What to see and do in the three biggest towns on Ærø

The three biggest towns on Ærø – Marstal, Ærøskøbing and Søby – stand proudly on each corner of the island . It is here that the local pulse beats strongly, and it is here that you will find the biggest grocery stores (and plenty of local islanders, of course) .

However, the delights of the island are not limited to these bustling areas . Just outside the various towns, you will find a host of exciting activities in beautiful natural settings that are a delight to experience .

The following pages provide a peep into the special features of the three towns, and we then present the sights and attractions you must not miss to visit .

SØBY & THE COUNTRYSIDE Close to the westernmost tip of Ærø stands Søby, the smallest of the three largest towns on the island . Søby is renowned for its incredibly beautiful natural surrounds, as well as its charming, thriving marina, which is located close to the town, the shops and a café that offers a delightful view out over the sea .

Søby is anything but a sleepy town . You will clearly sense this at the harbour, where a new Dagli’Brusen supermarket opened in 2022 and the only shipyard on the island builds new ships from time to time . Its most recent product is Ærø’s ferry the E/F Ellen, which sails its route every day, powered purely by electricity .

Just outside Søby stands Søbygaard manor, which radiates history and bears witness to Ærø’s ducal past as a part of the Duchy of Southern Jutland . The manor hosts changing exhibitions and the Kys Frøen centre for children . It also stages concerts from April through October . And a walk around the old moat is always a treat .

A stone’s throw from Søby lies Vitsø Strand. This is a delightful, pebbled beach that is a great place to spend half a day or more . Take a gentle stroll, skim stones across the water, enjoy the view and admire the wonderful old fisherman’s cabins that line the coast . On warm summer days, you’ll be sure to appreciate the jetty that leads directly to an excellent swimming area with a soft, sandy bottom . Søby Marina & playground is an absolute must if you’re visiting Ærø with children . The playground is located right next to Søby Strand beach, the marina, shops and Café Arthur, which has a wonderful sea view and serves fast food with a twist .

Rising high in the middle of Ærø Golf Club’s spectacular seaside links at the northern tip of the island, Skjoldnæs Lighthouse stands proud . The lighthouse is 22 metres tall and still flashes its warning out into the night sky . Climb to the top and take in the view out over the South Fyn Archipelago, the Baltic Sea and the waters of the Little Belt – all at the same time .

Founded by Arthur Jørgensen almost a century ago, Søby Værft (shipyard) is the largest privately owned workplace on the island . If you would like to find out more about Arthur and the shipyard, we warmly recommend the tour entitled In Arthur’s footsteps, where guide Karen-Margrethe leads you around the town, relating stories about Arthur’s life and times .

Just north of Søby is Næbbet, an area of wetland that stretches 300 metres into the water and is shaped like a beak (“næb” means “beak” in Danish) . The area is especially popular with birdwatchers and people interested in plants, and it is something of a paradise for anglers on account of the depth of the water and the strong current .

In the summer, you can treat yourself, your friends and your family to an entertaining hour or so on the charming minigolf course in Søby. The tricky holes are of the old, brick-built type and the surroundings are green and welcoming .

VITSØ BEACH NEAR SØBY

WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN AND AROUND SØBY

MINIGOLF IN SØBY

ØHAVET FESTIVAL IN MARSTAL

MARSTAL & MARITIME HISTORY When you stroll through the town of Marstal or along the waterfront, you cannot help but notice how maritime history is much in evidence everywhere you look – even up in the air, where signal flags are used to decorate the pedestrian street . As you head The harbour itself is elongated, transforming as it progresses from shipyard to ferry harbour to marina and, finally, to a fine stretch of beach . The marina here is the largest on the island and attracts numerous visitors every summer – many of whom come back year after year .

MARSTAL MARITIME MUSEUM

WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN MARSTAL

The Archipelago Festival is a summertime fantasy of a festival in the beautiful setting of Marstal Harbour . It is a new festival, having been held for the first time in 2021, and showcases music, interesting talks and activities for children .

If you would like to dive down into the maritime history of Marstal, we warmly recommend a visit to Marstal Maritime Museum – although “museum” is, in fact, something of an understatement . The place is actually a treasure trove of all things maritime, and the people in the photos are more than anonymous figures . “The lady there on the deck with the big hat was my great-grandmother,” relates the tour guide; and that pretty much sets the scene . Alongside Eriks Hale, the most popular stretch of beach in Marstal, you can admire the sight of 19 typical Ærø beach houses. The little houses are all privately owned and they are used regularly in the summer because on Ærø, a beach house is a place for family gatherings, traditions and moments to cherish .

Close to the sea, you will find Skipper Park Marstal – an amusement park with water features, games and a maritime theme . There is plenty of space for children to burn off some energy while their parents enjoy a coffee on the lounge chairs outdoors or in the delightful indoor café . Strandbyen in Ommel. A little oasis on the outskirts of the village of Ommel, approx . 3 km from Marstal . Head on out there by bike – and don’t forget your packed lunch and a towel . Attractions here include a charming little beach and a private playground close to each other .

Every Friday in July, the local traders association organises the Marstal By Night event . There are all kinds of great activities for young and old alike, the shops stay open late, and the town is packed with people, music and a general air of merriment . To mark the event, the town is also beautifully decorated to a specific theme – maritime, naturally .

ÆRØSKØBING & ARCHITECTURE Ærøskøbing is the best preserved eighteenth century town in Denmark and includes parts that are actually more than 750 years old . Thanks to an ambitious conservation plan and to residents who lovingly renovate and care for their homes, the town looks like it has been lifted out of a fairytale, with its cobbled streets, climbing roses and small, neatly kept houses . Many travel guides actually refer to it as “the Fairytale Town” . Over the past decade, the town has enjoyed a purple patch and now presents a lively urban environment buoyed by local firebrands, and a thriving town centre dotted with cafés and shops .

DEN GAMLE KØBMANDSGAARD IN ÆRØSKØBING

WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN ÆRØSKØBING

In 2002, Ærøskøbing was awarded the coveted Europa Nostra Prize for the preservation of European cultural heritage, which has simultaneously been assimilated into a lively local community . It is precisely this blend of heritage and modern life that makes the historical part of Ærøskøbing so interesting to visit .

Step into Ærø Museum for a journey back through time: from present day life on the island to the rural society of ages past . Admire the extraordinary exhibitions and the museum garden which provides a fine impression of the greener, more fertile Ærøskøbing which is otherwise hidden away in the closed courtyards of the town .

Every year, the town is transformed when it hosts the delightful Christmas Market in Ærøskøbing, famed for its stalls, Christmas music, giant Christmas Cookies and locally produced items that make wonderful Christmas gifts . The Christmas market is held on three Saturdays divided between November and December .

Alongside Vesterstrand, the popular stretch of beach in Ærøskøbing, you can admire the sight of fully 71 typical Ærø beach houses. In the same way as in Marstal, these privately owned huts are used regularly in the summer, when families invite their friends to the beach, to celebrate birthdays and so on .

If you would like to find out more about the history of Ærøskøbing, we recommend that you join the watchman as he walks his rounds through the town . The local watchmen are fully familiar with the history of the region, and you can be sure of both cold facts and heart-warming stories about the residents of Ærøskøbing and the lives they lead . You might even spot a tall tale or two . . .

In early August every year, you can relax to the cool sounds of jazz at various places in Ærøskøbing when the curtain rises on the Ærø Jazz Festival. The event attracts both big names and new acts, and the full programme delights aficionados of jazz year in and year out .

During the school holidays, a bunch of cool dudes and gals at Det Gamle Værft (The Old Shipyard) are ready to teach young and old alike about maritime cultural heritage and Danish traditions of craftsmanship in the field of vessel conservation . For example, you can test your skills in the forge and have a go at other exciting, traditional crafts .

VESTERSTRAND BEACH IN ÆRØSKØBING