Odense brings together original paper cuttings and drawings by Hans Christian Andersen, insights into Danish railway history, village life on Funen and nature experiences. The offerings differ considerably: some invite you to get creative, while others showcase historic everyday life or take you outdoors. When planning your trip, it is therefore worth first choosing the themes you want to shape your stay.
Andersen, creative activities and railway history
At H.C. Andersen’s House, you can see original objects, paper cuttings and drawings by Hans Christian Andersen. The paper works and drawings also highlight the visual aspects of his work. Ville Vau adds the chance to try things out for yourself: children and adults can play with stage props and costumes and let their imaginations run free. In the studio, they use materials provided by the museum and can take their creations home afterwards. The specific visiting conditions for Ville Vau may change; check them before planning your visit.
Another creative option is the family studio at Brandts, which is particularly suitable for children. Danish railway history, meanwhile, takes centre stage at the Danish Railway Museum. It is presented in an authentic 1954 engine shed. When choosing cultural themes for your stay, you can therefore decide between Andersen’s visual work, hands-on creative activities and railway history.
Insights into village life on Funen
Den Fynske Landsby portrays a Funen village as it might have looked in the 19th century. In summer and during selected holiday periods and weekends, interpreters in historical clothing bring the old houses to life. They demonstrate activities from 19th-century rural life. These demonstrations are therefore seasonal and do not take place continuously; plan your visit around the relevant opening times.
The historic gardens are also part of the portrayal of village life: their produce is used for cooking on the old stoves in the village kitchens. Alongside the houses and demonstrations of traditional work, visitors can learn about growing and preparing food. This offers a different way to explore history than looking at individual objects on display or a single building.
Animal encounters and landscapes
At Odense ZOO, Bøgetoppen is a 250-metre-long treetop walkway reaching heights of up to twelve metres. Visitors can also feed giraffes alongside a zookeeper; feeding times may vary. The two activities have different focuses: the walkway is defined by its length and height, while the feeding includes an encounter with the animals.
Stige Ø is open to everyone, including nature lovers and sports enthusiasts. Viewpoints, places to visit and a distinctive landscape experience characterise this location near Odense. This makes it a landscape destination to choose alongside museums and animal experiences. If you want to include outdoor activities in your stay, you can weigh up the clearly measured treetop walkway, an animal encounter and time spent in the landscape.
Exploring on foot and by bike
The Viking Route is a circular trail about 15.5 kilometres long. It runs from Åsum along the Odense Å to the city centre and back. Check the route details before your trip, as they may be revised.
For cyclists, a 2019 cycling map lists more than 560 kilometres of cycle paths. This figure applies to that edition of the map and may change. Odense also has several Park & Bike facilities, public bicycle pumps and good bicycle parking options. If you include these facilities in your plans, check the latest information before your trip.
Choosing a hotel to suit your priorities
Whether you want to focus on museums, village history, animal experiences or time outdoors, decide on your destinations before choosing accommodation. Then compare the location of each hotel with the places you actually want to visit.
Discover more destinations: Fraugde, Fraugde-Kærby, Højby, Odense C, Odense Sv, Blommenslyst, Freltofte and Agedrup.
Go to the main travel overview: Odense.
