Den Gamle By

About the museum

Den Gamle By arose from the wish to save an old merchant's house from demolition: the half-timbered courtyard "Borgmestergården" had to make way in the growing city of Aarhus and was rebuilt in 1909 on the present site in the Botanical Garden. In 1914 the museum opened to visitors – at the time an unusual approach, relocating historic buildings instead of preserving them where they stood.

Over the following decades, buildings from many Danish towns were dismantled and re-erected here. Today around 80 buildings from 25 places stand on the grounds, including residential houses, workshops, a pharmacy, a school, a post office, a customs house, and the Helsingør Theater. A special project was the reconstruction of Copenhagen's Møntmestergården from the 17th century.

Since the 2000s the museum has extended its journey through time into the modern era: the old market town is followed by street scenes from 1927 and 1974 and a street from 2014. Underground, the exhibition "Aarhus Fortæller" tells the history of the city from the Viking Age to the present. Den Gamle By also includes special collections such as Dansk Plakatmuseum, toys, clocks, silver, and jewelry.

The state-recognized museum is organized as an independent institution, runs the Dansk Center for Byhistorie together with Aarhus University, and was named European Museum of the Year in 2026. From Easter to New Year, performers in historical clothing bring the lanes to life.

Highlights

• Around 80 relocated historic buildings from 25 Danish towns
• Living museum with performers in historical costumes (Easter to New Year)
• Neighborhoods from 1927 and 1974 as well as the 2014 street
• Underground exhibition "Aarhus Fortæller" on the city's history
• Dansk Plakatmuseum and toy museum with more than 5,000 objects
• Christmas program "Jul i Den Gamle By" and evening event "Aftenjul"

Permanent exhibitions

• Aarhus Fortæller – Underground journey through time across roughly 1,200 years of Aarhus's history, from the Viking Age to the present.
• Genkendelsens Glæde (Dansk Plakatmuseum) – Around 100 well-known Danish posters from 1900 to 2008 on the upper floor of the poster museum in the 1974 neighborhood.
• Legetøjsmuseet – More than 5,000 toys, from dolls to steam engines.

Founded

1914

Operated by

Den Gamle By, Danmarks Købstadsmuseum (selbstständige Institution)

Director

Julie Rokkjær Birch

Visitors per year

approx. 560,260 (2025)

Admission & discounts

Seasonal prices: January 1 to March 27 adults DKK 145, students DKK 75, groups of 20 or more DKK 125 per person; March 28 to December 31 DKK 205, DKK 105, and DKK 175 respectively. School classes have free admission after registering. With the annual pass, one companion also has free admission. 20% discount for subscribers of JP Oplev, 50% with an annual pass from certain partner museums; discounts only when buying at the entrance.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The cobblestone lanes in the 1864 neighborhood are difficult for wheelchairs, people with walking difficulties, and strollers. Easily accessible are the first and second floors of the poster museum, Kunstkammeret, Smykkeskrinet, "Aarhus Fortæller" (elevator), the 2014 street, the 1974 neighborhood, and all outdoor areas. Accessible restrooms behind the Møntmestergården on the market square and in the exhibition building of the poster museum. Mobility scooters are lent free of charge at the information desk (reservation recommended). Sign language interpreters for booked tours are free of charge. Two accessible parking spaces on Mønsgade.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities

Children and teenagers under 18 have free admission. Seasonal family programs such as "Allehelgen" during the autumn school holidays and "Bamsejul" for children with teddy bears in Advent. In the houses you can smell, taste, and try things out. Wagons can be borrowed for DKK 50 at the information desk; the cobblestones are tiring with strollers. Baby changing areas in several places, diapers are available free of charge at the information desk.

Getting there & parking

Main entrance at the intersection of Silkeborgvej/Viborgvej. Rental bikes at stations by the Ceres crossing and on Viborgvej.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Coat check: not available
• Lockers

Restaurant Gæstgivergården, pastry shop Café Bonnich, historic bakery, Pølsevognen, snack stand at Festpladsen, Napoli Pizza, jazz bar Bent J, and Winekes Kælder. Free lockers with your own code; large bags should not be brought along. You can eat your own food in the "Madkassen" room (about 60 seats) or at outdoor tables. Numerous historic shops with goods for sale.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Weddings, confirmations, birthdays, and anniversaries for 20 people or more in historic rooms, as well as meetings and conferences. Guests pay half admission during opening hours, DKK 20 after closing time.

Plan your visit