Things To Do in Aalborg

Nearby Attractions

Less than 4km (2 1/2 miles) north of Aalborg, you'll find some of the oldest grave sites in all of Scandinavia, not just those of the Viking era but even Iron Age burial grounds. The Viking settlement of Nørresundby is the location of more than 700 cremation graves, and contains the charred remains of more than 150 Viking boats and ships that were ceremonially burned as part of the cremations. Set within a park, the excavations are open to the public year-round 24 hours a day. Most of the graves are marked with stones placed in the form of a triangle, an oval, or a ship. The deceased person was usually cremated. North of the burial ground lay the associated village, where the finds include the remains of houses, fences, wells, and fire pits. The area was subject to drifting sand. About A.D. 1000, the whole burial ground became covered with sand, which meant that the stone markings and even a newly plowed field were preserved until this day.

Further details about the excavations are on view in the Lindholm Høje Museet, Lindholmsvej 65 (tel. 96-31-04-10; www.nordjyllandshistoriskemuseum.dk; bus: 2). The museum contains archaeological finds from the excavations and illustrates how the inhabitants of Lindholm Høje lived at home and traded abroad. It is open Easter to mid-October daily 10am to 5pm; mid-October to Easter Tuesday through Sunday 10am to 4pm. Admission costs DKK30 ($5.10/£3) adults, DKK15 ($2.60/£1.50) children 5 to 11, free for children 4 and under.

Voergård Slot, Voergård 6, Dronninglund (tel. 98-86-71-08; www.voergaardslot.dk), is enveloped by Denmark's widest moat, and is one of the best preserved Renaissance castles in the land. Its oldest section was constructed in 1481, its most "recent" in 1590. What makes this a special place is that it is furnished with an exceptional collection of European art and furniture, including paintings by Goya, Rubens, El Greco, and Raphael. The antique treasures come from the eras of Napoleon, Louis XIV, and Louis XVI. A special section displays some of the personal furniture of Marie Antoinette. Two magnificent sideboards with gilted bronze plates and ornaments by Gouttiers were made by cabinetmaker Riesener for Louis XVI's court. Many of these rare treasures came from Count Ejnar Oberbech-Clausen, who took over Voergård in 1955 and filled it with art, antiquities, and furniture, making it one of the most spectacular private homes in Denmark.

Denmark's most famous ghost, Ingeborg Skeel, still resides at the castle, or so locals believe. As the owner of the castle, she is said to have drowned the architect, Philip Brandin, in the moat to prevent him from building a castle as splendid as Voergård ever again. Admission costs DKK70 ($12/£7) adults, DKK25 ($4.30/£2.50) children. Take the E45 from Aalborg, cutting east on Route 559 to Droningland, and then follow the signs to Voergård Slot. May 1 to June 13 and August 21 to October 17, it's open Saturday 2 to 5pm, Sunday 10am to 5pm; July 10 to 18, daily 10am to 5pm.

Americans who are in Jutland for the Fourth of July should make a beeline to the Rebild National Park, 29km (18 miles) south of Aalborg. On these heather dunes, Danes, Danish Americans, and Americans celebrate America's Independence Day. The program often features opera singers, folk dancers, choirs, and glee clubs, together with well-known speakers.

A 1-hour drive from Aalborg takes you to the resort town of Blokhus and the broad white beaches of the North Sea coast. Not far from here is a 50-hectare (124-acre) amusement park, Fårup Sommerland & Waterpark (tel. 98-88-16-00; www.faarupsommerland.dk; bus: 200). Expect lots of noise, lots of families, and lots of emphasis on good, clean fun in a style that might remind you of a small-scale version of Disneyland. It's open mid-May to early September, daily 10am to 7pm. Admission: May 12 to June 23 DKK165 ($28/£17), seniors 65 and over DKK90 ($15/£9); June 24 to early September DKK195 ($33/£20), seniors 65 and over DKK120 ($20/£12); free for children 2 and under. Admission is reduced in late afternoon; see website for further details.

For Family Fun

Tivoliland, Karolinelundsvej (tel. 98-12-33-15; www.tivoliland.dk), is an amusement park for the entire family, with lots of snap and sparkle, although a pale imitation of the more famous one in Copenhagen. A tradition since 1946 in the center of Aalborg, it's one of the most attended attractions in North Jutland. In addition to rides, there are beautiful gardens with thousands of flowers and fantastic fountains. You've seen it all before, but it's still an amusing and delightful way to spend an evening, as you can take everything from a flying carpet ride to a spin on Scandinavia's only boomerang roller coaster (which screws and loops both forward and backward). China Town is one of the most visited attractions, containing such features as the China dragon, the fun house, and a cycle fun rail. Other attractions include a Gravity Tower, with a 55m (180-ft.) free fall, and a Hall of Mirrors, a labyrinth showing you amazing dimensions of yourself. An open-air stage, restaurants, a pizzeria, dancing areas, and sing-alongs -- it all makes for one big day. The attraction is open May to June daily noon to 9pm; July to September 6 daily 10am to 10pm. Admission is DKK195 ($33/£20) adults, free for children 2 and under. However, you'll pay separately for the various attractions, with tickets ranging from DKK10 to DKK50 ($1.70-$8.50/£1-£5). An unlimited ticket for all rides, good for 1 day only, costs DKK195 ($33/£20).