Aarhus, high up on the east coast of the Jutland Peninsula is Denmark’s second largest city. With its warm, friendly, hospitality Aarhus (pronounced Or-hoose) has gained the nickname ''city of smiles''.

This is a university city and Aarhus has the youngest demographic profile in urban Denmark. The city offers visitors a wealth of exciting attractions, a vibrant cultural scene, and great restaurants.

Although it is an island nation, travelling around Denmark is easy by road and ferry and Aarhus is just a 3hr drive (including a ferry ride) or 307km and 3hr30min via the toll road from the capital Copenhagen.

For international travellers heading to Aarhus, Aarhus Airport is located 40 km north of the city in Tirstrup and has direct flights to and from cities like Gothenburg, Helsinki, London, Oslo and Stockholm

With its thriving port, Aarhus is the economic hub of East Jutland, a region known for maritime and green energy industries as well as its landscape of lush forests, crystal clear lakes and sandy beaches. It is also home to well-known visitor attractions like Legoland. All of this means Aarhus is a popular destination for short breaks, longer holidays and business trips.

You'll find Avis rental stations across Jutland with three of the top Avis rental locations in Aarhus at Aarhus Airport and Aarhus N City, on the O2 ring road to the west of the city.

With Avis Car Rental, you can easily and conveniently explore Aarhus and the surrounding area and experience all it has to offer. Aarhus is a compact city with several distinctive districts adding interest for international visitors and locals alike.

etting around central Aarhus to explore the city is easy whether you plan to walk or use the efficient public transport network offering buses, trains and the Letbane (light rail) system.

But to get the most out of Aarhus and the Aarhus region, renting a car is the best way to go. Aarhus is in a fantastic location close by the E45 motorway, which makes it quick and easy to travel between Aarhus, the wider Aarhus Region and the Jutland Peninsula beyond.

Before you head out of the city, make sure to take time exploring the timber-framed old town, discover Aarhus’s ancient past with a visit to its ancient Viking settlement, once known as Aros, catch an exhibition at the ARos Art Museum and enjoy some time in nature at the city’s impressive botanical garden where the tropical houses offer 4 climate zones.

You can get into the centre of Aarhus by catching an airport bus from Aarhus Airport, but if you plan to hire a car from Avis at Aarhus Airport, the centre of Aarhus is a 40km drive of around 35min. Turn left out of the airport parking and head west on Ny Lufthavnsvej before driving south along Route 15. Leave at exit 18-Lystrup and follow signs into Aarhus Centrum.

Aarhus is within easy reach of some of Denmark’s most beautiful scenery, historic castles, forests, lakes and wild, open coastlines. Just south of the city centre, you will reach Marselisborg Castle, the summer home of Denmark’s Royal family. If the King is not in residence, you can stop off and visit the gardens.

Further south along the E45 is Jelling, home of the Jelling Stones, runestones from the Viking age and often seen as the setting for the founding of Denmark.

One of the best day trips by car from Aarhus is a scenic drive along the Aarhus coast. Travel north along Route 15 and Route 21, for around 45min and you will reach the beautiful coastal town of Ebeltoft with its colourful houses, pretty harbour and family friendly beaches with stunning sunsets.

If you are staying in Aarhus, check whether your hotel or accommodation offers parking as there is no free parking in the centre of Aarhus itself. If you want to find free parking, head to the edge of town where there are spaces available at Ceres Park or Tivoli Frieheden.

The middle of Aarhus has two parking zones with separate payment levels. The red zone covers the city centre where parking charges apply 7 days a week while the yellow zone is across the outer parts of the city centre where the first two hours of parking are free.

The top tip for driving around Aarhus is to plan your route and be aware that although the city has an environmental zone this should not affect you as it applies to larger vehicles and older diesel engine cars.

It is worth checking the driving rules in Denmark before you travel and pick up your hire car. In Aarhus and across Denmark, as in the rest of mainland Europe, you will be driving on the right-hand side of the road and overtaking on the left. Dipped headlights must be used throughout the day.

Check the Denmark road rules you need to know.