🌍 Overview
Aarhus, Denmark’s second-largest city, is a hidden gem for digital nomads. With its vibrant cultural scene, rich history, and stunning natural surroundings, Aarhus has become a popular destination for remote workers. As an Aarhus digital nomad myself, I can attest to the city’s unique charm and excellent quality of life. The city’s compact size, walkability, and bike-friendly infrastructure make it easy to get around without a car. The locals are friendly and welcoming, with many speaking excellent English, making it simple for foreigners to integrate. Aarhus for remote workers is an excellent choice, offering a great balance between work and play.
Aarhus has a population of 285,273 people, with a high safety index of 7853/100, making it an ideal destination for solo travelers and digital nomads. The city has a strong focus on culture, history, food, wellness, and art, with numerous museums, galleries, and festivals throughout the year. The cost of living in Aarhus is relatively high, but the quality of life and the city’s amenities make it well worth the investment. With a monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment averaging around 7,000 DKK ($1,065 USD), Aarhus is a great option for digital nomads looking for a comfortable and inspiring place to live and work.
🏘️ Best Neighborhoods for Digital Nomads
Aarhus has several neighborhoods that are perfect for digital nomads, each with its own unique character and charm. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Latinerkvarteret: This historic neighborhood is located in the heart of Aarhus and is known for its narrow streets, charming shops, and excellent restaurants. It’s a great place to live, with many apartments available for rent, and is within walking distance to many of the city’s main attractions.
- Vesterbro: This trendy neighborhood is located just west of the city center and is home to many of Aarhus’ best cafes, bars, and restaurants. It’s a popular area for young professionals and digital nomads, with many coworking spaces and startup incubators.
- Trøjborg: This up-and-coming neighborhood is located just north of the city center and is known for its vibrant arts scene and eclectic mix of shops and cafes. It’s a great place to find affordable housing and is within easy reach of the city’s main attractions.
- Åbyhøj: This charming neighborhood is located just south of the city center and is known for its picturesque streets, historic homes, and excellent restaurants. It’s a great place to live, with many apartments available for rent, and is within easy reach of the city’s main attractions.
Cost of Living Breakdown
The cost of living in Aarhus can be relatively high, but it’s still possible to find affordable options for accommodation, food, and transportation. Here’s a breakdown of some typical costs:
- Rent: A one-bedroom apartment in the city center can cost around 7,000 DKK ($1,065 USD) per month, while a similar apartment in a neighborhood like Trøjborg or Åbyhøj can cost around 5,000-6,000 DKK ($765-$910 USD) per month.
- Food: Eating out in Aarhus can be expensive, with a meal at a mid-range restaurant costing around 150-200 DKK ($23-$30 USD) per person. However, groceries can be relatively affordable, with a basket of basic items costing around 500-600 DKK ($77-$91 USD) per week.
- Transportation: Aarhus has an excellent public transportation system, with a single ticket costing around 20 DKK ($3 USD). A monthly pass can cost around 500-600 DKK ($77-$91 USD), depending on the zone.
- Coworking: Coworking spaces in Aarhus can range in price, with some options costing around 1,500-2,000 DKK ($230-$300 USD) per month for a hot desk. Other options, like the popular coworking space “The Lab”, can cost around 3,000-4,000 DKK ($460-$610 USD) per month for a dedicated desk.
Internet & Coworking
Aarhus has excellent internet speeds, with an average speed of 45 Mbps. There are many coworking spaces and cafes throughout the city that offer fast and reliable internet, making it easy to stay connected and productive. Some popular coworking spaces include:
- The Lab: Located in the heart of Aarhus, this coworking space offers a range of options, from hot desks to dedicated offices.
- Coworking Aarhus: This coworking space is located in the Vesterbro neighborhood and offers a range of options, from hot desks to dedicated offices.
- Aarhus Coworking: This coworking space is located in the Latinerkvarteret neighborhood and offers a range of options, from hot desks to dedicated offices.
Some popular cafes with good internet include:
- Cafe Central: Located in the heart of Aarhus, this cafe offers excellent coffee and fast internet.
- The Coffee Factory: Located in the Vesterbro neighborhood, this cafe offers a range of specialty coffee drinks and fast internet.
- Atelier September: Located in the Latinerkvarteret neighborhood, this cafe offers excellent coffee and fast internet, as well as a range of delicious pastries and sandwiches.
Aarhus has a growing digital nomad community, with many meetups and events taking place throughout the city. Some popular groups include:
- Aarhus Digital Nomads: This Facebook group is a great place to connect with other digital nomads in Aarhus and stay up-to-date on upcoming events and meetups.
- Aarhus Expats: This Facebook group is a great place to connect with other expats in Aarhus and stay up-to-date on upcoming events and meetups.
- Aarhus Startup Community: This Facebook group is a great place to connect with other entrepreneurs and startup founders in Aarhus and stay up-to-date on upcoming events and meetups.
Some popular events include:
- Aarhus Startup Weekend: This annual event brings together entrepreneurs and startup founders from around the city to pitch ideas and build teams.
- Aarhus Digital Nomad Meetup: This monthly meetup brings together digital nomads from around the city to network and socialize.
- Aarhus Coworking Day: This annual event brings together coworking spaces and digital nomads from around the city to network and socialize.
Culture & Lifestyle
Aarhus has a rich cultural scene, with many museums, galleries, and festivals throughout the year. The city is also known for its excellent food scene, with many restaurants serving up delicious Danish cuisine. Some popular cultural attractions include:
- The National Museum of Denmark: This museum is located in the heart of Aarhus and offers a range of exhibits on Danish history and culture.
- The Aarhus Art Museum: This museum is located in the heart of Aarhus and offers a range of exhibits on contemporary art.
- The Moesgaard Museum: This museum is located just outside the city center and offers a range of exhibits on prehistory and archaeology.
The city also has a thriving nightlife scene, with many bars and clubs to choose from. Some popular spots include:
- The Latin Quarter: This historic neighborhood is home to many bars and clubs, and is a great place to go out and socialize.
- The Vesterbro neighborhood: This trendy neighborhood is home to many bars and clubs, and is a great place to go out and socialize.
- The Docken: This popular bar is located in the harbor area and offers a range of drinks and live music.
Dating in Aarhus can be a bit challenging, but there are many ways to meet new people. Some popular spots include:
- The Aarhus Dating Scene: This Facebook group is a great place to connect with other singles in Aarhus and stay up-to-date on upcoming events and meetups.
- The Aarhus Expats: This Facebook group is a great place to connect with other expats in Aarhus and stay up-to-date on upcoming events and meetups.
- The Aarhus Social Club: This social club is a great place to meet new people and make friends in Aarhus.
As a digital nomad, you’ll need to apply for a visa to stay in Denmark for an extended period. The most common type of visa for digital nomads is the Tourist Visa, which allows you to stay in Denmark for up to 90 days. If you plan to stay longer, you’ll need to apply for a Residence Permit, which can be obtained through the Danish Immigration Service.
There is no specific Digital Nomad Visa available in Denmark, but the country does offer a Work Permit for foreign workers. This permit allows you to work in Denmark for a specific employer, and can be obtained through the Danish Immigration Service.
💡 Practical Tips
Here are some practical tips for digital nomads in Aarhus:
- SIM cards: You can purchase a SIM card at most convenience stores or phone shops in Aarhus. A prepaid SIM card from a provider like TDC or Telia can cost around 100-200 DKK ($15-$30 USD) per month.
- Transportation: Aarhus has an excellent public transportation system, with buses and trains connecting the city to the rest of Denmark. You can purchase a ticket or a monthly pass at most train stations or bus stops.
- Safety: Aarhus is a very safe city, with low crime rates. However, as with any city, it’s always a good idea to take precautions and be aware of your surroundings.
- Weather: Aarhus has a temperate climate, with cold winters and mild summers. Be sure to pack warm clothing for the winter months, and enjoy the city’s many parks and outdoor spaces during the summer.
