Dokk1

The basics

Overlooking the water, the striking contemporary building housing Dokk1 is the crown jewel of the city’s newly developed harbor area, and a highlight of guided and self-guided tours. With a full roster of dedicated areas and activities, it offers a great way to break up a day of sightseeing for kids and adults. Younger visitors can run off steam in the play areas or be entertained by storytelling hours and hands-on workshops, while teens and adults can relax with a book or newspaper in the library or catch a concert or performance in the main hall.

Things to know before you go

• Dokk1 has spaces and activities geared toward all ages, and is an ideal stop for visitors traveling with or without kids.

• Check out the cultural center’s website for updated event schedules, to attend workshops, concerts, and other cultural events.

• The center’s coffee house is open all day for coffee, snacks, and light meals.

• The complex is completely accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.

How to get there

Set along the harbor in central Aarhus, Dokk1 is easily accessible from the old town sights on foot or by bike, or via bus or light rail from other areas of the city. The building’s fully automated parking—you drive your car into a pod that is mechanically transported into the underground garage—is one of its most cutting-edge features and can fit up to 1,000 cars.

When to get there

With its sweeping indoor spaces, Dokk1 is an ideal stop on a rainy day. The complex also includes expansive open-air areas for play and relaxation, perfect for passing a sunny afternoon. Check the schedule to catch age-appropriate concerts and activities all year round.

Highlights on the Aarhus harbor

The historic Aarhus waterfront has undergone an urban renewal campaign over the past decade, and is now a center for work, study, and play for residents and visitors. In addition to the central Dokk1 library and cultural complex, the harbor is home to Pakhus 13 and Toldboden–the renovated 19th-century harbor warehouse and customs office—plus a seafront promenade, a play fountain called Endless Connection, and nearby sports fields. In addition, the Navitas and Bestseller buildings are two examples of the city’s contemporary architecture movement.