Troense combines a well-preserved maritime town with orchards, historic paths and the Svendborgsund. The town is situated on a headland in the eastern part of Tåsinge, overlooking the Thurøsund. To get your bearings, it is worth discovering Troense’s lanes, the landscape behind the houses and the harbour as distinct sides of the town.
Maritime history in Grønnegade
Troense was founded in the 18th century at the initiative of Chamberlain Niels Juel of Valdemars Slot. The historic setting is particularly well preserved in Grønnegade. Visitors can stroll among the listed half-timbered houses. Apple orchards still stretch behind the buildings along the characteristic narrow plots—a striking transition between street and cultivated landscape.
The local seafaring history can also be traced through specific places. Troense’s old school opened in 1790 for the children of the local seafaring community. It is located at Strandgade 001; the building is listed and protected by a registered preservation declaration. Troense’s last shipyard, Troense Træskibsværft, stood at Jacobsens Plads. It operated from 1848 to 1985 and is the only surviving shipbuilding site from the earlier period when the region had many wooden shipyards.
Orchards and Æbleræs
Fruit growing in Troense dates back to the mid-18th century. At that time, the landowner Niels Juel established a nursery at Valdemars Slot. The apple-growing and fruit-growing tradition is celebrated every year at Æbleræs, an event honouring Troense’s maritime and agricultural history.
Æbleræs takes place every year in October. Old wooden ships are loaded with apples gathered in Troense’s gardens and sail from Troense Harbour to Svendborg Harbour. There, the apples are sold directly from the sides of the ships. Check the specific event dates and programme separately.
Walking and cycling routes
Badstuestien leads from Badstuen to Grønnegade. From there, you can continue along Præstealléen and Slotsalléen to Valdemars Slot. Badstuejorden is also part of the landscape: the 12-hectare area was protected in 1993 and connects the old maritime town of Troense with the farmland near Valdemars Slot.
If you are planning a longer hike, consider the 26-kilometre section of the Øhavsstien that passes through Troense. Another way to explore Tåsinge is on an approximately two-hour guided bike tour to historic oak trees. The tour includes an oak at Stæreodden in Troense. Check whether the tour can be booked in advance.
Harbour and a trip on the Sound
Troense Havn lies in a scenic bend of the eastern Svendborgsund. The harbour is just a few steps from the M/S Helge landing stage. A boat trip takes about two hours and follows the Svendborgsund along the South Funen coast. As schedules vary by season and may change, check the timetable before planning your trip.
You can rent bicycles from the harbourmaster at the harbour; check availability before your trip. This lets you weigh up different options for your stay: a stroll through historic Grønnegade, a hiking section through Troense or a trip on the water.
Discover more destinations: Stenstrup, Lundeborg, Åbyskov, Nørre Vornæs, Vårø, Bjerreby, Vemmenæs, Gudme
For the broader travel overview: Svendborg Municipality.
