OUR HOST-city of Aarhus
TRAVEL AND STAY
The ESSC 25 takes place in the city of Aarhus – a city world-renowned for having embraced technology and relational welfare approaches to help people live healthy and fulfilling lives in their own homes for as long as possible.
Hosted by the Municipality of Aarhus and the Central Region Denmark the conference is taking place at the impressive Musikhuset in the center of Aarhus. The ESSC invites delegates to take part in exciting talks, interactive workshops, a buzzing exhibition and many other opportunities to be immersed in the world where care meets tech.
The City and the Region
As Denmark’s second largest city and home to 350,000 people Aarhus encapsulates many of the things people love about Denmark. It is one of the happiest and most eco-friendly cities in the world. Located right by the sea with known for its inviting atmosphere, vibrant and youthful population, and a world-class university. It’s a city that beautifully blends history with modernity, offering a range of attractions for visitors.
Aarhus is part The Central Region of Denmark – one of five regions in Denmark.
Denmark is organized at three political and administrative levels: the national (government), the regional (5 regions) and the municipal level (98 municipalities). Each region is led by a Regional Council, consisting of 41 politicians elected every four years. The regions’ responsibilities are within the areas of health, psychiatry, social and regional development. The region must secure the overall strategy and at the same time top quality services; be it in the personal educational contact at institutions or when a patient needs nerve fibre surgery.
Within the area of social services, the Region in agreement with the local municipalities, operates a range of specialized services and institutions for groups with special needs for social services and special education. The users of these services all share the need for extensive help and support to cope.
Photo: Roar Paaske, Visit Aarhus
EXPERIENCE AARHUS
Below we have collected some of the main attractions you can visit – either this time or when you come back. You are also very welcome to plan your visit with the help from VisitAarhus or Travel and Stay
ARoS
Photo: Robin Skjoldborg/VisitAarhus
Aarhus has one of the largest art museums in Europe, and it’s also a distinctive landmark in the city thanks to “your rainbow panorama”, a circular viewing platform and walkway with glass that runs the entire spectrum of light. Up here there’s the best view of the city. Temporary exhibitions showcase international design, architecture, film, illustration, sculpture, conceptual art and painting: Wim Wenders, Olafur Eliasson, Frank Gerhry and Bill Viola have all featured here.
You are welcome to join a guided tour of the construction of the monumental artwork, The Dome, a Skyspace by James Turrell. This is a permanent and site-specific art installation created by one of the world’s leading installation artists.
For more information on the guided tours and the progress of the construction, you can visit the official ARoS website.
Aarhus Rådhus
Photo: VisitAarhus
You don’t have to be an architecture buff to appreciate the simple beauty of the city’s town hall. It was built in 1941 and designed by Arne Jacobsen, one of the most celebrated functionalist architects. The town hall is not only a working government building but also a piece of art that blends into Aarhus’ fabric, symbolizing the democratic spirit and transparency of the local government.
More about Aarhus Rådhus here
Den Gamle By
Photo: Den Gamle By
History abounds in Aarhus: The sprawling open-air museum, Den Gamle By is the closest thing you’ll get to a time machine. Here you can visit ‘House of Memories’, an exact replica of a 1950s apartment, aimed at helping Alzheimer’s patients recall memories through the sights, sounds, and smells of their past. You will find an article from National Public Radio, USA about the ‘House of Memories’ here.
More about Den Gamle By here
The 17 Walls
Photo: Verdensmål 17, “On our way” Telmomiel
Get a guided tour among the 17 Walls is founded by hART unlimited. The purpose of the association is to work towards the establishment of 17 murals in Aarhus, which each illustrate one of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.
If you are interested in a guided tour please make contact to 17walls.dk or VisitAarhus.dk
Please note that the guided tour needs to be booked 22nd of May the latest to plan the visit. The price is 130 DKK per person, with a minimum group size of 12 people and a maximum of 50 people.
More about the 17 walls here
Salling Rooftop with 360-degree view
Photo: VisitAarhus
Salling Rooftop is located on top of the Salling department store. In addition to a formidable view, you can also enjoy plenty of entertainment from the stage on the Rooftop. If you take a walk down the street in Aarhus and look up when you reach Salling, you can see the bridge at Rooftop, which goes over the street 27 meters up. When you stand up on the bridge you have a perfect 360-degree panoramic view over the whole of Aarhus and you can walk around the entire Rooftop and Roofgarden while enjoying the view over Aarhus.
More about Salling Rooftop here
Kunsthal Aarhus
Foto: VisitAarhus
Located in the heart of Aarhus and with a focus on contemporary art, Kunsthal Aarhus presents changing exhibitions of both Danish and international artists in the 1,000 square meters of gallery space available. The art hall works with the entire spectrum from new talents to established artists.
More about Kunsthal Aarhus here
DOKK1
Foto: Dokk1
If you’ve got a thing for Architecture design, check out Dokk1 a seven-sided disk above a glass prism, in which the city library is housed. Inside you should look at a remarkable piece of sculpture in Dokk1’s atrium: A three-ton tubular bell, the largest in the world in fact, that is connected to the city’s main hospital. Every time a baby is delivered the bell will chime. The piece was designed by Copenhagen-based artist Kirstine Ropestorff.
More about DOKK1 here
Aarhus Ø – The Area around The Harbour
Photo: Robin Skjoldborg, VisitAarhus
At Aarhus Ø you will experience buildings like the Iceberg . You can also swim at the harbour baths (designed by the well-known Danish architect Bjarke Ingels).
Also the gala night will be held at Sejlsportscenteret where you will get a captivating view of the Bay of Aarhus and Aarhus Ø.
For more information Aarhus Ø
AROUND AARHUS
Moesgaard Museum
Photo: VisitAarhus
This attraction has collections from around the world, but the exhibitions covering Denmark’s past boast artefacts you can’t see anywhere else. Peek at the Grauballe Man, a bog body from the 3rd century BC that was discovered in 1952. The body was so well preserved that they were even able to take the man’s fingerprints. Part of the museum’s appeal also lies in its sleek low-impact design, with a grass-covered roof that blends almost seamlessly with the surrounding hillside.
More about Moesgaard Museum here
Museum Ovartaci
Photo: VisitAarhus
Museum Ovartaci is a unique art and cultural history museum that offers a profound and thought-provoking experience. The museum’s collection is quite special as it consists of: Artworks created by individuals who have or have had a connection to psychiatry and a cultural history collection based on artifacts and records from the Psychiatric Hospital in Risskov. Museum Ovartaci offers guided tours in English. If you’re interested in the intersection of art, history, and mental health, Museum Ovartaci is worth a visit. If you join the study-visit to Kulturhus Bunkeren Sunday 22nd of June, you will have the possibility to visit the wonderful museum.
More about Museum Ovartaci here
Riis skov
Photo: Mads Jensen/ VisitAarhus
Riis Skov is a recreative area for the citiziens of Aarhus and its visitors. You are welcome in Riis Skov 24 hours and all months the year. The forest consists of a varied vegetation as well as a good system of paths and smaller roads. From the western side (especially the south-western part) of the Riis Skov there is an excellent view over the Aarhus Bugt (Bay of Aarhus).
More about Riis Skov here
Places to Eat
During the conference the city of Aarhus is busy. We strongly recommend that you book a table at restaurant before you arrive.
Aarhus is best-known for the convivial cafes on the charming corners and square in the Latin Quarter. These go arm-in-arm with a handful of restaurants that craft the latest in Scandinavian cuisine.
Suggestions for places to eat Sunday 22nd June:
Restaurants along Aarhus Å (Aarhus River)
Suggestions Monday 23rd of June
- Radisson Blu Hotel offers dinner on Monday, 23rd of June, which can be booked through Dinnerbooking.
If you’re looking for organic dining options, here are some additional suggestions:
Restaurant Hærværk – Known for its focus on local and organic ingredients, this restaurant offers a menu that changes daily based on the fresh produce available.
Langhoff & Juul – A cozy spot that emphasizes sustainability and organic produce, providing a farm-to-table dining experience.
Café Gaya – A vegetarian café that uses primarily organic ingredients, offering a variety of healthy and delicious dishes.
Møf – A restaurant that prides itself on using organic and free-range products, creating a unique dining experience with a focus on quality and taste.
Or if you are looking for a good cup of coffee, check out these places
La Cabra – The original La Cabra café is located in Aarhus’ popular Latin Quarter. Our Graven location sits in a sunny spot, where Aarhus locals stroll by on the way to the many independent business, bars and cafés in the area.
Graven 22 – A welcoming and cozy place to grap a cup of coffee
These are just some of the many dining options available.