THE FAIRYTALE TOWN OF
ÆRØSKØBING
A FINELY PRESERVED TOWN Ærøskøbing is the best preserved eighteenth century town in Denmark, where some parts are actually more than 750 years old. Thanks to the total preservation orders that apply to many of the houses in the town and an ambitious conservation plan, Ærøskøbing stands almost as a dictionary definition of “idyll”, with its cobbled streets, climbing roses and small, well-preserved houses. Travel guides from both Denmark and abroad often refer to it as “the Fairytale Town”. Take a stroll through its streets and admire the colours and details of all the houses – for instance, one of the doors was last painted in the 1700s, when it was treated with a mixture of ox blood and oil. Swing by Ærøskøbing Tourist Information near the harbour and pick up a leaflet detailing a short tour of the town that will take you past many of the distinctive buildings.
8 > Ærø Guide 2022
A THRIVING TOWN In recent years, Ærøskøbing has experienced something of a renaissance and a veritable flood of entrepreneurship. As one example, Torvet (the marketplace),
which was nothing more than a car park and a slowly wilting general store just ten years ago, has now become a thriving meeting point for the town, with cafés offering outdoor service, and blushing
