Happy! Aarhus is one of the happiest cities in Denmark, actually the world! You knew that, right? Well, if you knew it or not, you’re in for a wonderful time when you head to Aarhus for sure. Why? Happiness is contagious and here it’s one thing you want to catch for once!
Whether you’re coming to Aarhus to soak in the college town vibe, visit some of the world’s best museums, or to just bask in the happiness of it all, you won’t be disappointed. Denmark’s second city is much more off the beaten track than the capital, it’s got a laid back and positive vibe filled with culture, art and incredibly vibrant architecture.
Staying in town can get a bit pricey as hotels tend to charge a couple of hundred Euros/ Krone per night. But you don’t need to go that route. Instead, ease the pressure on your wallet by staying at one of the local hostels at a fraction of the cost. That’ll make your bank account happy too, see you can’t help but be happy inAarhus and what’s even better is that hostels here are really high quality.
The Broke Backpacker is supported by you. Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free content 🙂 Learn more.
Quick Answer: Best Hostels in Aarhus
What to Expect from Hostels in Aarhus
Aarhus is home to just a couple of hostels. To help round out our Best of Hostels in Aarhus list, we wanted to make sure you have all of the cost-effective options available. That’s why we’ve included some other budget accommodations like guest houses and room shares. With all of these options, you won’t have to compromise on the quality of your stay or the price you pay. Hostels here are really great quality and hostel etiquette is highly valued among travellers backpacking around Scandinavia.
Prices at Aarhus hostels vary depending on what you’re looking for. Typically dorms are priced between €25-30 for a bed. Often in Scandinavia, you have to pay a few € to rent linen and towels. You can bring your own travel towel if you like to save some cash. You’ll want to have a good quality backpack to carry those extra items in.
Private room prices vary a lot too. You can find a room for as little as€40 and as much as€150+. The differences normally come from the inclusion of a private bathroom, fridge, or even a kitchen. Taxes are typically included in the rates, so there are no surprises on the bill at the end of your stay.
Free Breakfast is not common inAarhus or even around the country including hostels in Copenhagen either. This is another way to keep prices as low as possible in this expensive region. Many of the hostels have on-site restaurants where you can get reasonably priced meals before heading out to explore Aarhus for the day. Communal kitchens at a number of places will also do the trick and save you heaps of money too. If you’re too much in a rush to do either, Aarhus is sprinkled with cafes throughout town to get your caffeine fix and some yummy local food.
Some of the hostels are centrally located in the Aarhus city centre, while others are a bit further out. If you’re staying downtown or on the outskirts, getting around town is something you’ll want to account for before arriving in town.
In true Scandinavian fashion, bikes are a great way to get around. It is also a great way to help the environment and get your workout in all at the same time. Some hostels rent bikes to guests at a little or no fee. Otherwise, check out the bike-sharing app Donkey Republic. We highly recommend exploringhappyAarhus on bikes to really embrace the vibe of the city.
If public transportation is more your style, the public bus system is reliable and affordable for travellers and covers most of the city. Buses and trams are the methods of public transport in the city and tourist tickets can be bought for unlimited travel over a few days.
If you’re flying, Aarhus Airport is 45km north of the Aarhus city centre. The bus trip takes about 50 minutes to get to the centre of town. The larger Billund Airport is a 1.5-hour bus ride southeast of Aarhus.
Best Hostels in Aarhus
Okay, so now you know what to expect from hostels in the happy city of Aarhus. Now, let’s break it down and look at the various options available to you.
Danhostel Aarhus City – Best Overall Hostel in Aarhus
Danhostel Aarhus City is in the perfect location, smack dab in the centre of the city! This urban rooftop hostel offers a great place from which to enjoy the city. This way you can enjoy a cup of hot coffee from the cafe while getting an unrivalled view of the city from above. A pretty cool way to start or finish your day. It’s especially great on a warm sunny day or at sunset.
When you bunk up in one of the dorms at Danhostel you’ll be set for a comfy stay. Each bed is outfitted with a reading light, outlet and a privacy curtain so you won’t be bothered by other people using their own light at night.
Female-only dorms are a nice option if that’s more like what you’re looking for. Each bed also has really good quality lockers, which personally speaking travelling with a laptop and camera, this is super important for us.
For even more privacy and security, consider one of the private rooms. Choose between shared bathrooms or rooms with an ensuite instead. Because, ya know, sometimes it’s nice to have your own space especially when you’re doing your business! Family rooms are also available so groups can stay together in the same room, many have double beds and bunks to keep the kids and parents happy.
Kitchenettes are available in some private rooms while the communal kitchen is a great way to save money whilst staying at Danhostel. Laundry facilities are also a nice option if you’ve been travelling for a while and could really use a clean pair of pants!
Something important to note is that linens and towels are not included in the stay.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Bar/Cafe
- Bike Hire
- Book Exchange
The rooftop terrace is a great place to enjoy the views of the city. Whether you grab a coffee whilst planning your explorations for the day, or relaxing after an epic day out at sunset, you’ll be drawn up here time again over your stay.
Getting around Aarhus by bike is super convenient. Danhostel rents bikes to guests at a great rate. Just let them know, and you’ll be pedalling around town in no time. The beach is just down the road, an ideal place to head on your bike whilst you’re staying here.
Book exchanges are a great thing to find in any hostel. They’re a sign that fellow travellers have come before and will continue to come for a long time. It’s a way of saying “Hi travelling friend! Enjoy a good book and safe travels.” Danhostel is upholding this tradition. Happy reading!
Aarhus Hostel – Best Hostel with Private Rooms in Aarhus
Aarhus Hostel is a large place with tons of rooms, none of them dorms. So if you’re looking for a private room at an affordable rate, look no further. You can choose from a room for just one person or even a room that can sleep up to four people, ideal for both solo and group travellers.
The private rooms they have here also offervarious amenities and room setups for all needs. For a double room, you can choose between a double bed or two single beds. There are also options for ensuite rooms or shared bathrooms depending on your budget and need for that level of privacy.
Beyond the bedrooms, Aarhus Hostel has many large spaces for folks to chill out and relax. The communal kitchen is a great way to keep to your travel budget by making your own meals instead of eating out. The laundry facilities are also super convenient if you’d like to make sure your stuff is spiffy clean, especially if you’re backpacking.
Aarhus Hostel is a great option for travellers looking for their own room at a great price, but if you’re looking for a community feel where you can meet and mingle with fellow travellers, this may not be the place for you.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Bus super close
- Pool Table
- Garden
Aarhus Hostel is a short ride from the city centre. If you’ve got your own ride it’s just a quick 17-minute drive down the road. Don’t worry about parking either, the hostel has tons of it onsite for free. If you’re looking to get around using public transport, don’t fret – the bus stops just outside the hostel on the main road.
Being just a bit outside of the city centre is what allows Aarhus Hostel to have such beautiful, big property. Luscious green grass surrounds the place, perfect in the summer. So before you head into town, enjoy the fresh air, green grass, and the sun while you sip your morning coffee.
Other Budget Accommodations in Aarhus
Guesthouse Sharon Aarhus
From single rooms to apartments that can sleep up to four people, Guesthouse Sharon Aarhus is a great option for groups of just about any size. Here, it’s easy to enjoy a private room while keeping to your travel budget as long as you’re ok sharing a bathroom. There are also single rooms available so you can have some privacy even if you’re travelling solo, something that is quite rare. The communal kitchen is useful when you want to make your own meal, something you will want to consider in this expensive region.
Centrally located in Aarhus, Guesthouse Sharon is super close to everything you’re in town to see and do. They also rent bikes to guests for free, embrace the transport option prefered by the locals and see all the sites in a budget and environmentally friendly way.
Relaxation and Beach House
This beautiful and airy property is a lovely place to make your home base whilst enjoying everything Aarhus has to offer. Thebright white interior and large windows where the sun pours in on those beautiful Scandinavian summer days is just dreamy.
The greenery of the outside just adds to the charm and laid back vibe of this beach house. Just a few steps outside of the property you can enjoy some wonderful walks in the forest that surrounds it or you can just relax and take it all in from the garden and porch area. Better yet, take a short stroll down to the white sandy shore of Aarhus Bay. Ahh. It’s just lovely here, especially in the summer.
Keeping to your travel budget is easy with the fully equipt kitchen here, why go out when you can cook up a storm here and save some money. The free Wi-Fi is nice if you want to scroll through your feed or if you need to catch up on a bit of work before heading out for the day. The dedicated workspace makes this also a great place for digital nomads.
Although it’s not located in Aarhus city centre, it’s just a short ride into town. Zipping around on a bike, it will take only about 20 minutes to get there. You can also take a short ride on the bus from right by the house too.
It’s a great base to relax, especially if you’re planning on hiking in Denmark at Mols Bjerge that is just a stone’s throw from here.
Roberta’s Society Aarhus
Roberta’s Society Aarhus aims to strike a combination of community and privacy. Staying in a hostel is generally a balancing act between the two, particularly in bigger hostels. And let me tell you, this hostel is 456 beds worth of big, and they’ve got the balance just right.
The moody decor and clean lines throughout Roberta’s Society pays delightful homage to Scandi design. The building itself was previously a library, where do I check in?! There is an onsite resturaunt and bar. Along with the option to book with breakfast.
Most of the beds are surrounded on nearly all sides with solid walls. A privacy curtain completes the space so you’re in a special little space all to yourself. Which we love!
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Efficient Technology
- Yummy food and drink at the onsite restaurant
- Pool
Lights in the hostels are also efficient with sensors that will activate when they are needed and save energy when not. These Danes really have got their shit together!
These guys love an activity or two, join them for music, movies, yoga, or perhaps a bit of live music.
Centrally located and close to the train station, Roberta’s is an excellent choice for a stay in Aarhus.
Travel Safety Tips for Aarhus
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
Final Thoughts
There you have it: The Best Hostels in Aarhus. Hopefully, we’ve put a smile on your face as you decide where you’re going to stay in town. You can’t go wrong with any place on the list, but we definitely think that Danhostel Aarhus City will keep the joyous mood going, that’s why we’ve named it Best Overall Hostel in Aarhus.
So go ahead, book the place that suits you best and take the first step to make yourself happy in the colourful rainbow city of happiness!
- Skip the dorm and find a super cool Airbnb in Denmark if you’re feeling fancy!
- Remember to grab yourself an international sim card for Europe to avoid any issues.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
- Get ready for your next destination with our ultimate Europe backpacking guide.
