Holiday apartment in Faaborg-Midtfyn Municipality: Nature, culture and UNESCO Global Geopark

Faaborg-Midtfyn Municipality provides access to an exceptional South Funen landscape. The mainland part of the municipality belongs to the Geopark of the South Funen Archipelago. This geopark is one of the world’s largest flooded Ice Age landscapes and has been designated a UNESCO Global Geopark since 2024. Between lakes, forests, viewpoints, hiking trails and historic sites, it offers a varied destination for anyone wishing to combine nature and culture.

Nature

The Svanninge Bakker are among the area’s distinctive landscapes. They feature open spaces with viewpoints, species-rich dry grasslands, woodland and ponds. There is also an old observatory or viewing tower with an exhibition on the region’s natural and cultural history. At 317 hectares, Lake Arreskov is the largest lake on Funen. The lake and its surroundings are protected under Natura 2000 because of the many rare animal and plant species living there.

Sollerup Skov also displays a variety of woodland types, including old beech trees, marshy alder woodland, and younger coniferous and deciduous plantations. A marked trail through Sollerup Skov leads to a birdwatching tower on the western shore of Lake Arreskov. The remains of an early medieval fortification can also be found in Sollerup Enge.

Hiking

The Archipelago Trail runs from the village of Faldsled in the west through Svanninge Bakker and Svanninge Bjerge. With a detour via the Sundbakkerne, it continues to Faaborg and then to Fjællebroen Marina. The Faaborg section of the trail includes a four-kilometre stage from the north to Faaborg.

Another link between landscape and culture is provided by Carl Nielsen’s Camino. This audio hiking trail is 120 kilometres long, runs from Odense to Faaborg and is divided into twelve stages. In Faaborg, the trail ends with a view of the South Funen Archipelago. It can be used free of charge via the Useeum app.

Culture

Egeskov Castle is an important cultural site. The castle is open to visitors during the day, allowing them to explore its history; at the same time, it serves as a residence and museum. Øhavsmuseet presents the cultural heritage of South Funen and the history of the region. This includes an immersive exhibition about life in the Geopark of the South Funen Archipelago.

Historic mills add to the cultural range. Egeskov Mill is a historic windmill offering guided tours and activities. Grubbe Mill comprises an old watermill and a Dutch windmill. Kaleko Mill is a historic watermill with roots in the 17th century; its thatched buildings were later used as a museum. The Gærup School Museum presents the development of Denmark’s first schools.

Faaborg Miniby displays a model of Faaborg at a scale of 1:10, showing how the town looked in 1890. The Clock Tower in Faaborg is a landmark in the heart of the town. Ringe is home to the Ringe Museum, a regional cultural history museum with exhibitions and activities.

History

Several buildings and archaeological sites make different eras visible. Brahetrolleborg Church dates from around 1250 and was originally a monastery church. It is open to visitors every day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Svanninge Church was built in 1838 and designed by Professor G. F. Hetsch.

Skjerninghøj is a burial mound dating from around 3000 BC with a well-preserved megalithic burial chamber. Slim visitors can crawl into the burial chamber at Skjerninghøj; a torch is recommended. This means that the site combines both the monument’s considerable historical depth and a specific practical detail of visiting it.

Activities

Troldeland, one of Denmark’s largest natural playgrounds, is located at Gåsebjerg Sand south of Svanninge Bjerge. Svanninge Bakker has more than 35 kilometres of marked hiking trails and six marked themed routes. The trails, natural playground and viewpoints represent different facets of the same landscape, while museums, churches, mills and historic sites provide additional focal points.

The price components as well as the booking and cancellation conditions may also be important. This keeps the specific features of each individual holiday apartment transparent without pre-empting the municipality’s diverse natural and cultural attractions.

More local pages in the destination: Korinth, Svanninge, Tommerup, Vester Hæsinge, Årslev, Broby, Gislev, Ølsted, Østerby, Millinge, Bøjden, Dyreborg, Faldsled, Fjællebroen, Faaborg, Horne, Nørre Lyndelse, Falden, Kværndrup, Ringe.

To the main travel overview: Funen.