From Odense, you drive to the east coast to Kerteminde, then south to Svendborg and by ferry to the island of Ærø to Ærøskøbing. Back on Fyn, the ferry from Søby takes you to Faaborg. You must book the ferries to Ærø in advance; journeys on Fyn rarely last longer than an hour.
12 Days / 11 Nights
May to September
RV Friendly
5 stops
Why This Route?
For families and enthusiasts who seek low traffic, short drives, and quiet swimming spots.
Hidden Gems
Colourful bathing huts at Vesterstrand in Ærøskøbing
Egeskov Castle between Odense and Svendborg
Rolling hills Svanninge Bakker north of Faaborg
Itinerary
Stop 1 • 2 Nights
Odense
City
Rich in culture and history. Perfect for an exciting city trip and Ideal for city trips and urban experiences.
Funen's largest city is the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen. Museums, a medieval cathedral, the Den Fynske Landsby open-air museum, and a lively city centre make it a destination for one to two days.
7 Sights
4 Restaurants
Culture, Art & History in Odense
Odense, one of Denmark's oldest cities, boasts a rich history stretching back to the Viking Age as “Odins Vé.” The city is deeply connected to the legacy of the fairy tale writer Hans Christian Andersen, who was born here in 1805 and whose influence still shapes the cultural cityscape today. This is evident in numerous memorials and the H.C. Andersen Museum, which presents his life story and works in detail.Architecturally, the city center is dominated by St. Canute's Cathedral (Odense Domkirke), an imposing example of Northern European brick Gothic architecture from the Middle Ages. Besides the cathedral, the old town features charming, well-preserved half-timbered houses, offering a glimpse into bygone eras. For art lovers, the Brandts Klædefabrik cultural center, a former textile factory, now provides a platform for contemporary art and media culture. The Funen Village (Den Fynske Landsby) also vividly preserves the rural traditions and lifestyles of Funen from the 19th century, offering an authentic insight into regional cultural history.
Perfect for unwinding and relaxation. Culinary highlights.
This small port town on the northeast coast of Funen combines an old town with half-timbered houses, an active fishing harbour, and the Fjord&Bælt Marine Centre. Nearby lies the Viking ship burial of Ladby.
4 Sights
4 Restaurants
Culture & Character
Fishermen and PaintersFor centuries, Kerteminde was a fishing and trading town; even today, cutters and fish sales are part of the harbour scene. Around 1900, the area attracted the so-called Funen Painters, an artist group around Johannes Larsen, who painted the island's rural life and nature.The Fjord&Bælt Marine Center combines research and education; here, porpoises and seals are kept and studied.
This port town on Svendborg Sound is the gateway to the South Funen Archipelago. Ferries sail from here to Ærø and small islands, with traditional sailing ships and fishing cutters moored in the harbour.
4 Sights
4 Restaurants
Culture & History
Seafaring and ShipbuildingSvendborg, one of Funen's old trading towns, thrived for centuries on sea trade, shipbuilding, and fishing. The Mærsk shipping family has its roots here, and shipyards and traditional vessels still shape the harbour today.In the Old Town, Anne Hvides Gård stands as one of the city's oldest preserved burgher houses. Museums like Naturama and the Sailing Museum complement the offerings.
Perfect for relaxed travel without rush. Ideal for families with children and Route highlight.
The harbour town on the north coast of the island of Ærø has one of Denmark's best-preserved old towns, with cobblestone streets, low merchant houses, and hollyhocks in front of the doors.
4 Sights
4 Restaurants
Culture & History
Captain's Town in the ArchipelagoÆrøskøbing flourished in the 18th and 19th centuries through seafaring; wealthy skippers and merchants built the houses that still define the townscape today. As the town later stagnated economically, little was demolished or modernized, preserving the ensemble.Small museums recall the maritime past, including the collection of ships-in-bottles by the seaman Flaske-Peter.
This small harbour town in southwest Funen has a well-preserved Old Town with cobblestone streets and a bell tower as its landmark. The Faaborg Museum displays the art of the Funen Painters; from the harbour, ferries sail to the small islands.
4 Sights
4 Restaurants
Culture & History
Trading Town and Artists' HavenFaaborg is an old trading and seafaring town; of the medieval St. Nicholas Church, only the bell tower remains. The old town, with its merchants' courtyards, has preserved its structure over centuries.Around 1900, the Funen Painters worked here and in the surrounding area. The canning factory owner Mads Rasmussen had the Faaborg Museum built for their works, which today is considered one of Denmark's most beautiful art museums.
