Tall Ship Sailing the Hanseatic cities & Baltic Coast, Germany
Embark on a voyage through history aboard traditional wooden schooner Aron as she sails to some of the stunning Hanseatic cities of her past trade routes along the Baltic coast of Northern Germany.
Embark on a tall ship sailing the Baltic coast voyage aboard traditional wooden schooner Aron, as she retraces her old trade routes to the stunning Hanseatic cities of northern Germany. Set sail from Aron’s home port of Svendborg for a hands-on adventure along the Baltic coast of Denmark and Germany.
This voyage is perfect for beginner sailors and those seeking a blend of sailing and shore exploration. You’ll visit UNESCO-listed cities and historic Hanseatic ports, stepping ashore into medieval streets that have changed little in centuries. With the wind as your guide, expect a balance of full sailing days, cultural discoveries ashore, and authentic life on board – from setting sails to sharing evening meals with the crew.
- Tall ship sailing the Baltic coast
- UNESCO Hanseatic cities ashore
- Possible night sailing experience
- Full board, authentic sailor’s life
- Great for history buffs & solo travellers
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Talk to the team
Telephone: +44 (0)1872 487288
Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: +44 7804 472592
A Tall Ship Sailing the Baltic Coast: Retracing the Hanseatic Trade Routes
Svendborg → Ærø → Lübeck → Rostock → Stralsund → Rügen → Svendborg
Joining Aron in Svendborg, her home port since she was built in 1906, you’ll set the sails south into the Baltic Sea towards the northern coast of Germany. The wind will ultimately decide the exact ports visited along the way – and that’s part of the adventure. Aron will plan to visit multiple cities along this historic coastline.
The Hanseatic League was a medieval network of merchant cities that dominated Baltic and North Sea trade for over three centuries, growing from Lübeck and a handful of North German towns in the late 12th century to eventually encompass nearly 200 settlements across eight modern-day countries. These weren’t just trading posts; they were powerful, ambitious cities that built grand churches, fortified their waterfronts, and shaped the commerce of an entire continent. Sailing into their harbours today, you can still feel the weight of that history.
With a good combination of solid sailing days and onshore exploration, you’ll soon find yourself getting into the rhythm of life at sea. The skipper and crew will have a clearer picture of the week’s route as you board and plan together, and as the voyage unfolds, opportunities may open up to sail under the stars.
The Hanseatic Cities: Where to Drop Anchor
Each port on this voyage carries centuries of maritime history, and arriving by tall ship is undoubtedly the finest way to discover them.
Marzipan lovers will delight in Lübeck, a UNESCO World Heritage city and the undisputed heart of the Hanseatic world. St Mary’s Church alone, home to the highest brick vault in the world, was built by merchants not just to glorify God, but to demonstrate their extraordinary wealth and ambition. The medieval streetscape, with its distinctive stepped gables and red brick Gothic architecture, is remarkably intact.
Rostock offers maritime history at every turn, from its fine medieval city centre to its excellent maritime museum. Rostock joined the Hanseatic League in 1253 and grew to become the largest city in the Duchy of Mecklenburg, a heritage still visible in its grand churches and handsome townhouses.
A visit to Stralsund opens up the Ocean Museum and Aquarium, uniquely housed within a medieval cathedral, one of the more extraordinary cultural experiences on the German coast. Stralsund commanded the Baltic straits to the island of Rügen, and was second only to Lübeck during its 14th-century golden age. You can expect a charming blend of medieval architecture, picturesque coastal landscapes, and rich cultural heritage throughout your time here.
The nearby island of Rügen offers breathtaking coastal views, postcard-worthy seaside villages, and the iconic chalk cliffs of Jasmund National Park, a natural wonder and an ideal final stop before heading home again to Svendborg.
Life at Sea: Sailing Days, Night Watches & the Baltic Rhythm
This is a tall ship sailing the Baltic coast voyage in the truest sense with longer passages and open water. The medieval cities are a big part of the story, but so are the days in between: reading the weather, trimming the sails, and watching the German coastline emerge on the horizon.
You’ll have time to explore each city properly during the days before climbing back aboard for the next passage. The voyage could also open up opportunities for sailing under the stars – a different kind of experience entirely, and one that many guests find quietly unforgettable. The wind and weather will shape the week, and the skipper will plan the route accordingly, adapting as conditions evolve.
For those who want to take an active role in sailing Aron, there’s every encouragement to do so. For those who simply want to watch the world go by from the deck of a historic schooner, that’s equally welcome.
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 that ethos runs through everything on board.
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. Constructed from solid oak, her flat transom and fine sailing characteristics are typical of the craftsmanship of Bager’s shipyard in Marstal. Both above and below decks, she is a beautiful base from which to explore the Baltic.
Travelling on a sailing ship like Aron is also a sustainable choice — Gorm and Helene prioritise ecology and local produce wherever possible, and the voyage itself leaves a lighter footprint than almost any other way to travel this coastline.
- Cabins: Private bunk cabins below deck, simple and comfortable
- Meals: Full board with Danish-inspired, home-cooked food with local produce where possible
- Sailing style: Hands-on if you want it, relaxed if you don’t
- Sustainability: Ecology and local sourcing are central to life on board
- Crew: Gorm and Helene are a warm, experienced, and deeply knowledgeable husband and wife team.
Things to note
Sailing vs Shoretime
Night-watches?
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
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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
