Latest Update – 19December 2025

This page has been put together in collaboration with our lovely colleagues over at Getting Married in Denmark to help everyone get the best “off-season” island experience!

Winter on Ærø is wonderful – but we sometimes have to use our extensive local knowledge and connections to make sure our couples have the best experience possible. Although it is a real all-year-round community with its own school, hospital and so on, many of the restaurants and hotels take advantage of the quiet season to have some well-earned holiday. We strongly recommend staying on the island rather than the mainland for the best experience.

There is some misinformation online, with booking platforms claiming that places are closed, when that is not correct. It is just that many local places do not advertise on the major booking websites.

We at DIW are right here, and in collaboration with the Ærø Turist board we will keep this page updated on a weekly basis so that you can know the latest winter developments. We will make sure you will be in the know about the delightful places to stay, eat and shop in and around Ærøskøbing. For general information about the island, check out Visit Ærø. And If you need to meet a human, you are welcome to pop by our office on the Town Square at the old Merchants House on Mondays between 12:00 - 15:00.

Places to Stay in Ærøskøbing – these places to stay are all good, and are within walking distance of the ferry, the registry office, the Old Merchants House and the restaurants. These are open during December and January and we suggest you contact places directly, or email the tourist office. There’s an overview on the tourist office website at Visit Ærø.

KEFS– A cosy B&B with comfortable rooms and a nice café. Some rooms have shared bathrooms. €
Torvet 3 - Helle’s comfortable apartment suite. Right on the town square. Book through Airbnb €
Ellys house – A cute little self-catering historic house for two people. Right in the town centre and close to the bakeries. It will make you feel like a local ;-) available through info@danishislandweddings.com €
Kjøbing Manor – Self catering rooms in a beautiful old building right on the town square, Including a separate little house. Houses 14 - 16 adults comfortably. Very central. €€
Kjøbinghus – An incredible old house and a unique opportunity to stay in a piece of Ærø’s history. For 2 persons only. Self catering. Contact direct on kjobinghus@outlook.dk. €€
Ærøhus Hotel – Traditional & cosy hotel & restaurant, centrally located. Great for larger groups. €€
På Torvet – Closed until Feb. A newly renovated hotel with lovely rooms in various sizes. Right in the town square. €€€. Reopens 6 February 2026
The Monica – exceptionally stylish, and you can also rent the whole house. It is expensive but fabulous. €€€€
Pension Vestergade 44 - A magnificent large town house with 11 rooms. In winter it operates as a whole house rental only, self catering is possible. Fabulous for wedding parties €€€

There is also some cheaper accommodation out of town - but you need a car, or use our free buses

Marta’s Cottage - a really nice cottage in Tranderup in the middle of the island. Close to the bus route and a small convenience store.
Pedersminde - a magnificent country house in Stokkeby, about 6km form Ærøskøbing - you really need your own transport for this one. It’s on Airbnb. €
Gravendal - Run by the lovely Mette. Nordic style, beautiful old garden and set close to the sea in stunning surroundings. €

And in Marstal (12 km from Ærøskøbing) you could try

Udsigten Hotel, with a great location by the sea in Marstal - note the restaurant is shut for the winter. A good selection of room choices, depending on your budget, and many have great views. Ideal for larger groups €
Femmasteren - by the harbour in Marstal and is a hostel as well as a hotel. Great for larger groups. Your host Ulla will take good care of you - both are good value. €

Places to Eat

Open during December & Januaryin Ærøskøbing are:

Den Gamle Købmandsgaard Café (in the old Merchants House). An authentic lunch café & shop with local products. A favourite with the locals, the focus is on regional produce and they serve the best organic cakes with lots of added love! Open Mon-Sat 10:00-17:30. Closed in January €€
Arrebo - Ærøskøbing’s excellent pub, also serving good open sandwiches for lunch Tues-Sat 13:00-2000, closes midnight Fri & Sat. Closed first week in January. €
KEFS café - charming atmosphere, good coffee and sandwiches, and the only place open before 10:00! Open Wed-Fri 9:00-15:00 Sat & Sun 9:00-14:00 €. Stays open in January.
Landbogaarden (and see our Blog on their Winter Wedding Dinners). Cool bar & family run restaurant. Open Friday and Saturday from 18:00. €. Closed in January.
Restaurant Bonsack – The restaurant in Hotel Ærøhus, great for larger groups. Open Mon-Sat from 18:00 ~ €€
Bangs Vinbar – Cosy restaurant run by Lars and his cat Storm. French-inspired cuisine. Cosy atmosphere. Mon-Sat 1700-2100. €€. Open in January.
På Torvet – closed in January.
Mumm Probably the biggest and most well-established restaurant in town, with an excellent chef. International cuisine with the best steak in town! Open Wed to Sat 18:00 (last orders at 20:00.) Closed from 20 Dec until 4th Feb. €€
Kraut and Koala – Outstanding tiny restaurant, focusing on local products. 5 course meals and excellent wines. Situated by the harbour – you’ll need to book. Fridays and Saturdays only from 18:15 but they will take bookings other days for bigger groups. €€€€

And outside of Ærøskøbing

Café Arthur, Søby - Great location on Søby harbour – open every day 12:00- 20:00 for good value simple food and good beer. Closes for winter break from 21 Dec to 20 Mar. €
Marstang, in Marstal – excellent restaurant with friendly service – café 10:00-17:00, restaurant 17:00-21:30. €€€. Closed in January.
Cafe Maris by the ferry in Marstal - newly opened - Tues-Thurs 11:00 -19:00 €
Cafe Vaffelhuset in the main street in Marstal - open every day, usually 09:30 to 22:00 €
Hotel Marstal Mon-Saturday from 16:30 €€

There’s also an overview on the Visit Ærø website.