Around 1,200 years ago in Aarhus fires were started to warn of strangers approaching by boat.

And only those lucky enough to make it through a stretch of water the Vikings named “Death Valley” would have the chance to reach dry land.

Things are a bit different these days and Denmark’s second largest city is undergoing a transformation as it seeks to lure tourists away from the capital, Copenhagen.

Our three-day trip started with a speedboat ride near the harbour, where much of the development is taking place.

It left us soaked from the crashing waves, but feeling refreshed, and was followed up with a cycling tour of the area, taking in The Iceberg – a residential building and a modern architectural marvel that seemed to sum up the city’s ambitions to put itself on the map.

Around 20% of the population are students, giving it a youthful vibrancy that fits in perfectly with its new image.

The city, beach, harbour and forest are all reachable within walking distance and bicycles appear to rule the roost over cars, adding to the energetic pulse.

Our stay was spent at the newly opened four-star Comwell Aarhus Hotel, not far from the distinctive Latin Quarter that is said to offer the best shopping in Scandinavia.

It was modern and comfortable with an amazing power shower and had been elegantly fitted out by popular Danish design house HAY.

We were in the city to take in the annual Aarhus Festival, a mixture of music, comedy and performing arts, featuring local and international artists, now in its 50th year.

One of the most memorable experiences was an international cabaret night, Moulin de Paris, at Hermans theatre house in the Tivoli Friheden amusement park.

It featured magic, comedy, singing, dancing and acrobatics – much of it performed by scantily clad women.

However, it was the hilarious scene involving two naked men and a single towel that had everyone talking afterwards.

We were also given a sneak preview of the Mosegaard Museum, on the outskirts of the city, which promises a unique way to explore Denmark’s past.

Due to be opened by Queen Margrethe II, it will also give visitors a chance to walk on its grass-covered roof and take in stunning views of the surrounding forest and sea.

Equally impressive was Den Gamble, an open-air museum portraying life in a Danish town in the 1800s.

The narrow, cobbled streets included houses and shops where you could interact with locals wearing traditional clothing and buy delicious offerings from a bakery selling items cooked only using ingredients of the time.

But nothing could compare to the heart-stopping experience at the viewing platform on the roof of the ARoS Art Museum.

A 360-degree glass walkway, each section is a different colour of the rainbow and is as mesmerising as the views of the city from the 150-metre long structure.

It would have been an ideal lookout point for the Vikings, but they have long since traded in their weapons for bicycles.

Geoffrey’s trip was courtesy of Visit Denmark.

Factfile:

Ryanair has direct flights from London Stansted to Aarhus airport and Billund airport from as little as £19.99 one-way.

Aarhus has an excellent selection of accommodation with two recently-opened hotels – the 240 room, four-star hotel Comwell Aarhus which opened in July and has been superbly decorated by the popular Danish designer HAY, and the centrally-located Hotel Scandic Aarhus City which opened in 2012.

To book, go to www.comwellaarhus.dk or www.scandichotels.com/Hotels/Denmark/Aarhus/Arhus-City