Guide to Aarhus.

Denmark's second-largest city, is sometimes overshadowed by Copenhagen, which is a bit like being the younger sibling who's told to "just be yourself". At the same time, your older brother gets all the attention. Aarhus, though, gently flourishes with a charm Copenhagen could only fantasise about should it ever stop being so preoccupied with snapping selfies with the Little Mermaid.

Let us first discuss the old town, Den Gamle By. Walking through it is like entering a time machine, but a little better, since there is no risk of damaging the space-time continuum. Half-timbered dwellings, cobblestone lanes, and costumed interpreters lead one to ponder if someone secretly gave you a script and instructed you to act like it's the 1800s. And indeed, you could find yourself wondering if you should bow respectfully to an arbitrary historical person just to be courteous.

Then there is the ARoS Art Museum, where vibrant creativity you only see in dreams or maybe when your niece refuses to stay within the lines in a colouring lesson meets modern art. Standing there with the city spread out below you as sunlight filters through a massive colour wheel is rather amazing; it's no surprise that the museum's rainbow walkway at the top is Instagram-famous. You may feel somewhat like a superhero—at least one who missed the memo on cape-wearing.

Should you want a little of nature without venturing outside of the city, Aarhus has that taken care of as well. Just a tram ride away, the Marselisborg Forests and the beach let you readily imagine you're living in a Scandinavian travel brochure. Though the residents might just be silently evaluating your tanning approach, the beaches are calm enough to persuade yourself that you are enjoying a very private, very Danish experience.

Aarhus's food is perplexingly excellent; therefore, it merits a whole paragraph. Everywhere are smørrebrød, the classic open-faced sandwiches, each with so many layers of meat, fish, or vegetables that a tiny fork is needed to prevent it from falling into a depressing pile. Danes drink craft beers and sweets with a calm, practised efficiency that makes you feel like your own efforts are somewhat clumsy. Cafes and microbreweries serve them up like it's an art form.

The metropolis's attractiveness is further enhanced by its size. Though Aarhus isn't so tiny that you run out of things to do in a day, it isn't so large that you would need a GPS for every turn. You can stray, get lost, then stumble upon a secluded courtyard cafe that might offer the best cinnamon bun you have ever tasted.

Thus, Aarhus ought to be on your radar if you are considering a Danish trip free of the city's disorder. The town combines culture with nature, history with contemporary style, and somehow manages to be subtly remarkable without ever having to yell. And who knows, perhaps Aarhus is content sipping coffee in a tiny café, discreetly judging everyone who isn't paying attention while Copenhagen hogs the limelight.