HC Andersen House is Why Odense is Our Favorite Day Trip from Copenhagen
We love big city energy, so when we travel we tend to gravitate towards the bustling urban centers around the world. But we've been mastering the art of punctuating our city breaks with excursions into nature like a day trip to Nikko from Tokyo, smaller towns, like a day trip to Otaru from Sapporo. So far, it’s yielded a far more enriching experience. If you’re interested in taking a day trip from Copenhagen, options range from castles to modern art. We took three different day trips, and Odense was our favorite, largely due to the amazing HC Andersen House museum.
Where is Odense?
Odense is the third largest city in Denmark, and the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen, arguably the country’s most famous author. Andersen is known for timeless fairy tales such as The Little Mermaid, The Ugly Duckling, and The Emperor's New Clothes. The charming Danish city on the island of Funen also has a vibrant cultural scene with a number of museums, art galleries, and theaters. It is also home to the University of Southern Denmark, which gives it a youthful energy and a diverse population.
How far is Odense from Copenhagen?
Odense is approximately 100 miles (165 km) from Copenhagen.
How do I get to Odense from Copenhagen?
Odense is about a 2-hour drive from Copenhagen. But Copenhagen has world-class public transportation, and traveling by train is the cheapest and fastest way to get there.
When buying your train ticket, go directly to the Danish national rail site for the best prices. Select Kobenhavn H as your departure and Odense St as your arrival. Travel times can vary depending on the train, so if you're looking to minimize travel time, look for express options, which take as little as 70 minutes.
Once you’ve selected your preferred departure time, you'll see three sections: Standard, DSB 1' and Itinerary. DSB 1' is a premium option which includes lounge access and refreshments, which is generally wasted on such a short trip. So we recommend going with the Standard ticket, where you might see a number of options:
Standard - A Standard ticket is refundable and can be used on any train traveling the same route that day, so you're not limited to the scheduled departure you selected.
Orange - An Orange ticket is a discounted, non-refundable ticket. If you're fairly confident of your itinerary and you buy your tickets in advance, this option can save you a lot of money.
Orange Free - An Orange Free ticket is similar to an Orange ticket, except it's refundable up to 30 minutes prior to departure. The discounts aren't as steep, but it gives you a little more flexibility in case plans change.
What is HC Andersen House?
HC Andersen House is a cutting-edge museum made up of a collection of new and existing structures honoring the world-famous author. Existing buildings served various purposes throughout history, including the building thought to be the author’s birthplace as well as the primary HC Andersen Museum space. The new buildings, designed by renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, are the result of an international competition to design a concept that would bring the author’s fairy tales to life. Spanning approximately 18,000 feet, from the high hedges and whimsical gardens to the cylindrical, multilevel structures, the HC Andersen House is a visual, auditory and physical, 360-degree, immersive experience that offers a deep dive into the life and work of HC Andersen.
Is HC Andersen House worth visiting?
Yes, yes and yes! We visit museums everywhere we go, but certain institutions are able to capture the essence of its national identity, like the National Museum of Azulejo in Lisbon. All the words you would use to describe Danish culture — modern, stylish, and witty — apply to HC Andersen House. It takes the traditional museum experience and turns it on its head. Whether you're a fan of the author or not, the interactive exhibits offer an engaging and entertaining time. Wandering through the space, we regularly heard wows of exclamation or peals of laughter ring out, which is a rare feat in any cultural institution.
When you arrive, you are provided a headset. Unlike typical audio guides which require you to punch in a number associated with a particular artwork, the audio guide picks up your location in the museum and delivers the appropriate information on cue. On occasion, we did find we had to reposition ourselves to trigger the audio guide correctly, which was our only gripe with the experience.
The exhibits may delve into Hans Christian Andersen’s personal life, or animate his creations utilizing all the means of modern media. HC Andersen House takes the author’s original ideas and augments them, much like a good film adaptation of a book would. The spaces are visually evocative, drawing you from room to room. Most importantly, all of it is done with a sense of whimsy, never taking itself too seriously. For those of us who grew up on his classic fairy tales, it is a fantastic way to see the characters come alive. The museum skillfully avoids simply retelling the stories we already know so well.
When is the best time to visit HC Andersen House?
Summer is the most popular time to visit Odense, but there are still many fun things to do if you choose to visit during other times of the year. HC Andersen House is open throughout the year, so a day trip to Odense is an especially great option if you’re visiting Copenhagen during off-peak travel times. Please note that you’re still required to purchase your tickets in advance, and peak times might sell out.
How much time should I spend at HC Andersen House?
We recommend approximately two hours as a reasonable amount of time to put aside for your visit. HC Andersen House is, more than anything else, a truly interactive, sensory experience. There are so many things to read, listen to through an excellent audio guide, photograph, and touch. All that takes time and you won’t want to rush through the myriad exhibits it has to offer. Please note that during busy periods, you may need to tack on more time as crowds can slow down your progression through the different exhibits.
What else can I do in Odense?
The fun in Odense may begin with HC Andersen House, but it certainly doesn’t end there. Odense feels like a quaint town, but it’s important to remember it is also a city with a population of nearly a quarter of a million. Once you’ve wrapped up the pleasure of visiting HC Andersen House, make the most of your excursion by discovering more of the city. As with all our favorite destinations, Odense is perfect for exploring on foot. Here are a few of the fantastic options:
Kunstmuseum Brandts
Our top recommendation would be this magnificent contemporary art museum showcasing works of art, photography and film across five floors. The museum is located in the city's former textile factory, and still carries the name of the fabric company that closed its doors in 1977. Its permanent collection spans 250 years of Danish art history, offering a retrospective on the country’s important artists. Special exhibitions feature a variety of international artists and styles.
Funen Village Museum
This open-air museum is located just outside of Odense and provides a glimpse into what life was like on the island of Funen in the 19th century. Although it looks into the past, the museum also makes it a point to highlight how traditional practices can inspire more sustainable choices for the future. As it is an outdoor museum, Funen Village is a seasonal destination. In general, it operates from April to October, with a few dates in December to celebrate Christmas.
Storms Pakhus
At a raw industrial warehouse at the harbor, you’ll find Storms Pakhus, a food hall dedicated to street food with 24 food stalls, 6 bars, and 12 creative workshops. Storms Pakhus, or Pakhuset as it’s sometimes called, is more like a lab where creatives push the limits of casual dining. The warehouse was built around 1942 and was used to store timber, and much of the timber and brick was repurposed to build the bars in today’s food hall. Offerings feature cuisine from all over the world, and include vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options.
Within the charming town square, you can also choose to pass the time in Odense’s plethora of coffee shops and bakeries, or perusing the local goods and curiosities in its wealth of shops.
Cafe Fleuri
Just a short walk from the Odense train station, we couldn’t resist stopping into the infinitely charming Cafe Fleuri to grab some coffee. It was the perfect introduction to Odense, as we shared the dining area with two older ladies sharing a spirited conversation over breakfast. The menu featured comfort dishes with many vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.
Brød
To say that we love bread would still be somewhat of an understatement. We really, really love bread. Brød’s luscious loaves and pastries beckoned to us the second we saw them through the window. We spent many hours visiting Copenhagen’s bakeries, and honestly, the kanelsnurre (cinnamon roll) at Brød holds up against the best of them.
Conclusion
When planning a day trip from Copenhagen, picking a destination can be overwhelming. You’ll have an abundance of quality options to choose from. Some of them may be closer, but what little additional travel time you surrender on your journey to Odense is made up for with the quality and variety of activities at your disposal. And though the HC Andersen House would clearly be the top attraction, there’s so much more to see, do, and eat in Odense. It’s a worthy diversion for a day away from Copenhagen.
