Vikings and Vodka in Aalborg
11/03/2009
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Originally a small Viking settlement, the thriving city and busy trading centre of Aalborg in Northern Jutland buzzes with activity and entices tourist from far and wide, providing year round entertainment. A seven-hour drive from Copenhagen, Aalborg is now the fourth largest town in Denmark and has plenty to keep visitors occupied night and day.
Aalborg, with its population of 160,000, is located in the north of Jutland, 140-miles/220 km northwest of Copenhagen on the banks of the Limfjord (a long body of water that cut’s Jutland in half).
The city centre has a network of pedestrianised streets lined with half-timbered historical buildings, shops, cafes and hundreds of restaurants serving everything from Danish cuisine to exciting international specialities.
With its superb location, the town that is sometimes referred to as ‘little Paris of the North’ is well worth a visit. The city’s ancient timber buildings reflect a time when Renaissance merchants enjoyed an affluent lifestyle.
The local tourist office website provides a free downloadable ‘19 stop walking guide to Aalborg ’ (for Mac & PC) www.visitaalborg.com. Visitors can download the English guide onto their own MP3 player, then wander around the city listening to a detailed and fun tour. If you don’t have an MP3 player, the tourist board can provide one in exchange of a deposit.
Your guide's voice is that of Marie, a young servant girl from the 17th century. The tour starts at Jens Bang’s Stone house, a rich merchants brick home, with carved wood panels and shelves full of old books and a great example of Nordic Renaissance style. Next stop is the old Town hall and Old Square. The tour continues to the crossroads of Boulevarden-Algade and continues towards Budolfi Church and Aalborg Monastery. Marie continues to lead you through the streets to C. W. Obels Square, Aalborg Monastery and the Jumping Frog Fountain.
You can stop your MP3 player at any point for a well-deserved and refreshing pit stop at one of Aalborg's many cafes. The Penny Lane Bakery is located at number 1, Boulevarden and serves fantastic coffee & tea, as well as delicious pastries, international delicacies and homemade bread and cakes.
A trip to Aalborg is not complete without a visit to the V & S Distillery. Over 7000 visitors a year come to see how Aquavit, a drink similar to Vodka, is manufactured in the huge vats that fill the distillery. A 2-hour, behind the scenes tour in English is available throughout the year. It starts with a short presentation about the company, then leads through the distillery and ends at the sampling bar and shop. Aquavit is strong stuff, not for the feint hearted. The distillery only allows one sample per visitor, as they can’t allow visitors leaving the premises under the influence. They use recycled bottles for all their products and prices range from £8.00 - £21.00 a bottle.
Address: C. A. Olesens Gade 1; tel: +45 98 12 42 00; www.vsdistillers.dk
There is currently a massive on-going rejuvenation project along Aalborg’s waterfront. Over the years Aalborg lost large pieces of its historically quaint side to commercial and industrial developments and some evidence of this can still be seen along the waterfront.
Part of the new cultural attractions along the waterfront is the contemporary Utzon Centre, a dynamic and experimental centre of culture and knowledge. The centre is dedicated to world famous Danish architect Jorn Utzon, who, among other great architectural feats, designed the Sydney Opera House in Australia. There’s a large research hall and various exhibition rooms. The restaurant serves delicious Nordic food and is a popular location for Sunday brunch. Guided tours in English are available. Entrance fee is £7.00 and £3.50 for children.
Address: Slotspladsen 4; tel +45 7690 5000; for opening times and information in English visit www.utzoncenter.org
A five-minute taxi ride from Aalborg’s centre is the City Zoo. Founded in 1935, the 8-½ acre Aalborg zoo is the 10th most visited place in Denmark. Its overall purpose is nature preservation, directly through international breeding partnerships and indirectly through the dissemination of knowledge about endangered animals. A behind-the-scenes tour can be arranged. Entry costs £14.00 for adults, £8.00 for children and free entry for children under 3 years old.
Address: Mølleparkvej 63, 9000 Aalborg: tel: +45 9631 2929: www.aalborg-zoo.dk
Don't miss Lindholm Hoje, Denmark's largest Viking burial ground located ten minutes outside of Aalborg centre. Stones arranged in the shape of ships mark some of the 682 graves, which date from the ninth century. The history of this burial site is ground. Free for kids and £3.00 for adults, well worth a visit. A 3D movie and interactive museum is located next to the burial ground, which provides a fun yet educational outing.
Address: Vendilavej 11, DK-9400 Nørresundby; telephone (+45) 9931 7440.
One of Aalborg's best features is its multitude of restaurants. For a meal with a difference head to the waterfront and board the historical ‘Prinses Juliana’, (named after Princess Juliana of Holland). The retired trading ship was built in 1931. Today, the vessel is back in business as a permanently docked floating restaurant. Danish and French dishes are prepared using the season’s freshest ingredients, all of which are decorated with a creative twist. Menu prices start at £35.00 for a 3-course meal.
Open Monday to Saturday from 11.30am. The boat is located at Vestre Havnepromenade 2; to book call (45) 98 11 55 66; www.prinsesjuliana.dk
The cosmopolitan and world famous Mortens Kro restaurant serves exquisite, modern gourmet food. Owner and chef Morten Nielson, is Denmark’s foremost celebrity chef and his country’s answer to Gordon Ramsey. The restaurant matches top London eateries, but stops short of Ramsey-like prices. The restaurant is full of prize winning Scandinavian designer furniture, Italian lighting and modern architecture. There are various menus, some including wine.
A main course starts from £30 and deserts from £23. Address: Mollea 4-6, Mollea Arkaden, 900 Aalborg; tel: +45 98 12 48 60. For on-line booking visit www.mortenskro.dk
For those on a budget, try the Brasserie Mundgott, a new restaurant with a beautiful view of the waterfront. Their menu offers traditional Danish specialities at reasonable prices. www.mundgott.dk.
On the cheaper side is Café Pingvin, a small and cosy tapas-style restaurant in the heart of Aalborg www.cafepingvin.dk
Aalborg hosts festivals and feasts throughout the year including the largest 4th July celebrations outside of the United States of America.
There’s plenty to occupy visitors for a few days and its an ideal destination for food lovers and history boffins.
Getting there:
Return flights from London Gatwick to Aalborg starting from 20th March
2009. One return flight per day and prices start from £67 return with
Norwegian Airlines (www.Norwegian.no) with accommodation from
£130/room/night at the centrally located 4 star Quality Hotel
including breakfast (www.choicehotels.no).
For more information on Aalborg visit www.visitaalborg.com. For
details on North Jutland www.visitnordjylland.dk.