Day trip from Copenhagen
Odense is located 167km west of Copenhagen. There are direct trains to Odense from Copenhagen at frequent intervals and takes less than 90 minutes to reach. Odense is one of the oldest cities in Denmark, dating back to the Viking Age. It is also the largest city on the island of Funen (Fyn) and the hometown of Hans Christian Andersen (1805–1875), who is one of Denmark’s most cherished authors and among the most famous storytellers in history. His fairy tales have been translated into over 125 languages and continue to enchant generations with their unique mix of magic, morality, and melancholy.
We took a train to this city and after we got off at the station, visited the following sites which was all within walking distance.
- Hans Christian Andersen Museum
- Hans Christian Andersen’s childhood home
- Odense Cathedral (St. Canute’s Cathedral)
- Flakhaven Square and Odense Town Hall
- St. Alban’s Church
Hans Christian Andersen Museum – The museum was a 20 minute walk from the station. The ticket to the museum also includes a visit to Hans’s childhood home nearby.
The museum covers Andersen’s life, from his childhood to his literary career. Some exhibits bring his fairy tales to life. You can read some of his fairy tales displayed colorfully on glass or metal objects.
Hans Christian Andersen’s childhood home – A 10-minute walk from the museum will take you to Hans Christian Andersons childhood home. It was in a small yellow half-timbered house that Andersen and his parents lived from when he was 2 to 14 years old.
He and his family lived in extreme poverty, despite which, Andersen had big dreams, aspiring to become an actor and singer, though he faced many rejections. He eventually found his true calling in writing, using his experiences and observations to create his fairy tales. When he was 14 years old, he moved to Copenhagen to apply to the Royal Danish Theatre.
Flakhaven Square and Odense Town Hall – Situated in the heart of the city, this public square serves as a central gathering place and hosts a number of events. One side of the square is dominated by the Odense Town Hall, also known as Odense Rådhus, which houses the municipal offices.
The cobbled pedestrian street around Flakhaven plaza are filled with opportunities for shopping and eating out.
Odense Cathedral (St. Canute’s Cathedral) – Located near the historical Flakhaven market square, the cathedral is named after the Danish king Canute the Saint, otherwise Canute IV. The Cathedral was built in the 14th century and is a Gothic cathedral with a high and bright nave. It has a magnificent altarpiece dating back to the 1500s and carved by Claus Berg.
St. Alban’s Church – On our way to Odense Cathedral, we came across St. Alban’s Church with a stunning facade. This 1867 Roman Catholic parish church was – and remains – a focal point for immigrants, namely Germans and Poles, and in recent years also an increasing number of Vietnamese Catholics.
