The well-preserved market town of Rudkøbing

Guided tour of “One of Denmark’s 10 most beautiful towns” (The Independent 2025)

Photo: Knud Mortensen ©

Langeland's main town in the heart of a smuggler's paradise

This small market town, which is now home to about 4,000 people, actually owes its preservation value to centuries of widespread smuggling. Since much of the trade bypassed the town, the residents became impoverished and could not afford to build new homes. Join us for a walking tour of Rudkøbing’s picturesque town center.

A guided tour through Ramsherred and past Smedegade’s many historic, listed buildings

Come visit the old medieval church

Follow the guide past the old town mill and out onto the listed area - Flådet

Take a short stroll around the harbor, which used to be the heart of Rudkøbing

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The City's Famous Residents Through the Ages

On the tour, we’ll meet some of Rudkøbing’s residents throughout history—both the famous and the more forgotten. You’ll hear about the town’s great sons H.C. Ørsted and Anders Sandøe Ørsted, both born here as the sons of the town’s pharmacists and who have gone down in history as national celebrities.

Mads Lange, the grocer's son, and others

The tour also takes us inside the merchant’s house, where an ordinary merchant’s son, Mads Lange, was born in the early 1800s. After 20 years as a sailor, Mads settled in Bali and became known as the King of Bali.

We also share the little stories and anecdotes that bring the town to life: about an incredibly lucky hairdresser, why the jail was called Hotel Frederiksen, the driving force Jens Winther, and Gertrud Skomager’s tragic fate.
Alfio Bonnanno
Rudkøbing Harbor

Alfio Bonnanno - international artist

Finally, Rudkøbing is also home to people who have put the island and the town on the map. The internationally renowned land art artist Alfio Bonnanno is one of them. We’ll pass by his art in several places on the guided tour of Rudkøbing.

In the town square, we come across the town’s newest—and highly controversial—landmark: the ballet-dancing hippopotamus, Hippo Ballerina.

Modern Rudkøbing

The guided tour concludes with a walk to the expanded harbor, Ørstedparken and the newer neighborhoods—
—where architecture and institutions tell the story of the welfare state and contrast with the old market town.

At the same time, we look to the future: the city, and all of Langeland, is entering a new era and actively working to leave its “peripheral identity” behind.

That's what our guests say

I’ve lived in Svendborg for more than 30 years, and even though I thought I knew the town, this tour has taught me that places in town I’ve visited many times hold surprisingly fascinating stories. It was my first—but certainly not my last—time joining one of your city walks.

Emma Gad

I’ve lived in Svendborg for more than 30 years, and even though I thought I knew the town, this tour has taught me that places in town I’ve visited many times hold surprisingly fascinating stories. It was my first—but certainly not my last—time joining one of your city walks.

Michael Laudrup

I’ve lived in Svendborg for more than 30 years, and even though I thought I knew the town, this tour has taught me that places in town I’ve visited many times hold surprisingly fascinating stories. It was my first—but certainly not my last—time joining one of your city walks.

Poul Nyrup

I’ve lived in Svendborg for more than 30 years, and even though I thought I knew the town, this tour has taught me that places in town I’ve visited many times hold surprisingly fascinating stories. It was my first—but certainly not my last—time joining one of your city walks.

B.S. Christiansen

I’ve lived in Svendborg for more than 30 years, and even though I thought I knew the town, this tour has taught me that places in town I’ve visited many times hold surprisingly fascinating stories. It was my first—but certainly not my last—time joining one of your city walks.

Karen Blixen

I’ve lived in Svendborg for more than 30 years, and even though I thought I knew the town, this tour has taught me that places in town I’ve visited many times hold surprisingly fascinating stories. It was my first—but certainly not my last—time joining one of your city walks.

Anton Berg

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Practical information

  • Guided walking tour at a leisurely pace
  • Duration: 1.5 hours
  • Dressing for the weather
  • Walking on cobblestones
  • Perfect for anyone interested in history, art, and city life
  • Meeting place:
Tourguidefyn.dk

5700 Svendborg
CVR-44898640
Links
Contact Persons
Allan Mariager
Tel. 6120 8110
allan@tourguidefyn.dk

Karen Elberg
Tel. 6160 1103
karen@tourguidefyn.dk