Aalborg – a city full of life

The regional capital of northern Jutland is Aalborg. With over 200,000 inhabitants, it is the third largest city in Denmark. Aalborg has developed from being dominated by the large industries of the past to being dominated by art, culture, music, shopping, a wide range of arrangements, Danish 'hygge' (cosiness) and charm. UCN has seven locations in Aalborg.

Feel good city

The city is a “feel good” city where the contrasts make student life interesting. On the one hand, it is dynamic, up-to-date and international, on the other hand it is an ancient Danish provincial capital, which has always cherished its own history and unique atmosphere.

The city is buzzing with activity day and night, summer and winter. It offers a very rich and rewarding student life and the atmosphere is informal and friendly.

There are many green spaces in the city with beautiful nature and great opportunities for a picnic. Last but not least, Aalborg is divided by the beautiful fjord, the Limfjorden.

Although Aalborg is a lively city with lots of activities, it is nevertheless a safe very city to live in.

“Studenterhuset” – The Students´ House

To feel the flavour of the entertainment in Aalborg you can visit the very popular meeting point of all international and Danish students – Studenterhuset (the Students’ House), Gammeltorv 10, right in the center of the city.

You can not only meet new friends during “International Nights” held there every Wednesday from 9pm, but you can also listen to popular Danish bands playing there live. You’ll be surprised at the student-friendly prices for beverages. Read more about the Students’ House (in Danish).

Mecca for night-life lovers

Jomfru Ane Gade is another must-visit spot for all students! Jomfru Ane Gade is Aalborg’s amusement street with Denmark’s longest continuous stretch of restaurants, clubs, cafés and bars. At nightfall the street turns in to a real 'mecca' for all night-life lovers and the atmosphere is vibrant.

The cultural heart of Northern Jutland

Aalborg is also the cultural heart of North Jutland. Therefore, you can enjoy all kinds of concerts, operas and musicals at different venues. International artists quite often play in Aalborg.

You can also find cinemas, theatres, cultural centres, festivals, art galleries and the art museum “Kunsten”, or you could visit interesting historic sites like e.g. Lindholm Høje, a vikings’ burial site, or the remains of an old monastery buried under ground.

There is also a zoo and the beautiful waterfront with its many marinas.

The largest carnival in Northern Europe also takes place in late May when the city streets are filled with festive figures dancing in parades through the city to the park where there are concerts from several stages.

Read more about the cultural Aalborg.

Cafés and restaurants

Aalborg is also known for its many Danish and international restaurants, cafés and bars – more per inhabitant than any other town or city in the country. You can find food and drink at any price range. Even students can eat out at reasonable prices.

Shopping

When it comes to shopping, Aalborg has shops in every price range to even allow people on a student budget to find what they need. 

Aalborg have all sorts of specialty shops to suit any need or interest. In the southern part of Aalborg, know to locals as “City Syd”, there is a large shopping are with more than 100 stores of every kind plus two shopping centres with specialty shops.

The shops make an effort to mark the change of the seasons and decorate their interiors to match. There are many events all year round including free ones that are suitable to a student economy.

For Christmas the streets are decorated with lights and fir and you can visit the Christmas market in the old town square “Gammeltorv” where you can buy traditional Danish Christmas foods and decorations. During winter there is also an ice skating rink at C.W. Obels Plads where you can skate for free if you bring your own ice skates. Aalborg has such an enjoyable atmosphere at this time of year. Watch a video about Aalborg at Christmas time.
 

Sport and active lifestyle

For people who like to maintain an active lifestyle, Aalborg features public swimming pools, a number of fitness clubs, different sport clubs for playing tennis, football, handball, bowling etc. 

Running events are also very popular and anyone can sign up to take part usually at a small fee.

The city also has a football stadium, the “Energi Nord Arena”, home of the football club. If you prefer ice hockey, the largest ice stadium of Denmark just happens to be part of the enormous “Gigantium” sport and culture centre in Aalborg. Gigantium is also home to various events e.g. a flea markets, sports fair, home and lifestyle fair, talks and the city handball team also practices and plays its home games in these facilities.

Aalborgs surroudings offer water, forests and varied terrain to its visitors which allows for many different sporting activities such as rowing and kayaking, mountainbiking and running. This gives students have ample opportunity to gather energy for their UCN studies. Here you will find a selection of sport clubs in Aalborg.

Transportation distances

The city provides its inhabitants with good living facilities as well as an efficient public bus transport system and good train connections.

You could be gazing over the blue waters of the Limfjorden only to find yourself a few minutes later in the middle of the bustling life of the shopping streets.

By bicycle you can reach all the parts of the city in less than 15 minutes when starting from the city centre. If you need to travelling further, nothing could be easier; Aalborg has motor ways for easy access to other parts of Denmark and naturally we have an airport that offers a large variety of domestic and international departures.

The airport is only 20 minutes away from the city centre and can be reached by bus.

Read more

• Read an extensive description of Aalborg and its history at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aalborg  
• Find more about Aalborgs cultural life at www.visitaalborg.com  
• Read about Study Aalborg - a home page for students
• Aalborg Municipality - a gateway to government, business, community, and visitor information
• Practical information
• Read about Denmark
• Read about the many possibilities in Northern Jutland