Svendborg is a coastal town on the island of Funen, an important location for fishing and seafaring. It grew in the Middle Ages with the construction of walls, forts and moats. Little remains from this medieval period. However, you can still visit many half-timbered buildings from the 16th century. One of the oldest buildings in the town is Anne Hvide's House, a Renaissance-style home built in 1560 for one of the last of the Hvide clan.
Anne Hvide's House now functions as a museum that operates in the summer months. The house's former museum collections can be visited at Broholm Castle, a short 16-minute drive from Svendborg. Other noted museums within the town include Danmarks Forsorgsmuseum, a poignant "welfare museum" within the town's old poorhouse, and Danmarks Museum for Lystsejlads, a sailing museum. The latter museum overlooks the scenic Sejlskibsbroen, the town's iconic wooden pier.
As a port town, Svendborg offers a variety of sailing and waterborne excursions. One of the most scenic is the 17th-century Valdemars Castle, a manor house on Tåsinge. Boats operate from Svendborg on the M/S Helge, which navigates the waterways between Thurø and Tåsinge. The castle itself boasts scenic gardens, Gobelin tapestries and antique interiors.
For families with children, the natural history museum Naturama is a treat to explore. This modern museum is home to whale skeletons, taxidermy birds and hands-on exhibits. For more active excursions, head to Gorilla Park, a high-wire adventure park with tree-top routes for children aged 4 and up, including courses for older kids.
Svendborg's historic shipyard, Frederiksøen, is now home to art spaces and boutiques, making it a scenic place to stroll and shop. Excellent retail therapy and dining options can also be found along Møllergade, Svendborg's longest shopping street. Good-quality crafts and glassware are located in the Latin Quarter, an old-time corner of Svendborg, with artisanal shops and cosy cafes. Finally, Danish and international brands can be found at the town's main shopping mall, Bycenter.
A car or van hire in Svendborg is an excellent way to explore this scenic town and the attractions of Funen. Beaches, forests, villages and quiet islands are all easily reached by roads and picturesque bridges. Some highlights easily accessed by car include Egeskov Castle, an impressive 16th-century castle complete with a moat and drawbridge. It's also just 20 km away from the island of Langeland. Travel here involves hopping between four different islands via bridges. Langeland is home to the Cold War museum, Langelandsfort, and the moated Skovsgaard manor house.
