På Torvet is a lovely inn that offers comfortable guest rooms and apartments in the heart of Aeroskobing on the island of Aero in Denmark. In addition, it has a café that offers delicious snacks and meals. Centrally located, it’s an easy walk around charming Aeroskobing and out to the waterside beach huts to watch sunsets — a must-do experience. Aero boasts plenty to do and see. På Torvet (meaning “On the Square”) is a wonderful retreat. It’s a short walk/drive from where the ferry from Svendborg (easily reachable by car or train from Copenhagen) docks.
Contacting På Torvet: Ærøskøbing, Denmark / På Torvet / +45 28724650
DISCLAIMER: My husband and I have stayed in many hotels, inns, and other properties during our travels, but a few stand out above the rest — this is one of them. Although I am highlighting this property we enjoyed while on vacation, we have not accepted free trips, endorsements, or gratuities. All the opinions, along with the photographs (unless otherwise noted), featured in this article are our own. I share this property profile because it is unique in its location, hospitality, and views, so I think others may also consider staying there. Happy travels!
Why På Torvet?
1. På Torvet offers guest rooms and apartments (we stayed in #9) at very reasonable prices where you can relax and “stretch out” a little. After staying in a small Copenhagen hotel room, this was a welcome change for us.
2. På Torvet is perfectly located just in the Old Town Square in the heart of Old Aeroskobing. There’s a saying: “Everything nearby, far away from everything.” That sums it up perfectly.
3. The accommodations were clean and well-arranged. The courtyard with tables and chairs to lounge at invite relaxation.
4. The recently renovated café creates wonderful meals—including the breakfast included in your stay—and is well-stocked with specialty foods and wine. Check out the Smørrebrød, a Danish open-faced sandwich that is quite popular here.
5. Communication with På Torvet is helpful. For example, my email conversations with the staff (while planning our trip) helped me learn exactly how my husband and I would reach Aero from Copenhagen. The email exchanges also helped me find out about key sights and experiences we should add to our plans while there.
What To Do in Aero, Denmark
- Watch the sunset at the waterfront huts in Ærøskøbing. A must-do!
- Walk down the cobblestone streets, exploring the colorful homes and visiting shops and restaurants. Look for strategically placed mirrors outside some homes so residents can peek at the action outside.
- In summer, a Night Watchman’s tour of Old Ærøskøbing begins in the square just outside På Torvet.
- Sit at the little restaurant at the harbor, enjoying a snack, a beer, or ice cream, and watch the ferry at the main dock and private boats at the adjacent marina.
- By renting a bike or car, you can take in the interesting island experiences and beautiful vistas outside Ærøskøbing. We visited a few old churches and enjoyed learning about their history, including the fact that none of the steeples were taller than the land — lest they be seen by potential invaders, alerting them to a community there to plunder. We walked around each enclosed church cemetery, and they offered an interesting way to ponder the past. For example, back in the day, the Scandinavians used a different naming convention than today: if you were a boy and your father was Carl, then your last name would be Carlson (“son of Carl”); if you were a girl and your father was Carl, your last name would become Carldotter (“daughter of Carl”). You can imagine how engaging it was to walk among the tombstones and ponder how people might have been related based on birth and death dates. There’s still more to see on the island.
How to Get to Aero
To reach Aero from Copenhagen, most people drive by car or train to Svendborg (a 3-4 hour journey). The ferry from Svendborg to Ærøskøbing (about 1 hour, and 15 minutes) is a relaxing trip with great views. På Torvet is about a five-minute walk from the harbor. (It is very simple when you know what you’re doing.)
You can also reach the island at other towns like Søby (on the north side of the island) from other Danish departure points. Other options include traveling by train and bus, but we like the convenience of having our own rental car.
Final Thoughts
When planning our trip to Scandinavia, my husband and I knew we wanted to visit Aero/Ærø. It offered relaxation, great views, welcoming hospitality, and a back-in-time vibe. After choosing Aero as a destination, we researched different accommodation choices. I read about På Torvet and compared it with the other available options. This seemed like the perfect place for us — and it was.
Upon our arrival, the staff warmly greeted us and gave us an introduction to the island. We had breakfast and some lunches in the café and were delighted with the presentation and flavor of those meals. In addition, we enjoyed dinners at nearby restaurants. After dining, we strolled to the island’s west side to enjoy the incredible sunsets over the water. Following up on a suggestion from the staff, we bought a bottle of wine from the café — and got two “to go” cups — and off we went. Watching the sunset in Aero by the summer huts is a must for any visitor. We enjoyed it so much the first night of our stay that we returned for another gorgeous sunset the following evening.
This article has been updated since its first publication in 2019.