Tall Ship Sailing from Sweden to Denmark: Gothenburg to Assens
Sorry we’re full!
This voyage is fully crewed. Check out our voyage finder to see what else we have available.
Explore the beautiful coastline of Gothenburg, Sweden, before sailing across the Kattegat Sea to reach the Danish port of Assens.
Join traditional wooden schooner Aron for a sailing voyage from Sweden to Denmark. Begin in the port city of Gothenburg before crossing the open waters of the Kattegat Sea to explore the remote Danish islands of Anholt and Læsø, and arriving at the city of Assens.
This hands-on voyage is a great introduction to traditional sailing, and the crew invites guests to get involved with all aspects of sailing, from hoisting the sails to taking the helm. Expect a fine balance of solid sailing days, wildlife, and island exploration aboard one of the most characterful traditional boats in the Baltic.
- Gothenburg archipelago
- Remote Kattegat islands & wildlife
- Unique seaweed-thatched Læsø houses
- Hands-on sailing, learn the ropes
- Private cabins, full board
Need some help?
Talk to the team
Telephone: +44 (0)1872 487288
Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: +44 7804 472592
Sailing from Sweden to Denmark: Setting Off from Gothenburg
Gothenburg → Gothenburg Archipelago → Anholt → Læsø → Assens
Join Aron in Gothenburg, Sweden’s second-largest city, with picturesque canals, leafy boulevards, and a port that has been sending boats out into the archipelago for centuries. It’s a natural place to begin a voyage, and the sailing begins almost as soon as you leave the harbour.
Setting the sails from Gothenburg, Aron will explore the southern islands of the picturesque Gothenburg archipelago before turning south-east across the Kattegat Sea towards Denmark. The archipelago is a diverse coastal area with a wealth of islands, islets, and rugged skerries to discover. Wander along winding coastal trails past quaint harbour villages dotted with iconic red cabin houses, or simply watch the archipelago go about its quiet business.
The wind will ultimately decide the route, and the skipper and crew will plan the week with guests as you board. There will be plenty of time to explore ashore, mixed with a good balance of traditional hands-on sailing.
Across the Kattegat: Anholt & Læsø
After leaving the Swedish coast behind, Aron heads south-east across the Kattegat, the open sea between Denmark and Sweden, towards two of Denmark’s most remote and rewarding islands.
The island of Anholt, midway between the two countries, is home to a community of around 150 people who rely on fishing and sustainable tourism. Rich in Viking history and shaped by centuries of battles and conquest, it carries its past quietly. Wander the tranquil beaches, keep your eyes peeled for seals on the shoreline, and take in the abundance of seabirds that nest across the island. It’s a place that rewards those who slow down enough to notice it.
Læsø is famous the world over for something found nowhere else – its seaweed-thatched houses. Nineteen surviving roofs are known to be over 300 years old, a building tradition born of necessity when a great sandstorm buried the island in salt, killing the trees and forcing locals to turn to driftwood from shipwrecks and the island’s abundant seaweed. The result is one of the most quietly extraordinary architectural traditions in Scandinavia. Beyond the houses, Læsø offers a beautiful coastline and pristine white beaches, a natural haven for those who like their islands genuinely unhurried.
Arriving in Assens: A Danish Market Town on the Little Belt
The final leg of the voyage brings Aron across the Kattegat and into the sheltered waters of the Little Belt, arriving at the west Funen harbour town of Assens. It’s an 800-year-old market town of cobbled streets, idyllic half-timbered houses, and charming shopping courtyards with a maritime history that runs deeper than its modest size might suggest.
Assens has long been positioned at the entrance to the Little Belt, serving as a ferry landing linking Funen and the south of Jutland, a town shaped, like so many on this coastline, by the sea and the trade it brought. The harbour today is well-equipped and welcoming for visiting sailors, and the town centre is just a short walk away. The 15th-century church, the second largest on Funen, is worth a visit, as is the local art museum which is home to works by two of the town’s most celebrated artistic exports.
For those with time to spare, the nearby Helnæs archipelago to the southeast is renowned for its unspoilt countryside and clear waters, and the small island of Baagø can be reached by ferry in about an hour. It’s a gentle, unhurried corner of Denmark and a fitting last port of call before heading home.
Life Aboard Traditional Schooner Aron
Aron is owned and skippered by Danish sailing couple Gorm and Helene, whose love of traditional sailing is evident the moment you step aboard. They believe any sailing voyage is an adventure at your own pace, and on a crossing like this, with open water passages and remote island anchorages, that spirit comes naturally.
Built in 1906, Aron of Svendborg is a fine example of a traditional Marstal sailing ship with solid oak, soft lines, and a powerful spring curve typical of the great working schooners of the Baltic. For those who want to get properly involved in sailing her, the crew will teach you willingly. For those who prefer to watch the Kattegat roll by from the deck, that’s equally welcome. Travelling aboard Aron is also a genuinely sustainable choice; Gorm and Helene prioritise ecology and local produce wherever possible.
- Cabins: Private bunk cabins below deck, simple and comfortable
- Meals: Full board with Danish-inspired, home-cooked food with local produce
- Sailing style: Hands-on if you want it, relaxed if you don’t
- Crew: Gorm and Helene are a warm, experienced, and deeply knowledgeable couple
- Sustainability: Ecology and local sourcing are central to life on board
Things to note
Sailing vs Shoretime
Night-sailing?
Travel insurance notes
As this is an active adventure holiday, we advise that everyone has the appropriate personal accident travel insurance whilst onboard in addition to standard travel insurance which would cover you in the time between making your booking and departing for your adventure. These policies can sometimes be combined so please check with your travel insurance provider.
Please read more information on our Insurance guidelines page.
This voyage will be more than 12 miles offshore.
Our sailing holidays on traditional tall ship Aron of Svendborg are perfect for those looking for a unique, sustainable holiday experience. Get to grips with life on a traditional vessel as you explore the islands of the Baltic Sea under sail.
Getting Involved
Aron is owned and skippered by a Danish couple, Gorm and Helene. Hailing from the Danish port of Svendborg, they have been sailing in and around Denmark all of their lives. The opportunity to share their sailing grounds with guests, showing them where they grew up and introducing them to the history and sailing heritage of the area, is something they are both extremely proud of.
They love nothing more than to welcome guests on board Aron, sharing with them both their floating home and also a piece of maritime history of which they are fiercely protective. (If you get the chance to stop at Marstal – be sure to get Gorm to give you an outside tour of the old shipyard before you take a museum tour!)
Gorm is usually at the helm, plotting the route with Helene and watching the weather. Helene is on hand on deck to guide guests, showing them the ropes. She used to teach sail training on larger tall ships, so her manner is considered, and her explanations of wind direction and sail hoisting are clear and easy to learn. Although guest participation is not mandatory, Gorm and Helene believe it is truly the best part of the experience. It doesn’t matter what your age or ability, there is always something to suit!
Get to grips with hoisting the sails, taking the helm and some basic navigation. Everything on Aron is done as part of a team, from work on deck to preparing dinner and washing up. Everyone takes a turn – there’s something quite holistic about peeling apples on deck, just picked from a local island, sharing cultural stories of culinary delights from around the world (or maybe just your granny’s apple pie recipe!)
Sustainable Sailing
Enjoy the silence of the sea, the wind in the sails and the gentle creak of this beautiful old wooden ship.
Sailing with Aron is not necessarily about the destination (although the islands of Denmark are truly beautiful and perfect to be explored by boat!). Still, the journey itself is the real purpose. Using mainly the power of the steady Baltic winds, sailing with Aron is a sustainable holiday choice in a time when there are increasing climate challenges around us. The impact on the environment is deciding the experiences we choose, and with Aron, ecology, sustainability and local experiences are at the heart of everything on offer. Denmark has a real community spirit from town to town and island to island. Everyone helps each other out, and a lot of the village stores run on a community-funded, volunteer basis. Helene and Gorm are very much a part of this and are building relationships with local artisanal producers across the islands. Helene hopes to use the last section of the cargo hold on Aron to share produce across the islands. This isn’t for financial gain, just to share community spirit.
Dining Aboard
With the fresh sea air comes a healthy appetite, and after a day of traditional sailing, enjoy delicious home-cooked meals aboard. Using local produce or perhaps even throwing a line for our very own catch-of-the-day, Helene is well-versed in cooking up a feast from the galley. The menu ranges from traditional Danish dishes to international flavours. Helene has spent many years travelling the world with tall ships, so her menu is very much inspired.
There is plenty of space both above and below decks to lay up a feast, with the saloon and dining area providing a cosy space for colder evenings. Helene converted the saloon from its previous life as a bar, with her own fair hands, reusing the original materials.
Sleeping & Relaxation
Aron can accommodate up to ten guests in a combination of four twin cabins and one 3-berth cabin. Cabin allocation happens once everyone has booked and has boarded. Some cabins are more suited to taller guests, come better suited for couples, etc, so Helene will allocate upon arrival.
Each cabin comes with its own sink, hand-towel, wash towel, full bedding and USB charging points, and all cabins share a toilet. There is a shower aboard Aron if needed, but the shoreside marina facilities are so good, it’s almost a shame not to use them. Aside from the showers, you’ll often find communal BBQs with sheltered seating, and sometimes even a sauna!
The crew have their own private space and cabins in the transom of the ship, and Gorm and Helene sometimes sail with two of their sea-going children (usually if there are other children booked on). So Aron is suitable for all and any ages of children, although as a guide, children under five should have some experience of being at sea.
A Typical Day
Breakfast starts typically around 8-8.30 am, before the plan for the day is discussed. Usually, after breakfast, it’s time to hoist the sails for a few hours before making port after lunch. Afternoons are spent exploring ashore, walking the flat islands to castles, beach-combing, getting fresh ice cream, sea dips, bunk resting, reading a book, or playing cards together. There is no expectation, sometimes the group walks together, sometimes they split up – it’s your holiday, so it’s up to you!
The Scandinavian coastline is a great place to embrace the “hygge” that Denmark is known for, switch off from the demands of the modern world and simply relax.
Sample menu
All food is made on board, and local, fresh produce is at the top of the shopping list.
BREAKFAST
- Continental style: fresh meats, cheeses, warm rolls, soft-boiled eggs, conserves, oatmeal, and fresh pastries
ELEVENSES/AFTERNOON CAKE
- Tea, coffee, cakes and local pastries
LUNCH
- Home-made soup, bread and local cheeses
- Fresh sandwiches, local meats, salad
- Danish buffet: warm liver pate with mushrooms and bacon, potatoes, fresh bread, cheeses, smoked herring and mackerel
- Open sandwiches -“Smørrebrød”
DINNER
- Home-made potato and leek soup with fresh rye croutons and locally caught chilli shrimp
- Local, rolled stuffed pork with garlic-roasted vegetables and a salted lemon and apple salad.
- Local celeriac fritters, sesame new potatoes and fresh greens, salad and fresh bread
- International tapas – a variety of Helene’s dishes from her worldly travels – we won’t ruin the surprise!
DESSERT
- Ice cream from Skaro
- Fresh fruits
- Chocolate Liquorice! (a Danish favourite…)
There is also a huge fruit bowl that guests can help themselves to throughout the voyage!
Aron of Svendborg
Guest berths: 10 Rig: Schooner
Aron is owned and skippered by Danish sailing couple Gorm and Helene, whose love of traditional sailing is evident to see. They believe that any sailing voyage is “an adventure at your own pace”. Travelling on a sailing ship like Aron is a sustainable choice at a time when climate challenges are increasingly shaping the experiences we choose. On board Aron, they prioritise ecology, sustainability and local produce wherever possible.
From long weekends to week-long and even some traditional sail racing voyages, there is something for everyone. Her main sailing area in the South Funen archipelago in Denmark offers balmy winds and gentle waves, making her a great introductory boat for those wanting to experience something new. If you’re a little more adventurous, she explores the Swedish archipelago during the summer and takes part in some traditional sail races too. There is no age limit, either young or old, and there is no need for any sailing experience, just a good sense of humour and a lust for adventure is a must!
Built in 1906, Aron of Svendborg is a fine example of a traditional Marstal sailing ship, with the soft lines and powerful ‘spring curve’ for which these schooners were renowned. Built with solid oak, her flat transom and good sailing characteristics are typical of shipbuilder Lars Jensen Bager of Bager’s shipyard in Marstal.
Both above and below decks, Aron of Svendborg is a beautiful base for exploring the islands and coastline of Denmark and Sweden. She offers private bunk cabins, a spacious saloon area and plenty of space above decks to relax under sail and watch the world go by.
Deck plan
More about Aron of Svendborg
More holidays in Denmark or Sweden
Tall Ship Sailing the Hanseatic cities & Baltic Coast, Germany
Sail the Baltic Sea onboard a Tall Ship
Baltic Sea Sailing Island Explorer: Sweden & Estonia
Sail the Baltic Sea onboard a Tall Ship
More holidays on Aron of Svendborg
Tall Ship Sailing & Island Hopping in Denmark
Tall Ship Sailing & Island Hopping in Denmark
South Funen Denmark Apple festival
Short Break Tall Ship Sailing Holiday in Denmark
Inspiration for your voyage
Be inspired to discover the world under sail! Read our latest journals below. Be inspired to discover the world under sail! Read our latest journals below.
JOURNAL
