While While the Danish capital is a destination for design, art and experimental cuisine, it's not all about Copenhagen. Aarhus, Denmark's laid-back, ultra-cyclable second city, has all that too. Its many charms include public sculpture on the streets, cutting-edge architecture - such as the harbour "iceberg" apartment building, which appears to jut up from the water in shards - and a conceptual art museum designed to reflect various parts of Dante's Divine Comedy.

From the urban fabric down to what's on your plate, you will always find something to excite in Aarhus. The dining scene boasts three Michelin stars; endless street-food stalls fill the town centre while hip cafés line the cobbled Latin Quarter - and it's largely sustained by produce from the surrounding Jutland countryside. It's also a student city, so expect a youthful vibe and plenty of bars, with accommodation in the form of beautifully designed boutique hotels.

If you need any more persuading, Aarhus is also the European Capital of Culture for 2017, so expect plenty of events throughout the year including architecture talks, live music, outdoor theatre, cultural bike tours, cooking sessions and culinary festivals.