13 October 2018

If you want to spend a handful of days away from the crowds in a natural and serene atmosphere, Aero Island might be the perfect getaway. For a good reason, the island in the South of Funen Archipelago is considered the loveliest island in Denmark.

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There are three main towns – Aeroskobing – the “fairytale town” with its well-preserved historic houses, Marstal – the largest city with a long maritime history and Soby, where the old Viking boats are restored.

Once you arrive, you will be greeted by country roads heading off into the distance, surrounded by green fields, charming farmhouses, and colorful beach huts lined up along the seashore.

READ MORE: Copenhagen Travel Guide

The island can be easily reached by ferry from Svendborg or Fynshav. See the routes and prices here.

What to visit on Aero Island

Voderup Klint

The Vesterstrand Beach Huts

Old Churches

Marstal Maritime Museum (Marstal Søfartsmuseum)

Aeroskobing Town Museum

Hammerichs Hus Museum

Rise Bryggeri

Soby Lighthouse (Skjoldnaes Fyr)

1. Voderup Klint

Voderup Klint is a natural reserve with 33-meter-high cliffs leading down to a rocky beach. The steep slopes, covered in green fields, hug the coast. It is the right place for a picnic or a walk while being amazed by nature’s beauty.

2. The Vesterstrand Beach Huts

The colorful huts lined along the seashore are an iconic image of the Danish island of Aero. Some of them are old and treasured property for the Danish people, being handed over from generation to generation.

3. Marstal Maritime Museum (Marstal Søfartsmuseum)

This is an extensive space about Denmark’s maritime history. The museum houses over 200 model ships, paintings, and ships in bottles and is full of information. Free guides are available during summer on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 11:00. More about the museum here.

4. Aeroskobing Town Museum

A small museum about the city of Aeroskobing, where you can learn more about this medieval old town’s history, culture, and people. More about the museum here.

READ MORE: 10 Must-Visit Museums in Bucharest

5. Hammerichs Hus Museum

It was once the house of the sculptor Gunnar Hammerich; now, the old building is a small museum that displays antique collections, sculptures, and one of Denmark’s largest tile collections—more about the museum here.

6. Rise Bryggeri

Rise Bryggeri is a small brewery located in Store Rise village, 7km from Aeroskobing. Since 1926, they have been brewing Aero beer, which you can find in stores all over Denmark. The brewery is open to the public during the summer, and beer tastings and guided tours are available.

7. Soby Lighthouse (Skjoldnaes Fyr)

The lighthouse in Soby dates from the 19th century. It’s the westernmost point of the island, surrounded by green golf fields and a rocky beach leading down to the sea. Once you reach the top platform, you will be delighted with beautiful views of the sea unfolding in front of you.

8. Old Churches

If you like visiting old churches, Aero is the place to do that. Many date back to the Middle Ages, and you will find Neolithic burial places. All are very well preserved, and if you have not visited a Danish church before, you will be surprised by the combination of colors (blue for the ocean and red for the blood) and the model ships hanging from the ceiling. Aeroskobing Church, Bregnige Church, Ommel Church, and Tranderup Church are just some churches you should visit while in Aero.

Experiences on Aero Island

Bike around the island

Spend a Day at the Beach

Go Fishing

Eat Apricot Icecream at Cafe Aroma

Follow the Nightwatch in Aeroskobing

Get married

1. Bike around the island

With all its beautiful scenery and almost nonexistent traffic, the island is the perfect place to take your bike and get to know Aero with the wind in your hair. There are a lot of cycling routes and, if you don’t have your own, you can rent a bike in one of the three main towns – Aeroskobing, Marstal or Soby.

2. Spend a day at the beach

Aero is one of the sunniest parts of Denmark, and during summer, you can enjoy one of the many beaches without feeling crowded. Try Vesterstrand, which has shallow waters and beautiful beach huts, Erikshale, or Soby Beach.

3. Go fishing

Another thing the island is known for is its sea trout fishing. There are many peaceful beaches where you can try your luck, but first of all, you will need a fishing license – this can be bought at the Tourist Office in Aeroskobing or online: www.fisketegn.dk

4. Eat apricot ice cream at Café Aroma

Café Aroma is a popular place in Aeroskobing for a snack or ice cream. I particularly liked the apricot ice cream, but they have many other assortments.

5. Follow the Nightwatch in Aeroskobing

During the summer months, just before sunset, the Nightwatch walks visitors through the old city of Aeroskobing. City guided tours are a good opportunity to learn more about the city and its past. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, the tour is in English.

6. Get married

Lately, Aero Island has become a favorite destination for those searching for an intimate, lovely wedding. Thanks to the relaxed legal requirements and the lessened bureaucracy, getting married here is uncomplicated and beautiful, as it really should be, with no hassle or stress attached.

Where to stay on Aero Island

Vingaarden (Marstal) – a charming farmhouse dating from 1872. The backyard is full of trees, and you can see the ocean from the kitchen window.

Hotel Aroma in Aeroskobing

Andelen Guesthouse

Hotel På Torvet

Hotel Ærøhus

Camping and shelters—If you want to be completely in the middle of nature, try one of the many camping/shelter areas on the island.

Where to eat on Aero Island

Aeroskobing Rogeri – a large selection of smoked fish served on plates with potato salad or as sandwiches with bread and butter

Restaurant Mumm – a little overpriced but suitable for a candlelight dinner

Café Den Gamle Købmandsgaard – best place for coffee and homemade cakes

På Torvet – for lunch, wines, and beers in the center of Aeroskobing.

Badehotel Restaurant – Italian food with a sea view

What makes Aero Island a special place

It has friendly weather—it has considerably more sunny days per year than the rest of Denmark, and the temperatures are moderate.

Free buses – all year round, for everyone. The buses provide extra space for bicycles and are pet-friendly.

You can buy local products—different types of fruit jams, biscuits, and souvenirs—and beautifully painted stones from the people’s front doors by putting the money into a jar.

Many locals don’t even lock their homes because the crime rate on the island is zero.

The island’s peacefulness, serenity, and lush nature are a suitable retreat for artists, painters, and writers. So, are you thinking about writing a novel? Aero might have the perfect setup for that.