Skovby-- A Village for Families

Are you seeking village life? Are you interested in community living but would also like your own home and space? Join us in Skovby, a small village on the beautiful island of Ærø (https://xn--flyttilr-p0a5p.dk/) where there are two families with 5 children between us seeking other like-minded families to create a community of mutual support. We own our own homes and large gardens but live inside a wonderful rural village with 12 more families, 25 children of all ages, village traditions and festivals, all while surrounded by natural beauty.
A Home For Everyone
Skovby is home to single people, families with children, single parents, rainbow families, and elderly residents living in harmony. For some, neighbours feel like an extension of their own family.
The village includes people of many nationalities, as well as residents who have lived most—or all—of their lives on the island in Skovby. Years ago, the village had up to 40 children; as many families left the number declined, but it has grown again in the past years. At the time of writing, there are 25 children aged 0–13 living in Skovby.
Life for Children
Growing up in Skovby means growing up in a safe, close-knit village, surrounded by familiar faces and other children. Friendships naturally form across ages, with chance meetings on the local trampoline, roller-skating along the back roads, or at the playground zipline. Some families often have extra children gathered around the dinner table.
In the area around Skovby, children can explore their inner Robin Hood with archery or rock climbing on selected days at Søby Måehallen. On the outskirts of Skovby you’ll find find the daycare and nursery (or kindergarten) Pippihuset. Children in Skovby are cared for in many different ways: some are cared for at home or homeschooled, others attend private childcare, Pippihuset or Kernehuset, or go to the independent alternative Friskole in Ærøskøbing, or the public school in Marstal.
A Nourishing Village Life
Skovby is a small village on the “fairytale” island of Ærø, located in the South Funen Archipelago. Tucked away from the main road, Skovby is a place where calm is truly felt. Many residents enjoy a slower pace of life, while the village itself hums with life, history, traditions, and a strong sense of community.
Skovby Has Almost Everything–and a little more
In Skovby you can buy locally grown vegetables, honey, ceramics, eggs, beeswax candles, bodywork treatments, textiles, delicious treats from the occasional pop-up bakery and roadside stalls, Christmas trees, and much more good to come.
Ærø’s free bus passes through Skovby, making it easy to get around the island even without a car.
Nature
Ærø is known for its beautiful natural surroundings, and Skovby is no exception. Here you are close to the sound of the sea, surrounded by open fields, and soon (in 2026) a 16-hectare forest called Underskoven will be planted—a project by the Danish Nature Agency (Naturstyrelsen) in collaboration with local residents.
You can live with sea views and surrounded by fields or in the heart of Skovby where the sea is out of sight but you are often sheltered from wind and weather by the surrounding hills. As you move through Skovby, you and your children may encounter animals such as horses, sheep, and chickens.
Skåret is Skovby’s local beach, featuring a shelter for overnight stays, fire pit, camping pitch, picnic tables, barbecue, bathing jetty, and a primitive toilet. Several events are held here, and throughout the summer the locals gather on warm days to swim and picnic.
Not far from Skovby lies the Søbygaard Experience Centre, which hosts cultural, historical, and nature-based experiences as well as classical concerts. You can read more here:
https://www.soebygaardaeroe.dk/soebygaard/velkommen-til-soebygaard
Traditions and Community
Skovby has annual traditions and activities, some with roots going back more than 40 years. Events range from sailing races, village-wide flea markets, winter Lucia processions and summer music concerts, to collective work days maintaining our playground.
New seasonal celebrations such as a harvest festival and an Advent spiral have been added, while others—like Fastelavn—have been revived as the number of children has grown. Alongside the strong overall community, many smaller social circles flourish: Friday beers at the local beach, monthly pizza nights, singing circles, private gatherings across households, and an annual New Year’s celebration shared by the same group of people for more than 30 consecutive years. This gives Skovby its unique spirit and makes it a very special place to live for all ages.
Accommodation Options
Skovby offers several accommodation options for tourists and community explorers. If you would like to experience life in Skovby as a visitor or newcomer, you can rent one of the guesthouses or apartments for a shorter or longer stay. Contact us or book directly via Airbnb:
https://www.airbnb.dk/rooms/1443683603021565488?viralityEntryPoint=1&s=76
https://www.airbnb.dk/rooms/1569735259290820865?viralityEntryPoint=1&s=76
In the warmer months you may also choose to stay at the shelter located at Skåret beach. More information can be found here:
https://www.visitaeroe.dk/aeroe/explore/skaaret-shelterplads-gdk1082534
Booking for the shelter is available via:
https://bookenshelter.dk/fyn/shelterplads/aeroe-skaaret/
Housing Market
There are houses of many sizes and price points on Ærø. It is possible to have quite a bit of land if that is your dream or to be cozy in the middle of town or sometimes both!
Have a look at: https://www.obolig.dk/
Or https://www.estate.dk/ejendomsmaeglere/fyn/estate-aeroe
Please reach out with any questions! We look forward to meeting you.