Aalborg is a very entertaining city to visit. There are plenty of things to do – and if you’re lucky enough to have a long time there, you may also want to visit some of the nearby cities, towns and villages.
Northern Denmark is full of cozy, beautiful beach towns. So that’s one way to go – especially if you’re coming in the summer. But Aalborg also has some historic cities nearby, and overall we end up with a lot of different options.
Here are the best Aalborg day trips – places where you can easily go in the morning and return again later the same day.
Aarhus
Aarhus, the second-largest city in Denmark, is within a reasonable distance of Aalborg.
It takes 1.5 hours to go from Aalborg to Aarhus via the InterCity Lyn train. And it is not overly expensive.
Of course, you can also drive if you have a car at your disposal – it will be even faster, approximately an hour and fifteen minutes.
Aarhus is larger than Aalborg, and there are a lot of things to see. You can probably experience the general vibe of the city and a handful of attractions in a single day. So even though Aarhus is definitely worth a longer visit, it can work fine as a day trip. At least you’ll get an impression of it and perhaps some motivation to return in the future.
If you’re going from Aalborg to Aarhus for a single day, we advise you to take a walk in the city center of Aarhus, see the cathedral and visit the art museum Aros. You can also consider going to the street food market to try dishes and treats from around the world. If you have a weekend or more in Aarhus, it’s a great idea to set a day aside to visit The Old City – a live historical museum of old-fashioned Aarhus. It’s the best attraction in the city, but it deserves more time.
Get a full overview of the best attractions in Aarhus here!
Skagen
Skagen is the northernmost city in Denmark. It’s a small town, almost a village – but still one of the best travel destinations in the country. Skagen has a rich history, especially within the arts. There’s also beautiful nature surrounding the town.
If you’re on vacation in a place like Copenhagen, it’s not viable to do a day trip to Skagen. But from Aalborg, it’s very easy to visit Skagen. You can either rent a car and head directly northeast through the freeway via Frederikshavn – or you can take the regional train to get there.
If you decide to visit Skagen, then don’t miss our guide on things to do there. We highly recommend going to Grenen – the northernmost peak of the beach where you can watch the two seas flow into each other.
Otherwise, enjoy the architecture in Skagen, and try a meal at one of the great seafood restaurants. Skagen is absolutely ideal as a day trip from Aalborg!
Løkken
Løkken has been covered extensively here on the site – you can read about the best sights and attractions here and about the best places to stay if you intend to do more than just a day trip.
It’s one of the main beach towns of Northern Denmark and it’s wildly popular among tourists. Løkken has a clean and long beach, many restaurants and stores, and it is a very charming town overall. The air is incredibly fresh and the people are friendly. Løkken is a great place to go if you’re looking for a calm and nice day.
The down can be pretty packed in the summer months. Tourists from all over Denmark, Norway and Germany like to spend time there in the summer. For the rest of the year, it’s mostly quiet, but many attractions are still open.
Take bus line 71 or 971X from the terminal in Aalborg, and it will take you around an hour to reach Løkken. You can also drive there in 40 minutes if you have a car.
Fårup Sommerland
This attraction park is a must-visit. Fårup Sommerland is located close to another beach town, Blokhus, and quite close to Løkken as well. That means it’s also within reach of Aalborg, and in fact the locals in Aalborg like to go there.
It’s a modern entertainment park with great facilities. There are many roller coasters, rafting, 4D-cinema, towers, games and all kinds of things to entertain yourself with.
Fårup Sommerland is family-friendly and particularly great for kids and teenagers. Most visitors are families, school groups, and so on. However, everybody can enjoy it. Groups of adult friends can also go there and have a great time. Aside from all the fun attractions, there are also some good places to eat inside Fårup Sommerland.
It takes a bit under 40 minutes to reach the attraction park from Aalborg by car. In the summer, there is a bus driving directly there. Fårup Sommerland is open from April to October but closed for the rest of the year. So you have to come within those months to visit – and if that is the case, visiting Fårup is always a great choice!
Find detailed information about prices, opening hours and attractions on Fårup Sommerland’s own website.
Rold Skov
Rold Skov is a forest located close to Rebild, around 35 kilometers south of Aalborg.
It is one of the most beautiful and authentic natural areas in Denmark. In fact, Rold Skov is the second-largest forest in the country. It contains many different trees, hills and lakes. So if you’re into tranquility and natural settings, Rold Skov is the perfect place to visit.
You can easily go hiking around the area and enjoy the fresh air. A lot of people bring mountain bikes and ride around the forest to get some exercise. While nature lovers will undoubtedly enjoy it, history and culture lovers will too – there are a couple of nice museums near Rold Skov, and there are some fascinating tales about the area!
Here is a map detailing all the main attractions within and near the forest. That allows you to plan your journey and make sure you pass through the most interesting places in the forest.
Conclusion
Aalborg is a great city to visit. Not just because it has a lot of attractions, but also because of the surprisingly interesting towns nearby. You can truly explore Northern Denmark while staying in Aalborg. As long as you have the time for it, some Aalborg day trips will be an awesome idea!