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Badehuse ved Vestre Strandvej, Ærøskøbing

A ribbon of tiny, colourful wooden bath huts on Ærøskøbing’s Vesterstrand, blending living island tradition with one of Ærø’s most scenic, swimmable beaches.

4.7

Strung out along Ærøskøbing’s Vesterstrand, the Badehuse ved Vestre Strandvej are over 70 small, brightly painted wooden beach huts that have become one of Ærø’s most distinctive sights. Dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, these privately owned, minimalist cabins sit directly on the sand, framing views across the South Funen Archipelago and creating a colourful backdrop to one of the island’s most beloved swimming beaches.

A brief summary to Badehuse ved Vestre Strandvej

  • Vestre Strandvej 1, 2, 5970, Ærøskøbing, 5970, DK
  • Duration: 0.5 to 2 hours
  • Free
  • Environment icon Outdoor
  • Mobile reception: 4 out of 5

Local tips

  • Visit in the late afternoon on a clear day to see the huts glow in warm light and to enjoy some of Ærø’s most beautiful sunset colours over the South Funen Archipelago.
  • Remember that the huts are privately owned; you are welcome to swim and photograph from the beach, but avoid stepping onto decks, stairs or peeking inside windows.
  • Pack swimwear, a towel and something warm for after your dip; the shallow water is inviting in summer, but breezes off the sea can cool quickly outside high season.
  • If you are taking photos, walk a little way along the shoreline to capture the full curve of the beach huts with sea and sky layered behind them.
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Getting There

  • Ferry and walk from Ærøskøbing harbour

    From the South Funen mainland, travel by ferry to Ærøskøbing, with regular departures from Svendborg; the sailing takes about 1 hour 15 minutes and foot passenger tickets typically cost around 120–180 DKK one way depending on season and discounts. Once in Ærøskøbing, the beach huts are within a 10–20 minute mostly level walk from the harbour through the town and along the waterfront, suitable for most visitors with basic mobility.

  • Local bus within Ærø

    Ærø operates local buses that connect Ærøskøbing with other parts of the island, timed to many ferry arrivals and departures. The journey into Ærøskøbing town from nearby villages is usually under 30 minutes and free of charge on most routes, but services run less frequently in the evening and outside summer, so it is worth checking the timetable in advance. From central Ærøskøbing, expect a short walk of around 10–20 minutes on flat terrain to reach the beach huts, making this a convenient low-cost option.

  • Car or bicycle on Ærø

    If you bring a car or bicycle on the ferry, you can reach the area around Vestre Strandvej from Ærøskøbing in roughly 5–10 minutes. Car tickets on the ferry are typically in the range of 250–400 DKK one way depending on vehicle size and season, while bringing a bicycle adds only a small fee or is sometimes included with a passenger ticket. Parking regulations near the waterfront can vary and may be limited in peak summer, so consider leaving the car slightly outside the busiest streets and cycling or walking the final stretch along quiet local roads.

Badehuse ved Vestre Strandvej location weather suitability

  • Weather icon Clear Skies
  • Weather icon Hot Weather
  • Weather icon Mild Temperatures
  • Weather icon Cold Weather
  • Weather icon Any Weather
  • Weather icon Windy Conditions

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Colourful cabins on Ærøskøbing’s golden strand

The Badehuse ved Vestre Strandvej line the shallow, sandy curve of Vesterstrand, just west of Ærøskøbing’s old town. Each hut is a tiny timber box, perched on low stilts or foundations in the sand, painted in distinctive colours that range from butter yellow and sky blue to deep red and forest green. Together they form a cheerful ribbon that immediately signals you have arrived somewhere uniquely Ærø. The setting is intimate and human in scale. Low dunes, calm water and broad skies give the huts a generous backdrop without ever overwhelming them. From the shore you can watch ferries gliding to and from Ærøskøbing harbour while swimmers, paddleboarders and sailors share the bay in front of the huts.

A heritage of simple seaside pleasures

The first bathing huts appeared here in the late 1800s, when sea bathing grew fashionable and islanders wanted modest places to change and relax close to the water. Over time more were added, gradually filling the strand with small, privately owned houses that became tightly woven into local families’ summer traditions. Today there are more than 70 huts along Vesterstrand, and they are recognised as part of Ærø’s cultural heritage. Regulations preserve their modest size and simple construction, which is why they remain without permanent electricity or plumbing. Their very limitations keep the focus on fresh air, daylight and the sea rather than modern comforts.

Life between beach, dunes and sea

On a warm day the area around the huts feels like a relaxed open-air living room. Towels hang over handrails, coffee steams from thermos flasks, and children drift constantly between water’s edge and hut steps. The beach itself is shallow and usually calm, which makes it especially welcoming for less confident swimmers. As the sun moves across the horizon, the light transforms the scene. Early mornings are quiet and contemplative, with long reflections on the water. Late afternoons cast the huts in a soft, honeyed glow, and on clear evenings the sunset over the South Funen Archipelago can be spectacular, with silhouettes of masts and low islands on the horizon.

Architecture in miniature

Although each hut follows a broadly similar format – a small rectangular room, simple door and a tiny deck or steps – the details differ. Rooflines, window shapes and colour choices give every cabin its own character. Some lean towards almost nautical simplicity, others sport playful trims or bolder hues, but all are resolutely minimalist in size. Seen together, the huts read like a line of architectural sketches: experiments in how little a seaside retreat really needs. Their presence has become as emblematic for Ærøskøbing as the town’s cobbled streets and half-timbered houses, extending the historic character of the town right out onto the sand.

Respecting a living local tradition

Although many visitors photograph the huts and use the beach freely, the cabins themselves remain private. Doors are kept closed when owners are away, and interiors are simple spaces reserved for families and friends. Enjoying the area is about appreciating the atmosphere rather than entering the buildings. The surrounding strand is open to all, and you are free to swim, stroll the waterline and pause on the sand between the huts, always taking care not to block steps or doors. In this way, the Badehuse ved Vestre Strandvej offer a rare chance to experience an authentic, ongoing seaside tradition while still feeling warmly welcomed at the heart of everyday island life.

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