Hans Christian Andersen on a Bench
Share a bronze bench with Hans Christian Andersen himself in the heart of Odense’s fairy-tale district, where the city’s stories slip quietly into everyday life.
Tucked beside the modern hotels and concert hall in central Odense, the bronze sculpture "Hans Christian Andersen on a Bench" invites you to sit shoulder to shoulder with Denmark’s beloved fairy-tale writer. Created by sculptor Jens Galschiøt, the life-sized Andersen gazes out with a thoughtful expression, offering a playful, intimate counterpoint to the city’s grander statues and museums. It is an easy, free stop on any Hans Christian Andersen walk, ideal for a quick photo, a quiet pause, or a moment of make-believe conversation with the author himself.
A brief summary to Andersen on the bench
- Claus Bergs Gade 7, Odense Municipality, Odense C, 5000, DK
- Duration: 0.25 to 0.75 hours
- Free
-
Outdoor
- Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
Local tips
- Bring a camera or phone with a wide-angle setting so you can frame both yourself and the seated Andersen without cutting off the surrounding architecture.
- Combine the bench with a short self-guided walk to nearby Andersen-related spots such as the cathedral area and the main Hans Christian Andersen museum.
- Visit early morning or around sunset if you prefer a quieter moment on the bench without needing to wait for other people to finish taking photos.
- Use the stop as a short rest point; there are plenty of cafés within a few minutes’ walk if you want to extend the break with a coffee afterwards.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Drink Options
- Food Options
- Seating Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
Getting There
-
Train and short walk from Odense Station
From Odense Station, most regional and intercity trains on the main east–west line across Funen stop frequently throughout the day, with services from Copenhagen typically taking about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes and from Aarhus around 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes. Standard adult fares on these routes usually range from about 120 to 300 DKK depending on time and flexibility. Once in Odense, the bench is roughly a 15–20 minute walk through the compact city centre on largely level, paved streets that are suitable for most visitors who are comfortable walking that long.
-
Local city bus within Odense
Odense’s city buses connect the railway station and residential districts with the central area around Claus Bergs Gade, with journey times generally between 5 and 15 minutes depending on the line and traffic. A single adult ticket bought on board or via local ticketing options typically costs in the range of 20 to 30 DKK for a short inner-city trip. Buses run frequently during the day but less often in the evening and on Sundays. Most stops have low platforms, but boarding can involve a step up, so travellers with limited mobility may wish to check accessibility details in advance.
-
Bicycle within Odense
Odense is one of Denmark’s more cycle-friendly cities, with a network of bike lanes leading towards the cathedral, concert hall and hotel district close to the bench. From many central neighbourhoods, cycling time is around 5 to 15 minutes. Visitors can use bike-share schemes or rental shops, where a standard city bike commonly costs about 100 to 150 DKK per day. Surfaces are mostly flat and paved, but riders should be comfortable navigating urban traffic, especially at busy junctions and during peak commuting hours.
Andersen on the bench location weather suitability
-
Clear Skies
-
Mild Temperatures
-
Any Weather
-
Cold Weather
-
Hot Weather
Discover more about Andersen on the bench
A quiet encounter with a famous storyteller
Hans Christian Andersen on a Bench is one of Odense’s most disarming tributes to its most famous son. Rather than towering on a pedestal, the author sits at street level on a simple bench, coat buttoned, hat on, caught mid-thought as if he has just stepped out of one of his own stories. The sculpture stands by the entrance of a central hotel complex on Claus Bergs Gade, in the heart of the city’s Andersen district. Here, the celebrated writer is rendered approachable and human. You can slide into the empty space beside him, rest your hand on the cool bronze, and imagine the clatter of quill on paper or the murmur of a tale being born. The bench turns the monument into a meeting place rather than a distant object, encouraging you to share a moment of stillness with a figure who shaped the world’s imagination.Jens Galschiøt’s lifelike bronze portrait
The bench figure was created by Danish sculptor Jens Galschiøt, known for expressive bronzes that feel both grounded and slightly theatrical. In this work, he captures Andersen with natural folds in his coat, finely modelled hands and a face that mixes curiosity with a hint of melancholy. Up close, the surface reveals subtle textures that catch the changing light of the Danish sky. Galschiøt’s Andersen is not frozen in stiff heroism. His posture is relaxed, almost conversational, one leg slightly forward, as if he might turn at any moment to address you. This informality makes the sculpture particularly engaging for children, who often clamber up beside him, and for adults who want a more intimate portrait than the grand statues in the nearby parks.Part of Odense’s fairy-tale sculpture trail
The bench is one of several Andersen-inspired works scattered through Odense’s streets, gardens and riverbanks. Around the hotel complex, four other pieces pick up themes from his tales, forming a small cluster of bronze figures that you can explore in a few unhurried minutes. Further afield, you will find statues of the author in Eventyrhaven, imaginative takes on stories like The Steadfast Tin Soldier and The Emperor’s New Clothes, and sculptural references to paper boats, swans and toads. Seen within this larger network, Hans Christian Andersen on a Bench becomes a gentle starting point or mid-way pause on a city-wide treasure hunt. It connects the literary heritage preserved in the museums with the lived city of cafés, shops and concert venues, keeping Andersen’s presence alive in everyday public space.A simple stop woven into a city stroll
Most visitors spend only a short time at the bench, but it lingers in memory because of its simplicity. There is no ticket office, no barrier, no prescribed route: you can encounter it on your way between the cathedral, the concert hall and the museum. The setting is urban but calm, with passing bicycles, the hum of traffic at a distance and the occasional tolling of nearby church bells. The spot works well at almost any time of day. In the morning, soft light picks out the folds of Andersen’s coat; later, the bronze warms in the sun and the surrounding façades throw changing reflections onto the metal. After dark, street lighting gives the figure a more introspective mood, as if he has retreated into his own thoughts while the city settles around him.Photographs, daydreams and a place to pause
For many, the greatest pleasure of this sculpture is how naturally it fits into ordinary moments. You might perch for a quick photograph, share the bench with a friend while you compare notes on Andersen’s tales, or simply sit in silence and watch the city flow past. The work invites a little play-acting: a whispered wish into the author’s ear, a child telling him their favourite story, or a traveller quietly planning the next steps of their journey. In a city rich with formal exhibitions, Hans Christian Andersen on a Bench offers something smaller but no less meaningful: an invitation to slow down, take a seat and imagine what stories might begin from this very spot.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Odense St.
0.4 km
Central rail and bus hub of Funen, Odense Station links Denmark’s mainlines with the city’s historic heart, light rail and cultural sights in one integrated complex.
Skyggen, rejseskammeraten og improvisatoren
0.4 km
A towering, threefold portrait of Hans Christian Andersen that greets you outside Odense Station with colour, symbolism and quietly dramatic storytelling.
Oceania
0.4 km
A bold, reclining bronze goddess that provokes, delights, and defines Odense's artistic identity.
Papirbåden | H.C. Andersen
0.4 km
A delicate paper boat turned gleaming sculpture, Papirbåden floats on Odense’s Fairytale Garden lake, quietly celebrating H.C. Andersen’s “Steadfast Tin Soldier.”
visit
0.6 km
Experience Odense's premier cocktail bar, Visit, where classic and innovative drinks meet in a cozy, inviting atmosphere.
Kirsebærtræer, Ny Kongevej
1.9 km
Odense's longest cherry blossom avenue, where community passion transforms a neighborhood street into springtime magic.
EM-statue-1992 (Richard Møller Nielsen)
2.7 km
Small in size but huge in symbolism, this Odense statue honours the local coach who led Denmark to its unforgettable Euro 1992 triumph.
TheDoorOdense
3.3 km
Experience innovative architecture and 600 years of seafaring history at the award-winning M/S Maritime Museum, nestled below Helsingør’s iconic waterfront.
Det gamle vandtårn
4.3 km
A striking red-brick monument to Odense's industrial heritage and early 20th-century urban modernization.
Jernalderlandsbyen Odins Odense
5.1 km
Discover Danish and international art at Bredgade Kunsthandel, an elegant gallery in central Copenhagen’s historic Frederiksstaden near top cultural landmarks.
Sortehusene
6.8 km
Historic black houses preserving working-class resilience on Odense's waterfront.
Besættelsesmuseum Fyn... Besættelsesmuseum Fyn er kun åben den første søndag i måneden fra kl 11 til 15.
9.1 km
An immersive, architecturally acclaimed underground museum in Helsingør, bringing Denmark’s rich maritime history to life beside the legendary Kronborg Castle.
Sanderumgaard v/Erik Vind
10.2 km
Discover Sanderumgaard, Funen’s enchanting Romantic-era landscape park: a blend of historic estate, poetic gardens, and serene lakes just beyond Odense.
Rolfshøj
13.2 km
A quiet Neolithic long barrow in the fields near Ferritslev Fyn, where a simple stone chamber and grassy mound bring Funen’s prehistoric past close at hand.
The Glavendrup Stone
13.8 km
Denmark's longest runic inscription, carved with divine invocation and protective curse.
Unmissable attractions to see
Blackfriars Square
0.0 km
A modest cobbled square where traces of a 13th‑century monastery, a pioneering theatre and a bustling market weave Odense’s history into everyday city life.
Odense Comediehuus
0.1 km
On Sortebrødre Torv, the lost Odense Comediehuus lives on in stories of young H.C. Andersen, vanished footlights and a square that still hums with everyday drama.
Møntergården
0.1 km
A pocket-sized historic quarter where cobbled courtyards, timbered houses and multimedia galleries bring the story of Odense and Funen vividly to life.
Carl Nielsen Museum
0.1 km
Compact yet richly layered museum in Odense’s musical quarter, tracing Carl Nielsen’s life, music and partnership with sculptor Anne Marie Carl-Nielsen.
Hans Christian Andersen Mural
0.1 km
A towering black‑and‑white portrait of Hans Christian Andersen on a quiet Odense gable, where fairytale heritage meets contemporary street art in the old town.
Museum Odense
0.1 km
An intimate city museum in Odense’s old town, blending Viking stories, historic homes and hands-on family exhibits across courtyards and centuries.
H. C. Andersens House
0.1 km
An immersive museum in Odense where architecture, garden and multimedia exhibitions draw you deep into the imaginative world of Hans Christian Andersen.
VILLE VAU
0.2 km
A playful fairy-tale universe inside H.C. Andersen’s House, where children dress up, act out stories and create their own adventures in the heart of Odense.
Kramboden i Odense
0.2 km
Gothic grandeur and royal history meet in the heart of Odense at St. Canute's Cathedral, a landmark of spiritual and architectural significance on Funen.
Odense Noble Virgin Convent
0.3 km
Discover Thomas Dambo’s eco-friendly giant troll, Hans Hulehånd, hidden along Odense’s scenic canal—blending public art, folklore, and a touch of adventure for all ages.
St. Alban's Church
0.3 km
Experience the heart of Danish comedy at Odense Comediehuus, where culture and laughter intertwine in the vibrant city center.
Klods Hans billedevæg
0.3 km
A small but vibrant picture wall where Hans Christian Andersen’s bold misfit, Klods Hans, steps off the page and into the streets of historic Odense.
Washing Site at Odense River
0.3 km
A modest riverside platform where washerwomen toiled, the Washing Site at Odense River quietly preserves the everyday world that shaped Hans Christian Andersen’s childhood.
Saint Hans Church
0.3 km
A medieval monastic church of red brick and quiet light, Saint Hans links Odense’s castle, sacred history and old-town charm in one compact, atmospheric stop.
Vægmaleri
0.4 km
Discover the tranquil beauty of Sneglehøjen in Odense, a serene natural retreat perfect for leisurely walks and family outings.
Essential places to dine
Grønttorvet
0.1 km
Centuries-old Danish inn on Odense’s Sortebrødre Torv, serving hearty traditional dishes with a generous dose of hygge in the city’s atmospheric old town.
Restaurant Under Lindetræet
0.1 km
Intimate fine dining in a 1771 townhouse opposite Hans Christian Andersen’s home, where seasonal Danish cuisine meets softly lit Odense history.
Den Gamle Kro A/S
0.2 km
Historic timbered inn in central Odense serving elevated Danish classics in candlelit rooms and a charming courtyard, ideal for both intimate meals and celebrations.
La Dolce Vita | Fashion Cafe
0.2 km
Cozy Italian restaurant and café in central Odense, serving classic pizzas, pastas and antipasti in warm, informal surroundings from evening until late.
Restaurant Oluf Bagers Gaard
0.3 km
Historic merchant's house serving refined Danish cuisine and social dining in the heart of Odense.
Brasserie Bordeaux
0.3 km
A classic French brasserie in central Odense, serving breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner with thoughtful wines and cocktails in warm, candlelit surroundings.
Ryan's of Odense
0.3 km
Atmospheric Irish pub in Odense’s lively city center, famed for its live music, warm hospitality, and classic selection of beers and comfort food.
Restaurant Ribelli
0.3 km
Inventive Italian fine dining with a Funen twist, served in an intimate, design-conscious dining room in the historic heart of Odense.
Den Lille Smalle
0.4 km
Cozy Odense café beloved for exceptional smoothie bowls, quality coffee, and genuine Danish hygge.
Restaurant Bacchus
0.4 km
Authentic French fine dining in an intimate Odense setting, where classical technique meets refined hospitality.
Rivalen restaurant & bar
0.4 km
Contemporary Danish dining with innovative flair in Odense's vibrant city center.
MASH - Restaurant Odense
0.4 km
Modern American steakhouse vibes in a historic Odense brewery yard, serving premium cuts, bold wines and cocktails in a low‑lit, cosmopolitan setting.
A Hereford Beefstouw - Odense
0.4 km
For nearly 50 years Odense’s quintessential Danish steakhouse, now closed but still shaping the character and culinary memory of Vestergade 13.
Druen & Bønnen
0.4 km
Cosy Danish–French bistro and café in the heart of Odense, serving comforting classics, plant‑friendly dishes and relaxed all‑day meals on lively Vestergade.
UBN
0.4 km
Lively city-centre brasserie in historic Odense, serving seasonal comfort food and stone-oven pizzas alongside a serious cocktail bar with 300+ spirits.
Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
Klods Hans
0.1 km
Characterful fairy-tale souvenir shop in Odense’s historic quarter, offering Andersen-themed gifts and Danish keepsakes in a cosy half-timbered setting.
Reden Op Shop
0.1 km
Small, stylish second-hand boutique in central Odense where quality women’s fashion, community spirit and social impact come together on one friendly shop floor.
Boutique India v/ shahzad ali
0.1 km
A colourful little Odense shop where Indian textiles, clothing and homewares bring the patterns, textures and warmth of the subcontinent to historic Overgade.
House of Amber Odense
0.1 km
A warm, glowing boutique in central Odense where millions of years of Baltic amber meet clean Danish jewellery design and thoughtfully curated gifts.
Living Nice / Café Kleist
0.2 km
Stylish hybrid café and design store in Odense’s Odeons Kvarter, where Scandinavian interiors meet French–Italian café indulgence in a relaxed, home-like setting.
Look At This
0.3 km
A small, curated clothing store tucked inside a redbrick former textile factory, where Odense’s industrial past meets calm, contemporary Scandinavian style.
Aunt Green ApS
0.4 km
A long-loved, family-run yarn universe on Odense’s main pedestrian street, where colour, fibre and Scandinavian knitting traditions come together in one cosy shop.
Rezet Sneaker Store Odense
0.5 km
Scandinavian-style sneaker boutique in central Odense, blending clean design, curated streetwear and sought-after footwear drops on lively Vestergade.
SEPHORA MAGASIN ODENSE
0.5 km
A sleek, centrally located beauty hub inside Magasin, where international makeup, skincare and fragrance meet Odense’s city-center shopping life.
Asian Stitching & Applied Arts v / Hong Diem Phan
0.5 km
A small Odense atelier where Asian tailoring craft, careful alterations and garment repair give your favourite clothes a better fit and a longer life.
Baggårdsbutikken
0.5 km
Curated vintage and secondhand fashion in the heart of Odense's city center.
Magasin Odense
0.5 km
Odense’s classic multi-level department store, blending Danish style, fashion, beauty, homewares and cosy café stops under one roof on lively Vestergade.
Summerbird
0.6 km
Refined Danish chocolaterie and gift shop in central Odense, showcasing elegant marzipan, pralines, and design-led treats perfect for thoughtful, gourmet gifting.
Friluftsland
0.6 km
Compact outdoor specialist shop in central Odense, offering quality gear, expert advice and hands-on testing for everything from city showers to Nordic trekking.
Hunkemöller Danmark A/S
0.6 km
Central Odense lingerie and swimwear boutique offering feminine designs, expert bra fitting help and relaxed browsing right on the city’s main shopping street.
Essential bars & hidden hideouts
Lørups Vinstue
0.1 km
Old‑school Odense pub with red‑checked tablecloths, cheap beers and sing‑along classics, where students, locals and night owls start – and often finish – a night out.
Kick Off - Sportspub
0.1 km
Buzzing Odense sports pub with wall-to-wall screens, cold beer and classic bar games, perfect for catching the big match in relaxed, local surroundings.
Rabalder Bar Odense
0.1 km
A small, homely Odense bar styled like grandma’s living room, serving easygoing drinks and sing‑along hits in the heart of the city’s weekend nightlife.
The Flower and the Bee
0.1 km
Experience Odense's vibrant nightlife at The Flower and the Bee, a premier weekend dance bar offering quality cocktails and dynamic music in a lively atmosphere.
Den Standhaftige Tinsoldat Af Odense
0.2 km
A small, steadfast neighborhood beer bar in Odense C where inexpensive drinks, local regulars, and a laid-back dive-bar atmosphere tell their own quiet story.
Sir Club
0.3 km
Long‑running Odense beer bar with 27 taps, quiz nights and a relaxed, lived‑in atmosphere where specialty brews and come‑as‑you‑are evenings take the spotlight.
June Bar
0.5 km
Intimate candlelit cocktails, shareable tapas and a warm, relaxed buzz right in the heart of Odense’s nightlife district.
Ungarsk Vinstue
0.5 km
A warmly worn, dog-friendly brown bodega in central Odense, where cheap beer, local regulars and analog pub life keep a slice of old Denmark quietly alive.
Bootleggers Craft Beer Bar - Odense C
0.5 km
Urban craft beer sanctuary on Odense’s Gråbrødre Plads, pouring rotating specialty brews, free popcorn and laid-back good times from afternoon until late night.
Grand Bar & Lounge
0.5 km
Sophisticated cocktails and refined ambiance in a historic 1897 building at the heart of Odense.
Den Brølende And
0.6 km
Odense’s roaring dance basement where karaoke Thursdays, sing-along party hits and shared buckets of cocktails fuel carefree, late-night dancing on tables.
City Club
0.6 km
Odense's casual sports bar where pool, darts, and community spirit meet affordable drinks and good times.
Champagniet
0.6 km
Intimate champagne bar in Odense’s old town, pairing carefully curated bubbles with cosy hygge vibes and small plates made for slow, sparkling evenings.
Lalou Vinbar
0.6 km
Intimate Odense wine bar pairing timeless European recipes with a curated list of continental wines in a warm, candlelit setting on Klaregade.
Tingstedet
0.6 km
Smoky, lively and unapologetically brown, Tingstedet is Odense’s cellar bar where cheap beers, close tables and local stories fuel long, unpretentious nights.
Nightclubs & after hour spots
BUTCHERS Odense
0.1 km
High-energy nightclub on Odense’s Overgade, mixing pounding bass, lights and late-night drinks in a central old-town setting steps from major sights.
Boogie Dance Café
0.3 km
Odense's oldest disco where retro charm meets genuine community dancing.
Dansebar Odense
0.5 km
Lively central Odense nightclub with mainstream hits, colorful lights and a sociable dance floor vibe from late evening into the early hours.
The slaughterhouse Nightclub & Eventhus
1.0 km
Experience industrial-cool nights, live music, and eclectic parties at The Slaughterhouse Nightclub & Eventhus, Odense’s dynamic hub for nightlife and contemporary culture.
Dance Odense, Funen Square Dance Club
5.3 km
Community-driven square dancing in a cozy Odense neighborhood hall, where callers, patterns and shared rhythm turn an ordinary evening into a friendly social event.
Muzirkus
26.2 km
Nyborg's independent music sanctuary where local bands rehearse, collaborate, and perform since 1974.
KJ's bodel
26.9 km
Laid‑back local nightspot on Nyborg’s main square, mixing simple drinks, sociable bar chatter and a compact dance floor in an unpretentious setting.
Crazy Daisy Svendborg
40.3 km
Compact, high-energy weekend nightclub in central Svendborg, serving mainstream beats, drinks and a sociable dance floor until the early hours.
AHA Livestage
44.0 km
Intimate live music and cocktail-driven nightlife in the heart of Fredericia, where high-quality sound and curated events turn selected evenings into standout parties.
Falkecenter Samsø ApS
47.4 km
Witness awe-inspiring live falconry shows and get up close with eagles, owls, and hawks at Samsø’s premier raptor center, blending living heritage with wilderness spectacle.
Vinkapellet Samsø
48.4 km
Experience the finest organic and natural wines at Vinkapellet Samsø, a cozy haven for wine enthusiasts in the heart of Brundby.
Ærø Golf Klub
49.2 km
Distinctive links course on Ærø’s northwest cape, blending historic lighthouse views, Nordic coastlines, and a classic Danish golfing challenge.
Samsø Island Distillery
49.9 km
Experience authentic Danish craftsmanship at Samsø Island Distillery, where local botanicals and sustainable practices fuse to create distinctive gin and aquavit on scenic Samsø.
Ræven
50.0 km
Island spirit and Danish hospitality await at Ræven, Samsø—a cozy neighborhood bar with local brews, lively evenings, and a real taste of authentic island life.
Garagen
50.7 km
Garagen is Samsø’s beloved island bar, famed for live music, a rustic woodland setting, and its welcoming, laid-back vibe—a true hub for locals and travelers alike.
For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Tranquil
- Scenic
- Unique
- Casual
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Modern Designs
For the architecture buff
- Landmarks
- Art & Design
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Photo Spots
For the social media creator & influencer
- Instagrammable
- Selfie Spots
- Architectural Shots
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Public-Transport Accessible
- Low Impact
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Adventure Photo Shoot
- Day Trip
- Roadtrip Stop
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Child Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Solo Female Friendly
- Vegetarian Friendly
- Vegan Friendly
- Business Friendly
