Soak Up the Rich History of Aarhus and Paphos
To be named a European Capital of Culture is a prestigious award and signals some of the most prominent cultural events in Europe. Granted by the European Union, the two chosen cities are granted this prize for a year and celebrate with a series of cultural events for all to enjoy. For 2017 the two chosen cities are Aarhus, Denmark and Paphos, Cyprus, both of which will showcase a range of visual arts and exhibitions, festivals, performing arts, literature, guided walking tours and architecture design. To celebrate, we're looking at the things to see and some great places to stay in these two historic cities to fully embrace their rich history and culture.
Aarhus, Denmark
Often overshadowed by the popular city of Copenhagen, Aarhus is not one to cast aside. Known as Denmark’s city of smiles, Aarhus has been around longer than any other Scandinavian city and offers travellers charming cobblestone streets, centuries-old timbered houses, a unique city charm and an exuberant foodie scene. Top endorsements for Aarhus from Booking.com travellers include shopping, museums, city walks and, of course, culture.
Travellers seeking to extend their cultural trip should head to Holstebro, Hillerød and Horsens, all places that have been endorsed by Booking.com travellers as the top cities in Denmark to visit for culture. Last year, the top nationalities that booked holidays to Aarhus were the Danish, Norwegians and Germans and top types of accommodations booked in Denmark were hotels, hostels and bed and breakfasts.
We suggest the following accommodation options while staying in Aarhus:
Villa Provence
Located by Aarhus’ picturesque canal area is Villa Provence. This elegant, yet intimate boutique hotel offers travellers a pleasant night’s stay and a popular breakfast with French delicacies. Guests can unwind at their café or in the beautiful cobblestone courtyard, surrounded by lime trees and fountains. Guests will love the central location, perfect for shopping, dining and exploring the cities old charm and culture. A must see is the historic Aarhus Cathedral which dates back to the 12th-century, the impressive underground Viking Museum and the multi-storey ARoS art museum.
Apartment Aarhus C - 01
Located just 350 yards from Aarhus City Hall, this stylish apartment is the perfect base for your visit to Aarhus. You can easily walk to Aarhus cathedral, the Aarhus Art Building and nearby supermarkets and restaurants.
Paphos, Cyprus
Located on the Mediterranean coast of Cyprus, the beautiful city of Paphos is famous for its blue flag beaches, stunning natural landscapes, gorgeous seafront resorts and ancient Greek mythology. History geeks will love to learn about the legend of the Greek Goddess Aphrodite inhabiting the island and the ancient ruins of tombs and fortresses at the Paphos Archaeological Park.
It’s not surprising that this capital of culture is endorsed by Booking.com travellers for archaeology, excursions and ancient landmarks. Travellers to Cyprus can also soak up rich culture and history all around the island with Booking.com travellers endorsing Nicosia, Pano Lefkara and Skarinou as the top cities for culture. Top nationalities that booked holidays to Paphos last year are Cypriots, English and Russians and top types of accommodations booked were hotels, aparthotels and apartments.
We suggest the following accommodation options while staying in Paphos:
Alexander the Great Beach Hotel
Alexander the Great Beach Hotel boasts a beautiful beachfront location overlooking the beach and turquoise-hued waters. Guests will love the elegant décor and spaciousness of the rooms, with some featuring balconies with views of the picture-postcard beach, medieval castle and quaint fishing harbour of Paphos. This hotel offers a variety of dining options, including themed buffets, an international restaurant, an Italian, adults-only, á la carte restaurant and a Japanese restaurant. Guest seeking a cultural trip will enjoy the hotel’s ideal location with the Paphos Archaeological Park and the Church by St. Paul's Pillar just a 15 minutes’ walk away.
Paradise Cove Luxurious Beach Villas
The Paradise Cove Luxurious Beach Villas are located along the Paphos Coast, offering beautiful villas with private swimming pools, Mediterranean Sea views and is just a short walk away from the Tombs of the Kings. The villas feature modern architectural design, private sun terraces and private gardens. Guests can take a short stroll to the sandy white beaches or the Paphos Harbour promenade which has an impressive array of taverns and restaurants offering traditional Cypriot cuisine.