IF you’re looking for some city break inspiration for next year, why not try Aarhus.

THE Danish seaside town has been named one of the best places to travel in 2025 – and I visited it last year thanks to cheap tickets. Ryanair flights.

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Aarhus has been named one of the most underrated European destinations to visit next year by a team of experts from Time out.

Experts praised its world-class cafe and hygge vibe as well as its street food scene and miniatures. theme parkTivoli Frieden.

This combination of features – as well as many other indicators – have earned the city the title of the happiest city in the world by the Happy City Index last year.

As someone who has visited AarhusI can see why Denmark’s second city is both underrated and the happiest in the world.

Cobblestone streets, winding waterways, independent storesand a ton of attractions help make the city both enjoyable and vibrant.

It’s this lively yet relaxed atmosphere that has earned Aarhus its nickname “City of Smiles”.

A smile never left my face during my trip, especially when I visited some of the city’s top attractions.

Aarhus is home to Den Gamle By – the oldest in the world living museum.

I spent about two hours exploring every nook and cranny of the reconstructed buildings, some of which date back to the 1800s.

Although, as a child of the 90s, my favorite had to be the recreated Blockbuster store, where I was taken straight back to my childhood.

Entrance to Den Gamle By costs £22 per person.

If you’re looking for something more modern, there’s also ARoS Art Museum.

The art museum somewhat dominates the Aarhus skyline thanks to the funky rainbow walkway on its roof.

Visitors can walk around the circular walkway and take selfies in the colorful glass covered walkway. Entry costs £20 per person.

For budget travelers who don’t want to spend £20 for a skyline view, there’s also the Salling Rooftop, a network of wooden walkways and green spaces built above a department store.

Salling department store is like a Danish Selfridgeswith everything from clothing and beauty to a mouth-watering food hall under one roof.

Other free attractions include The Botanical gardenwhich has a magnificent butterfly enclosure.

Entrance to the Godsbanen Cultural Production Center, Aarhus Cathedral and the Aarhus Concert Hall is also free.

Animal lovers can also go to Marselisborg Deer parkwhich is located south of the city.

Closed to the public until December, the deer park is home to fallow deer and deer – and it’s a bit reminiscent of the deer of RichmondLondon.

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Personally, I’m disappointed that I didn’t manage to fit the deer park into my two-day trip.

Situated on the coast, Aarhus is also within walking distance of several sandy beaches, including Bellevue Beach and Ballehage Beach.

Adrenaline junkies will want to head to Tivoli Friheden, a miniature theme park located in the heart of the city.

THE amusement park has been open to the public since 1904 and offers many attractions, including its Vindfald, a 23 m high roller coaster with an inverted loop.

Other attractions include a 5D cinema, carousel, haunted house, illusion factory, miniature golf of course, a pirate ship and a Ferris wheel.

Scandinavian countries have a reputation for being expensive – although I managed to find a few affordable ones. food and drink.

For £2 pints, head to Book1 Design Hostel during happy hour.

Make the most of the town’s local bakeries for breakfast and order a smorrebrod, an open-faced sandwich of bread, butter and cheese, plus a filter coffee for £5.50 per person.

Otherwise, it’s street food markets like Aarhus Street Market and Nicolinehus Market Hall for meals that are both hearty and economical.

At Nicolinehus Market Hall, I spent £9.50 on a hearty falafel pitta topped with pickled vegetables and an assortment of condiments.

Although Aarhus Airport has doubled in size in recent years, there is only one direct route between the Danish city and the United Kingdom.

Ryanair operates direct flights between London Stansted and Aarhus, with prices starting from £20 one way.

And that town in northern England looks so much like New York that it’s used instead of the Big Apple in movies.

Time Out named Eastbourne as the best place to visit in 2023.

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