Aalborg ranks 8th on the New York Times list of places to visit
Visit Aalborg. The travel editorial team at the American newspaper New York Times has placed Aalborg as number eight on its list of 52 places in the world it recommends its readers to visit. Out of 52 destinations that the prestigious New York Times recommends you visit, Aalborg ranks eighth - ahead of cities like Las Vegas and New York City. Aalborg's development from industrial to knowledge city has not gone unnoticed, and in this vibrant city you will find something for everyone. With only 1/2 hour drive (30 km) from Hals Strand Camping to Aalborg, Aalborg is definitely worth a visit.
Below are some of the attractions that the New York Times recommends you visit when travelling to Aalborg.
On the savannah, giraffes munch alongside zebras, kudu and the rare oryx antelope. The polar bear is taking a cooling dip, the red panda has just been served fresh bamboo, and suddenly a mighty roar from the male lion Akash lets the whole zoo know that this is his territory. At Aalborg Zoo you'll meet 11 out of the 12 most popular zoo animals and as the only place in Denmark, you can see the African elephant, the Bornean orangutan and the Asian lion.
Aalborg Zoo is open 363 days a year, with well over 100 different exotic animal species. You can follow the animals' adaptation to the seasons and watch the young animals grow. In the South American house, sloths crawl freely in the vines above your head, and in the same place you can get close to armadillos and maybe see a capybara for the first time.
Aalborg Zoo has several areas that invite you to sit down on a green lawn and enjoy the atmosphere. So bring your packed lunch to Aalborg Zoo or enjoy delicious food from Restaurant Skovbakken in Aalborg Zoo.
Dogs are welcome, but must be kept on a lead.
The Utzon Center in Aalborg is an experimental cultural and knowledge centre where architecture, design, art and communication come together. The centre was designed by the famous architect Jørn Utzon and was inaugurated in May 2008.
Jørn was greatly inspired by the city of Aalborg. The city's numerous cement factories reportedly inspired Jørn to make concrete an essential element in his later architecture. The sea, the shipyard where his father worked and the sailing ships were also a crucial source of inspiration throughout his life. The Utzon Centre is a prime example of this unique approach to design in both architecture and design.
In addition to changing exhibitions, the building also houses the beautiful Spidsgatter boat, designed by Jørn Utzon's father, Aage Utzon. The Obelske Auditorium on the 1st floor overlooking the Limfjord is magnificent for meetings and parties, and the library is an architectural gem in itself.
Leo's Legeland is a hit with the whole family! A huge playground with lots of fun and games for children of all ages and their parents. Here you can enjoy the many rides and attractions for as long as you like!
Leo's Legeland is the largest play chain in the Nordic region with playgrounds in Norway, Sweden and Denmark. With its 4,500 square metres, the playland in Aalborg is the largest of them all. A meeting place for families with a focus on play and movement. This is more relevant than ever, as reports from the World Health Organisation show that children today are not moving enough. The company's success is based on a strong concept of play, fun and movement for the whole family, with safety, cleanliness and service at the centre. Here you'll find a baby area, ball sea, ball cannons, spider webs, megaballs, a pirate ship, a snake slide, a sports arena, trampolines, an almost real waterfall and much more.
Should you get hungry during your visit, Leo will provide delicious food in Leo's Café.
Aalborg's waterfront has undergone a transformation in recent years. Where it used to be the city's bustling industrial district, today you can experience an oasis in the city space with world-class architecture, exciting gastronomy and cosy metropolitan atmosphere - right by the water and in fantastic surroundings.
During the summer months, Jomfru Ane Parken invites you to get active where the grass is barely visible to the naked eye. Sensory experiences, physical activity and water activities are just a few of the experiences on offer.
The building consists of more than 20,000 square metres spread over nine levels, including four concert halls, five stages, an inviting restaurant, an exciting foyer and teaching and administration facilities.
The House of Music is designed by the world-renowned Austrian architectural firm, Coop Himmelb(l)au.
On Saturday 29 March 2014, Musikkens Hus opened its doors to a concert audience for the first time and at the same time embarked on an exciting concert programme in a wide-ranging concert hall. An architectural landmark with music at its centre. A beautiful and versatile concert programme.
Musikkens Spisehus is the name of the gourmet restaurant. The restaurant is spread over two floors in the semi-circular building that runs out of the house towards the Limfjord at the main entrance.
Come and take a tour of Musikkens Hus.
The art is like a sculpture growing out of the green landscape, creating a beautiful setting for world-class visual art.
Although the museum first opened in 1972, you'll still feel like you're stepping into a new museum. The extensive restoration in 2015 included a new exhibition hall, new café, new shop, a completely renovated sculpture park with a new large terrace, and the replacement of 317 tonnes of Italian marble inside and out.
This means that citizens and tourists alike are flocking to the museum in Aalborg to explore the amazing building and to see the museum's unique collection of modern and contemporary art.
Designed by Finnish architects Elissa and Alvar Aalto and Danish architect Jean-Jacques Baruel, the building was constructed in 1968-72. Particularly noteworthy are the unique lighting conditions that have helped make the building famous.
The museum houses a unique collection of modern art from Danish and foreign artists.
Today, the museum building is a listed building.
The new cultural bridge from March 2017 over the Limfjord in Aalborg is designed for pedestrians and cyclists.
The new harbour bridge follows the opening and closing of the railway bridge, which is controlled by staff in the white house in the middle of the bridge. The railway bridge opens when ships need to pass, and this happens often. More than once an hour during the summer season. But that's nothing compared to meeting a train in the middle of the fjord. The vibrations from the railway bridge propagate to the footbridge, and when the train comes rumbling along, it seems so close that you can almost reach out and touch it. The bridge is the only one of its kind in Denmark and is a great and free experience for young and old. The Culture Bridge is easily recognisable by its red colour and beautifully lit in the evening. Perhaps it's the warm red colour combined with the relaxing experience and beautiful view that has earned the bridge the nickname "Love Bridge". Many who have crossed the fjord via the bridge have felt so comfortable that it has sparked romance and thoughts may have flown to the city of love, Paris, and the famous love bridge, Pont des Arts. On our local bridge of love, many have already hung their personalised padlock as a manifestation.
The waterfront in Aalborg West has really gained momentum recently, with Vestre Fjordpark, Aalborg Street Food - The Lighthouse at the old Skudehavn and the Culture Bridge creating renewed attention around the western part of Denmark's most beautiful waterfront.
Aalborg Tower is one of Aalborg's landmarks and certainly the tallest. Here you can enjoy the beautiful view of Aalborg at your leisure. Take the lift 55 metres up and enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view.
The tower has the longest outdoor lift in Northern Europe, so the ride to the top is an experience in itself. Once you've finally made it to the top, you can enjoy the view ad libitum. And you can grab a bite to eat in the tower's own bistro.
The bistro seats up to 50 diners, but fear not, there's a view for everyone. 360-degree panoramic views from the top of the tower allow you to take in the hustle and bustle of everyday life in the middle of forest and water, far from the hustle and bustle and roaring traffic.
The tower was built in 1933, and even though it's been many years, it's still in tip-top condition. Thanks to a restoration in 2005, Aalborg's highest point is ready for many more years of faithful service - for the benefit of the city and its many tourists.
