Tidens Samling – The Time Collection, Odense
Hands-on time travel through 20th-century Danish homes, fashion and everyday life in a cosy museum inside Odense’s historic Brandts Klædefabrik complex.
Tidens Samling is a hands-on cultural history museum in Odense’s atmospheric Brandts Klædefabrik complex, dedicated to Danish everyday life from 1900 to 1999. Step into full-scale living rooms, youth rooms and a 1990s dining space, sit on the furniture, open drawers and browse books, and try on original clothing from different decades. It is an intimate, nostalgic journey through a century of domestic design, fashion and family life, especially engaging for children and multigenerational visits.
A brief summary to Tidens Samling
- Brandts Klædefabrik, Farvergården 7, Odense C, Odense C, 5000, DK
- +4565911942
- Visit website
- Duration: 1 to 2 hours
- Budget
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Indoor
- Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
- Monday 10 am-4 pm
- Tuesday 10 am-4 pm
- Wednesday 10 am-4 pm
- Thursday 10 am-4 pm
- Friday 10 am-4 pm
- Saturday 10 am-4 pm
Local tips
- Allow at least 1–1.5 hours so you can sit, read and open drawers in each room rather than just walking through quickly.
- Bring or share memories across generations; it is especially rewarding when grandparents and children explore the decades together.
- Wear easily removable layers if you plan to try on vintage clothing, as some garments are designed to go over your outfit.
- Visit on a weekday morning for a quieter atmosphere that suits taking photos and reading magazines in the rooms.
- Combine your visit with a stroll through the Brandts Klædefabrik courtyards, where cafés and galleries offer good options for a break afterwards.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Seating Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
Getting There
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Local bus from Odense Banegård Center
From Odense Banegård Center, use one of the city buses serving the central district around Brandts; typical journey times are around 5–10 minutes depending on route and traffic. Single tickets within the city generally cost about 20–30 DKK and can usually be bought via ticket machines, apps or directly on the bus with a payment card. Services run frequently during the day on weekdays and Saturdays, but are less regular on Sundays and late evenings, so check the timetable in advance.
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Walking from central Odense
If you are already in Odense’s historic centre, Tidens Samling is within comfortable walking distance, generally taking 10–20 minutes from most central hotels and main shopping streets. The route passes through level, paved streets and pedestrian areas, making it accessible for most visitors and suitable for strollers. Surfaces may be uneven in a few cobbled sections around Brandts Klædefabrik, so allow a little extra time if you use a wheelchair or have limited mobility.
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Taxi within Odense
Taxis in Odense can be hailed at marked ranks near the railway station or booked by phone or app, and are a convenient option if you prefer door-to-door transport. A short ride from most central neighbourhoods to Brandts Klædefabrik typically takes 5–10 minutes, depending on traffic. Expect fares in the region of 80–160 DKK for central journeys, with higher prices in the evening and on public holidays; drivers accept major cards as well as cash.
Tidens Samling location weather suitability
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Any Weather
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Rain / Wet Weather
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Cold Weather
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Mild Temperatures
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Hot Weather
Discover more about Tidens Samling
A century of Danish everyday life under one roof
Tidens Samling occupies part of the former Brandts Klædefabrik textile complex in central Odense, but once you step inside you leave the factory world behind and enter ordinary Danish homes from the 20th century. The permanent exhibition is arranged as a sequence of fully furnished rooms that together trace everyday life from the early 1900s to the brink of the new millennium. Each decade is represented by a characteristic living room, assembled from original furniture, lamps, textiles, books and small objects. Radios give way to televisions, heavy dark wood turns into light functionalism, and patterned wallpapers change with the fashion of each era. The effect is less like a showcase and more like walking unannounced into someone’s home at a particular moment in time.Immersive rooms you are encouraged to use
Unlike many museums, Tidens Samling invites you to touch almost everything. You can sit on the sofas, leaf through magazines, open drawers, and examine ornaments up close. This hands-on approach makes the spaces feel lived in rather than staged and encourages slow, curious exploration. The rooms are filled with small period details: children’s toys on the floor, knitting in a basket, a cookbook open on a kitchen trolley. These elements help you imagine daily routines, conversations and family rituals. For younger visitors, it turns abstract “history” into something tangible and playful; for older visitors, it can be a powerful trigger for personal memories.Fashion, youth culture and dressing up
Beyond the living rooms, Tidens Samling devotes significant space to clothing and personal style. Racks and wardrobes hold garments, coats and accessories spanning the decades: long skirts and hats from the early 1900s, sharp mid-century suits, bright 1960s prints and bold styles from the 1970s and 1980s. Here, trying things on is very much part of the experience. You can slip into outfits from different periods, combine hats and bags, and see how changing silhouettes transformed the way people moved and presented themselves. The museum often highlights shifts in fabric technology, colour trends and ready-made fashion, revealing how social change and consumer culture shaped what people wore at home and in public.From parlours to playstations: changing rooms through the decades
The sequence of interiors moves from formal parlours and modest early 20th-century spaces to more relaxed mid-century living, and finally to the media-saturated late 20th century. A youth room from the 1970s or 1980s might feature posters, cassette players or game consoles, conveying how teenage identity and leisure changed as music, film and electronics entered the home. A 1990s dining room rounds off the journey, with lighter furniture, new materials and a different sense of family gathering. Comparing the earliest rooms with the latest, you can trace how ideas of comfort, privacy and togetherness evolved alongside technological and social shifts in Denmark during the century.An intimate museum in a creative quarter
Tidens Samling is relatively compact, typically visited in one to two hours, which makes it easy to combine with other sights in the Brandts cultural quarter. Its location on an upper floor creates a slightly hidden, homely atmosphere, away from the bustle of the cobbled courtyards below. Despite its modest size, the collection is dense and thoughtfully arranged, rewarding close attention to details on shelves and walls. Occasional special exhibitions focus on themes such as home décor, design or fashion from specific periods, adding variety for repeat visitors. Combined with the creative surroundings of the old factory complex, the museum offers a reflective, nostalgic pause in the heart of Odense.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
visit
0.3 km
Experience Odense's premier cocktail bar, Visit, where classic and innovative drinks meet in a cozy, inviting atmosphere.
Oceania
0.5 km
A bold, reclining bronze goddess that provokes, delights, and defines Odense's artistic identity.
Papirbåden | H.C. Andersen
0.6 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.”
Skyggen, rejseskammeraten og improvisatoren
0.8 km
A towering, threefold portrait of Hans Christian Andersen that greets you outside Odense Station with colour, symbolism and quietly dramatic storytelling.
Odense St.
0.8 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
1.4 km
Odense's longest cherry blossom avenue, where community passion transforms a neighborhood street into springtime magic.
EM-statue-1992 (Richard Møller Nielsen)
1.9 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
2.8 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
4.8 km
Discover Danish and international art at Bredgade Kunsthandel, an elegant gallery in central Copenhagen’s historic Frederiksstaden near top cultural landmarks.
Sortehusene
7.5 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
10.7 km
Discover Sanderumgaard, Funen’s enchanting Romantic-era landscape park: a blend of historic estate, poetic gardens, and serene lakes just beyond Odense.
Rolfshøj
13.5 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
Pantheonsfrisen
0.1 km
A striking Don John mural turning an ordinary Odense side street into a memorable canvas of symbols, stories and contemporary Nordic street art.
Brandts
0.1 km
Funen’s flagship art museum in a historic woollen mill complex, blending Danish masterpieces, contemporary exhibitions, family-friendly creativity and café life on Amphi Square.
Brandts Klædefabrik - byen i byen
0.1 km
A historic woollen mill turned vibrant cultural quarter, where art, film, shopping and café life fill atmospheric brick courtyards in the heart of Odense.
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.
Funen Opera
0.2 km
An intimate Danish chamber opera beside Odense’s parkland, where classic works and bold new productions unfold just a few metres from your seat.
The Sea Horse
0.3 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.
Den Flyvende Kuffert Eventyrskulptur
0.3 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.
Munke Mose
0.4 km
Central Odense’s riverside wetland park where fairy-tale sculptures, grand old trees and easygoing outdoor life meet along the gentle Odense River.
Hans Christian Andersen's Childhood Home
0.4 km
Step into the tiny yellow house on Munkemøllestræde where a poor shoemaker’s son began the journey to becoming the world’s great master of fairytales.
Bispens lysthus
0.4 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.
The maiden jump
0.4 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.
Gerthasminde
0.4 km
A hidden royal villa set amidst the enchanting palace gardens of Marselisborg in Aarhus, where Danish history and tranquil beauty harmoniously meet.
Hermes (gud for handlende) vandskulptur
0.4 km
A monumental Hermes of granite and water marks the gateway to Odense’s main shopping street, weaving myth, Viking history and urban everyday life into one sculpture.
Odense Cathedral - St. Canute's Church
0.5 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.
Odense City Hall
0.5 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.
Essential places to dine
Kong Volmer Odense
0.0 km
Authentic Danish smørrebrød and lunch tradition in Odense's cultural heart.
Mona Lisa
0.0 km
Cozy Italian trattoria tucked into Odense’s artsy Brandts Passage, serving generous pastas, crisp pizzas and classic antipasti in a warm, candlelit setting.
Café Cuckoo's Nest
0.1 km
Odense's vibrant brasserie where weekend brunches, grilled steaks, and convivial gatherings meet pedestrian-friendly charm.
Pasfall
0.1 km
Refined French-inspired fine dining in Odense’s atmospheric Brandts Passage, where seasonal Nordic ingredients, precise cooking and relaxed elegance turn meals into occasions.
Marcello's
0.1 km
All‑day café life on Odense’s main pedestrian street, blending generous brunches, comfort food and cocktails with a warm, urban brasserie feel.
Mitchell's Odense
0.2 km
Denmark's only British gastro pub, serving authentic carvery and craft beverages in warm, family-friendly surroundings.
Marcantonio Trattoria - Pizzeria
0.2 km
Cosy Roman-style trattoria and pizzeria tucked into Odense’s old-town cobbles, serving wood-fired pizzas, generous pasta plates and classic Italian comfort food.
Salinaz Odense
0.2 km
Premium South American steaks and gourmet burgers in the heart of historic Odense.
Olivia Brasserie - Restaurant Odense
0.2 km
French-inspired brasserie cooking, relaxed café energy and cobbled-lane atmosphere in the heart of Odense’s historic Vintapperstræde.
Eydes Gastro Pub
0.2 km
All-day brunch, hearty pub dishes and a full bar in a cosy, central Odense gastro pub with both snug corners and lively street-side seating.
The Burger Odense
0.2 km
Quality flame-grilled burgers in casual comfort at the heart of Odense.
Restaurant Værdsat
0.2 km
Informal Scandinavian gourmet in central Odense, where seasonal Funen produce, playful menus and a warm neighborhood atmosphere meet from lunch until late.
KÖZ Resturant
0.2 km
Authentic Turkish grilling and traditional cuisine in Odense's vibrant city center.
I Pupi Siciliani
0.3 km
Intimate Sicilian restaurant in central Odense, serving seasonal tasting menus, handmade pasta and robust southern Italian flavours in a warm, candlelit setting.
Kok & Vin
0.3 km
Intimate French-inspired bistro in historic central Odense, pairing seasonal Nordic produce with thoughtful wines in a warm, candlelit setting.
Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
Tryde Andrés - Wunderwear - Odense C
0.1 km
Intimate Danish lingerie and swimwear boutique on Odense’s main shopping street, blending heritage, personal fittings and understated Scandinavian style.
Underground
0.1 km
Curated streetwear and sneakers with urban culture vibes in central Odense.
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.
Bog & idé - Odense C
0.2 km
Odense's premier destination for books, games, stationery, and creative supplies in the city centre.
Faraos Cigarer
0.3 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.
Friluftsland
0.3 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
0.3 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.
All About Kids
0.3 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
0.3 km
Curated Scandinavian fashion boutique celebrating independent style since 1994.
Moby Disc
0.3 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
0.4 km
Refined Danish chocolaterie and gift shop in central Odense, showcasing elegant marzipan, pralines, and design-led treats perfect for thoughtful, gourmet gifting.
Magasin Odense
0.4 km
Odense’s classic multi-level department store, blending Danish style, fashion, beauty, homewares and cosy café stops under one roof 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.
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.
Cadenhead's Whisky Shop, Denmark
0.4 km
A spacious, lounge‑like whisky specialist in central Odense, pairing rare independent bottlings with relaxed tastings and knowledgeable, down‑to‑earth guidance.
Essential bars & hidden hideouts
Heidi's Bier Bar Odense
0.0 km
Closed but not forgotten, this basement bar once turned central Odense into a roaring Alpine lodge of big steins, table dancing and unapologetic après-ski energy.
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.
James Dean Bar
0.2 km
Retro 1950s vibes and karaoke nights in the heart of Odense's nightlife scene.
The Old Irish Pub
0.2 km
Odense's multi-level music venue where Irish tradition meets electronic beats across three unforgettable floors.
LA Tequila Bar Odense
0.2 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.
Christian Firtal
0.2 km
Odense's premier craft beer specialist with rotating taps and expert bartenders in a cozy pedestrian street setting.
The Boat House
0.2 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.
Den Røde Bar
0.2 km
A cozy, crimson-toned bar inside Teater Momentum, serving relaxed drinks, local Arnbitter cocktails and cultural vibes in the heart of Odense’s creative scene.
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.
Pub 47 - Bills Pub
0.3 km
Smoky, old-school Danish pub energy in the heart of Odense’s main shopping street, with cheap beers, loud nights and a lived-in, brown-bar charm.
Lalou Vinbar
0.3 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
0.3 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
0.3 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.
Viggos
0.3 km
Lively, wallet-friendly brown bar in central Odense, pouring cold draft beer, simple pub food and long, sociable nights for students, locals and night owls.
Pianobar odense
0.3 km
Lively late-night piano bar in the heart of Odense C, mixing sing-along classics, casual drinks and a compact, buzzing atmosphere on Kongensgade.
Nightclubs & after hour spots
Dansebar Odense
0.3 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
0.6 km
Experience industrial-cool nights, live music, and eclectic parties at The Slaughterhouse Nightclub & Eventhus, Odense’s dynamic hub for nightlife and contemporary culture.
Boogie Dance Café
0.6 km
Odense's oldest disco where retro charm meets genuine community dancing.
BUTCHERS Odense
0.8 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.
Dance Odense, Funen Square Dance Club
5.6 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
26.7 km
Nyborg's independent music sanctuary where local bands rehearse, collaborate, and perform since 1974.
KJ's bodel
27.4 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
40.1 km
Compact, high-energy weekend nightclub in central Svendborg, serving mainstream beats, drinks and a sociable dance floor until the early hours.
AHA Livestage
43.5 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
48.6 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
50.5 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
50.6 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
51.3 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
- Quirky
- Unique
- Casual
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Vintage Styles
- Retro Vibes
- Colorful Aesthetics
- Rustic Designs
For the architecture buff
- Historic
- Landmarks
- Heritage Neighborhoods
- Art & Design
For the social media creator & influencer
- Instagrammable
- Photo Spots
- Selfie Spots
- Reel-Friendly
- 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
