About Odense
Culture, shopping and fun in Odense
Odense is the third-largest city in Denmark and boasts some of the greatest cultural attractions on the island of Fyn. Odense is perhaps best known as the city where Hans Christian Andersen was born and grew up. He certainly made his mark on his home town, as Odense is still devoted to creative experiences with a difference – to play is to live.
Charming Shopping City
Odense has all the charm and attraction of a small town, combined with a dash of big-city pulse. Odense has a wide and diverse shopping environment. The everyday shops line the pedestrian streets, while the small side streets and alleys are home to tempting specialist shops with international labels and leading Danish Design brands. This is also where you will find the relaxing café lifestyle with its charming al fresco ambience.
The island of Fyn is known as “the Garden of Denmark” on account of its fertile soil. This gives rise to a wealth of seasonal produce and specialities, which you can enjoy in Odense’s numerous and varied cafés and restaurants.
Culture and music
Brandts Klædefabrik is the cultural centre of Odense, located in the heart of the city. This cultural gem has a very special atmosphere made up of shops, cafés, restaurants, a cinema, a library and art museums side by side in one large creative setting. Brandts houses attractions such as the Art Gallery, which is one of the largest exhibition venues in Scandinavia, regularly hosting collections of paintings, applied art, design, architecture and video art.
Odense by night
Close to Dexter stands Den Smagløse Café – the perfect place to kick-start your evening before continuing into the night. The nightlife in Odense is magnificent and principally centred around Gråbrødre Plads and Brandts Passage.
Green settings in the city
Odense Å river cuts through the city like a green passageway. The river is lined with peaceful nature areas where children can burn off some energy on the playgrounds. It is a tranquil oasis close to the cultural attractions and pedestrian streets of Odense. Local residents themselves prefer to relax in Eventyrhaven park.
Wonderful delights for children
If you bring your children with you to Odense, you can be sure of returning home with a wealth of new knowledge. For example, you can learn about animals from all over the world at Odense Zoo, Denmark in ages past at The Fyn Village or the life of a train driver at The Danish Railway Museum. Odense’s traditions for fun and games date back to the time of Hans Christian Andersen, a figure you can find out about at the Hans Christian Andersen’s House museum or at the Tinderbox Culture Centre for Children.
For information about more things to see and do, restaurants, accommodation, visit www.visitodense.com.
