Why Odense is worth a visit
Things to do in Odense – a travel guide from H.C. Andersen to the wider city
Odense may be Denmark’s third-largest city, yet it wears its size lightly. Set in the heart of Funen and linked to Copenhagen by fast, frequent trains, it is a city where culture, history and everyday life sit unusually close together. With a well-placed base in the centre, exploring feels effortless, and you will quickly see why Odense is worth a visit.
Things to do in Odense
The literary legacy
H.C. Andersen and the fairytale heart of Odense
Hans Christian Andersen, the world-famous Danish author, who is best remembered for his literary fairy tales, is inseparable from Odense. The city and its museums, however, approach his legacy with contemporary confidence rather than relying on nostalgia, cobblestones and crooked half-timbered houses alone.
Photo: Museum Odense
H.C. Andersen House
At the centre of this is H.C. Andersen House (H.C. Andersens Hus), an architecturally ambitious museum that moves well beyond the traditional biographical format. Through immersive exhibition design, soundscapes and carefully structured narratives, the museum explores both Andersen’s life and the ideas that shaped his stories. It is as much about imagination and vulnerability as it is about chronology.
Ville Vau
Families travelling with children may also want to note Ville Vau, the playful children’s universe integrated into H.C. Andersen House. Designed as a creative space for role play and exploration inspired by Andersen’s stories, it offers a hands-on, indoor complement to the museum experience. As part of the museum complex, it fits naturally into a visit without requiring additional planning.
The Fairytale Garden
A short stroll from the museum area, The Fairytale Garden (Eventyrhaven) runs along the river as a green thread through the city centre. Paths curve between trees and open lawns, and sculptures inspired by Andersen’s characters appear. It is an easy place to pause between museum visits, or simply to take ten minutes with a coffee and let Odense feel quieter, especially in spring and summer when the garden is at its best.
Photo: Andreas Bastiansen - Destination Fyn
H.C. Andersen’s Childhood Home
A short walk away lies H.C. Andersen’s Childhood Home, a far more modest setting that provides an intimate counterpoint. Its scale and simplicity offer context rather than spectacle, grounding the fairytales in the realities of Andersen’s early life in Odense.
The old town
Walking through historic Odense
Just outside H.C. Andersen House, you are already in the old town. A quiet corner where Bangs Boder meets Hans Jensens Stræde gives a good sense of how close once was. Streets such as Paaskestræde and Vintapperstræde add to the atmosphere. The scale is small and the streets sit close together, so the details carry the mood: cobblestone lanes, narrow alleyways and crooked half-timbered façades, with quiet courtyards tucked away between them.
Moreover, Overgade is a good coffee street, with cafés that suit a short pause and a look around. Sortebrødre Torv is a picturesque square where, depending on the season, you may come across a market or an event. Odense Castle (Odense Slot) and King's Garden (Kongens Have) are nearby, and while the palace sets the scene, the garden is the reason to stop, especially in the warmer months.
More to explore
More Museum and landmarks
Within a short walk, you can move from Gothic brickwork and royal history to one of the city’s strongest contemporary art environments, then end with a tangible, hands-on chapter of Denmark’s railway story — all without ever leaving the centre.
St. Canute’s Cathedral
St. Canute’s Cathedral (Odense Cathedral / Odense Domkirke) is one of the city’s most significant landmarks. Built in red brick in the Gothic style, it houses the remains of King Canute the Holy, Denmark’s patron saint. The high vaults give the space a quiet clarity. Do not forget to admire the richly carved altarpiece, one of the cathedral’s defining features.
Art Museum Brandts
Art Museum Brandts occupies a former textile factory that has been reworked into one of Odense’s most compelling cultural addresses. Bringing together contemporary art, photography and media under one roof, the complex invites more than a brief visit. Moving through its galleries feels exploratory rather than linear, with changing exhibitions that make Brandts a place many visitors return to, particularly if they are interested in culture that feels current rather than commemorative.
The Danish Railway Museum
Right by the train station, The Danish Railway Museum (Danmarks Jernbanemuseum) offers a broad and accessible look at Denmark’s railway history. With historic locomotives, interactive exhibits and generous exhibition spaces, it works well for visitors of all ages and fits easily into an arrival or departure day if you have a couple of hours to spare, without demanding too much time.
Beyond city centre
Things to do beyond central Odense
While Odense’s centre holds much of its appeal, a few key sights sit just beyond comfortable walking distance and are still easy to reach. They broaden your stay in three distinct ways: a family-friendly day out, an open-air step back in time, and a modern waterfront area that comes into its own in summer.
Odense Zoo
Odense Zoo is consistently ranked among Europe’s best zoos, known for its strong focus on animal welfare and immersive habitats. The penguins and their Antarctica home are a particular favourite. The zoo can be reached by bus, by a scenic 35–40 minute walk along the river, or via Odense Aafart, the river boat service that connects the city centre with the zoo in around 20 minutes.
The Funen Village
Another popular attraction is The Funen Village (Den Fynske Landsby), an open-air museum located about 15 minutes by bus from the city centre. Here, historic farmsteads, working workshops and traditional crafts in action recreate everyday life in 19th-century rural Funen. For many visitors the Funen Village becomes a highlight of the trip, particularly in the warmer months.
Port of Odense
For a more contemporary contrast, Port of Odense (Odense Havn) offers a glimpse of the city’s modern transformation. Once industrial, the area now features cafés, striking new architecture and a harbour bath. In summer, it is an inviting place for a walk, a coffee or even a swim.
Department stores and shopping streets
Shopping in Odense
Shopping in Odense is best enjoyed at street level, where independent boutiques, Danish design and small specialist shops sit side by side. The pedestrian streets around Vestergade and Kongensgade form the city’s main shopping area, while the quarter near Brandts adds galleries, design stores and carefully curated interiors.
For those who prefer shopping under one roof, Magasin Odense in the city centre brings together Danish and international brands, and Rosengårdcentret just outside central Odense offers a larger selection.
Beyond the city
A classic day trip from Odense
Odense also works well as a base for exploring the surrounding countryside. One of the most popular excursions is Egeskov Castle, located about 30 minutes away by car. This is one of Denmark’s most visited attractions, offering a variety of experiences.
Guided tours
Step inside a home where a family has lived for several generations, and where each generation has made its mark on the surroundings, creating the castle as it looks today.
The Play Forest
A vast 40,000 m² Play Forest with treetop walks, cable cars, a large maze and Denmark’s tallest space net—plus mooncars, bouncy pillows and Dracula’s Crypt. Here, time flies fast!
Classics Museum
Classic vehicles, airplanes, and motorcycles are presented at the Classics Museum. Today, this one of the largest collections in Denmark from the late 1800s to the 1980s.
Photos: Egeskov Press Kit
Where to stay in Odense
Hotel in Odense
Before you start exploring Odense’s sights, culture and landmarks, the most important choice is where to stay. The city centre is made for wandering, which is precisely why a well-placed hotel changes the whole experience.
Hotel Odeon
In the heart of Odense, with sights on the doorstep and the station 5 minutes away, you can wander from museums to cafés and back again at your own pace all day—no transport needed.
A taste of the city
Restaurant in Odense
For a unique and memorable dining experience, your hotel’s restaurant can be the ultimate indulgence. Skip the city’s hustle and bustle and enjoy a meal in surroundings designed to reflect the hotel’s unique character and style.
H.C. by Meyers
Organic and unmistakably Nordic: a seasonal menu built around fresh produce, generous bistro classics and a modern finish—enjoyed with the buzz of an open kitchen in the background.
From A to B
Getting to and around Odense
Odense is easy to reach by rail, with direct trains from Copenhagen taking around 1 hour and 15 minutes. Once you arrive, the city centre is flat and walkable, and many visitors find that walking or cycling is all they need.
For short trips across the centre, the free pink City Buses are a convenient option. Easily recognised by their fairytale-inspired design, these buses run through central Odense free of charge.
For longer distances, the city’s modern light rail provides an easy way to move as well
For a slower pace, Odense Aafart offers river boat tours that show the city’s green spaces from the water and provide a relaxed connection between the centre and the zoo.
Photo: Pramod Kumar Sharma / Unsplash
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