Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Ærøskøbing Tourist Office
TOURIST INFORMATION
( 62 52 13 00;
www.visitaeroe.dk
; Havnen 4; 9am-4pm Mon-Fri)
Near the ferry terminal. This is the main info centre for the island, with smaller summer-
time branches in Marstal and Søby.
Marstal
Pop 2400
Marstal, at the eastern end of Æro, is larger and more modern than Ærøskøbing, but it's
one of the island's big draws thanks to its living maritime history. In its 19th-century hey-
day, more than 300 merchant ships pulled into port annually and eight shipyards were op-
erating. It's still a seafaring town with a busy shipyard, marina and excellent nautical mu-
seum.
Appropriately enough, acclaimed author Carsten Jensen partly set his bestselling mari-
time epic
We, the Drowned
here. You can buy the novel at the museum and in the tourist
offices. It's a great way to steep yourself in Marstal's seafaring history.
Sights & Activities
Marstal Søfartsmuseum
MUSEUM
(
www.marmus.dk
; Prinsensgade 1; adult/child Dkr60/free;
9am-5pm Jun-Aug, 10am-4pm Apr, May,
Sep & Oct, 11am-3pm Mon-Sat Nov-Apr)
If you don't know a barquentine from a brig, the absorbing nautical collection here will
make everything (almost) clear. It's stuffed full of ships' models, sea chests and sailors'
souvenirs from around the world, plus tales of life for the families left behind by the sea-
farers. There's even some climbable rigging in the courtyard. Take a walk to the nearby
waterfront to see the newly restored, century-old schooner
Bonavista,
built in Marstal in
1914.
Havkayak Center Marstal
KAYAKING
(
50 21 94 60;
www.havkajakcenter-marstal.dk
;
Marstal Marina;
Apr-mid-Aug)
