87 75 70 00

What to do in Aarhus

The charming seaside city of Aarhus is a vibrant place with quite a lot to offer to any visitor. Despite its abundance of historic sites, Aarhus is said to be young in spirit thanks to its growing student population. Below are a couple of Auto Europe’s tips for your trip to this very pleasant Danish city. Rent a car in Aarhus and visit some the following places:

• Den Gamle By: An open-air museum and a fascinating place, Den Gamle By features a collection of historic buildings from all over Denmark, which have been dismantled, transported to Aarhus and then reassembled to keep their original form. Step into the ancient times of this Old Town and admire historic windmills, stone houses and craftsmen’s shops which date from the 16th century and span over four hundred years. One particularly nice place is a pharmacist’s shop fully equipped with old books and tools as well as healing herbs. Den Gamle By provides deep insight into the Danish lifestyle and its change throughout the centuries.


• Museums: One of Europe’s biggest museums, ARoS houses many masterpieces from the Danish Golden Age, Danish Modernism and contemporary art pieces. Visitors also appreciate the museum building, a wonderful example of Danish architecture. To find out more about the country’s history, head to the Viking Museum where you will learn much about the Viking legacy in Aarhus, including displays of battles and boat-building skills. The Women’s Museum or Kvindemuseet is housed in the City Hall, a lovely red-brick building in Aarhus. The museum features a permanent collection that focusses on the differences between boys and girls and their experiences throughout childhood. Museum Ovartaci is a poignant place that gives impressive examples of art created by those suffering from mental illnesses.


• Tropical Houses at the Botanical Garden: Have a breather at the Botanical Garden in Aarhus – enter for free and spend an afternoon exploring various plant sections. In this huge green area, a BBQ picnic will be an excellent idea for the whole family.


• Tivoli Friheden: Situated in the lovely Marseliborg Forest, Tivoli Friheden is an amusement park suitable for the whole family. Get an adrenaline kick on one of the stunning rollercoasters and speed head down at 70 km per hour or watch a movie in 5D! Take a leap 40 metres down from the Sky Tower reaching a speed of 90 km per hour. You are in for an action-packed experience!


• Beach: Complete your trip to Aarhus with a nice beach experience at Den Permanente, Ballehage or Bellevue Beach. Enjoy the sandy stretches of Danish beaches located near lush forests. You will be quite close to the city, but still far away from all the hustle and bustle.

Best day trips with my car rental in Aarhus

Opt for a rent a car in Aarhus and you will be flexible throughout the entire trip across Denmark! Auto Europe presents you with several ideas as to what to visit near Aarhus. These places are suitable for a single-day or even weekend itineraries.

• Randers Regnskov Zoo
  Nature lovers should take a day and drive to Randers Regnskov Zoo about 25 miles from Aarhus. This is an exquisite opportunity to see a wide variety of tropical plants and animals coming all the way from Africa, South America and Asia! There are over 250 species currently living at the zoo!


• Legoland
  Legoland is a dream come true for both children and adults! Just an hour from Aarhus, Legoland’s Miniland attracts visitors of all ages with its Lego Miniature world that consists of more than 20 million Legos! This day-trip is definitely something you need to do!


• Copenhagen
  Danish capital city Copenhagen is one of the most popular Nordic destinations and it is no wonder. Copenhagen has been named the world’s top city to visit several times by leading internet portals. Take a stroll down the harbour and enjoy the beautiful view of colourful houses, roofs and the sea. Sample some delicious local cuisine and burn the calories riding a bicycle through the town, the most beloved means of transport. Say hi to Copenhagen’s trademark, the Little Mermaid; head to Rosenborg Castle to see the crown jewels and to one of Copenhagen’s impressive museums.

Geographic Information & History

Facing the Kattegat Sea in the east and bordering Germany in the south, Aarhus is located in eastern Denmark and, as a natural harbour, is distinguished for its temperate oceanic climate and changeable weather conditions. Springs in Aarhus tend to be mild; summers are warm, autumn months see a lot of rain and wind, while winters can be typically frosty with snow.

The history of Aarhus goes back to the year 770 which makes it one of the oldest cities in Scandinavia. Founded by the Vikings at the mouth of the Aarhus river and named Aros, the city boasts a rich Viking heritage still present in its historic quarters and architecture. Despite being old, Aarhus has a youthful spirit thanks to the thousands of students who flock to the city every year. In 2017 Aarhus was selected the European Capital of Culture.

How to get around Aarhus

The most beloved means of transport among Danes is surely the bicycle. The city boasts the first ever bicycle street in Denmark and the authorities are known to do their best in order to ensure safe road conditions for cyclists. All car drivers need to be extremely careful of cyclists. In spring and summer, you can take advantage of renting a bike for free! With Aarhus being a compact city, walking is also an excellent option, especially if you would like to explore the inner city.

Yellow buses connect numerous places within the city’s limits. Interestingly, Aarhus is the only Danish city where passengers are expected to enter at the back and exit through the front door. Single and multi-ride tickets can be purchased and validated in machines at the back of the bus. One more option for getting around Aarhus is Letbanen, the city’s light rail system where tickets must be purchased and validated before getting on the train. Visitors to Aarhus can benefit from AarhusCARD – not only will you get free admission to numerous attractions, but you will also be able to use free parking and public transportation without any charge.

Can I hire a campervan in Aarhus?

Auto Europe currently offers campervan hire only in Copenhagen. Call our motorhome experts to get the best deal on your next campervan rental: +49 (0) 89 412 072 98.

Useful links

Tourist Guide Aarhus