Rudkøbing

The largest town on Langeland, Rudkøbing has everything you wish for – and then a little extra! With its secret alleyways and quaint atmosphere, the town oozes historical charm and is definitely worth a visit.

A TOWN AT THE WATER’S EDGE

Rudkøbing Harbour, Bellevue Beach, and the bathhouse are all just a short walk from the town centre. Take a stroll along the coast or go for a swim at the old bathhouse, which is highly popular both summer and winter, before enjoying a lovely dinner at one of the town’s nice restaurants.

From the harbour, you can proceed out into the archipelago by taking ÆrøXpressen to Marstal, or the ferry to Strynø (see page 08-11) or by going on a trip aboard the schooner Meta.

HANS CHRISTIAN ØRSTED & THE PRESENCE OF HISTORY

You can learn more about Rudkøbing’s most famous son, the scientist Hans Christian Ørsted, who discovered electromagnetism, at an exhibition in town. At the Gåsetorvet square, right across from the town’s former pharmacy in Brogade where Ørsted was born, there is a commemorative statue. In addition to his scientific discoveries, Ørsted came up with and popularised around 2,000 words – among them the Danish word for butterfly, ‘sommerfugl’. The butterfly has thus become a symbol celebrating Ørsted, and many a gable on Langeland is adorned with a butterfly.

A Taste Of Langeland

All over Langeland, there are cafés, restaurants, and eateries serving classic dishes made with high-quality local products.

If you are looking to challenge your taste buds, however, you can try another type of food experience, such as a 60-course menu focusing on local game, gourmet hikes where you collect your own ingredients, or courses served in sewing boxes that you have to unfold to discover the menu. So you better have a healthy appetite!

Culinary And Creative

In the market town of Rudkøbing, you will find a nice selection of chain stores and specialty shops. Remember that parking is always free of charge in Rudkøbing.

Despite its relatively modest size, Rudkøbing – and the rest of Langeland – has a wealth of galleries and shops selling local artware. In the streets around Sidsel Bagers Gade, you will find a collection of small boutiques and open workshops selling local art and design. The artist will often be standing behind the counter themselves.

Kitesurfing

With strong winds and a maximum of 5 km to the coast, Langeland almost always has the perfect conditions for kitesurfing. The area north of Bagenkop near the southern tip of Langeland is ideal for both kitesurfing and windsurfing. If you are an absolute beginner, Strynø Harbour or Drejet south of Spodsbjerg are perfect places to start, due to the very shallow waters and flat coastlines at these spots. Regardless of your surfing skills, Langeland has got you covered.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY BEACHES

One of the best beaches in Denmark is located at Ristinge near the southern tip of Langeland: a wide stretch of white sand and dunes covered with lyme grass.

There are nice family-friendly beaches at Bagenkop, Spodsbjerg, Emmerbølle, Stoense, and Lohals as well. Bellevue Beach in Rudkøbing is a charming little patch of sand, and not far from there, you can jump in the waves from the town’s old bathhouse.

Winter Swimming

If you like a cold thrill, Langeland is definitely the place for you, as it is the only island in the world with three certified winter swimming spots. This means that if you go to the beach in Lohals, the bathhouse in Rudkøbing, or the harbour bath in Bagenkop, you are guaranteed to experience a safe swimming environment with high water quality throughout the year.

152 km of Coastal Fun

Due to Langeland’s shape, the coast is a naturally prominent feature, offering numerous activities for young and old regardless of the season. And since you’re never more than 5 km from the coast, you can reach both windward and leeward coasts in very little time. The waters to the east of Langeland are deep and unexplored, whereas the archipelago to the west offers shallow waters and safer conditions – and there is plenty of room for fun along the 152 km of unspoiled coast surrounding the island.

WORLD-CLASS UNDERWATER HUNTING

Thanks to its location between the warm, shallow archipelago waters and the colder Baltic Sea, Langeland provides exceptionally good conditions for many different species of fish, twenty of which can be caught here.

Stone reefs, seaweed, and large mussel beds make the waters off Langeland a great place to go underwater hunting as well. The best places to go underwater hunting are Lytteposten, Tranekær, Keldsnor Fyr, Dovns Klint, and Bukkemose. There are also more than 100 registered wrecks in Langeland Belt.

TRY STAND-UP PADDLING

In the summer, SHORES Grejbanken (The Equipment Bank) drives around Langeland carrying SUP boards, wetsuits, snorkeling equipment, diving masks and fins, crab-fishing rods, etc. You can borrow all of these things free of charge! Local watersports companies also offer lessons in stand-up paddling and other surfing activities. Find other water activities at govisitlangeland.com/shores