Nonnebakken is a Viking fortress in Odense and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At the same time, the Odense River flows through Munke Mose, while churches, streets, museums and gardens reveal other sides of the city. Your discoveries can range from early historical traces and Hans Christian Andersen to experiences by the water.
City history across different eras
Odense’s churches offer tangible markers of time: Vor Frue Kirke is considered the city’s oldest church and was built at the end of the 12th century. The Gothic cathedral dates from the 14th century. Its crypt contains the remains of King Canute the Holy; the 16th-century altarpiece was created by woodcarver Claus Berg. Sankt Hans Kirke is a red Johannite monastery church in the centre, near Kongens Have and Odense Castle. The historic Franciscan monastery Graabrødre Kloster was founded in 1279 by King Erik Klipping.
Architecture in the old quarter also tells stories of different periods. The cobbled Nedergade is lined with irregular half-timbered façades that convey Odense’s history through the centuries. Some of the city’s oldest houses stand in the area around Overgade and Nedergade. Overall, Odense’s architecture reflects more than 1,000 years of urban development.
Andersen’s traces in houses and streets
The H.C. Andersen House displays original objects, paper cuttings and drawings by the Danish writer. The H.C. Andersen Childhood Home offers a different perspective: it consists of three small rooms, and its garden contains flowers and historic varieties inspired by Andersen’s fairy tales. Fairy-tale motifs can also be found outside the houses. Sculptures inspired by H. C. Andersen’s fairy tales stand in parks, streets and alleyways.
The “In H.C. Andersen’s Footsteps” route starts at his birthplace on Hans Jensens Stræde, leads through the old town down to the river, and then back to the city centre. It therefore connects several parts of the city, without requiring you to cover a specific distance: you can follow the stops and changes of direction described along the way.
The Odense River and Munke Mose
At Munke Mose, you can rent rowboats and pedal boats for trips on the Odense River. If you bring your own boat, you can go on the river year-round by rowboat, kayak or canoe. Odense Aafart also offers pedal boat trips that pass through green surroundings and start at Munke Mose in the centre of Odense. The options therefore depend on whether you rent a boat on site, bring your own, or choose a trip with Odense Aafart.
Munke Mose is also home to Saabyes Stryg, a fish passage where you can take a break beside the rushing water. A section of the path along the Odense River towards Bellinge is designated as a Heart Trail for exercise in green surroundings. This designation applies to the marked section of the path.
Parks, gardens and other discoveries
Odense has 120 parks and gardens, as well as a car-free city centre. At Hollufgård Park, outdoor art experiences and walking opportunities combine with a varied cultural and natural landscape. Old avenues of lime trees have been preserved there. Sneglehøjen is also still visible; it was created in 1760. At Næsbyhoved Slotsbanke, you can experience a different historic landscape: a medieval castle site with deep moats. Paths lead along the old lakeshore.
Museums and living history
The Danish Railway Museum presents Danish railway history through 21 tracks and trains of various sizes. It also features a working, faithful replica of ODIN, Denmark’s first locomotive, dating from 1846. At the Odense Bunker Museum, an intact nuclear bunker from the 1950s preserves original objects from the Cold War across 450 square metres; three exhibitions cover different aspects of the period. Guided tours take place there twice a day and are included in the admission price. As the schedule may change, check the dates before your visit.
Den Fynske Landsby offers a different glimpse into past ways of life. The buildings originally stood in various locations on Funen and the surrounding islands. Guided tours provide an introduction to the open-air museum; on selected days, volunteers dressed in 19th-century clothing work there and bring history to life. Visitors can see the livestock in the pastures or stables throughout the year. Check the specific dates for guided tours and living history. At Odense ZOO, you can see animals from around the world, including large predators and smaller animals visitors can pet. The zoo also has a twelve-metre-high walkway and playgrounds.
Market day and the flavours of Funen
The Torvedag market takes place on Wednesdays and Saturdays. It offers seasonal fruit and vegetables, flowers, other seasonal produce and various cheeses, including the Funen speciality Rygeost. On most market days, a fish van also sells fish. The stalls’ offerings may vary; check the specific dates and times before your visit. For a different combination of food and creativity, there is Storms Pakhus: the 3,000-square-metre food hall combines street food with creative workshops. It lists around 24 food stalls, six bars and twelve workshops; the mix of businesses may change.
Discover more destinations: Freltofte, Odense, Blommenslyst, Agedrup, Kerteminde, Ærø Municipality, Nordfyn, Langeland.
See the overview of the wider region: Funen.
