Aero is one of over 400 Danish islands and measures about 54 square miles/140 square kilometers. Despite — or maybe because of — its small size, it oozes so much charm that it easily lures travelers looking to experience island life for a bit. Aero is an alluring destination and a good contrast to the hustle and bustle of the large cities many choose to visit in Scandinavia. Aeroskobing (Ærøskøbing) is a picturesque town on Aero with inviting choices for accommodations, dining, shopping, biking, and walking. Not to be missed is a stroll to the huts that line the water’s edge at dusk for a magnificent sunset. If you take the ferry with a rental car, you can also drive around the island to other interesting towns and the coastline. Exploring the island by car — or bike — can provide more context to your visit. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the few days we spent on the captivating Danish island of Aero.
The Best Things to Do in Aero, Denmark
1. Aeroskobing Sunsets
An after-dinner highlight of a visit to Aeroskobing is savoring the beautiful sunsets along the shore. To get there, walk along the cobblestoned streets, past some leaning houses with colorful facades. (You may notice mirrors on the exterior of some homes that people have tilted just so outside their windows. Doing so helps them keep an eye on the activity down their lanes.) Continue walking past the port and sailboats moored in the tiny marina. Don’t be surprised if you see a boat or two from Germany. That country is less than 10 miles away.
Continue along a well-trodden dirt path past small farms and their accompanying livestock. You’ll come to a coastline dotted with mini-huts dressed in a variety of colors. The huts are usually kept in one’s family through generations. They vary in size. Many are only big enough to hold some beach chairs and some items to enjoy the water. The true value is their ideal location at the water’s edge.
On our visit, in accordance with a local custom, we sat on the steps of a hut to enjoy the sunset. We were able to do so since we visited in mid-June (before the traditional local summer vacation season). We had that tiny coastline to ourselves. In time, the sun slid down from the sky and melted into the horizon in a blend of gold and mango. We savored the moments until the darkness overtook the sky. Then we strolled back to our home away from home.
2. Bottle Peter Museum
This Aeroskobing museum has over 700 different bottled ships. Peter Jacobsen, who died decades ago, created the ships housed in the bottles.
3. Bregninge Church
Outside Aeroskobing is Bregninge Church, a beautiful 12th-century church with immaculately maintained grounds including the cemetery. Inside the church, you’ll notice a fool’s head painted on the ceiling around a hole (the fool’s mouth) through which the church’s bell rope hung. Outside, small ornamental trees, hedges of evergreens, or flowering shrubs surround many of the graves. Benches are placed in shady spots, so one can relax while visiting those who have passed, or for us, marvel at the peace and serenity offered by the setting. (Also, there’s a WC/restroom here.)
By the way, Aero’s church steeples aren’t visible above the shoreline. This was by design and a precaution taken so that potential invaders generations ago didn’t know that the island was inhabited.
4. Rise Church
Model ships, a nod to the island’s seafaring past, hang from the ceilings of Rise Church (located southwest of Aeroskobing in Store Rise). An hourglass is positioned by one pulpit — perhaps for the minister to judge the timing of his message as well as the service.
5. Rise Bryggeri
Rise Bryggeri offers tours, beer tastings, and lunch in their garden. The brewery is a short distance from Rise Church.
6. Store Rise Prehistoric Tomb
Walk around burial mounds in the shape and size of a Viking ship from the days of those invaders. My husband and I found it interesting to imagine the early folks from hundreds of years ago on this holy land of theirs.
7. Wander Around the Island
Simply explore! You could ride or drive the meandering roads that lead past the shoreline and through fields of grain and poppies. Stop along the way to learn more about life on this tiny island and soak in the beauty of the land and sea. My husband and I found the whole area to be peaceful, quiet, and utterly relaxing.
How to Get to Aero
To reach Aero from Copenhagen, most people drive by car or train to Svendborg (a little over 3 hours). The ferry from Svendborg to Aeroskobing (about 1 hour and 15 minutes) is a beautiful trip that offers great views from the top deck. You can also reach the island at other towns like Søby (on the north side of the island) from other Danish departure points.
My husband and I rented a car in Copenhagen which provided us the means to take a day trip to Sweden and then to drive to this magical island — after taking an Aerofaergerne ferry from Svendborg. The ferry drops riders on the eastern part of the island, in the town of Aeroskobing. Once we knew how we were going to get there, it was easy!
Where to Stay in Aero
We stayed at På Torvet for our two-night visit to Aero. It has several guest apartments and rooms perfectly situated right on the main square in town. Our apartment had a large living room, a full but small kitchen, a dining area, a bathroom, a bedroom with a large double bed, and a great view of the happenings in the square. Downstairs is a delightful café to enjoy a delicious meal and a shop that sells specialty foods and wine. På Torvet is about a five-minute walk from the harbor.
Final Thoughts
I admit that I have been guilty of packing some of our vacations with lots of activity and visiting must-see places including museums, castles, and historical places. That comes from wanting to experience everything we can in the short amount of time we have in each place. But I’ve come to learn that taking a break from the busy sightseeing has its own rewards. That means slowing down a little to enjoy some off-the-beaten-path places. Aero is just such a place. It took a bit of extra planning to figure out the logistics, but it was well worth it.
Danish Reality TV
Reality TV is a staple for many around the world. My husband and I experienced the filming of an episode for Danish TV during our stay. One day we were relaxing in our rental apartment (in På Torvet) before heading out, and we heard a commotion in the square. We looked out and couldn’t figure out what was going on. The square was being cleared of some of the tables and chairs from the café below. Tripods were set up, people worked the cameras, and there were people (could they be actors?) who walked up the lane several times for multiple takes.
What we didn’t realize until later was that this was all part of a Danish reality TV show that featured three couples who vied for ownership of a B&B establishment. Their task was to create a perfect wedding experience for a couple. That evening at dinner, we saw one of the receptions for a recently married husband and wife. That was definitely a day to remember!
Travel Tips and Ideas
If your travel plans include Norway, and you want to stay in a classic hotel right on the edge of a fjord, consider the Walaker Hotel, a gem of a place in an idyllic setting.
To make sure you remember all the great experiences on your next trip — be it to Denmark or elsewhere — take lots of pictures and create a photo book of your journey when you return home. You’ll be glad you did!
One more tip: using a translating app like Google Translate could be a big help when traveling in Scandinavia. With such an app, you’ll be able to read just about everything including signage, menus, and product labels (while you’re shopping) easily.
Comments?
Feel free to share your experiences and/or suggestions about traveling in Scandinavia. Your thoughts could help fellow travelers. Thanks! 🙂
