TID – Museum for Odense
Dive into 10,000 years of Odense history in a maze of courtyards and historic houses, where archaeology, city life and hands-on children’s exhibits meet.
TID – Museum for Odense is the city’s main history museum, tucked into a maze of cobbled courtyards and timbered houses in Odense’s old town. Spanning more than 10,000 years, its exhibitions trace Funen’s story from prehistoric finds and Viking power to medieval market streets, 17th‑century interiors and contemporary city life. Immersive displays, a hands-on children’s museum and peaceful outdoor yards make this a rewarding stop for families, culture lovers and anyone curious about how Odense became the city it is today.
A brief summary to TIME - Museum for Odense
- Møntestræde 1, Odense C, Odense C, 5000, DK
- +4565514601
- Visit website
- Duration: 1.5 to 3 hours
- Mid ranged
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Mixed
- Mobile reception: 5 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
- Allow at least two to three hours if you want to see both the main historical galleries and the children’s museum without rushing.
- Explore every courtyard; several exhibitions are tucked behind timbered facades, and it is easy to miss smaller houses if you stay indoors.
- Bring a light layer even in summer, as older buildings and archaeological spaces can feel noticeably cooler than the courtyards.
- If visiting with children, start in the play yard and dedicated kids’ areas, then choose one or two main exhibitions to keep energy levels high.
- Check for special exhibitions or seasonal events in advance, as these can add extra activities and atmosphere during holidays.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Drink Options
- Drinking Water
- Food Options
- Seating Areas
- Sheltered Areas
- Picnic Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
- Visitor Center
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 stops near the old town; the ride typically takes 5–10 minutes, with services running at least every 10–20 minutes during the day. A single adult ticket on local buses in Odense generally costs around 20–30 DKK. Buses stop within a short walk of Møntestræde, and this option is convenient in bad weather or if you prefer to avoid walking with luggage.
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Walking from Odense Banegård Center
On foot, reaching TID – Museum for Odense from Odense Banegård Center usually takes around 10–15 minutes at a relaxed pace. The route leads through the compact city centre on mostly level pavements, though some stretches use cobblestones near the old town. This is a pleasant choice if you want to get an early feel for Odense’s streets and shopfronts before immersing yourself in the museum.
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Cycling within central Odense
Odense is a very cycle-friendly city, and many visitors use rental bikes or city bikes to reach the museum from central districts in about 5–10 minutes. Expect to follow marked cycle lanes for most of the way, with short sections on quieter streets near the old town. Bike rental prices in Odense typically start from about 80–120 DKK per day, and there are bicycle stands near the museum area, though space can be limited at peak times.
TIME - Museum for Odense location weather suitability
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Odense’s story gathered in one city block
TID – Museum for Odense brings the city’s history together in a compact cluster of historical buildings and modern galleries right in the heart of the old town. Step through the entrance on Møntestræde and you move into a self-contained world of cobbles, courtyards and rooftops where the past presses in on all sides. The museum is designed as Odense’s collective memory, weaving local objects and personal stories into a broader picture of how life on Funen has evolved over thousands of years. The site combines preserved townhouses with a contemporary wing, so each courtyard turn offers a different architectural mood. It feels less like a single museum building and more like a small neighbourhood dedicated to time itself, from prehistory to the present day.From Stone Age traces to Viking power
Inside, one of the core narratives follows the long arc from the region’s earliest settlers to the age of Viking fortresses and trade. Funen’s archaeology is used as a starting point: ancient tools, everyday objects and skeletal remains, including one of Scandinavia’s oldest known skulls, anchor the story in deep time. Displays explain how landscape, waterways and fertile soils shaped life here and connected Odense to wider Nordic networks. A highlight is the material related to Nonnebakken, the Viking ring fortress that once dominated a rise above the river. Models, finds and reconstructions show how this stronghold fit into a system of royal power and warfare, while also revealing traces of markets, crafts and domestic life. The exhibition balances dramatic moments of history with the quieter evidence of how ordinary people lived, traded and worshipped.Medieval streets and renaissance courtyards
Another part of the museum leads into preserved merchant houses and almshouses dating from the 17th century and earlier. Here, the story narrows to Odense itself in the Middle Ages and Renaissance, when the town grew around churches, markets and guilds. Timbered beams, creaking floors and small-paned windows provide an atmospheric frame for displays on trade, religion and everyday routines. Rooms are set up to evoke interiors from different centuries, with worn floorboards, heavy chests and tiled stoves suggesting how craftsmen, widows and merchants might have shared these spaces. The courtyards outside open up to the sky, giving glimpses of red brick gables and crooked roofs. It is easy to imagine the sound of carts and church bells that once filled these same yards.Children’s history in miniature
Families find a separate universe in the children’s museum and the play yard designed like a small town around 1890. Here, history becomes something that can be climbed on, dressed up in and rearranged. A tiny street scene features a carpenter’s workshop, a domestic apartment, a pump for hauling water and even chickens, inviting children to act out daily tasks from another era. Indoors, a dedicated children’s area combines original objects with robust replicas. Rather than asking visitors to stand back, many items are intended to be handled, tested and explored. This tactile approach turns abstract dates and periods into memories of textures, sounds and small discoveries, making the museum feel engaging rather than formal for younger visitors.Funen at the centre of wider worlds
In the newest building, an exhibition on Funen as the "centre of the universe" links local events to broader Danish and global history. Multimedia installations, soundscapes and short films show how international currents such as industrialisation, war or migration have been experienced in and around Odense. Maps and personal accounts place the island at the crossroads of trade routes, ideas and cultural exchange. The galleries highlight how the city has constantly reinvented itself—from monastic town to industrial hub and modern knowledge centre. Themes like work, housing, social change and cultural life provide entry points into different decades, making it easy to connect what you see outside on Odense’s streets with the stories told inside the museum.Courtyard calm and seasonal atmospheres
Between buildings, small courtyards offer pockets of quiet where visitors can pause with a picnic or simply sit and take in the surroundings. Trees, plantings and uneven cobbles soften the museum complex, giving a sense of stepping out of time for a moment. In warmer months, these yards feel particularly inviting as open-air living rooms framed by centuries-old walls. Throughout the year, temporary exhibitions and changing displays add new angles on the city’s heritage, sometimes focusing on specific neighbourhoods, crafts or moments of upheaval. Seasonal decorations and a traditional Christmas market bring additional colour to the historic setting, reinforcing the museum’s role as a cultural meeting place as well as a storehouse of objects.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Papirbåden | H.C. Andersen
0.5 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.”
Oceania
0.5 km
A bold, reclining bronze goddess that provokes, delights, and defines Odense's artistic identity.
Odense St.
0.5 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
0.5 km
A towering, threefold portrait of Hans Christian Andersen that greets you outside Odense Station with colour, symbolism and quietly dramatic storytelling.
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
3.4 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
10.1 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
13.9 km
Denmark's longest runic inscription, carved with divine invocation and protective curse.
Unmissable attractions to see
Andersen on the bench
0.1 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.
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.
Blackfriars Square
0.1 km
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.
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.
Carl Nielsen Museum
0.2 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
0.2 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.
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.
H. C. Andersens House
0.2 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
0.3 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.
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.
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.
Saint Hans Church
0.4 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
0.2 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.
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.
Brasserie Bordeaux
0.4 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
0.4 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
0.5 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
0.5 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
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
0.2 km
A warm, glowing boutique in central Odense where millions of years of Baltic amber meet clean Danish jewellery design and thoughtfully curated gifts.
Klods Hans
0.2 km
Characterful fairy-tale souvenir shop in Odense’s historic quarter, offering Andersen-themed gifts and Danish keepsakes in a cosy half-timbered setting.
Look At This
0.2 km
A small, curated clothing store tucked inside a redbrick former textile factory, where Odense’s industrial past meets calm, contemporary Scandinavian style.
Living Nice / Café Kleist
0.3 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.
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.
Baggårdsbutikken
0.5 km
Curated vintage and secondhand fashion in the heart of Odense's city center.
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.
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.
Magasin Odense
0.6 km
Odense’s classic multi-level department store, blending Danish style, fashion, beauty, homewares and cosy café stops under one roof on lively Vestergade.
aneBane
0.6 km
A cosy women’s boutique and sewing studio in a quiet Odense street, blending curated Scandinavian style with personal, small-scale craftsmanship.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Den Standhaftige Tinsoldat Af Odense
0.1 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.
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.
June Bar
0.5 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
0.5 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
0.6 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
0.7 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
0.7 km
Laid‑back cocktail den in central Odense, blending dessert‑inspired drinks, old‑school beats and retro gaming in a cozy living‑room atmosphere.
For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Scenic
- Fun-filled
- Lively
- Unique
- Casual
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Modern Designs
- Vintage Styles
- Rustic Designs
For the architecture buff
- Historic
- Landmarks
- Parks & Gardens
- Heritage Neighborhoods
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
- Panoramas
For the social media creator & influencer
- Instagrammable
- Photo Spots
- Selfie Spots
- Aesthetic Corners
- Architectural Shots
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Sustainable
- Eco-Friendly
- Public-Transport Accessible
- Locally Managed
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Day Trip
- Roadtrip Stop
- Weekend Getaway
- 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
- Vegetarian Friendly
- Vegan Friendly
- Business Friendly
