Attractions in Aarhus Harbor
The Port of Aarhus has been under development for many years. In the past few years, there has been a great focus on making the area a lot more recreational. You can read more about the history of the Port of Aarhus here. The harborfront offers new and old architectural buildings that should also be experienced from the waterside. With GoBoat you can experience the waterfront from the waterside and sail north through the canal to Aarhus Marina. However, you should be aware that on some days the water level can be so high that it is not possible to sail under the bridges that cross the canal towards the Marina. We have compiled a list of sights in Aarhus Harbour, which you will encounter on your way during a trip in a GoBoat.
Navita's Building
The 38,000 sq.m. large star-shaped building on the harbor front houses the Aarhus School of Mechanical Engineering, the Institute of Engineering Science, the Aarhus University School of Engineering and Incuba. The building was completed in 2014 and was designed by Kjær & Richter together with Christensen & Co architects. You will find the great wonder between the harbor square and GoBoat's base on Pier 2. There are 450 public parking spaces under the star-shaped attraction, which is free with AarhusCARD.
Endless Connection
On the harbor square, just north of Toldboden, you will find the fountain Endless Connection. The work of art, with its 2 meter high water walls, was completed in 2017, when Aarhus was the European Capital of Culture. The work was designed by the Danish artist Jeppe Hein, and 20 million was donated by the Salling funds for the construction. The inspiration comes from Aarhus' starry sky, and has changing patterns which are lit from 7am to 11pm in the period from mid-April to the end of October. The unconventional work of art invites play and has become a gathering point for both children and adults in Aarhus. Children in particular find it exciting, as different rooms appear alternately.
Dokk1
Dokk1 is a multifunctional building that acts as a focal point in Aarhus and is known for being the link between the water and the city. The building houses, among other things, Aarhus' Main Library, the City Archives, a welfare technology experience room, study cells, a café and much more. Dokk1 offers play, experiences and is in itself one of the major attractions in Aarhus Harbour. The building was designed by Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects and is part of the Urban Mediaspace project, which aims to transform the inner harbor from an industrial harbor into an urban space for everyone. Dokk1 is a large part of Aarhus' waterfront and is right across the water from GoBoat’s base.
Domen Aarhus
The Dome on Pier 2 in Aarhus Islands (Aarhus Ø) started as the Dome of Visions, but closed in autumn 2018. Subsequently, Aarhus Municipality took over ownership and today operates the Dome together with the locals and various coalitions in Aarhus. Dome of Visions was an experiment and functioned as a living laboratory that focused on sound materials, urban development, sustainability and much more. You can read more about Dome of Vision's purpose and history here. Today, the Dome functions as a city life center for everyone in Aarhus, a meeting point that aims to inspire and focus on community, sustainability and urban development.
Pier 2
Pier 2 is part of the development plan for inner Aarhus Islands (Aarhus Ø), and has become a temporary experiment which aims to inspire the future recreational areas in Aarhus. The activities on Pier 2 are selected and tested together with the community in the local area, and due to great demand for more green areas in Aarhus Island, today it is home to Domen, Fra Grums til Gourmet and GoBoat’s Base, among others.
Pier2 Haven (Pier2 Garden)
An urban garden coalition on Pier 2, whose purpose is to create more green life and urban culture, as well as community and pleasant areas for the coalition’s members and those who pass by. Pier2 Haven was initially created in 2017, and today has 45 private gardens and some communal beds built from pallet frames. As part of the experiment at Pier 2, this garden community helps to inspire a greener everyday life and focus on the environment and sustainability. If you want to know more about Pier2 Haven, you can find their website here.
Toldboden
The old customs chamber building was built in 1897 and was designed by the royal building inspector Hack Kampmann. Until 1990 it functioned as Aarhus' fourth customs building and was special in that the new building had open warehouses where goods that had not been cleared could be stored. From 1998 to 2002, the Aarhus School of Architecture used Aarhus Toldboden for drawing rooms for the school's students, and subsequently half of it was rented out for commercial purposes, while the other part became a Jensens Bøfhus restaurant. Today, it is home to Madklubben Aarhus, a restaurant that serves food for those who indulge, families with children and students.
Aarhus Marina
In the northern harbor area lies Aarhus Marina, where sailing associations, the sailing center and rowing clubs among other things are located. In the northernmost part of the Marina, you will find the largest wooden ship harbor (Aarhus Træskibshavn) in the Nordics, which is home to 80 wooden ships. It was officially inaugurated in 1998, but the idea of a wooden ship harbor in Aarhus had been in the works for a long time. You can read more about the history of Aarhus wooden ship harbor here.
At the other end of the Marina you will find Aarhus Beddingslaug, where large ships are dry docked for maintenance. Along the harbor quay on both sides, there are cafés and restaurants, which contribute to the atmosphere and the maritime environment that surrounds Aarhus Marina. To get to the Marina with a GoBoat, you have to sail through the canal, which starts between the Navitas building and the Harbour Square.
From Grums to Gourmet
A coalition at Pier 2 that started in 2016 with the aim of creating a mushroom experimentarium, where they can test the potential of mushrooms and the use of waste as a resource. At Fra Grums til Gourmet, they use coffee grounds as an energy resource to grow oyster mushrooms in their mushroom farm. They have created a circular business that collects coffee grounds from Aarhus' cafes and sells the finished oyster mushrooms back to local restaurants.
During a trip in a GoBoat, you will pass and be able to experience the mentioned sights in Aarhus Harbour. We definitely recommend that you sail through Aarhus Marina, where you will meet the small green lighthouse at the end. It is not allowed to sail out of the marina and thus the small lighthouse will be the farthest sailing point on your sailing trip. Remember that, on some days, the water level can be so high, that it will not be possible to sail up to the Marina. If you are in doubt about what else you can experience in Aarhus, not just in a GoBoat, we have made a list of places to eat, experiences, art, history and more, which you can find here.
FAQ
Where is it allowed to sail in Aarhus Harbor?
The permitted sailing area for GoBoat is in Basin 1 & 2, as well as the channel up to the Marina and the entire Marina.
Is it allowed to bring your own food and drinks at GoBoat?
Yes, your are more than welcome to bring your own food and drinks at GoBoat. Each location also has as selection of different drinks and snacks.
How many persons are allowed in a GoBoat?
8 persons. This also includes children and babies.
Is it possible to go on a guided tour with GoBoat?
No. A part of the experience is that your are your own captain.
When is the fountain Endless Connection turned on?
Endless Connection is on from mid-April to the end of October, between 07:00 and 23:00.
What is Dokk1?
Dokk1 is a multifunctional house. Amongst other things you'll find Aarhus' Main Library, the State Archives, a welfare technology experience room, study cells, a café and much more. In addition, Dokk1 has Europe's largest automated parking facility with 1,000 spaces.
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