Discover Ærø
Ærø has many small beaches rather than one big one: shallow water for children, stony beaches with bathing jetties, a spit with two seas and bathing huts in every colour. Here is a selection, with tips for families, dogs and how to get there.
Ærø has around 80 kilometres of coastline, but not one big beach – many small ones instead. VisitÆrø features eight beaches. They differ more than you’d expect on such a small island: shallow water for children here, stones and old fishermen’s huts there, a spit with two seas somewhere else.
We introduce the beaches that are especially handy for a holiday in the north of the island and sort them by what you want to do.
If you stay in Søby, the beach is practically on your doorstep. Søby Strand lies in a sheltered bay right by the marina. The bottom is sandy, the water shallow, and there is a bathing jetty. A playground and café are close by – a bonus when children are along and someone gets hungry after swimming.
A morning here combines easily with the harbour: Café Arthur has two terraces overlooking the boats. For guests in a holiday home in Søby, this is a beach with especially short distances.
Vesterstrand is about three minutes’ walk from Ærøskøbing marina. The water is shallow, there is a bathing jetty, and the beach is considered child-friendly. It is famous for its bathing huts: according to VisitÆrø there are more than 70 colourful little huts here.
A beach day combines well with a stroll through the old town of Ærøskøbing. At the end of July or beginning of August, Ærøskøbing also hosts the jazz festival.
At the southern end of Marstal lies Eriks Hale, a narrow spit of land. On one side is the calm, shallow ‘Little Sea’, ideal for families; on the other, the open and rougher Baltic. In between stand 19 of the island’s colourful bathing huts.
According to VisitÆrø there is a car park nearby, toilets and a bathing jetty, and the beach is also suitable for stand-up paddling, windsurfing and kitesurfing. After a visit, the walk to the harbour is worth it: Marstal has a maritime museum and several places to eat by the water.
The colourful huts are as much a part of Ærø as the ferry. According to VisitÆrø there are around 90 bathing huts on the island, more than 70 of them on Vesterstrand and 19 on Eriks Hale. The first private bathing huts appeared in the early 1920s – in precisely these two places. Today they are strictly regulated: no electricity, no extensions. Even so, each hut has its own colour.
The huts are privately used, so please take photos from a respectful distance.
If you prefer it quiet, Ærø has beaches with fewer people:
For small children, places with shallow water are best: Søby Strand, Vesterstrand, the ‘Little Sea’ at Eriks Hale and Vrå Strand. More ideas for days out with children are under family holidays on Ærø.
Denmark has clear rules for dogs: from 1 April to 30 September they must be kept on a lead on beaches, and from 1 October to 31 March they may run free under supervision. In woods, a lead is required all year round. Practically every beach on Ærø is dog-friendly. Everything you need to know about travelling and staying with your dog is under holiday with your dog.
A suggestion with no time pressure: spend the morning at Søby Strand, then have lunch at Café Arthur by the harbour. In the afternoon, take the island bus or a bike to Ærøskøbing for Vesterstrand and a wander through the old town. If you want a second destination, head to Marstal on another day for Eriks Hale and the maritime museum. In the evening there’s time for the sauna and the wood-burning stove.
Timetables and opening hours change with the seasons – please check in advance.
After a day by the water, a warm sauna does you good. At Dansk Cottage in Søby, guests have a private barrel sauna with a panoramic window and outdoor shower, free of charge. The house opens in spring 2027; for an overview see holiday home on Ærø, and for dates see prices & availability.
Dansk Cottage can be booked from spring 2027.
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