Odense, Denmark: Fairy Tales, Farm Life & a Trampoline

Odense is a slower kind of magical — the kind that sneaks up on you while you’re walking through the woods or wandering into a museum filled with vintage motorbikes. It’s the hometown of Hans Christian Andersen, so the fairy tale energy checks out. But it’s also peaceful, walkable, and low-key perfect for families.

WHAT WE DID

What We Loved

Odense is smaller and more relaxed than Copenhagen or Aarhus, but don’t let that fool you — there’s a lot to do, especially with kids in tow.

🏘️ Funen Village (Den Fynske Landsby) – An open-air museum that recreates 18th and 19th-century Danish life with costumed guides, real farm animals, and traditional buildings. Dogs are technically allowed, but we left Rex behind since he doesn’t do well with goats. Definitely worth a few hours.

🐅 Odense Zoo – This one surprised us — it’s big, well-organized, and home to over 100 species including Siberian tigers, ring-tailed lemurs, manatees, and giraffes. Easy to explore in a half-day, and one of the more chill zoos we’ve visited.

🏰 Egeskov Castle – About a 45-minute drive from Odense and 100% worth it. There’s a giant hedge maze, rope courses, vintage car and motorcycle museums, and peacocks strutting through the gardens. Dylan loved the zipline. Rex had to be redirected a few times due to peacock-related excitement.

🛍️ Downtown Odense – Walkable, charming, and full of little shops and cafés. No big agenda needed — just a good place to wander and maybe grab an ice cream or pastry along the way.

📚 Hans Christian Andersen Museum – We didn’t make it inside this time, but it’s on the list for next visit. It’s supposed to be immersive and beautifully done — a tribute to Odense’s most famous resident.

If We Had More Time…

A few things we didn’t get to this time, but we’ve bookmarked for next round:

🎭 The Hans Christian Andersen Experience – A more theatrical take on Andersen’s life and stories, with live storytelling and sound effects.

🛶 Odense River Cruise – Peaceful boat rides through the city. Would’ve been great for a slow afternoon.

🖼️ Brandts Art Museum – Modern and classical art in a cool industrial space. Not huge, but looks well-curated.

🎡 Train Ride at the Zoo – We missed it, but apparently it’s a hit with kids — and a nice way to loop through the park. `much to Dylan’s dismay I love to do the trains anywhere we are. (And double decker tour buses – HA!)

🍎 Local Markets – There are a few weekend markets in town, perfect for picking up Danish cheese, baked goods, and locally made everything.

WHERE WE STAYED

We stayed in a great Airbnb with a huge backyard and a trampoline. It was in a quiet neighborhood surrounded by walking trails — Rex loved it, Dylan loved it, and honestly, we probably could’ve stayed at the house all day and still had a good time. But Odense had other plans.

Should You Visit Odense?

If you’re looking for a slower-paced stop that still delivers on culture, history, and family-friendly fun — yes. Odense was cozy, charming, and full of little surprises. It’s not flashy, but it’s warm and welcoming in a way that feels very Denmark. Add it to your route if you want something authentic, easygoing, and a little off the radar.