Best Things To Do in Odense, Denmark

Are you looking for what to do in Odense?

There are several museums and cathedrals to be seen in Odense, some of them are tributes to famous personalities like Hans Andreessen and Carl Nielsen (The famous Dane Music composer.) Some of the best places to visit are:

  • The Odense Zoo: The Odense Zoo is one of the major tourist attractions in Denmark as a country and occupies 4 hectares on both sides of the Odense River. It is approximately 30-40 minutes from the city center and can be reached either by walking along the riverbanks (There are signs pointing the way) or by boat. One can also rent a paddle boat or kayak to get to the Zoo. The Zoo features animals from all over the world and also features an indoor rainforest through which they utilize to give a South American tour. A great place for kids and adults alike to take in the sights and enjoy the great outdoors.
  • The Funen Village: The Funen Village is an open-air museum that approximately 40 minutes away from Odense proper. It features a number of buildings which date back to the 18th century and was founded in 1945. One can experience how the Danes used to live more than 200 years ago which is depicted by “Living History” i.e people dressed in the traditional costume of that period and going about their daily chores to give some insight into what village life in Funen was like.
  • The Hans Christian Andersen Museum: As the man who literally put Odense on the global map, Hans Andersen is a venerated and much respected personality who came out of Odense. There are 13 squares around the city which are related to him in some way or the other. The Museum is one of the first writer museum in the world and is a tribute to the life and work of this great author and celebrated children’s fairytale creator. The Hans Andersen Childhood home is another attraction dedicated to the author and shows the house in its original 1800’s condition which is when he grew up.
  • The Carl Nielsen Museum: Another great personality who grew up in Odense, Carl Nielsen was a world renowned classical music composer. The museum is dedicated to both him and his wife, Anne Marie Carl Nielson, who was a celebrated sculptor. The museum is dedicated to their lives and their works over the years and is largely comprised of a bequest from the couple’s children.  It contains much of the furniture they used during their lifetime and also has a shop where one to buy assorted classical music from the period. The Carl Nielson House is also an attraction, being the home that the great man grew up in.
  • St. Knuds Kirke: The cathedral of St. Knud the Holy (King Knud who was assassinated and then canonized as a saint) the only example of Gothic architecture in Denmark, one can view his crypt and that of his brother in the cathedral.

Below we have a list of things to do in Odense and the places where you want to spend the best moments of your trip. At the same time, the city offers you the best neighborhoods to explore and new foods to try.

This list should help you in deciding and prioritizing what you should plan on your Odense getaway. Find a mix of must-see tourist spots, underrated local hangouts, and maybe even a few new experiences you can try out.

Make the most of your trip to Odense with confidence.

Tourist Attractions in Odense

Here is the list of things to do in Odense and tourist attractions in city.

  1. Hans Christian Andersen Museum

    Museum, Park

    Odense is perhaps most famous for this globally loved children’s author. The town has expressed its pride for this favourite for over a century now, since 1908, when this museum opened. Chronicling his life from the humble start as a shoemaker’s son, the museum intersperses his story with drawings sketches and scenes from his life. Sculptures are scattered about here and there that ...Read more
  2. Danish Railway Museum

    4.6 (211 Votes)
    Danish Railway Museum

    History Museum, Specialty Museum

    In what was once an old engine shed lies one of Denmarkae™s more pride-worthy heritages ae the Danish Railway Museum. The romance of trains ae and especially as it relates to Danish History is exhibited here. Fifty locomotives and railway carriages from eras like steam and diesel, in types like luxurious and simple make for a truly intriguing visit. You can clamber in and out of the locom...Read more
  3. The Funen Village

    Village, Walking Area, Picnic Spot

    A trip into the rural European countryside past for a family picnic isn’t easily had unless you’re at the Funen Village. This is the sort of place that Hans Christian Anderson tends to describe in his stories swans and ducks in ponds, cobblestone roads etc. Go on a sunny day; the village is at it’s liveliest best then. About twenty-five charming little cottages and buildings s...Read more
  4. Odense Cathedral

    4.4 (263 Votes)
    Odense Cathedral

    Church, Religious Site, Architecture , Cathedral

    The King after which this cathedral is named, Canute, was a very troublesome figure during his lifetime…. At least the nobles he ruled thought so. Eventually, he was heated enough that amidst much drama, a mob gathered to murder him and killed him at the main altar of St. Alban’s Priory church. The story of his death caught popular imagination, and stories of miraculous healings at...Read more
  5. Brandts Art, Museum Of Photography And Media Museum

    Art And Culture, Art Museum, Art Gallery, History Museum

    Having three separate institutes in one location was more a matter of convenience. The idea was to maintain presentation integrity but also operational independence each institure organises its own exhibits and funding. Brand Klaederfabrik is associated to the Funen Art Museum and in 2013 was merged with the Kunsthallen Brandts Museum of Photographic Art. The collections here range from Danish ...Read more
  6. The Tinderbox

    4.3 (205 Votes)
    The Tinderbox

    Children Museum, Entertainment, Games

    There’s a place of adults and there’s a place for kids. The former might want to delve into the Hans Christian Anderson museum and see where all those wonderful stories came from but give a kid a choice between that and a chance to see the characters from his or her favourite tales come to life, the shecond will win out everytime. The Tinderbox is that world an unimaginable world of...Read more
  7. Viking Museum Ladby

    4.4 (81 Votes)
    Viking Museum Ladby

    Historical Site

    Pay a visit to the only existing Viking ship in the world, still situated in the burial mount as it was placed thousand years back. Step into the mount to see the 1000 year old Ladby ship. This Ladby ship is the only ship grave, belonging to the Viking period. The mound that you see was raised above the ship. You can even walk in the outside area and watch the boat builders creating an exact li...Read more
  8. St. Canute's Cathedral

    Religious Site, Historical Site, Cathedral

    It is a 14th century old Gothic cathedral, reflecting the city’s wealth and lifestyle during medieval age. The primary attraction of the church is the chilly crypt, a least visible staircase on the right side of the altar. You will get to see the 900 year old skeletons of King Canute (Denmark’s patron saint) and his younger brother Benedikt, preserved in a glass box. They were kille...Read more
  9. Montergarden

    4.2 (148 Votes)
    Montergarden

    Historical Site, Exhibition

    Does history attracts you? If your answer is yes, a visit to Montergarden can be considered. Housed in a Renaissance style building, the museum has collections belonging to the ancient history of Funen. A new separate building has come up within the premise where exhibition on the medieval age of Odense is on display.
  10. Carlsens Kvarter

    4.7 (249 Votes)
    Carlsens Kvarter

    Bar

    Considered as the heaven for the beer connoisseurs, Carlsens Kvarter offers wide range of beer, starting from Danish brands to foreign brands. Some rare collections like Belgian Trappist beers are also available in this pub.
  11. Fraugde Church

    4.3 (115 Votes)
    Fraugde Church

    Church, Religious Site

    Visit the beautiful 17th century old village church of Odense, Fraugde Church. The church ones belonged to the famous Danish bishop and psalmist Thomas Kingo. Things to see – the interior design followed Renaissance style; a memorial plaque for Thomas Kingo and his wife; sepulchral monuments around the church. 
  12. Odense Town Hall

    4 (156 Votes)
    Odense Town Hall

    Hall

    This town hall is located beside the oldest Town Hall of Odense. The striking feature of this New Town Hall is the architectural design. The design has the influence of both Italian and Gothic style
  13. Gallery Galschiot

    4.7 (60 Votes)
    Gallery Galschiot

    Art And Culture, Art Gallery, Workshop

    This gallery is considered as the most prominent and biggest private art workshops of Jens Galschiot in Denmark. A visit to the gallery will let you experience different types of activities. Besides, there are many other things to see like bronze foundry, art schools, gallery shops, wicker workshop, TV-studios and a Sculpture Park. Jens’s artistic work and art pieces touch the visitor&rsq...Read more
  14. Hans Christian Andersen Airport Image
    ©
    Hans Christian Andersen Airport, Odense, Denmark is an international airport located in the city of Odense, Denmark. It is the third busiest airport in Denmark, after Copenhagen Airport and Billund Airport. The airport is named after the famous Danish author Hans Christian Andersen.The airport was opened in 1939 and was initially used for military purposes. During World War II, the airport was ...Read more
  15. Danmarks Mediemuseum Image
    ©
    The Danmarks Mediemuseum, also known as the Danish Media Museum, was started in 1991 in Odense, Denmark. It was founded by the Danish Broadcasting Corporation (DR) in collaboration with the Danish Ministry of Culture.The museum was established to preserve and showcase the history of media and communication in Denmark. It was also created to educate the public about the role of media in society ...Read more