Riis Skov is Aarhus's old city forest, close enough to the centre that locals use it for ordinary walks, runs, and sea-air breaks. The beech woods rise just north of the harbour and drop toward Aarhus Bay, giving the city a green edge that feels more natural than a formal park.
For visitors, it is a good low-key counterweight to museums and shopping streets. Follow the paths through the trees, look for views over the water, and combine it with the nearby waterfront or Trøjborg neighbourhood. In spring, the forest floor can be thick with anemones; in autumn, the beech leaves make the walk especially handsome.