Ærøskøbing

Amid an unparalleled archipelago in southern Denmark, in the triangle between the islands of Als, Funen and Langeland, lies one of Denmark’s most beautiful towns on the island of Ærø. It is said to have been frozen in a wonderful time. Linger among the “doll’s houses” and close your eyes, and a sensitive person may hear the heavy wooden wheels of carriages, the chatter of women calling out their wares, and children at play, and feel them all summoning their strength as they move over cobblestones that were already centuries old back then. Today, life there is no less lively. Trading in markets and squares has given way to one of the most popular meeting places for city-break visitors and day-trippers to the Danish island of Ærø, as well as a magnet for countless sailors and other water-sports enthusiasts.

Ærøskøbing embodies an important part of the history of Danish seafaring. In the 16th century, the town had an exceptionally large merchant fleet of more than 100 ships. Its connection to the fleet and seafaring is impressively represented by the Bottle Ship Museum. More than 250 exhibits, crafted with extraordinary attention to detail, have been placed inside an exceptional variety of bottles and brought back to life in all their splendour.

With its self-bestowed title of Denmark’s most beautiful town, Ærøskøbing also points to the many ways to experience and appreciate the island, its scenic charms and the secrets of its communities. Alongside a wide range of holiday apartments and houses, the area around Ærøskøbing is home to campsites, several youth hostels and star-rated hotels. The island can be explored by bicycle, along hiking trails, from the ferries, and in its sailing areas and surfing paradises, all offering unforgettable impressions.