Hans Christian Andersen’s Childhood Home, Odense
Step into the tiny yellow cottage in Odense where Hans Christian Andersen’s extraordinary imagination grew out of the simplest, humblest of childhood surroundings.
Tucked along the cobbled lane of Munkemøllestræde in central Odense, Hans Christian Andersen’s Childhood Home is a small yellow half-timbered cottage where the famous author lived from age two to fourteen. Inside, three modest rooms evoke early 19th-century working-class life, from his father’s cobbler’s tools to simple furnishings described in Andersen’s own writings. A tiny enclosed garden, planted with flowers from his tales, adds a quietly atmospheric counterpoint to the bustling city outside.
A brief summary to Hans Christian Andersen's Childhood Home
- Munkemøllestræde 3, Odense, Odense C, 5000, DK
- +4565514601
- Visit website
- Duration: 0.5 to 1.5 hours
- Mid ranged
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Indoor
- Mobile reception: 4 out of 5
- Monday 10 am-5 pm
- Tuesday 10 am-5 pm
- Wednesday 10 am-5 pm
- Thursday 10 am-5 pm
- Friday 10 am-5 pm
- Saturday 10 am-5 pm
- Sunday 10 am-5 pm
Local tips
- Combine your visit with Hans Christian Andersen House nearby; a single combined ticket often grants access to both on the same day.
- Arrive close to opening time to experience the small rooms before they become crowded, especially in summer and on weekends.
- Bring or download a brief background on Andersen’s life; knowing key dates and works makes the sparse displays far more meaningful.
- The cottage is compact with low beams and narrow transitions; watch your head and mind footing if you are tall or have limited mobility.
- Leave a little time simply to sit in the back garden and match the plant names with fairy tales you remember from childhood.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Seating Areas
- Information Boards
- Trash Bins
Getting There
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Train and walking from Odense Station
From Odense Station, you can walk to Hans Christian Andersen’s Childhood Home in about 10–15 minutes at a relaxed pace. The route passes through the compact city centre on mostly level, paved surfaces with some cobblestones near the house. This option is free, but travellers using wheeled luggage, strollers or wheelchairs should allow a little extra time due to the uneven stones close to the cottage.
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Local bus within Odense
Several local city buses run between Odense Station and stops in the historic centre within roughly 5–10 minutes of the childhood home on foot. Typical journey times from the station area are 10–20 minutes including walking, with daytime services every 10–20 minutes. A single adult ticket within Odense generally costs around 24–30 DKK and can often be purchased via ticket machines, apps or on board, depending on the service.
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Car or rental car within Funen
If you arrive by car from elsewhere on Funen, expect around 15–30 minutes’ driving time from nearby towns such as Middelfart or Nyborg, depending on traffic. The historic centre around Munkemøllestræde has narrow streets and limited on-street parking, so plan to use one of the public car parks a few hundred metres away and walk the final stretch. Hourly parking in central Odense typically ranges from about 10–25 DKK, with higher rates in the most central garages.
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Day trip by train from Copenhagen
For a broader visit to Odense including the childhood home, frequent intercity trains link Copenhagen and Odense in roughly 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes. Standard second-class fares typically span 250–400 DKK each way, with lower prices available on advance or off-peak tickets. From Odense Station, continue on foot or by local bus to reach the cottage as part of a day trip.
Hans Christian Andersen's Childhood Home location weather suitability
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Any Weather
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Mild Temperatures
Discover more about Hans Christian Andersen's Childhood Home
A modest cottage that shaped a storyteller
From the outside, Hans Christian Andersen’s Childhood Home looks like a humble splash of yellow against the cobbled lane of Munkemøllestræde. This low, half-timbered cottage was where Andersen lived with his parents from the age of two until he left Odense as a teenager, carrying little more than ambition and imagination. Stepping over the threshold, you exchange the modern city for the textures of early 19th-century Denmark: creaking floorboards, whitewashed walls and small-paned windows that let in carefully filtered light. The scale of the house is striking. Rooms are narrow, ceilings low, and storage scarce. Yet this tight space helped form one of world literature’s most expansive imaginations, making the cottage a powerful counterpoint to the vastness of the stories that began here.Inside the rooms of a poor but lively household
The interior is arranged to echo Andersen’s own descriptions of his childhood home. One room evokes the combined living and sleeping quarters, with simple wooden furniture, a small stove and hanging garments that suggest how every corner had to earn its keep. Another focuses on his father’s trade as a cobbler, with tools, leather pieces and a workbench that show how craftsmanship once filled these rooms with the rhythm of handwork. Interpretive displays introduce episodes from Andersen’s youth: a father who read aloud and dreamed of distant worlds, a mother who struggled with poverty yet provided affection, and a boy who staged homemade performances and copied lines of verse. Rather than overwhelming you with objects, the house uses a light touch, allowing the sparseness itself to tell the story of limited means and rich inner life.A garden grown from pages and memories
Behind the cottage lies a tiny walled garden that feels almost like a secret room under the open sky. Planted with flowers and shrubs mentioned in Andersen’s writings, it connects specific plants to scenes in his fairy tales and autobiographical texts. Elderflower, docks and other familiar species become quiet references to stories you may recognize from childhood. Brick walls and neighbouring roofs close around the space, muffling the city beyond. A bench invites you to pause, imagining the young Andersen wandering Odense’s streets while crafting his own private landscapes of fantasy. Even though the family did not historically have a garden here, this space captures the idea of the green refuge he often conjured on the page.Context within Odense’s literary landscape
The childhood home is part of a wider constellation of Andersen sites in Odense that includes his probable birthplace and the contemporary Hans Christian Andersen House museum. Where the larger museum explores his creative universe through immersive installations, this cottage focuses on the everyday setting that preceded the fame: cramped lodging, shared courtyards and the shadow of the cathedral nearby. Together, these places help you trace a path from obscurity to international renown. Visiting the childhood home after the main museum can be revealing, shrinking the narrative back down to the small rooms where a boy first learned to look closely at people, objects and nature.Experiencing the house today
Today the cottage functions as an intimate museum, typically open during daytime hours with a single ticket providing access to several Andersen-related sites in Odense. Exhibits are concise enough that you can explore at a gentle pace without feeling rushed. It is possible to take in the main rooms and garden in under an hour, though lingering over the small details—handwritten quotations, worn tools, the way light falls on the timber—adds depth to the visit. The house’s compact size means it can feel busy at peak times, but that same intimacy also enhances the sense of stepping into a private world. For readers of Andersen’s tales, the experience is less about grand displays and more about connecting the simplicity of this setting with the emotional richness that later flowed from his pen.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Oceania
0.2 km
A bold, reclining bronze goddess that provokes, delights, and defines Odense's artistic identity.
Papirbåden | H.C. Andersen
0.2 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
0.2 km
Experience Odense's premier cocktail bar, Visit, where classic and innovative drinks meet in a cozy, inviting atmosphere.
Skyggen, rejseskammeraten og improvisatoren
0.7 km
A towering, threefold portrait of Hans Christian Andersen that greets you outside Odense Station with colour, symbolism and quietly dramatic storytelling.
Odense St.
0.7 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.
Kirsebærtræer, Ny Kongevej
1.7 km
Odense's longest cherry blossom avenue, where community passion transforms a neighborhood street into springtime magic.
EM-statue-1992 (Richard Møller Nielsen)
2.3 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
3.2 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
3.7 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
7.3 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.
9.4 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
10.3 km
Discover Sanderumgaard, Funen’s enchanting Romantic-era landscape park: a blend of historic estate, poetic gardens, and serene lakes just beyond Odense.
Rolfshøj
13.1 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
14.1 km
Denmark's longest runic inscription, carved with divine invocation and protective curse.
Unmissable attractions to see
The maiden jump
0.1 km
Walk through history at The Funen Village in Odense, where 19th-century farmsteads, gardens, and local traditions offer a full-senses journey into rural Denmark.
Odense Cathedral - St. Canute's Church
0.1 km
A vibrant tribute to Hans Christian Andersen’s timeless tales, this lively mural transforms central Odense into a colorful celebration of Denmark’s literary heritage.
The Darning Needle
0.2 km
A provocative Hans Christian Andersen–inspired granite sculpture on Odense’s main shopping street, where a simple needle becomes a playful, ambiguous urban conversation.
Eventyrhaven
0.2 km
Riverside lawns, fairy-tale sculptures and seasonal blooms create a peaceful Hans Christian Andersen–inspired refuge in the very heart of Odense.
Odense City Hall
0.2 km
Enjoy serene lawns, mature trees, and recreational paths in Nyborg’s central green park—a scenic spot for relaxation and community just steps from historical landmarks.
Den Flyvende Kuffert Eventyrskulptur
0.2 km
A bronze suitcase poised for takeoff above a shimmering fountain, this H.C. Andersen–inspired sculpture turns a small Odense square into a quiet fairytale scene.
Vægmaleri
0.2 km
Discover the tranquil beauty of Sneglehøjen in Odense, a serene natural retreat perfect for leisurely walks and family outings.
Bispens lysthus
0.2 km
A tiny red timber pavilion on stilts above Odense Å, Bispens Lysthus blends riverside calm, ecclesiastical history and postcard-perfect charm in the city’s green heart.
Klokkedybet
0.2 km
A quiet, story-rich bend of Odense River where legends of a sunken bell and Hans Christian Andersen’s fairytale imagination deepen an otherwise modest city waterscape.
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.
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.
Washing Site at Odense River
0.4 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.
Klods Hans billedevæg
0.4 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.
Tidens Samling
0.4 km
Hands-on time travel through 20th‑century Danish homes, fashion and design inside Odense’s historic Brandts Klædefabrik complex.
The Sea Horse
0.4 km
A powerful Andersen-inspired sea horse and mermaid burst from the Odense River, marking a poetic gateway between city streets and leafy Munke Mose park.
Essential places to dine
Druen & Bønnen
0.2 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.
Restaurant Madklubben Odense
0.2 km
Big-hearted, central Odense brasserie serving modern seasonal comfort food in iconic premises, with space for everything from weekday lunches to festive gatherings.
Rivalen restaurant & bar
0.2 km
Contemporary Danish dining with innovative flair in Odense's vibrant city center.
Restaurant Klosterkroen
0.2 km
A cozy, inn-style restaurant in central Odense serving generous portions of traditional Danish comfort food in nostalgic, candlelit surroundings.
MASH - Restaurant Odense
0.2 km
Modern American steakhouse vibes in a historic Odense brewery yard, serving premium cuts, bold wines and cocktails in a low‑lit, cosmopolitan setting.
The Burger Odense
0.2 km
Quality flame-grilled burgers in casual comfort at the heart of Odense.
Café Kræz
0.2 km
Central Odense café by day, vibrant weekend bar by night with European cuisine and live entertainment.
A Hereford Beefstouw - Odense
0.2 km
For nearly 50 years Odense’s quintessential Danish steakhouse, now closed but still shaping the character and culinary memory of Vestergade 13.
Café Skt. Gertrud
0.2 km
Classic French café and weekend cocktail bar in Odense's vibrant city center since 1986.
UBN
0.2 km
Lively city-centre brasserie in historic Odense, serving seasonal comfort food and stone-oven pizzas alongside a serious cocktail bar with 300+ spirits.
Restaurant Bacchus
0.2 km
Authentic French fine dining in an intimate Odense setting, where classical technique meets refined hospitality.
Den Lille Smalle
0.2 km
Cozy Odense café beloved for exceptional smoothie bowls, quality coffee, and genuine Danish hygge.
Amy's Bar & Winehouse
0.2 km
A cozy, social hub in central Odense renowned for its expertly chosen wines, relaxed atmosphere, and local flavor—perfect for an authentic Danish evening out.
Vietnam Street Food / Restaurant Odense
0.3 km
Casual Vietnamese street-food spot in central Odense, serving pho, bánh mì and noodle bowls in a bright, unfussy setting ideal for quick, flavourful meals.
Olivia Brasserie - Restaurant Odense
0.3 km
French-inspired brasserie cooking, relaxed café energy and cobbled-lane atmosphere in the heart of Odense’s historic Vintapperstræde.
Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
Moby Disc
0.1 km
Odense’s long-standing record shop, where forty thousand-plus vinyl and CD titles, cozy aisles and music-savvy staff keep the spirit of crate-digging alive.
Summerbird
0.1 km
Refined Danish chocolaterie and gift shop in central Odense, showcasing elegant marzipan, pralines, and design-led treats perfect for thoughtful, gourmet gifting.
All About Kids
0.1 km
A welcoming children’s universe in central Odense, combining Scandinavian-style toys and décor with a calming baby lounge and practical stroller rentals.
Dr. Adams
0.1 km
Curated Scandinavian fashion boutique celebrating independent style since 1994.
Magasin Odense
0.1 km
Odense’s classic multi-level department store, blending Danish style, fashion, beauty, homewares and cosy café stops under one roof on lively Vestergade.
Hunkemöller Danmark A/S
0.1 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.
SEPHORA MAGASIN ODENSE
0.2 km
A sleek, centrally located beauty hub inside Magasin, where international makeup, skincare and fragrance meet Odense’s city-center shopping life.
Friluftsland
0.2 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.
Rezet Sneaker Store Odense
0.2 km
Scandinavian-style sneaker boutique in central Odense, blending clean design, curated streetwear and sought-after footwear drops on lively Vestergade.
Bog & idé - Odense C
0.2 km
Odense's premier destination for books, games, stationery, and creative supplies in the city centre.
Flying Tiger Copenhagen
0.2 km
A colourful, budget-friendly design playground in central Odense, packed with quirky gifts, stationery, toys and home essentials for spontaneous, feel-good browsing.
Aunt Green ApS
0.2 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.
Underground
0.3 km
Curated streetwear and sneakers with urban culture vibes in central Odense.
Tryde Andrés - Wunderwear - Odense C
0.3 km
Intimate Danish lingerie and swimwear boutique on Odense’s main shopping street, blending heritage, personal fittings and understated Scandinavian style.
Faraos Cigarer
0.4 km
A vast 600 m² universe of comics, games, miniatures and cosplay, Faraos Cigarer Odense is the city’s colourful hub for Nordic geek culture and tabletop fun.
Essential bars & hidden hideouts
Den Brølende And
0.0 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
0.0 km
Odense's casual sports bar where pool, darts, and community spirit meet affordable drinks and good times.
No Stress Odense
0.1 km
Laid‑back cocktail den in central Odense, blending dessert‑inspired drinks, old‑school beats and retro gaming in a cozy living‑room atmosphere.
Champagniet
0.1 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
0.1 km
Intimate Odense wine bar pairing timeless European recipes with a curated list of continental wines in a warm, candlelit setting on Klaregade.
Tingstedet
0.2 km
Smoky, lively and unapologetically brown, Tingstedet is Odense’s cellar bar where cheap beers, close tables and local stories fuel long, unpretentious nights.
June Bar
0.2 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
0.2 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.
James Dean Bar
0.2 km
Retro 1950s vibes and karaoke nights in the heart of Odense's nightlife scene.
Proud Mary Odense
0.2 km
Big, boisterous and central, Proud Mary Pub Odense turns a former arcade into a vast English-style party pub with sports screens, cocktails and dancing till late.
The Old Irish Pub
0.3 km
Odense's multi-level music venue where Irish tradition meets electronic beats across three unforgettable floors.
Christian Firtal
0.3 km
Odense's premier craft beer specialist with rotating taps and expert bartenders in a cozy pedestrian street setting.
LA Tequila Bar Odense
0.3 km
Basement tequila shots, loud beats and a young crowd turn this Odense city‑centre bar into a compact late‑night party zone on weekend nights.
Grand Bar & Lounge
0.3 km
Sophisticated cocktails and refined ambiance in a historic 1897 building at the heart of Odense.
The Boat House
0.3 km
A cozy, spirits-focused bar in central Odense, famed for its extensive whisky shelves, creative cocktails and laid-back themed evenings in soft, lounge-like surroundings.
Nightclubs & after hour spots
Dansebar Odense
0.2 km
Lively central Odense nightclub with mainstream hits, colorful lights and a sociable dance floor vibe from late evening into the early hours.
Boogie Dance Café
0.4 km
Odense's oldest disco where retro charm meets genuine community dancing.
BUTCHERS Odense
0.5 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.
The slaughterhouse Nightclub & Eventhus
0.9 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
5.2 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
26.3 km
Nyborg's independent music sanctuary where local bands rehearse, collaborate, and perform since 1974.
KJ's bodel
27.0 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
39.9 km
Compact, high-energy weekend nightclub in central Svendborg, serving mainstream beats, drinks and a sociable dance floor until the early hours.
AHA Livestage
43.9 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
48.0 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.
Ærø Golf Klub
48.7 km
Distinctive links course on Ærø’s northwest cape, blending historic lighthouse views, Nordic coastlines, and a classic Danish golfing challenge.
Vinkapellet Samsø
49.0 km
Experience the finest organic and natural wines at Vinkapellet Samsø, a cozy haven for wine enthusiasts in the heart of Brundby.
Samsø Island Distillery
50.4 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
50.5 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
51.2 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
- Vintage Styles
- Rustic Designs
For the architecture buff
- Historic
- Landmarks
- Heritage Neighborhoods
For the social media creator & influencer
- Photo Spots
- Architectural Shots
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Public-Transport Accessible
- Low Impact
- Locally Managed
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Day Trip
- Roadtrip Stop
- Myth & Legends
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
- Business Friendly
