Langeland

Langeland, whose name simply means "long land", is a slender Danish island stretching between the Great Belt and the Bay of Kiel, just south of Funen. Around 285 square kilometres in size and home to some 12,400 people, it is a gentle, unhurried place known for its grain fields, quiet coastline and reputation as a recreational and wellness destination. A bridge links the island to Tåsinge, and onward to Funen, via the tiny island of Siø, while car ferries connect it to Lolland, Ærø and Strynø, making it easy to weave into an island-hopping trip. The main town, Rudkøbing, is a characterful old market town and the birthplace of the celebrated physicist and chemist Hans Christian Ørsted, who discovered electromagnetism. Away from the towns, Langeland is prized for its nature: at Gulstav Mose in the far south you can watch the island's famous semi-wild horses grazing the meadows, a sight best enjoyed in the early morning. Add to that long sandy beaches, cosy small towns and an unspoiled rural landscape, and it makes an ideal place to slow down. Access to the island's nature and beaches is free, and while you could see the highlights in a day, its relaxed pace rewards a longer, lingering visit exploring the coast and countryside at leisure.