Clustered with half-timbered houses dating back to the 15th century, Randers lies along the Gudenå River near the mouth of the Randers Fjord. It flourished as a market town during the Middle Ages and is home to the largest artificial rainforest in Northern Europe at the Randers Tropical Zoo.
Things to do in Randers
In the heart of Randers is St Martin's Church, a red-brick landmark built in the 15th century atop a Romanesque foundation. It’s the only Middle Ages church remaining in the city and features pointed Gothic windows and a carved tower door depicting a scene from the Book of Ezekiel. Highlights of the interior include a Baroque altarpiece, an oak pulpit carved with the Passion of Christ and an 18th-century organ.
Contrasting to St Martin’s Church is the Modernist-style Kulturhuset, which was designed by the Danish architect Flemming Lassen in the 1960s. It’s home to the Randers Library and the Museum of Cultural History, which is one of the oldest museums of its kind in Denmark. Also within the complex is the Randers Art Museum, where works by notable Danish artists are showcased.
Travelling with kids? Don’t miss a visit to Randers Tropical Zoo, a three-domed facility home to around 275 animal species from Africa, Asia and South America. You can get up close to West Indian manatees, playful lemurs and Komodo dragons, then interact with friendly farm animals in the Danmarksparken.
Getting around Randers
Randers is around 30 minutes’ drive from the centre of Aarhus and 40 minutes from Aarhus Airport, which has seasonal flights to destinations across Europe. Trains connect from cities and towns across Denmark to the Randers railway station while buses travel throughout the city. The centre of Randers is compact enough to explore on foot.