Troense: Seafaring Town and Apple Tradition

Troense is a well-preserved seafaring town founded in the 18th century at the initiative of Chamberlain Niels Juel of Valdemars Slot. It is located on a headland in the eastern part of Tåsinge and offers views of the Thurøsund. The unique, well-preserved historic setting is especially evident in Grønnegade. Visitors can stroll among the listed half-timbered houses. Behind the buildings, apple orchards stretch across the characteristic narrow plots.

Seafaring history between street and harbor

Troense’s last shipyard, Troense Træskibsværft, stood at Jacobsens Plads. It operated from 1848 to 1985 and is the only surviving shipbuilding site from the earlier era when the region had many wooden shipyards. The old school also reflects life in the local seafaring community: it opened in 1790 for their children. The building is at Strandgade 001, is listed, and has a registered preservation declaration. Together, the shipyard and school tell different sides of Troense’s maritime history.

Fruit growing and protected landscape

Troense’s fruit-growing tradition dates back to the mid-18th century. At that time, landowner Niels Juel established a tree nursery at Valdemars Slot. The apple orchards behind the houses on Grønnegade give this history a tangible presence in the townscape. Badstuejorden also connects the seafaring town with the surrounding cultural landscape: the 12-hectare area near Troense on Tåsinge was protected in 1993 and links Troense with the farmland near Valdemars Slot.

Routes through Troense and Tåsinge

Badstuestien leads from Badstuen to Grønnegade. From there, you can follow the route via Præstealléen and Slotsalléen onward to Valdemars Slot. In addition, a 26 km section of the Øhavsstien passes through Troense. This means that the town is crossed both by a route continuing to Valdemars Slot and by a section of a longer hiking trail. For planning purposes, note that the stated length of the Øhavsstien section should be considered separately from the description of Badstuestien.

Excursions on the water and by bike

Troense Havn lies in a scenic bend of the eastern Svendborgsund by the seafaring town. The harbor is just a few steps from the M/S Helge landing stage. A boat trip takes about two hours and travels through the Svendborgsund along the coasts of South Funen. Timetables are seasonal and may change, so check departures for your travel dates. You can rent bicycles from the harbormaster. Check availability before your trip. On Tåsinge, there is also a guided bike tour lasting about two hours that visits historic oaks, including an oak near Stæreodden in Troense. Advance booking is required for the tour. The M/S Helge boat trip and the guided bike tour each last about two hours: one follows the sound and the coasts of South Funen, while the other visits historic oaks on Tåsinge.

Æbleræs in October

Æbleræs celebrates Troense’s apple and fruit-growing tradition alongside its maritime history every year. Old wooden ships carry apples collected from Troense’s gardens from Troense Harbor to Svendborg Harbor. There, the apples are sold directly from the sides of the ships. Æbleræs takes place every October; the exact dates vary from year to year. So check the event dates and program for your travel period.

Discover more destinations: Vårø, Stenstrup, Lundeborg, Vemmenæs, Hesselager, Åbyskov, Skårupøre, Oure

For the overview of the wider area: Svendborg Municipality.