St. Canute’s Cathedral: A Masterpiece of Danish Gothic in the Heart of Odense
St. Canute’s Cathedral in Odense unites Gothic grandeur, royal history, and moving artistry in a landmark central to Denmark’s medieval and modern heritage.
Odense Cathedral, officially St. Canute’s Church, stands as the grand Gothic heart of the city. Admired for its soaring brick arches, magnificent Baroque altarpiece, and resting place of Denmark’s royal martyr, King Canute IV, the cathedral blends medieval atmosphere with artistic mastery. This living monument is a must-see for visitors exploring Denmark’s rich history and the heritage of Odense.
A brief summary to Pikkerbakken
- Dronningestien, Frederikshavn, 9900, DK
Local tips
- Admission is free, but donations are appreciated to support the cathedral’s maintenance.
- Don’t miss the crypt beneath the choir, where King Canute IV is interred—a highlight for history enthusiasts.
- Look for scheduled organ recitals or choir performances; the cathedral’s acoustics are exceptional.
- Photography is allowed in most areas, but be respectful during services and ceremonies.
- Several cafes and public toilets are nearby in Odense’s pedestrian zone—ideal for planning an extended visit.
Getting There
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Walking
Odense Cathedral is just a 5–10-minute walk from the city’s main pedestrian thoroughfare and the central square. The walk takes you through the lively old town, with the cathedral's distinctive spire visible among the cityscape. The entire route is pedestrian-friendly and accessible, and you’ll find yourself at the entrance just as the bustle fades into tranquility.
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Public Transport
Local buses connect Odense Central Station to stops near the old town, adjacent to the cathedral. Single zone tickets cost 24–28 DKK (about €3.20–€3.75) and can be purchased from kiosks or via mobile apps. From the nearest stop, it’s a brief walk through the historic core, passing prominent shops and city landmarks.
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Taxi
Taxis from the railway station or city center drop you close to the cathedral in approximately 5 minutes—short rides typically cost around 80–120 DKK (about €10–€16), depending on traffic. Taxis can set down at designated points near the pedestrian area.
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Driving/Parking
Public parking garages are available in Odense’s city center, with rates from 15–25 DKK per hour (about €2–€3.35). It’s a short stroll from the main parking areas to the cathedral precinct. Parking directly outside the cathedral is restricted; expect to find more spaces in surrounding car parks.
Discover more about Pikkerbakken
Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Frederikshavn Sogn
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Fisketorvet
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Port of Frederikshavn
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Frederikshavn Church
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Frederikshavn’s red-brick landmark church, blending National Romantic architecture, a Michael Ancher altarpiece and war graves into one evocative town centre stop.
Frederikshavn St.
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Compact, coastal rail terminus linking Frederikshavn’s harbor, ferries and town center, and a relaxed stepping stone to beaches, bunkers and northern Jutland landscapes.
Cafe' Feen
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Aalborg’s beloved Kildeparken blends music, art, and green tranquility, offering a vibrant escape in the city center for relaxation, exploration, and community events.
Bunker Ved Palmestranden
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Second World War bunkers half-buried in the dunes behind Frederikshavn’s palm-lined city beach, blending coastal history with a relaxed seaside setting.
Mindesten for Laurits Thomsen
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A modest roadside stone in rural Vendsyssel, the Mindesten for Laurits Thomsen quietly links a single life story with the open fields and farm roads of Gærum.
The Lady From The Sea
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A towering harbour figurehead where Ibsen’s sea‑bound heroine, medieval Mary and hundreds of children’s symbols merge into one evocative coastal landmark.
Mindesten for Klitplantør Thygeson
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A modest granite stone in Skagen Klitplantage honouring the dune inspector who planted millions of pines and transformed the shifting sands south of Skagen.
Kiosk v / The Buried Church
33.3 km
Delve into Esbjerg’s evolution from coastal hamlet to harbor city at this immersive museum, blending archaeology, wartime history, and lifelike local scenes in Denmark’s West Jutland.
Skagen Havn
33.6 km
A bustling North Sea harbour where fishing fleets, cruise liners and a cosy marina meet under Skagen’s famous northern light.
Enjoy Skagen
34.1 km
Esbjerg Museum reveals the city’s story through immersive exhibits on maritime legacy, archaeology, and daily life—offering an interactive journey into Danish west coast history.
Galleri Bo
34.3 km
Explore Denmark's vibrant west coast heritage at Esbjerg Museum, where local history, archaeology, and immersive exhibits bring Esbjerg's dramatic story to life.
Skagen Station
34.6 km
Denmark's northernmost railway station, where historic yellow architecture meets the gateway to two seas.
Unmissable attractions to see
Mindesten for de 3
0.2 km
A modest war memorial in Frederikshavn honoring three local lives lost during World War II, inviting a brief, thoughtful pause amid the town’s everyday rhythm.
Skovhuset
0.7 km
Rustic forest house in Bangsbo Dyrehave where woodland, deer and open-fire meals create a quietly atmospheric escape just outside Frederikshavn.
Bangsbo Botaniske Have
0.7 km
Denmark's premier botanical garden where English-style elegance meets Northern Europe's largest alpine crevice garden.
Mindesten for V. VANGSTED
0.7 km
Explore the harmonious blend of art and nature at Skovhuset, Frederikshavn's cultural gem.
Boolsens Stenhave
0.7 km
A quiet stone garden in Frederikshavn where an author’s lifelong passion for geology now unfolds as an open-air story of ice, rock, and deep time.
Bangsbo Fort - Bunkermuseum
0.8 km
Hilltop World War II and Cold War fortress overlooking Frederikshavn and the Kattegat, with panoramic views, bunker explorations and immersive coastal history.
Kystmuseet Bangsbo
0.8 km
Historic Bangsbo manor turned coastal museum, where medieval ships, wartime stories and a 1900s cultural salon meet in lush parkland on Frederikshavn’s edge.
Gravplads fra jernalderen
1.6 km
Wander a forested hillside near Frederikshavn where 62 Iron Age burial mounds, stone banks and hidden cellars quietly reveal over a thousand years of rural Danish life.
Vandværksskoven
2.3 km
Small, pine-scented Vandværksskoven offers Frederikshavn’s easiest escape into the woods, with mellow trails, a 3 km MTB loop and links to the Bangsbo hills.
Kongeegen
2.6 km
A quietly imposing oak on Frederikshavn’s northern edge, Kongeegen offers a simple, characterful pause between suburban streets and the open North Jutland landscape.
Triaden sculpture
2.7 km
Discover Mindesten in Frederikshavn: A serene memorial honoring local history amidst beautifully landscaped gardens.
Fladbjerg gravhøj
2.7 km
A modest prehistoric burial mound on a hill above Frederikshavn, where ancient ritual quietly meets the landscaped calm of a modern cemetery park.
Tordenskjold statue
2.8 km
Experience the harmonious blend of art and nature at Skovhuset, Frederikshavn's cultural gem.
Mindesmærke for Scandinavian
2.9 km
A solemn granite memorial on Frederikshavn’s harbourfront, commemorating the 159 lives lost in the 1990 Scandinavian Star ferry fire beside the waters they once crossed.
Cloos Tower
2.9 km
North Jutland’s hilltop lookout: a 60 m tower above beech woods and fields, with sweeping views over Vendsyssel, family-friendly green space and woodland trails.
Essential places to dine
KFUMs Soldaterhjem i Danmark
0.4 km
Homely soldiers’ canteen and community house in Frederikshavn, serving hearty Danish meals and quiet companionship beside the local barracks.
Møllehuset - Restaurant i Bangsbo
0.5 km
Nordic fine dining where forest, stream, and seasonal cuisine create unforgettable moments in nature.
Hotel Lisboa
0.6 km
Cozy, family-run base on Frederikshavn’s quiet southern edge, blending simple comfort, honest Danish cooking and easy access to forest, shoreline and Bangsbo.
Restaurant NerD
1.4 km
Modern Nordic cooking and harbour classics served with sweeping views over Frederikshavn Marina and the Kattegat, in a relaxed, design-forward waterfront setting.
Skippers Grill
1.6 km
Unpretentious chicken and grill bar on Søndergade serving hearty Danish fast-food classics, generous portions and easy takeaway in central Frederikshavn.
Centergrillen
2.1 km
Casual grill bar meets Asian-inspired takeaway in a no-fuss Frederikshavn neighborhood favorite, serving hearty portions from lunchtime through the evening.
Samgor
2.4 km
Straightforward sushi and Asian comfort food in central Frederikshavn, balancing generous portions, friendly pricing and a strong takeaway focus for everyday dining.
La Vida Cafe Restaurant Pizza Pasta Place
2.6 km
Italian-American dining hub in Frederikshavn's center with pizzas, pastas, burgers, and Mediterranean fare for every taste.
WE MEAT Burger - Frederikshavn
2.6 km
Casual, central and comfort-focused, WE MEAT Burger serves hearty burgers, fried chicken and indulgent sides for easy-going evening meals in Frederikshavn.
Madbaren no 13
2.7 km
Intimate Frederikshavn gastropub pairing relaxed social dining with a standout selection of specialty beers in a warm, living-room-style setting.
Moby Dick
2.7 km
Hearty Danish comfort food with a maritime twist in the heart of Frederikshavn, where generous plates and warm lighting create a cozy harbor-side evening.
2takt Café & Brasserie
2.7 km
Historic industrial space reimagined as a refined Scandinavian brasserie with exceptional dietary inclusivity.
Bone's Frederikshavn
2.7 km
Harborfront American BBQ and hearty comfort food with a salad bar, soft-ice and plenty of space for families, groups and hungry travelers in Frederikshavn.
Bai Sheng
2.8 km
Interactive Mongolian BBQ and sushi buffet where chefs grill your selections before your eyes.
Hotel Jutlandia
2.8 km
Waterfront landmark hotel overlooking ferries and the Kattegat, steps from shops and the train station.
Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
Danmission Op Shop
2.0 km
Charity-driven thrift shop in central Frederikshavn, where changing shelves of second-hand finds turn everyday shopping into a sustainable treasure hunt for a good cause.
Frederikshavn Bazar
2.5 km
Compact international supermarket in Frederikshavn’s pedestrian heart, stocking global staples, spices and snacks with a no-fuss, everyday local atmosphere.
LePac
2.5 km
Cosy central Frederikshavn florist and gift shop, blending fresh seasonal bouquets with curated decorative presents for easy, thoughtful gifting in Søndergade.
Zoey
2.7 km
Sophisticated plus-size fashion celebrating curves and confident style in Denmark's north.
INTERSPORT Frederikshavn
2.8 km
Central Frederikshavn sports store for footwear, clothing and gear tailored to Danish weather, everyday training, family activities and active coastal holidays.
dansk Frederikshavn
2.8 km
Harborfront, budget-friendly clothing store in Frederikshavn, stocking practical styles for babies, kids, tweens, women and men under one bright, efficient roof.
SOLO - Frederikshavn
2.8 km
Compact, contemporary women’s fashion on Frederikshavn’s main pedestrian street, ideal for a relaxed browse between cafés, errands and harbor strolls.
Kop & Kande
2.8 km
A cosy central Frederikshavn homeware store where Danish design, practical kitchen tools and ready-to-wrap gifts make an easy, everyday stop during your town wander.
Tøjeksperten
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Premium men's fashion with 365-day exchanges and seamless online integration in central Frederikshavn.
Butik NEXT
2.8 km
A curated second-hand boutique in the heart of Frederikshavn, where Scandinavian style, sustainable fashion and relaxed browsing come together on Rimmensgade.
Rosenborg SHE
2.8 km
Intimate women’s fashion and footwear boutique on Søndergade, offering wearable Scandinavian style in the heart of Frederikshavn’s cozy shopping streets.
Deres Collection
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Modern women’s fashion in a relaxed Nordic boutique, set in the walkable shopping streets of central Frederikshavn.
Knud E
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Long-established Frederikshavn womenswear boutique offering Scandinavian-inspired fashion, quality outerwear and warm, personal service in the heart of Danmarksgade.
Flying Tiger Copenhagen
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Playful Danish design shop in central Frederikshavn, brimming with colourful gifts, party supplies, stationery and clever everyday items at wallet‑friendly prices.
Marta du chateau Frederikshavn
2.9 km
Scandinavian women’s fashion with a French–Italian twist, set in the heart of Frederikshavn’s pedestrian shopping street.
Essential bars & hidden hideouts
Ship Inn ApS
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Unpretentious neighborhood bar in central Frederikshavn, serving inexpensive drinks and harbor-town vibes in a compact, maritime-flavored setting.
Peder Wessel v/Lisbeth Wagner
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Le Drink
2.5 km
Cosy neighbourhood cocktail bar in Frederikshavn, serving unfussy drinks and relaxed conversation in an intimate, low‑key setting off the main streets.
Bangsbo Brewing Company
2.5 km
Intimate nanobrewery crafting rotating small-batch Danish beers in a welcoming taproom.
Two Step Up v / Brian Jensen
2.6 km
Frederikshavn's legendary late-night bar where locals and travelers unite over live music and Danish drinks until dawn.
Lygten I/S
2.7 km
Old-school Danish "brown" beer hall in central Frederikshavn, serving inexpensive drinks, thick pub atmosphere and local colour from early morning to late night.
Frederikshavner Kroen
2.7 km
No‑frills Danish pub in central Frederikshavn, pouring cheap beer, late‑night drinks and plenty of local atmosphere in a compact, well‑worn bar room.
Flying Hirsch
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High-energy after-ski bar in central Frederikshavn, serving playful drinks, loud music and alpine party vibes late into the night.
JOY´S PUB
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Cozy harborfront neighborhood bar in Frederikshavn with affordable drinks, local atmosphere and occasional live music on late-opening weekend nights.
Freddy´s Bar
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My Nordisk Mjød
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John Bull
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English-style harbor pub blending maritime character with classic pub hospitality in Frederikshavn's waterfront district.
Sportsbaren Frederikshavn
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Café Pitstop Frederikshavn
3.4 km
Relaxed café-bar hybrid on Skippergade blending sports, karaoke and pub vibes in a down-to-earth local hangout in Frederikshavn.
Munken v/Aase Pedersen
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Traditional Danish bar in the heart of Frederikshavn, offering straightforward drinks, long opening hours and a cosy glimpse into local everyday pub life.
Nightclubs & after hour spots
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3.0 km
Rock music venue on Frederikshavn's waterfront, hosting live performances and DJ sets in an electric harbor-side atmosphere.
Casino Aalborg
54.0 km
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CLUB MOONLIGHT Aalborgs dansested for voksne
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Rocken
54.0 km
Aalborg's premier basement rock and metal nightclub, hosting live bands and DJ sets Friday through Sunday.
C Night Club
54.1 km
Craft cocktails meet dance floor energy on Aalborg's premier nightlife street.
ESCAPE CLUB & Shisha Lounge
54.1 km
Intimate nightclub and shisha lounge in the heart of Aalborg’s Jomfru Ane Gade, mixing DJ-driven dancing, drinks and hookah corners late into the night.
Club Wolf
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Compact, late-night nightclub on Aalborg’s Jomfru Ane Gade, blending chart hits, strong weekend energy and a tightly packed dance floor in the city’s bar street hub.
Night Cirque
54.1 km
Compact, high-energy nightclub in central Aalborg, where pulsing beats, bold lighting and a stylish crowd keep the dance floor alive late into the night.
LouLou Aalborg
54.2 km
Polished cocktails and high-energy club vibes collide at this compact, late-night hotspot on Aalborg’s legendary Jomfru Ane Gade.
Club Stygge
54.2 km
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Happy Friday
72.1 km
Experience Støvring's vibrant nightlife at Happy Friday Cocktail Bar, where expertly crafted cocktails meet a lively atmosphere.
Skørping Bodega
74.8 km
A friendly local bodega near Rold Skov, Skørping Bodega captures the spirit of Danish bar culture with its authentic charm, inviting atmosphere, and vibrant community.
Rold Skov Orienteringsklub
74.8 km
Embark on an orienteering adventure with Rold Skov Orienteringsklub in Denmark's captivating Rold Skov forest.
Mjølner
76.1 km
Small-town Nibe’s late-night heartbeat, where a compact dance floor, loud party tunes and local crowds turn a quiet fjord town into a lively night out.
Mariager Fjord Golf
84.3 km
Mariager Fjord Golf blends a challenging 18-hole course with spectacular fjord views, laid-back Danish charm, and a welcoming clubhouse overlooking North Jutland’s scenic waters.
