Just an hour’s ferry ride from Aarhus lies Samsø, a 43-square-mile Danish island that has become a poster child for sustainability and the good life. Known as “Denmark’s vegetable garden” for its fertile soil and mild climate, Samsø has been energy-positive since 2007 and aims to be completely fossil fuel-free by 2030—two decades ahead of the national goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.
Spring is an ideal time to visit, as the island awakens with crops being harvested and honesty boxes of leeks and onions set up outside homes. Visitors can enjoy tranquil walks, cycling, birding, and tours of local distilleries and potteries. At Det Lille Sommerhotel in Ballen, chef Daniel Hesseldal-Haines serves locally sourced fare, including lamb from Camilla’s farm. Camilla, a guest at the hotel, wears a hand-knitted sweater in the traditional “hønsestrik” style, each stripe telling a story of her hiking adventures.
Other attractions include Samsø Bær, where Aage Madsen produces juices, jams, oils, and liqueurs from the island’s natural bounty, and the studio of potter Sigrid Hovmand in Nordby. The island also boasts the Vesborg Fyr lighthouse, built in 1858, offering panoramic views of fields, sea, and wind turbines. With no traffic lights but many electric charging points, Samsø is a haven for cyclists and walkers, with multiple routes and rental stores available.
