Odense

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Odense Travel Guide

Travel Author

Stig Albeck

City Map

City Introduction

Odense is Denmark’s third largest city and the largest city on Funen Island. Historically, the city is known from the year 988, when it was mentioned in writing, but the area has been inhabited since the Stone Age. The city arose by the river Odense Å, and in the Viking Age several fortifications were built along the river as protection against attacks from the sea. In the 11th century, Odense grew into a larger city in Denmark, but there was also unrest in connection with the collection of taxes. It ended with King Canute the Holy being murdered in Saint Albani Church in 1086.

In the Middle Ages, several churches and monasteries were built in the growing city, and Odense was granted market town rights in 1335. Throughout the 1500s and 1600s, the city’s prosperity increased not least through cattle sales, and many merchant houses were built in the city during this period. The latter half of the 17th century and the 18th century, however, became a time of stagnation due to increased taxes. Approximately 4,000 people lived in Odense in 1700, and from 1720 a canal was dug to strengthen the city’s harbor and growth. The 19th century was characterized by development in trade and industrialization with continued expansion.

Today, Odense is a cozy city with many opportunities for lovely walks between interesting sights. You can start at the city’s town hall square, where Odense city hall stands as one of the city’s most impressive buildings. The town hall was designed by Carl Lendorf and J.D. Herholdt and erected 1881-1883 in Italian-Gothic style. South of the town hall is Saint Canute’s Church, which is named after Saint Canute, who was murdered in the nearby Saint Albani Church.

The church was constructed from the end of the 13th century, after an earlier church burned down. Remains of this can be seen in the crypt. The church has a beautiful and bright interior, and you should pay particular attention to Claus Berg’s beautiful altarpiece from around 1520. Saint Canute’s Church today has the status of a cathedral, and the church is the final resting place of several Danish kings such as Canute the Holy, Erik Lam, Hans and Christian II. Close to the Cathedral, you can visit beautiful gardens and many other sights of Odense.

Top Attractions

Odense Town Hall
Odense Rådhus

Odense Town Hall was built in the years 1881-1883 and designed by architects J.D. Herholdt and Carl Lendorf in an Italian-Gothic style. The building marks a central point in Odense and stands as an important example of 19th-century architecture. In the mid-20th century, the town hall was expanded with new wings, which were built in a more functional style, which combined with the original facade creates an interesting mix of historical and modernist architecture. The red brick building with arched windows and ornaments gives the town hall a distinctive and elegant expression in the cityscape.

Inside, there are beautifully decorated halls and rooms that function as both workplaces and reception rooms. The town hall hall is a large, open atrium with a high ceiling and characteristic skylight. The floor is made of Sicilian marble, and the ceiling and walls are decorated with works of art and ornaments that emphasize the prestige of the building. The City Council Chamber is decorated with murals depicting Funen professions and famous personalities, and the room is used for political meetings, ceremonies and official events.

On the first floor there is a memorial wall that pays tribute to famous people with connections to Odense. The wall has been expanded several times over the years and today stands as a collection of 38 names that represent the city’s cultural and historical significance. The City Hall is thus not only a place of administration, but also a symbol of Odense’s history.

The square in front of the building is called Flakhaven, and it functions as the city’s central square and gathering place. Markets, concerts, festivals and public events are held here, and the square contributes to making the City Hall a vibrant focal point for the city’s citizens and visitors with access to pedestrian streets, the city’s cathedral, the Fairy Garden and more.

 

St. Canute’s Church
Sankt Knuds Kirke

St. Knud’s Church in Odense is one of Denmark’s most significant religious and historical monuments and contains both architectural beauty and deep national symbolism. The church stands on the site where Canute the Holy, the patron saint and king of Denmark, was assassinated in 1086, and its presence has made the place a central pilgrimage destination for centuries. The current brick building, which was built in the period from the 13th to the 15th centuries, is an excellent example of Gothic architecture. The high vaults, pointed arches and impressive stained glass mosaics create a dramatic light that emphasizes the monumentality of the space and at the same time gives the church an atmosphere of calm and awe.

Inside, the church is today a bright and magnificent space, and it functions as a treasury of both medieval and later church art. The most striking decoration is Claus Berg’s sumptuous altarpiece from the early 16th century. It is richly decorated with woodcarved figures depicting scenes from the life of Jesus with a wealth of detail that was unusual for its time. You can also see royal tombs, which emphasize the importance of the church for the monarchy. King Hans died in 1513 and was buried in the Gråbrødre Kloster in Odense and later moved to Sankt Knuds Kirke. The same happened to Christian II after his death in 1559.

The pulpit from the 17th century is decorated with carved evangelist figures and biblical symbols, showing the Baroque sense of drama and narrative. The baptismal font, carved in the Gothic style, stands as a reminder of the church’s oldest rituals and is still used for baptisms today. Along the walls you will find beautiful epitaphs and memorial tablets that tell about Odense’s bourgeoisie through the centuries. The light from the stained glass mosaics also plays beautifully against the walls and gives the church a feeling of lightness.

The crypt under the church is one of the most historically significant places in Denmark. The low-ceilinged, cool vault houses the relics of Canute the Holy and his brother Benedict, who were killed during the uprising in 1086. Canute’s sainthood and later canonization made the crypt one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in the Nordic countries in the Middle Ages. The delicate lighting, the raw stone of the walls and the simple glass-enclosed coffins create an atmosphere of both solemnity and deep historical proximity. There are also memorial plaques and explanatory installations that provide insight into both the murder of the king, his canonization and how the church has been closely linked to power, faith and political changes over time.

 

Fairytale Garden
Eventyrhaven

The Fairytale Garden in Odense is a beautiful and atmospheric park that combines nature experiences with play, culture and literary history. The garden is located in the heart of the city and is closely linked to the life and works of H.C. Andersen, which makes it an obvious destination for both families and tourists. The garden was designed with a focus on aesthetics, biodiversity and experience, and the winding paths, colorful flower beds, small streams and sculptures create an inviting environment where both children and adults can walk, play and immerse themselves.

The garden is inspired by H.C. Andersen’s fairy tale universe. Many of the park’s elements and installations refer to his stories, which gives a poetic dimension to the visit. Children can find characters and themes from the fairy tales, which invite play and imagination, while adults can enjoy the beautiful plants, fountains and seating areas. The Fairytale Garden therefore functions as both an experience space and a cultural dissemination site.

 

Museum Odense

Museum Odense is one of Denmark’s most comprehensive cultural history museums, and it gives visitors the opportunity to explore the history of Odense and Funen through the centuries. The museum has an extensive collection of archaeological finds, historical objects, handicrafts and documentation of the city’s development from the Middle Ages to modern times. It provides a vivid picture of how people have lived, worked and created culture in the area, and how Odense has developed from a small market town to a modern city.

The museum has both permanent exhibitions and temporary special exhibitions, which provide space for in-depth themes about Funen culture, history and society. Visitors can experience everything from medieval tools, weapons and coins to furniture, clothing and photographs, which illustrate both daily life and the major societal changes through the centuries. There is also a focus on H.C. Andersen and his time in Odense, which ties the museum’s historical narrative together with the city’s literary heritage and fame far beyond Denmark’s borders.

In addition to the historical objects, the museum conveys cultural heritage through reconstructions, interactive installations and digital media, which make history come alive for both children and adults. Museum Odense also has strong ties to the city’s other cultural institutions and historical environments, and the museum’s location makes it easy to combine a visit with walks in the old city center, a visit to H.C. Andersen’s House or experiences at the city’s town hall and cathedral.

 

H.C. Andersen’s House
H.C. Andersens Hus

H.C. Andersen’s House in Odense is not just a museum, but a poetic total experience, with the world’s most famous fairy tale writer at the center. The museum consists of several parts as a building complex; both the author’s childhood home and the modern extension, which completely redesigned the visitor experience in 2021.

The small yellow-whitewashed house in Munkemøllestræde is considered H.C. Andersen’s childhood home and is one of the most atmospheric places in Odense for those who want to get close to the life of the world-famous fairy tale writer. Andersen lived here with his parents from around 1807 to 1819, and although the conditions were modest, the home contained the first sprouts of his lively imagination and creativity. The narrow rooms, low beamed ceilings and simple furniture bring history to life and give visitors an impression of how a poor shoemaker family lived in the early 19th century.

In addition, the new part of the museum experience was created by the Japanese star architect Kengo Kuma. The building and its contents today constitute a visionary cultural center on an international level. The organic forms of the building, where glass and wood interact with green gardens, were designed to express the same playful lightness and charm that characterize Andersen’s fairy tales. Here, the architecture is part of the story, where you almost feel that you are entering a fairy tale universe where reality and fantasy merge into one.

The museum presents H.C. Andersen’s life and art through impressive and sensory-rich installations. Instead of simply exhibiting objects, the house unfolds his stories through spatial scenographies, light, sound and interactive elements. For example, you can move through the Ugly Duckling’s developmental journey or experience the forest in Thumbelina as a giant growth universe. Many of the rooms were built on large scales or with optical installations, so that the audience experiences Andersen’s themes of transformation, fantasy and an outsider’s view of their own body. The museum thus challenges visitors to see the world as Andersen himself did, namely with an open mind and an ability to find magic in the ordinary.

Another important element is the connection between the man and his work. In addition to the fairy tale universes, the museum contains a rich collection of original manuscripts, drawings and personal belongings such as travel boxes, letters and fine paper cuttings, which testify to his creative diversity. The exhibitions also tell of his humble beginnings in Odense, his ambitions to become an actor and his great international breakthrough, which made him one of the world’s most widely read authors. The story is permeated with the duality that accompanied him throughout his life. He was at once admired and lonely, sensitive and stubborn, the mastermind behind fabulous happiness and at the same time plagued by considerable inner turmoil.

 

TID – Museum for Odense

TID – Museum for Odense is a rich cultural history museum located in the middle of the old city center of Odense. The museum is a living meeting between past and present, where modern museum architecture blends harmoniously with historic half-timbered houses from the 16th and 17th centuries. Part of it bears the name Møntergården, which dates back to 1646, when the city’s mint master took over the farm, and from this came the name that is still used today. When you enter the museum complex, you immediately experience a journey through centuries of Funen and Odense history.

One of the museum’s great strengths is its ability to convey both the small stories of everyday life and the major development lines that have shaped Odense and Funen over time. The exhibitions range from the urbanization of the Viking Age and the Middle Ages to the urban growth of industrialization and today’s metropolitan life. Here you can follow the city’s development from an early trading post by the Odense River to a modern cultural and educational city. Model buildings, authentic finds and interactive installations make the experience present and engaging for guests of all ages.

One of the gems of the museum’s collection are the original historical buildings, which have been preserved and furnished so that you can really get a feel for what life was like in Odense several hundred years ago. Here you can visit Pernille Lykkes Boder from the 17th century, which is one of the city’s oldest preserved town houses, and where you can gain insight into the living conditions and craftsmanship that characterized it. The cobblestone courtyards and the crooked half-timbered walls make it easy to imagine life at that time, market stalls, horse-drawn carriages and the bustling trade that once filled the streets around the courtyard.

 

Odense Theatre
Odense Teater

Odense Theatre is Denmark’s second oldest theatre and has been the heart of the city’s cultural life since its founding in 1796. The theatre is centrally located in Odense and combines classic theatre architecture with modern stage facilities, making it possible to perform both classic dramas and newly written, experimental performances. The building impresses with its facade, red velvet chairs, decorative panels and an atmosphere that balances intimacy and grandeur.

The theatre’s repertoire is wide-ranging, with productions of everything from Shakespeare, Ibsen and Holberg to modern Danish drama and international guest plays. Odense Theatre also runs an acting school and produces workshops where upcoming stage artists can train, develop and perform performances. Inside, the stage and hall are designed to give the audience maximum experience. The theatre also has smaller stages and experimental rooms where new forms of performing arts can be tested.

 

Odense Castle
Odense Slot

Odense Castle is one of the city’s most impressive Baroque buildings, and it represents a significant part of Odense’s history as an administrative and royal center. The history of the place began with the construction of a Hospitaller monastery in the late 13th century. The monastery was active during the Reformation, after which the monastery’s function and ownership changed. King Frederick II had the old monastery rebuilt into a royal palace in 1575, thereby laying the foundation for the current Odense Castle, which can be seen in the city center today.

However, it is not Frederick II’s palace that can be seen today, but rather the result of later renovations. In the early 18th century, King Frederick IV wanted to transform the palace into a more contemporary royal residence. He put the architect Johan Cornelius Krieger in charge of the project, and in the 1720s the current main wing was built in elegant Baroque style. Krieger also created a precise and harmonious garden based on the French model with long avenues, symmetrical beds and clear axes, and this came to form the framework for what we know today as the King’s Garden.

In the 19th century, the palace was taken up for renewed use and decoration, and in 1837, architect Jørgen Hansen Koch carried out a significant expansion of the building. The new wing was adapted to the existing structures, and with the construction the current appearance of the facility was created, where the splendor of the Baroque and the architecture of later times merge into a single whole. The symmetrical facade, the classical window sections and the elegant cornices create an elegant impression and are typical elements of the style of the time.

There is no access to the palace, and therefore you can only enjoy its exterior and a walk in the King’s Garden. Inside there are beautiful reception rooms with stucco ceilings, ornate panels and old furniture. The castle does not have public access, as it is used by parts of Odense Municipality’s administration for office purposes.

 

Brandts Art Museum
Kunstmuseet Brandts

Brandts Art Museum in Odense is one of Denmark’s significant art and cultural centers, and it offers a comprehensive experience of both visual arts, photography, design and modern cultural history. The museum is housed in the former textile factory Brandts Klædefabrik, which creates an exciting contrast between the raw architecture of the industry and the modern art exhibited inside. The combination of old factory buildings with modern exhibitions gives the museum a unique atmosphere, where history and contemporary art merge.

The museum houses both permanent collections and changing exhibitions of national and international importance. You can experience works from 19th-century Danish painting, modernism, avant-garde and contemporary art, as well as large photo exhibitions that highlight the development of photography and its interaction with society. Brandts is known for presenting art across media and genres, which makes the visit versatile and inspiring. The exhibitions often include interactive elements, so that the audience can engage and experience art in new ways.

 

Danish Railway Museum
Danmarks Jernbanemuseum

The Danish Railway Museum in Odense is the largest railway museum in the Nordic region and a unique destination for both history buffs and families. The museum is located close to Odense Railway Station and houses many historic locomotives and carriages, which provide a vivid insight into the development of the railway from the 19th century to the present day. You can experience everything from small working locomotives and diesel locomotives to impressive steam engines and royal saloon cars, once used by the Danish royal family.

The exhibitions are structured so that visitors can follow the development of the railway as a technology, but also as a social phenomenon. You learn how the railway has shaped cities, transport and industry in Denmark, and how the train changed people’s lives and everyday lives. You can go inside the original compartment cars, and here you can experience the comfort of travel life at that time with upholstered seats to beautifully carved panels and floor coverings.

The museum also offers interactive experiences for children and adults. Simulations, hands-on activities and mini-trains make it possible to understand how locomotives work and how trains are operated. In addition, vintage train rides are arranged on selected routes, where guests can experience the sound, smoke and smell of old locomotives. This makes the museum a living experience, where you can see, touch and feel history firsthand.

 

Odense River Boats
Odense Åfart

Odense River Boats offers a peaceful and unique experience of Odense from the water. The trips take place on Odense River, which winds through the city and further out towards the green surroundings at Fruens Bøge. The river cruise provides a calm contrast to the city’s streets and squares and opens up new perspectives on Odense’s architecture, parks and historic buildings. You see beautiful villas, old bridges and the city’s green riverbanks from a completely new angle.

The trip is not just a nature experience. It is also a cultural journey. Along the way, stories are told about Odense’s history, urban development and former industry along the river. You can combine the sailing with disembarking at selected stops with access to, for example, forest trails, Odense Zoo or museums. On a trip, you can also follow the river’s small animals and see birds that live along the banks.

 

Odense Zoo

Odense Zoo is one of Denmark’s most recognized zoos and offers experiences for the whole family. The garden is located in hilly terrain along Odense River and contains more than 2,000 animals from all over the world. The zoo is known for its lifelike facilities that imitate the animals’ natural environments, and the Oceanium combines tropical fish, manatees and rainforest plants. It is one of the spectacular highlights of the garden.

The zoo actively promotes nature conservation and biodiversity. Visitors learn about endangered animal species, environmental problems and animal behavior through guided tours, lectures and experiences. Children can, for example, take part in activities where they learn about the animals’ lives and feeding, among other things. The feedings are popular, and you can experience lions, penguins, giraffes, manatees and other animals up close.

 

The Funen Village
Den Fynske Landsby

The Funen Village is an open-air museum that provides a unique insight into life on Funen in the 18th and 19th centuries. The museum consists of over 25 historical buildings that have been moved from their original locations around Funen and assembled in an authentic village environment with fields, paths, streams and small courtyards. Visitors can experience everything from farmhouses, craftsman’s houses and school buildings to smithies and inns, creating a vivid picture of the society, economy and everyday life of the time. Each building has been carefully restored and furnished with original furniture, tools and interiors, giving you the feeling of stepping back in time.

Guides in historical costumes demonstrate everyday activities such as cooking over an open fire, weaving, blacksmithing and agricultural work. Visitors can actively participate, which especially gives children the opportunity to experience history with all their senses. They can touch tools, see crafts carried out in the traditional way and learn how people lived and worked in previous centuries. The museum follows the rhythm of the seasons, so you can experience harvest, winter preparations, Christmas traditions and spring work in the fields with historical authenticity.

Other Attractions

Day Trips

Egeskov Castle
Egeskov Slot

Egeskov Castle is one of Europe’s best-preserved moated castles and is beautifully situated in a forest, lakes and formal gardens on South Funen. The castle was built in 1554 as a fortress castle with a moat and towers and today stands as an elegant example of the architecture of the time with its construction in monk stone and characteristic round corner towers. It is famous for being an impressive moated castle that functioned both as a defense system and as a symbol of power and wealth.

Inside, visitors can experience the castle’s original living rooms, furniture and interior, which provide a vivid insight into the life of the nobility in Denmark through the centuries. The collection includes everything from weapons, armor and art objects to historical furniture and porcelain. Egeskov Castle also has special exhibitions that highlight local culture and history, as well as modern art exhibitions that create an exciting contrast between past and present.

There are also a number of museums at Egeskov Castle and in its associated buildings and areas. For example, you can visit the Veteran Museum, which exhibits many historic vehicles and aircraft in a former barn. You can also experience the Falck Museum, which conveys the story of Falck from the first rescue station in 1906 to the present day with a display of both historic and modern equipment. At the Camping Outdoor Museum, you can return to camp life and outdoor time with a bonfire and camping.

The gardens surrounding the castle are world-famous. There are formal Renaissance gardens, a large and popular labyrinth, ornamental lawns, theme gardens and a large sculpture park. Visitors can walk along the well-kept paths, enjoy the view of the lakes and experience different plant species and flowers that create seasonal explosions of color. This applies to the Fuchsia Garden, the Dahlia Garden and other facilities. The garden is also home to playgrounds, playhouses and activities for children, making the place a family destination.

 

Viking Museum Ladby
Vikingemuseet Ladby

The Viking Museum Ladby is located in Northeast Funen and is Denmark’s only Viking ship museum, where you can experience a fully excavated and preserved Viking ship burial site. The museum centers around the Ladby Ship, which was an impressive warship from the early 900s, which was used as a tomb for an important Viking chieftain. The ship is exhibited under a protective building, where you can see the hull, remains of equipment, weapons and personal items that were laid with the chieftain as a symbol of status and power.

The exhibition tells about the Vikings, their shipbuilding techniques, daily life, warfare and religious customs, and it provides a vivid insight into the Viking culture and social hierarchy. The museum combines historical findings with communication, so that both children and adults can understand how the Vikings lived, traveled and were buried. The area around Ladby has also been reconstructed with Viking-inspired landscapes and paths, where you can experience burial mounds, village life and shipbuilding sites.

 

Kerteminde

Kerteminde is a charming coastal town on North Funen, known for its cozy harbor and beautiful surroundings by Kerteminde Fjord and the nearby Odense Fjord. The town has existed since the Middle Ages and functioned for centuries as a fishing village and trading post, where ships docked with goods and catches from the sea. Kerteminde’s harbor is still the heart of the town, where wooden boats and yachts lie side by side, and where visitors can experience the authentic maritime atmosphere. The harbor forms the setting for cafes, restaurants and small shops.

The town is known for its historic buildings and old market town environment with narrow streets, half-timbered houses and cozy squares. Many of the houses have been restored, and the cityscape is characterized by both cultural heritage and vibrant city life. Kerteminde also has a strong artistic tradition, and several galleries and workshops invite you to experience local art and crafts. The town thus combines culture, history and recreation in a clear and charming setting.

One of the city’s biggest attractions is the Fjord & Bælt center, which combines nature education with live animal experiences. The center focuses on marine wildlife and sustainability, and here you can see porpoises, seals, fish and other marine animals in lifelike facilities. Interactive exhibitions and touch tanks give children the opportunity to touch the animals and learn about their lives, while adults can immerse themselves in education about marine biodiversity, endangered species and environmental protection. Fjord & Bælt also organizes theme tours, workshops and summer activities, which make the experience both educational and entertaining.

Kerteminde is also a good starting point for nature experiences. The area offers beautiful beaches, hiking and cycling routes along the coast and small forests where you can experience bird life, flora and fauna. The city’s combination of culture, history, nature and maritime experiences makes Kerteminde an attractive destination for the whole family. Here you can experience the historic fishing environment, participate in hands-on activities in Fjord & Bælt and enjoy the tranquility by the water, which creates a varied and in-depth experience of the charm of North Funen.

 

Nyborg

Nyborg is a historic market town on East Funen that has played a central role in Denmark’s political and military history. The town was founded in the Middle Ages and is strategically located on the western shore of the Great Belt, making it an important port and military post. Nyborg’s history is inextricably linked to Nyborg Castle, which was built in the late 12th century as a royal residence and defense facility. The castle served as a meeting place for the Danehoffet, the Danish royal council, and has been the center of both political decisions and military strategy for centuries.

Today, the castle is one of Denmark’s best-preserved castle buildings from the Middle Ages and offers impressive architecture with strong walls, towers and preserved courtyards. Inside, you can experience medieval halls, exhibitions about the history of the town and the castle, as well as information about the life of the Danehoffet and the royal officials. Nyborg Castle also contains collections of weapons, armor and furniture that illustrate both royal power and everyday life in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

The town around the castle also reflects Nyborg’s historical significance. Cobblestone streets, old merchant’s houses and half-timbered houses testify to the town’s role as a trading centre. Nyborg’s squares and harbour area are still lively with cafés, restaurants and shops, where you can feel the city’s historical pulse while modern city life unfolds. The old town centre is listed, ensuring that the historical atmosphere is preserved. You should take a walk from Nyborg Torv through the old streets to, for example, the Church of Our Lady.

 

Svendborg

Svendborg is beautifully located on South Funen and is known as the gateway to the South Funen Archipelago. The city has a long and rich history as a trading and maritime city, which can still be experienced in the city’s harbor area. The historic harbor is filled with wooden boats, fishing boats and modern yachts, creating a vibrant and authentic maritime atmosphere. The city center has preserved many old buildings, cobblestone streets and cozy squares, which testify to Svendborg’s importance as a market town through the centuries.

If you want to experience Svendborg’s historical soul, a city walk from the Square is a perfect starting point. Here, the Church of Our Lady rises as the city’s most obvious landmark, visible from many streets and with its distinctive red brick facade, which stands as a testament to the city’s medieval roots. The original church was founded in the 12th century and later expanded in Gothic style with beautiful vaults and a high tower, which today houses a carillon that rings out over the city center. Inside, the church is characterized by a bright and friendly space with a late medieval velvet altarpiece, which was once brought from Antvorskov Monastery, and a distinguished pulpit from the 17th century.

From the main square, you can be led into a network of old, winding streets, where trade flourished already in the Middle Ages. One of the most charming streets is Kattesundet, which winds through the city and leads directly to the other large parish church, Sankt Nicolai Kirke. This church is named after the patron saint of sailors and has a strong connection to the maritime Svendborg. The current building dates mainly from the 13th-14th centuries and is distinguished by its fine interior with a beautiful altar, a pulpit from the 16th century and several distinguished stained glass windows, which give the otherwise simple church room more nuances.

You can then continue towards Gerritsgade, which is the city’s lively shopping street. Here, cafés, shops and cultural venues lie shoulder to shoulder in a mix of old merchant houses and newer buildings. The atmosphere is characterised by both local trade and modern city life, making the pedestrian street one of the places where the city’s historical atmosphere meets today’s needs and opportunities. From here, the walk down to the harbour is short, and you move quietly and peacefully into the city’s maritime quarter. In a few minutes you are at the harbour front, where the view opens up over Svendborgsund with sailing boats docking and departing, and ferries crossing to the islands in the South Funen Archipelago.

Svendborg’s history as a maritime town is also seen in the city’s culture and museums. The maritime environment has influenced both art and crafts, and there are several museums and galleries that tell the story of the area’s trade, fishing and shipbuilding. The city also arranges cultural festivals, concerts and exhibitions, which fill the harbour area and the city’s squares with life and experiences, especially in the summer months. Svendborg is also a starting point for experiences in the South Funen Archipelago. From the city you can go to islands such as Drejø, Skarø and Ærø, where you will find small villages, idyllic harbours and beautiful nature.

 

Faaborg

Faaborg is one of South Funen’s most charming market towns. It is known for its historic harbor, cobblestone streets and beautiful, colorful half-timbered houses. The town’s history dates back to the Middle Ages, and for centuries it has served as one of the centers for trade, shipping and fishing in the South Funen archipelago. The harbor has been the heart of the town, where merchant ships, fishing boats and later pleasure boats docked, and where you can still feel the maritime atmosphere. The town has a lively town center with cafes, small specialty shops and galleries, which invite you to explore its cozy streets and squares on foot.

Faaborg Museum is the town’s cultural hub and houses one of Denmark’s most important collections of modern Danish art from the 19th and 20th centuries. The museum’s collections display works by both local and national artists and provide a unique insight into artistic movements through the centuries. The museum’s location close to the harbor creates a beautiful combination of art, architecture and nature, where the view of the archipelago and the city’s historic building environment enhances the experience.

In addition to culture, Faaborg offers access to the islands to the south, which help to form one of Denmark’s most beautiful maritime landscapes. The area consists of small islands and islets, which form a varied landscape with forests, meadows, coastlines and small port towns. Here you can go hiking, kayaking or simply enjoy a boat trip between the islands. You can also explore hidden beaches and beautiful views and experience the rich nature, which is also located on Funen north of Faaborg. Here you can go on some wonderful walks in the Svanninge Hills, also called the South Funen Alps.

 

Little Belt Bridge
Lillebæltsbroen

The Little Belt Bridge is one of Denmark’s most iconic bridges and connects Funen and Jutland across the narrow strait Little Belt. The first bridge was inaugurated in 1935 as a combined road and rail bridge, and it quickly became a symbol of engineering, transport links and national development. The bridge stretches for almost 1.6 kilometres and is known for its distinctive pylons and steel spans, which have made it a striking sight from both the land and water sides. Since then, the modern Little Belt Bridge was built in 1965-1970 as a motorway bridge.

Today, visitors can experience the old Little Belt Bridge in a whole new way through Bridgewalking. It is a unique activity that allows the public to walk on the upper part of the bridge under the expert guidance of guides. Bridgewalking is a spectacular experience where, wearing safety equipment, you can walk along the footbridge high above the water and enjoy the view of Little Belt, the surrounding nature and the nearby towns. The walk gives a feeling of heights combined with fascination, where you see the sea, the traffic on land and water and the landscape from a completely unusual angle.

During a Bridgewalk, the guides tell about the history of the bridge, the engineering work and the technical structure, so that you both learn about the significance of the construction and gain insight into the challenges that have been involved in building and maintaining such a monumental bridge. You also get information about the Little Belt as a waterway with wildlife, shipping and the importance of the bridge for the area over the decades. The Little Belt Bridge and the Bridgewalking tour thus represent both Denmark’s engineering history and modern experience culture.

 

Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen

Copenhagen is Denmark’s capital, where the sights are many and the distances small. Copenhagen is also the largest city in Scandinavia and the center of the Øresund region, which has developed rapidly in Denmark and Sweden since the opening of the Øresund Bridge in 2000.

Copenhagen’s medieval profile with the many beautiful towers is unforgettable, and a stroll or sailing through the city is very evocative and a must during a visit. Also, walk through the small streets and alleys that often provide surprising views of the famous and new sights.

Tivoli, Nyhavn and The Little Mermaid will be at most tourists’ level, but here are also many other things such as the political Christiansborg Castle, the Royal Amalienborg Castle and beautiful churches with the Marble Church, Copenhagen Cathedral and Holy Spirit Church as some of the best known.

More about Copenhagen

 

Aarhus, Denmark

Aarhus

Aarhus is a cozy city with lovely pedestrian streets such as the stretch between the city’s main railroad station and Aarhus Cathedral. The attractions in the same city center area are interesting to see, and there is also access to the beautiful and relatively new city scape along the river Aarhus Å.

Aarhus’s churches are also some interesting places to visit. The city’s cathedral is one of the country’s largest churches, and the neighboring Our Lady exudes medieval character. The contrast from here to the new buildings in the port area of ​​Aarhus is great and perspective-rich as each a contemporary architectural gem.

Aarhus also has a few must visit museums, where some of the well-known ones are the ARoS art museum and the fantastic market town environment from a bygone era in The Old City. The Old City is a unique market town museum with a collection of older houses that have been moved to here, and in addition you can visit places that stand as time capsules, for example, from several periods in the 1900s.

More about Aarhus

Geolocation

In short

Odense, Denmark Odense, Denmark[/caption]

Overview of Odense

Odense is Denmark’s third largest city and the largest city on Funen Island. Historically, the city is known from the year 988, when it was mentioned in writing, but the area has been inhabited since the Stone Age. The city arose by the river Odense Å, and in the Viking Age several fortifications were built along the river as protection against attacks from the sea. In the 11th century, Odense grew into a larger city in Denmark, but there was also unrest in connection with the collection of taxes. It ended with King Canute the Holy being murdered in Saint Albani Church in 1086.

In the Middle Ages, several churches and monasteries were built in the growing city, and Odense was granted market town rights in 1335. Throughout the 1500s and 1600s, the city’s prosperity increased not least through cattle sales, and many merchant houses were built in the city during this period. The latter half of the 17th century and the 18th century, however, became a time of stagnation due to increased taxes. Approximately 4,000 people lived in Odense in 1700, and from 1720 a canal was dug to strengthen the city’s harbor and growth. The 19th century was characterized by development in trade and industrialization with continued expansion.

Today, Odense is a cozy city with many opportunities for lovely walks between interesting sights. You can start at the city’s town hall square, where Odense city hall stands as one of the city’s most impressive buildings. The town hall was designed by Carl Lendorf and J.D. Herholdt and erected 1881-1883 in Italian-Gothic style. South of the town hall is Saint Canute’s Church, which is named after Saint Canute, who was murdered in the nearby Saint Albani Church.

About the Odense travel guide

Contents: Tours in the city + tours in the surrounding area
Published: Released soon
Author: Stig Albeck
Publisher: Vamados.com
Language: English

About the travel guide

The Odense travel guide gives you an overview of the sights and activities of the Danish city. Read about top sights and other sights, and get a tour guide with tour suggestions and detailed descriptions of all the city’s most important churches, monuments, mansions, museums, etc.

Odense is waiting for you, and at vamados.com you can also find cheap flights and great deals on hotels for your trip. You just select your travel dates and then you get flight and accommodation suggestions in and around the city.

Read more about Odense and Denmark

Denmark Travel Guide: https://vamados.com/denmark
City tourism: https://visitoden-se.dk
Main Page: https://www.vamados.com/

Buy the travel guide

Click the “Add to Cart” button to purchase the travel guide. After that you will come to the payment, where you enter the purchase and payment information. Upon payment of the travel guide, you will immediately receive a receipt with a link to download your purchase. You can download the travel guide immediately or use the download link in the email later.

Use the travel guide

When you buy the travel guide to Odense you get the book online so you can have it on your phone, tablet or computer – and of course you can choose to print it. Use the maps and tour suggestions and you will have a good and content-rich journey.

Travel Expert

Stig Albeck

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