Topics range from the altarpiece in Søby Church and exhibitions at Søbygaard to Vitsø and hiking routes on Ærø. This lets you plan around the experiences that matter to you while keeping an eye on distances.

Søbygaard and Søby’s cultural history

Søbygaard is an old ducal manor and bears witness to Ærø’s past as part of the Duchy of Schleswig until 1867. Søbygaard hosts changing exhibitions, including art exhibitions and an exhibition for children; the specific offerings may change. The Geopark visitor centre there explains how Ærø and the Geopark of the South Fyn Archipelago came into being. This provides distinct cultural points of interest in the form of history, changing exhibition themes, and the origins of the island and the geopark.

The altarpiece in Søby Church was painted by Professor Jørgen Roed in 1870. It depicts Christ on the cross and the kneeling Virgin Mary. The work offers a distinct religious and artistic point of interest alongside the history of the ducal manor and the themes explored at the Geopark visitor centre.

Vitsø and trails on Ærø

Vitsø is a 150-hectare nature area with a large lake, salt meadows and freshwater meadows. Greylag geese, ducks and wading birds breed at Vitsø. Vitsø Nor is a protected inlet of around 150 hectares. The waters, meadows and birdlife give nature enthusiasts specific points of interest to consider when planning their trip. Vitsø Beach is a natural pebble beach with a bathing jetty and old fishermen’s houses on the edge of Søby.

The “Around Søbygaard” cycling route is about 30 km long. It follows the signposted cycle network through open landscapes, along Vitsø Nor and past Søbygaard. The route runs mostly on paved roads; some sections have a firm gravel surface. Take the distance and surface into account when planning. As route conditions may change temporarily, it is worth checking the latest description before setting off.

The Øhavsstien covers 36 km on Ærø and passes through Vitsø. Some of the paths around Vitsø are part of its connected trail system; blue markings on wooden posts indicate these sections. Locals call the path along Vitsø Beach “Jørbæk Rundt”; it is 3 km long from one end to the other. The two distances offer different scales for planning. The Coastal Trail runs from Marstal to Vitsø near Søby and follows the coast for most of the way.

Maritime tour and getting there

At Søby harbour, the guided tour “In Arthur’s Footsteps” explores the maritime history of Søby and Ærø. As part of the tour, the route passes through Søby Shipyard, among the shipyard’s buildings, ships and docks. If you plan to include this activity, check in advance whether the tour is offered on your travel dates.

Ferries connect Søby with Faaborg and with Fynshav on Als. Check the timetable for your travel dates. When choosing a hotel, you can first decide which activities matter most and then compare the location of a specific hotel with your plans. Also confirm availability for your travel dates.

Discover more destinations: Skovby, Dunkær, Kragnæs, Marstal, Bro, Ærøskøbing

Return to the main travel overview: Ærø Municipality.