Harbours in Aarhus: getting there, berths, weather and sailing destinations

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Aarhus lies on the east coast of Jutland on Aarhus Bugt, a bay in the southern Kattegat. Visiting boats find berths north of the city centre at Aarhus Lystbådehavn and the directly adjoining Træskibshavn, and south of the city centre at Marselisborg Lystbådehavn. Here you can read how to reach the harbours in Aarhus at the start of your sailing trip, which harbour is where, where to park and shop, what sailing weather to expect, which destinations lie off Aarhus and what skippers should bear in mind when berthing.

Which harbours are there in Aarhus?

Visiting yachts berth at three harbours in Aarhus. Aarhus Lystbådehavn lies on the northern edge of the city centre next to the new district of Aarhus Ø. Immediately to the north of it is Træskibshavn, the harbour for traditional wooden ships. About 3 kilometres further south, on the other side of the commercial harbour, lies Marselisborg Lystbådehavn by the Tangkrogen woodland.

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Further north lies Egå Marina, about 3.5 nautical miles north-east of the commercial harbour at the entrance to Kalø Vig. Between the two harbour areas lies the large commercial harbour with the ferry terminal.

Feature	Aarhus Lystbådehavn	Træskibshavn	Marselisborg Lystbådehavn
Location	Northern edge of the city centre, near Aarhus Ø	directly north of Aarhus Lystbådehavn	about 2 km south of the centre, near Tangkrogen
Operator	Sport & Fritid, Aarhus Kommune; visitor berths via eight sailing clubs	Træskibsforeningen i Aarhus	independent foundation
Berths	around 700	Space for 90 vessels	490
Diesel	Pier 5, west side	Pier 5 in neighbouring Aarhus Lystbådehavn	Diesel and petrol at Pier 5, card payment only
Contact	aarhuslystbaadehavn.dk	tsa.dk	marselisborghavn.dk

Arriving in Aarhus for the start of your sailing trip

Aarhus has its own airport, and Billund Airport is also linked by bus. The central station and bus station are in the city centre, between the two sides of the harbour.

From the airport to Aarhus

Aarhus Airport is around 35 minutes' drive from the city. The 925X airport bus has no fixed timetable but is scheduled around the scheduled and charter flights and waits for the aircraft. It runs to Aarhus Central Station at Banegårdspladsen, and the journey takes 45 to 50 minutes. You can pay on the bus by card, with the Midttrafik app or with the Rejsekort, as well as in cash in kroner and some foreign currencies such as euros. Taxis wait outside the arrivals hall.

From Billund Airport, the 912X line runs via Horsens and Skanderborg to the central station and on to Aarhus bus station. The buses stop at the terminal entrance, and you can buy your ticket in the Rejsebillet app, in the Midttrafik web shop or on the bus. You can find timetables at Midttrafik.

By car, train, bus or ferry

By car, you reach Aarhus via the E45 motorway, which runs along the east coast of Jutland and connects to the A7 in Germany. By rail, trains run several times an hour between Copenhagen and Aalborg, stopping in Aarhus, and there are daily connections from Hamburg. Long-distance coaches link Aarhus with Copenhagen and Hamburg.

From Zealand, the ferry runs from Sjællands Odde to Aarhus, and the crossing takes about 90 minutes. The ferry terminal is in the Eastern Harbour, and there is a covered bridge to the ferry for pedestrians.

Two sides of the harbour: north and south

The harbours are on different sides of the city centre. Aarhus Lystbådehavn and the Træskibshavn are in the north on Fiskerivej, around 1.7 kilometres as the crow flies from the bus station. Marselisborg Lystbådehavn is in the south on Marselisborg Havnevej, around 1.6 kilometres from the bus station. From Marselisborg Lystbådehavn, several bus lines run into the city centre from Dalgas Avenue, just beyond Strandvejen.

Parking at the harbours

At Aarhus Lystbådehavn, you can park free of charge for three hours on both the east and west sides. On the east side, you can also stay longer for a fee; the rules are shown on the signs. Many areas are reserved for the clubs and change between the summer and winter seasons; in summer, area P4 is public. There is also public parking on Bernhardt Jensens Boulevard, around 450 metres from the harbour.

At Marselisborg Lystbådehavn, there is one area where you can park free of charge around the clock. Other areas are reserved for berth holders or change depending on the season, and access to the east mole is reserved for berth holders. There is a car park at Pier 1, more parking areas on Marselisborg Havnevej and the large car parks at Tangkrogen.

Showers and sanitary facilities

All three harbours have showers. At Aarhus Lystbådehavn, most of the clubs have their own clubhouses with showers for guests, and there are public toilets at the harbour. At the Træskibshavn, the toilets and showers are at the back of the clubhouse. At Marselisborg Lystbådehavn, there are toilets and showers in several places and two laundries; you will receive the door code after paying for your berth.

Shopping for the trip

From Aarhus Lystbådehavn and the Træskibshavn, it is only a few minutes' walk to the shops: Føtex is around 200 metres away, Netto around 350 metres and Rema 1000 around 500 metres. Other supermarkets such as Løvbjerg are around one kilometre from the harbour.

At Marselisborg Lystbådehavn, you can get bread and small items at the kiosk at Havnetorvet. The nearest supermarkets are around 20 minutes' walk away towards M. P. Bruuns Gade, with Føtex Food around 1.2 kilometres from the harbour. For a big shop by car, Kvickly is around 1.3 kilometres away.

Doctor, pharmacy and emergency services

The nearest pharmacy to Aarhus Lystbådehavn is Aarhus Ø Apotek, around 200 metres from the harbour, and there is a doctor's surgery around 550 metres away on Gyldenløvesgade. From Marselisborg Lystbådehavn, it is around 1.4 kilometres to Bruuns Apotek and around 900 metres to the nearest doctor's surgery. Aarhus University Hospital is in the north of the city, around 4.2 kilometres from Aarhus Lystbådehavn.

• 112: emergency number for serious injuries and life-threatening illnesses
• +45 70 11 31 31: out-of-hours medical service for the Central Denmark Region, on weekdays from 4 pm to 8 am, at weekends and on public holidays; for holidaymakers without their own doctor, also during the day
• At sea: VHF channel 16; you can also reach the maritime rescue coordination centre JRCC Denmark on +45 72 85 03 80

Where is Aarhus Lystbådehavn?

Aarhus Lystbådehavn is on the northern edge of the city centre, framed by two moles facing Aarhus Bugt. Right next to it is the new district of Aarhus Ø, and the Riis Skov woodland is within walking distance.

The harbour opened on 14 May 1933, and since 1940 the west side has been a fishing harbour. It belongs to the city of Aarhus, which runs it through its Sport & Fritid department. Eight sailing clubs rent out the roughly 700 berths, and they also manage the visitor berths and collect the fees. Berthing fees and facilities therefore depend on which pontoon you moor at. At several of the clubs, electricity and water are included in the berthing fee.

Facilities at Aarhus Lystbådehavn

The diesel fuel station is on the west side at pontoon 5 and is open to all visiting boats. On both sides of the harbour there is a boat crane and a mast crane, both owned by the clubs. There is a public slipway on Fiskerivej, which you pay for by MobilePay. At the harbour you will find two fishmongers, a sailmaker and several restaurants. The harbour is certified as a “Sikker Havn”, and the rescue equipment is checked on an ongoing basis.

Where is the Træskibshavn?

The Træskibshavn lies directly north of Aarhus Lystbådehavn, around 300 metres from its basin, and together with it and the fishing harbour forms one continuous complex. It was inaugurated on 23 May 1998 as a harbour for traditional wooden ships. Today it has room for 90 vessels, several of which are listed in Denmark as living cultural heritage.

Facilities at the Træskibshavn

The harbour is managed by the Træskibsforeningen i Aarhus, which expressly welcomes visitors. You pay the berthing fee by QR code at the pontoon; water is included, while electricity costs extra. Vessels that are members of the Danish Træskibsforeningen berth here free of charge and only pay for electricity. Toilets and showers are at the back of the clubhouse, and you may use the clubhouse and kitchen when the door is open. The instructions of the club's harbour helpers also apply to visitors.

Where is Marselisborg Lystbådehavn?

Marselisborg Lystbådehavn lies around 2 kilometres south of the centre on the Aarhus Bugt, right next to the Tangkrogen woodland. The harbour consists of three basins: the west, outer and east basins. The harbour office is in the yellow tower in the middle of the harbour. The harbour accepts vessels up to 20 metres in length, 5 metres in beam and 2.5 to 2.75 metres in draught.

The harbour is run by an independent foundation. All 490 berths are permanently allocated; visitors moor at the berths with a green sign whose holders are away. If the holder returns, you have to move to another free berth in high season. They announce their return 24 hours in advance, so you usually have enough time.

Facilities at Marselisborg Lystbådehavn

There is electricity and water at all pontoons. You buy electricity in packages of 5 kilowatt hours when you pay for your berth; unused electricity is not refunded. The fuel station at pontoon 5 has diesel and petrol and accepts cards only. The harbour is cashless. A crane lifts up to 20 tonnes, and visitors book it through the harbour office. There is also free Wi-Fi for visitors, two laundrettes, a playground and several restaurants at Havnetorvet.

What is the weather like for sailing in Aarhus?

In Denmark the wind blows most often from westerly directions, and the strongest storms come in the winter half of the year.

Tides hardly play a role: at Marselisborg Lystbådehavn the mean difference between high and low water is only 0.3 metres. The wind matters more. West and northwest winds can raise the water level there by up to a metre, while southeasterly winds can lower it by up to 0.8 metres.

Where can you sail to from Aarhus?

Off Aarhus lie islands and small harbours in the Aarhus Bugt and the Kattegat, from island harbours to large marinas.

• Samsø: The island lies in the Kattegat. The harbour of Ballen on the east coast belongs to the municipality of Samsø and has electricity and water at all pontoons, as well as a fuel station.
• Ebeltoft: In the Skudehavn in the Ebeltoft Vig there is electricity and water at all pontoons, diesel and a 10-tonne crane. In spring and summer a ferry also runs from Ebeltoft to Sjællands Odde.
• Endelave: The small island harbour on the north coast belongs to the municipality of Horsens and has two harbour basins next to the ferry landing.
• Kaløvig: Kaløvig Bådehavn lies on the west side of the Kalø Vig, immediately south of the Studstrup power station. There is a fuel station with petrol and diesel, a shipyard and a workshop.
• Juelsminde: The harbour in the Sandbjerg Vig consists of three basins: the old harbour, the east harbour and the marina.

Distances over water depend on your course; for precise planning, rely on the chart. Across the Kattegat lies Sweden with the harbours in Gothenburg, and further east on the Sound (Øresund) lie the Harbours in Copenhagen.

What can you do ashore in Aarhus?

You can reach the city centre on foot from all three harbours. From Aarhus Lystbådehavn, the beach and woods are right on your doorstep.

• ARoS: The art museum in the city centre has more than 8,000 works. It is well known for the walk-in rainbow ring “Your rainbow panorama” on the roof.
• Den Gamle By: The open-air museum shows Danish small towns at four points in time, from 1864 to 2014, with streets, shops and homes you can walk into.
• Riis Skov and Den Permanente: The woods are within walking distance of Aarhus Lystbådehavn, and at their foot lies the bathing spot Den Permanente. There is also a harbour bath on Aarhus Ø.
• Den Blå Promenade: At Marselisborg Lystbådehavn, the promenade links the harbour with Tangkrogen, with views across the bay and the sculpture “La Sirène”.
• Moesgaard Museum: This prehistory museum lies in green surroundings south of Aarhus. Its best-known exhibit is Grauballe Man, one of the best-preserved bog bodies in the world.

For skippers: berthing and marine weather in Aarhus

In all three harbours you moor at a berth with a green sign that suits the size of your boat, and you pay straight afterwards. Berths cannot be reserved.

Registration and Berthing

• Aarhus Lystbådehavn: After mooring, scan the QR code on the quay edge. It leads to the prices, facilities and payment details of the club that manages that pontoon. Under the harbour regulations, you report your arrival to this club and move if it assigns you a different berth or the berth holder returns.
• Træskibshavn: Payment is made by QR code on the pontoon, and signs on the pontoons explain the procedure.
• Marselisborg Lystbådehavn: You pay by QR code at your berth or at the screen behind the harbour office. You then receive the code for the doors and showers.

Harbour rules

A maximum speed of 3 knots applies in Aarhus Lystbådehavn and in Marselisborg Lystbådehavn. The harbour regulations of Aarhus Lystbådehavn also stipulate the following (as of November 2026):

• Anchoring in the harbour basin is only permitted in genuine emergencies or with permission from the harbour authority.
• Barbecuing is allowed on quays and on land, but not on pontoons or boats.
• Dogs must be kept on a lead.

Jet skis are prohibited in Marselisborg Lystbådehavn.

Arriving from outside the Schengen Area

Danish marinas carry out border controls. If you are arriving from a country outside the Schengen Area, such as the United Kingdom, or have called at a port there along the way, report this in Aarhus Lystbådehavn to the club that manages the visitor berths. It will pass on the authorities' instructions and inform the harbour master. The Danish customs authority is responsible for customs questions.

Approach

All three harbours lie on the Aarhus Bugt in the Kattegat. Directly east of the entrance to Aarhus Lystbådehavn there is a swimming and diving lane, marked with yellow poles with cross topmarks. The two outer markers are in place all year round, the three middle ones from 1 June to 1 October. Off Marselisborg Lystbådehavn there is an anchorage in the Tangkrogen, south-west of the harbour.

Which marine weather forecast applies in Aarhus?

The sea area forecast for the Kattegat issued by DMI, the Danish Meteorological Institute, applies to Aarhus. The Farvandsudsigter are published daily shortly before 05:45, 11:45 and 17:45, and whenever there are changes. On the DMI website and in its app you can also see a five-day forecast and a map showing wind, waves, current and water level.

Sailing trips from Aarhus on Törnfinder

An overview of offers throughout the country can be found under cabin charter in DenmarkMany sailing trips depart from Trogir: seven charter companies alone have their base at SCT Marina, and there are also charter agencies at ACI Marina. An overview of offers throughout the country can be found on Törnfinder under Sailing in the Baltic Sea. You can find all trip dates under Trips.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get from Aarhus Airport to the harbours?

Take the 925X airport bus, which is timed to match flights and reaches Aarhus Central Station in 45 to 50 minutes. From there, take a taxi or bus to the harbour. Aarhus Lystbådehavn lies to the north of the city centre, Marselisborg Lystbådehavn to the south.

Where can I park at the start of my trip in Aarhus?

At Aarhus Lystbådehavn you can park free of charge for three hours, or for longer for a fee on the east side. At Marselisborg Lystbådehavn there is a car park where parking is free around the clock.

Are there showers in the harbours of Aarhus?

Yes. In Aarhus Lystbådehavn you use the clubhouses of the clubs, and in Træskibshavn the clubhouse of the Træskibsforeningen. Marselisborg Lystbådehavn has several sanitary blocks and two laundries.

Where can I buy provisions for my trip in Aarhus?

At Aarhus Lystbådehavn there is a Føtex about 200 metres from the harbour, and Netto and Rema 1000 are also within walking distance. From Marselisborg Lystbådehavn it is about a 20-minute walk to the supermarkets on M. P. Bruuns Gade.

Can I reserve a visitor berth in Aarhus?

No. In all three harbours you moor at a free berth with a green sign and then pay by QR code.

Are Aarhus Lystbådehavn and Marselisborg Lystbådehavn the same harbour?

No. Aarhus Lystbådehavn lies in the north of the city centre and belongs to the city, while Marselisborg Lystbådehavn is around 3 kilometres further south and is run by a foundation. The commercial harbour lies between them.