Getting to and from Ærøskøbing by ferry is one of those charming little adventures that makes visiting the Danish island of Ærø feel like stepping back in time. Ærøskøbing itself is a tiny, storybook town full of cobblestone streets and colorful houses, and the ferry is really the best way to reach it. The main ferry connections run from Svendborg on the Danish mainland to Ærøskøbing, and the crossing takes about an hour and fifteen minutes. You board in Svendborg at a small harbor where the smell of saltwater and baked pastries seems to mingle in the air. The ferries themselves are cozy, with a few decks to wander, little lounges to sit and sip coffee, and plenty of open-air space to watch the sea go by. The ride takes you through the calm waters of the South Funen Archipelago, passing tiny islands and flocks of seabirds, and it can be especially magical at sunset when everything glows pink and gold. Even on a windy day, the ferry glides smoothly, and locals treat it like just another bus ride, while visitors lean over the rails snapping pictures of the coastline and the red rooftops of Ærøskøbing coming into view. When the ferry docks at Ærøskøbing, you step right into the old harbor, just a few minutes’ walk from the heart of the town, with its quaint shops, historic church, and cheerful little squares. The return trip feels just as relaxed — it’s a wonderful way to slow down and soak in the laid-back rhythm of island life, with the gentle hum of the engine and the soft slap of waves against the hull accompanying you back to the mainland.