Sortebrødre Torv (Blackfriars Square), Odense
Cobblestoned Blackfriars Square blends medieval streets, colourful timber houses and a bustling twice‑weekly market in the historic heart of Hans Christian Andersen’s Odense.
Sortebrødre Torv, or Blackfriars Square, is a cobbled, intimate square in the heart of Odense’s old town, just steps from the Hans Christian Andersen House. Framed by colourful historic houses, including 17th‑century merchant buildings now linked to the Møntergården museum, it blends medieval roots with everyday city life. Twice weekly, the square fills with a lively fresh food market, while cafés, a classic Danish restaurant and nearby museums make it an atmospheric pause on any walk through old Odense.
A brief summary to Blackfriars Square
- Odense, Odense C, 5000, DK
- Visit website
- Duration: 0.5 to 2 hours
- Free
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Outdoor
- Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
Local tips
- Time your visit for a Wednesday or Saturday morning to experience the fresh food market when the square is at its liveliest.
- Combine a stroll around the square with a visit to the nearby Hans Christian Andersen House and the Møntergården museum for a deeper sense of Odense’s history.
- Bring a camera: the colourful timber façades and cobblestones are especially photogenic in soft morning or late‑afternoon light.
- Wear comfortable shoes suitable for cobblestones, particularly if you plan to explore the surrounding old‑town streets on foot.
- In cooler months, warm up at one of the cafés or restaurants that line or overlook the square between short walks outside.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Drink Options
- Drinking Water
- Food Options
- Seating Areas
- Sheltered Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
- Visitor Center
Getting There
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From central Odense by walking
From Odense Banegård Center, the main train and bus hub, allow about 10–15 minutes on foot to reach Sortebrødre Torv. The route leads through flat, largely pedestrian streets in the city centre and is suitable for most visitors, including those with strollers; wheelchair users may find some cobblestones in the old town uneven but manageable with care.
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By city bus to the old town area
Several Odense city bus lines stop within roughly a 5–10 minute walk of Sortebrødre Torv via central stops near Kongensgade and Vestergade. Typical single tickets within the city cost around 20–30 DKK depending on zones and purchase method, and services generally run every 10–20 minutes during the day, with reduced frequency in the evening and on Sundays.
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By bicycle within Odense
Odense is a bicycle-friendly city with dedicated lanes leading toward the historic centre. From most central neighbourhoods you can expect a 5–15 minute ride to reach streets around Sortebrødre Torv, after which you must dismount and walk, as parts of the old town are pedestrian only. Public bike racks are available in nearby streets, though they can fill up during busy periods.
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By taxi from the train station
Taxis are readily available outside Odense Banegård Center. The ride to the streets bordering Sortebrødre Torv usually takes about 5–10 minutes depending on traffic. Daytime fares within central Odense typically range from about 80–140 DKK, with higher rates in the evening and at weekends; taxis will drop you on an adjacent street, as the square itself is in a pedestrian-focused area.
Blackfriars Square location weather suitability
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Any Weather
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Clear Skies
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Mild Temperatures
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Cold Weather
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Rain / Wet Weather
Discover more about Blackfriars Square
Medieval echoes in a modern city square
Sortebrødre Torv, known in English as Blackfriars Square, sits at the core of Odense’s old town, where narrow lanes and low, colourful houses still hint at the city’s medieval street plan. The name recalls the Blackfriars, or Dominican monks, whose monastery once stood nearby and anchored religious life here for centuries. Although the monastic buildings have long since vanished or changed purpose, the square preserves a sense of enclosure and intimacy that feels distinctly older than the city around it. Walking onto the cobblestones, you are surrounded by gabled façades that lean slightly toward one another, their timber frames and painted plaster telling stories of merchants, craftsmen and townsfolk who lived and traded here long before Odense grew into Denmark’s third‑largest city. The scale is human and compact, and even on busy days the square feels like an outdoor living room for the historic quarter.Market mornings and everyday food culture
Twice a week, on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, Sortebrødre Torv transforms into a fresh food market, continuing a tradition of open‑air trading that has defined this space for generations. Stalls set up across the cobbles, offering local produce, cheeses, flowers and seasonal specialties from Funen’s fertile countryside. Vendors chat with regulars, and the morning air fills with the sound of bargaining, gossip and clinking crates. Beyond market hours, food remains central to the square’s character. A classic Danish restaurant, Grønttorvet, has long anchored one side of the plaza, serving traditional fare in surroundings that match the historic setting. Around the edges and in the nearby lanes, cafés and eateries spill tables outdoors in warmer months, so the square becomes a natural place to linger over coffee or lunch while watching the rhythm of the old town.Historic houses and links to Møntergården
One of the most striking sights on Sortebrødre Torv is the yellow half‑timbered complex that forms part of the Møntergården museum. Dating back to the early 17th century, these buildings were once the premises of prosperous merchants and tradesmen. Their carved beams, painted emblems and slightly irregular lines show how the city looked in Hans Christian Andersen’s childhood, when Odense was still a compact market town. Today the complex is integrated into the museum, which explores Funen’s urban and regional history. Even if you do not step inside the exhibitions, simply viewing the façades from the square offers a curated glimpse into Odense’s past. The juxtaposition of these preserved timber houses with more recent buildings around the square highlights how carefully the historic core has been woven into the modern city.In the footsteps of Hans Christian Andersen
Sortebrødre Torv is an important waypoint on walks dedicated to Hans Christian Andersen, who was born and grew up only a few streets away. The square lies close to the new Hans Christian Andersen House, a museum complex that reinterprets his life and fairy tales through immersive architecture and exhibitions. Moving between the museum and the square, it is easy to picture the young Andersen navigating these same cobbles on his way through town. The surrounding network of lanes includes some of Odense’s most photogenic streets, where low, vividly painted houses and hollyhocks recreate the atmosphere that later seeped into Andersen’s stories. In this context, Sortebrødre Torv feels less like an isolated attraction and more like a focal point in a lived‑in literary landscape.Atmosphere through the seasons
The character of Blackfriars Square changes subtly with the seasons and times of day. On bright summer mornings, the market and outdoor tables create a lively, almost village‑like buzz. In autumn, low light and fallen leaves lend warmth to the timber façades and cobbles. Winter can be quiet and contemplative, with crisp air and a clearer view of architectural details once foliage disappears. Even on ordinary weekdays, locals cross the square on daily errands, children cut across on their way to school, and museum visitors pause between sights. The combination of small‑scale architecture, regular market days and its role as a crossroads makes Sortebrødre Torv a place where Odense’s history and everyday life still meet in the open air.Planning your visit on foot
Because it sits in a pedestrian‑friendly part of the old town, Sortebrødre Torv is best experienced at a walking pace. Many visitors fold it into a broader exploration of nearby museums, churches and Andersen‑related sites. An unhurried circuit around the square allows time to notice the details: the pattern of the cobblestones underfoot, the angles of the roofs, the signage of long‑established businesses and the way the façades catch the shifting Danish light. Whether you arrive during a bustling market morning or a quiet afternoon, the square rewards those who pause on one of its edges or at a café table and let the layered history of Odense reveal itself slowly.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
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.”
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.
visit
0.5 km
Experience Odense's premier cocktail bar, Visit, where classic and innovative drinks meet in a cozy, inviting atmosphere.
Kirsebærtræer, Ny Kongevej
1.8 km
Odense's longest cherry blossom avenue, where community passion transforms a neighborhood street into springtime magic.
EM-statue-1992 (Richard Møller Nielsen)
2.6 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.
9.2 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
13.9 km
Denmark's longest runic inscription, carved with divine invocation and protective curse.
Unmissable attractions to see
Odense Comediehuus
0.0 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.
Andersen on the bench
0.0 km
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
0.3 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
0.0 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
0.1 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
0.1 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
0.2 km
Historic merchant's house serving refined Danish cuisine and social dining in the heart of Odense.
Ryan's of Odense
0.2 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.
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.
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
0.3 km
Cozy Odense café beloved for exceptional smoothie bowls, quality coffee, and genuine Danish hygge.
Restaurant Bacchus
0.3 km
Authentic French fine dining in an intimate Odense setting, where classical technique meets refined hospitality.
Rivalen restaurant & bar
0.3 km
Contemporary Danish dining with innovative flair in Odense's vibrant city center.
MASH - Restaurant Odense
0.3 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
0.3 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
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.
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.
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.
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
0.3 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
0.4 km
Scandinavian-style sneaker boutique in central Odense, blending clean design, curated streetwear and sought-after footwear drops on lively Vestergade.
SEPHORA MAGASIN ODENSE
0.4 km
A sleek, centrally located beauty hub inside Magasin, where international makeup, skincare and fragrance meet Odense’s city-center shopping life.
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
0.5 km
Refined Danish chocolaterie and gift shop in central Odense, showcasing elegant marzipan, pralines, and design-led treats perfect for thoughtful, gourmet gifting.
Friluftsland
0.5 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
0.5 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.
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.
Dr. Adams
0.5 km
Curated Scandinavian fashion boutique celebrating independent style since 1994.
Essential bars & hidden hideouts
Lørups Vinstue
0.0 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
0.4 km
Intimate candlelit cocktails, shareable tapas and a warm, relaxed buzz right in the heart of Odense’s nightlife district.
Bootleggers Craft Beer Bar - Odense C
0.4 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.
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.
Den Brølende And
0.5 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
0.5 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.
No Stress Odense
0.6 km
Laid‑back cocktail den in central Odense, blending dessert‑inspired drinks, old‑school beats and retro gaming in a cozy living‑room atmosphere.
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
0.2 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
40.2 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
47.5 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
48.5 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
- Scenic
- Fun-filled
- Lively
- Unique
- Casual
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Vintage Styles
- Rustic Designs
- Colorful Aesthetics
For the architecture buff
- Historic
- Heritage Neighborhoods
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
- Sunrise Spots
- Sunset Spots
For the social media creator & influencer
- Instagrammable
- Photo Spots
- Selfie Spots
- Aesthetic Corners
- Architectural Shots
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Low Impact
- Public-Transport Accessible
- Locally Managed
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Adventure Photo Shoot
- Day Trip
- Roadtrip Stop
- Mindfulness
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
