Experience Ærø

Island hopping in the Danish South Sea

Discover island after island – with Ærø as your base

Photo: Jessica Spengler / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0

Small ferries, quiet harbours, bikes on deck and a new island after every crossing.

The South Funen Archipelago is one of Denmark's most beautiful island landscapes. Staying at Dansk Cottage, you can not only explore Ærø at leisure but also set off from here to other small islands and coastal towns.

Lyø, Avernakø, Skarø, Drejø, Strynø or Langeland – every island has its own rhythm, its own landscape and its own character.

An island world to discover

The South Funen Archipelago is made up of numerous inhabited and uninhabited islands, small harbours, bays and narrow waterways. Many islands are linked by small ferries – to each other or to the harbours on Funen and Langeland.

That is exactly what makes it so special: there is no need to plan a cruise. Often a day trip, a bike and a ferry ticket are all you need.

From Dansk Cottage in Søby, the archipelago is already part of your holiday. Ferries connect Ærø with Faaborg, Svendborg, Fynshav and Rudkøbing, among others.

“Sometimes the most beautiful outing begins with the crossing itself.”

The islands around Ærø

Schematic map of the islands around Ærø Ærø lies in the South Funen Archipelago between Funen to the north, Langeland to the east and Als to the west. Ferries connect Søby with Faaborg and Fynshav, Ærøskøbing with Svendborg and Marstal with Rudkøbing. Island ferries run from Faaborg to Lyø and Avernakø, from Svendborg to Skarø and Drejø and from Rudkøbing to Strynø. Dansk Cottage is in Søby. Søby · Dansk Cottage Ærøskøbing Marstal Faaborg Svendborg Rudkøbing Fynshav Lyø Avernakø Skarø Drejø Strynø ÆRØ Funen Langeland Tåsinge Als Det Sydfynske Øhav Baltic Sea
Dansk Cottage is in Søby in the north of Ærø – in the middle of one of Denmark's most beautiful island regions.Schematic illustration, not to scale. Ferry connections simplified.

Our island-hopping ideas

Not every island has to be part of a big tour. Some are perfect for a day trip, others can be combined.

Thatched half-timbered houses in the village on Lyø

Photo: Jopsens / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0

Lyø

Small, quiet and wonderfully unhurried

Lyø lies south of Faaborg and is one of the small islands of the South Funen Archipelago where time seems to move a little more slowly.

The island is perfect for exploring on foot or by bike. Small roads, open countryside, coastline and plenty of peace and quiet define its character.

Getting there
Via Faaborg on the island ferry to Lyø
Timetable
check before your trip

Our tip: Bring your bikes and explore the island without a fixed plan.

VisitFyn – Lyø

Evening atmosphere on Avernakø with the sun setting over the water

Photo: MortenIversen60 / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0

Avernakø

Nature, small lanes and genuine island life

Avernakø is about eight kilometres long and can easily be explored in a day by bike or on foot.

The island combines open countryside with small lanes, coastline and a very authentic island feel. With a bit of luck you may even spot one of the rare European fire-bellied toads that live in some of the island's ponds.

Getting there
Ferry from Faaborg
Timetable
check before your trip

Our tip: Avernakø is especially good for guests who love nature, bike rides and small island roads.

VisitFyn – Avernakø

The small island ferry Højestene in Svendborg harbour

Photo: Mef.ellingen / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

Skarø

A small island with famous ice cream

Skarø measures only about two square kilometres, which makes it ideal for a relaxed day trip.

The island is easy to explore on foot or by bike. Salt meadows, coastline, small paths and plenty of nature shape the scene. And there is a culinary reason to visit too: Skarø's well-known organic ice cream.

Getting there
Ferry from Svendborg
Timetable
check before your trip

Our tip: Don't leave without trying a Skarø ice cream.

VisitFyn – Skarø

Natural beach and coastline in the south of Drejø

Photo: Jan Pešula / Wikimedia Commons · CC0

Drejø

Even a little quieter

Drejø is one of the small islands of the South Funen Archipelago, only about five kilometres long and two kilometres wide.

Nature trails, coastline and its manageable size make the island ideal for walks and bike rides. Anyone looking for real peace and quiet will find an island here that feels far removed from everyday life.

Getting there
Ferry from Svendborg
Timetable
check before your trip

Our tip: Take your time. Drejø is not a place to tick off, but a place to slow down.

VisitFyn – Drejø

The black windmill of Strynø under a blue sky

Photo: Erik Cleves Kristensen / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0

Strynø

Small island – lively community

Strynø is small but by no means deserted. The island has its own village community with a school, church, grocer and strong local cohesion.

Strynø is best explored by bike. Along the way you can visit the church, the windmill and the island's boat museum.

Getting there
Ferry from Rudkøbing on Langeland
Timetable
check before your trip

Our tip: Combine Strynø with a bike tour.

VisitFyn – Strynø

Rudkøbing harbour on Langeland with the historic harbour office

Photo: Hjart / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

Langeland & Rudkøbing

From Marstal straight to the next large island

One of the easiest ways to change islands is from Marstal to Rudkøbing on Langeland. ÆrøXpressen links the two islands directly – the crossing runs right through the South Funen Archipelago.

Rudkøbing is lovely for a stroll through town, while Langeland offers many more excursion options.

Route
Marstal → Rudkøbing
Crossing
approx. 50 minutes
Timetable
check before your trip
Crossing time according to the operator – please check the timetable before departure.

Our tip: The crossing itself is part of the outing – especially in good weather, the view across the archipelago is worth it.

ÆrøXpressen timetable ÆrøXpressen

By ferry from Ærø

Ærø is well connected by several ferry routes. Which connection suits an outing best depends on your destination and the current timetable.

Søby → Faaborg

approx. 60 minutes

The direct connection from Søby to Faaborg is especially handy for trips to Funen and for continuing to Lyø or Avernakø.

View current timetable →

Ærøskøbing → Svendborg

approx. 75 minutes

From Ærøskøbing the ferry sails directly to Svendborg. From there, ferries depart for Skarø and Drejø, among others.

View current timetable →

Søby → Fynshav

approx. 60 minutes

The connection to Fynshav on Als is particularly useful for your arrival and for trips towards South Jutland and Als.

View current timetable →

Crossing times according to the operators (Ærøfærgerne and ÆrøXpressen). Departure times change with the season – please always check the current timetable.

Timetables & ferry tickets

Timetables change with the seasons. Please always check departure times and booking options directly with the ferry operator.

Ærøfærgerne

  • Søby ↔ Faaborg
  • Søby ↔ Fynshav
  • Ærøskøbing ↔ Svendborg
Timetables Website

ÆrøXpressen

  • Marstal ↔ Rudkøbing
Timetable Website

VisitFyn Island Hopping

  • Overview of the islands and island ferries of the South Funen Archipelago
Go to VisitFyn
Island ferry Faaborg III on the Faaborg – Lyø – Avernakø route at the pier
Photo: Wolfgang Fricke / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0

Best by bike or on foot

Many of the small islands are perfect for leaving the car behind. Bike onto the ferry, arrive and simply ride off – for us, that is the special appeal of island hopping.

On small islands like Skarø, Lyø, Avernakø, Drejø or Strynø distances are short, and the landscape feels far more intense when you take it slowly. For more ideas on Ærø itself, see Experience Ærø and Søby.

Our tip

Not as many islands as possible – but the right one

For us, island hopping is not about ticking off as many places as possible in one day.

It is much nicer to choose one island, take the ferry in the morning, bring a bike, stop for a break somewhere by the water and only head back in the afternoon.

It is exactly this slowness that defines the Danish South Sea.

And in the evening it's back to Ærø – to Dansk Cottage.

Ideas for an island day

Three examples of what a day in the archipelago can look like – you'll find more inspiration in our day trips.

Example – depending on the current timetable

A day on Langeland

  1. Dansk Cottage
  2. Marstal
  3. ÆrøXpressen
  4. Rudkøbing
  5. Explore Langeland
  6. back to Ærø

Ideal for: town + island + ferry experience

Example – depending on the current timetable

Lyø or Avernakø

  1. Dansk Cottage
  2. Søby
  3. Faaborg
  4. Island ferry
  5. Lyø or Avernakø

Ideal for: cycling + nature

Example – depending on the current timetable

Skarø or Drejø

  1. Dansk Cottage
  2. Ærøskøbing
  3. Svendborg
  4. Island ferry
  5. Skarø or Drejø

Ideal for: small islands + nature + slowing down

Frequently asked questions about island hopping

Can you go island hopping from Ærø?

Yes. Ærø is connected to Funen, Langeland and Als by several ferry routes. From harbours such as Faaborg, Svendborg and Rudkøbing you can reach further small islands of the South Funen Archipelago.

Which islands are suitable for a day trip?

Depending on the timetable, Lyø, Avernakø, Skarø, Drejø, Strynø and Langeland are among the options. Please check the actual connections before your trip.

Can you take bikes on the ferries?

Bikes can be taken on many routes. Conditions and prices vary between ferry companies. Please check with the operator in advance.

Do you need to book ferries?

Depending on route, season and mode of transport, booking may be required or advisable. For vehicles you should always check in advance and ideally book.

Where can I find current timetables?

From Ærøfærgerne and ÆrøXpressen as well as from the individual island ferry companies.

Dansk Cottage

Ærø as your base

Discover a new island by ferry in the morning and return to the calm of Ærø in the evening. Dansk Cottage in Søby is your home in the middle of the Danish South Sea.

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