Washing Site at Odense River
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.
Tucked below the cobbled slope of Paaskestræde, the Washing Site at Odense River is a small but evocative reminder of Odense’s working past and of Hans Christian Andersen’s childhood world. Here, washerwomen once knelt at the river’s edge, including Andersen’s own mother, scrubbing clothes in Odense Å long before running water and machines. Today the modest stone platform in midstream, framed by leafy banks and pretty townhouses above, offers a quiet pause where you can picture aprons, soap foam and local gossip drifting on the current in the heart of historic Odense.
A brief summary to Washing Site at Odense River
- Paaskestræde 20, Odense Municipality, Odense C, 5000, DK
- +4566131372
- Visit website
- Duration: 0.5 to 1 hours
- Free
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Outdoor
- Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
- Monday 12 am-12 am
- Tuesday 12 am-12 am
- Wednesday 12 am-12 am
- Thursday 12 am-12 am
- Friday 12 am-12 am
- Saturday 12 am-12 am
- Sunday 12 am-12 am
Local tips
- Combine the washing site with a stroll up Paaskestræde to appreciate how the steep lane connects the riverside to Odense’s old town streets.
- Visit in the early morning or late afternoon for softer light on the river and easier photography without harsh reflections.
- Bring a light jacket outside summer; the riverbank can feel noticeably cooler and breezier than the streets above.
- Read a short biography of Hans Christian Andersen beforehand so the link to his mother’s work here feels more vivid on site.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Seating Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
Getting There
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On foot from central Odense
From the core of Odense’s old town, reaching Paaskestræde and the washing site is an easy walk of about 10–20 minutes along mostly cobbled, gently sloping streets. The final approach down Paaskestræde is relatively steep and uneven underfoot, which can be challenging for wheelchairs, strollers or those with limited mobility, but the distance involved is short and there are frequent places to pause and rest.
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City bus within Odense
Several local bus routes stop near the historic centre, with journey times of roughly 10–25 minutes from residential districts to stops around Overgade or Fisketorvet. A single adult ticket within Odense typically costs around 20–30 DKK, with buses running at regular intervals during the day. From the nearest stops it is a further 5–10 minute walk through the pedestrian streets to reach Paaskestræde and the riverbank.
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Light rail and short walk
Odense’s light rail line connects outlying neighbourhoods to the city centre in about 10–20 minutes, depending on where you board. Standard adult fares are usually in the 20–30 DKK range for trips within the urban zone. Disembark at the central area and continue on foot for approximately 10–15 minutes through the old streets towards Paaskestræde, where the path descends to the Washing Site at Odense River.
Washing Site at Odense River location weather suitability
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Mild Temperatures
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Clear Skies
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Any Weather
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Cold Weather
Discover more about Washing Site at Odense River
A quiet corner of Hans Christian Andersen’s childhood world
The Washing Site at Odense River sits just below the steep, postcard‑pretty Paaskestræde, where small cottages tumble down towards the water. At the bottom of the lane, the city suddenly falls away and you are face to face with Odense Å, the river that shaped the town’s life for centuries. In the middle of the stream you can see the preserved washing platform, its stones low and level with the surface, reached today by a short bridge and simple steps. This humble structure is closely tied to Hans Christian Andersen’s early years. His mother worked here as a washerwoman, carrying heavy bundles of linen down from the cramped streets above. The riverbank becomes a kind of open‑air footnote to his biography: it is easy to imagine the boy hovering nearby, watching the rhythm of washing and rinsing, listening to stories traded across the water while he dreamed up tales of his own.Everyday labour on the banks of Odense Å
Before indoor plumbing and laundromats, Odense’s residents depended on places like this to keep a growing town clean. Several washing spots lined the river, each with level stones or wooden platforms where women could kneel side by side. They used ash or early soap powders, scrubbing clothes against washboards before rinsing them in the cold current. The river’s steady flow carried away the soapy water, while the open air helped linens dry faster once they were wrung out and taken back uphill. The preserved platform here is modest in size, but it speaks volumes about daily life. The work was hard, wet and often done in all seasons, yet it also created a social hub. News moved along the riverbank as quickly as the water itself; births, deaths, romances and local scandals were discussed above the slap of fabric on stone. Standing at the edge today, the scene is quiet, but the layout of platform, bank and street helps you reconstruct that world with very little effort.Setting, views and neighbouring streets
What makes this corner particularly atmospheric is the way city and nature meet. Behind you rise the pastel fronts and half‑timbered facades of Paaskestræde and nearby historic lanes, while ahead the river curves between trees and low stone walls. In summer, leaves filter the light and reflections ripple on the water; in winter the branches reveal more of the old town’s rooflines and church towers further away. From the washing site you get a sideways glimpse into Odense’s layered geography. The historic centre feels close at hand, yet the soundscape shifts to birdsong, water and the occasional bicycle crossing nearby bridges. It is not a sweeping panorama but an intimate urban vignette, rewarding a slow look at details: worn stone edges, iron railings, moss in cracks and the subtle tilt of houses that have faced the river for generations.A brief, contemplative stop on a larger city walk
For most visitors the washing site is a short stop woven into a broader exploration of Odense’s old town and Andersen‑related landmarks. The site itself is compact; a few minutes are enough to see the structure, take photos and read any information panels if present. Yet lingering a little longer allows the place to do its work: you start to notice the play of light on the water, the cool air rising from the river and how the traffic noise above is softened by the drop in level. This makes the washing site a good pause between busier attractions. It suits travellers who enjoy piecing together a city through small traces rather than grand monuments alone. Families can use the spot to place Andersen’s stories in a concrete setting, while solo travellers might treat it as a pocket‑sized reflection space, letting the river carry thoughts away just as it once carried soap suds downstream.Stories preserved in stone and flowing water
Although unassuming, the washing site stands as a physical reminder of women’s work in the city’s history, which rarely left such visible marks. The stones you see are not heroic architecture but working infrastructure, preserved so that the everyday does not disappear entirely beneath modern improvements. In that sense, the site complements Odense’s grander churches, museums and theatres by highlighting the lives that supported them from the background. Taken together, the river, the sloping street and the simple platform form a small outdoor museum without walls. There is no admission barrier, no schedule to follow, only the invitation to step close, imagine the clatter of wooden tubs and the murmur of conversation, and then climb back up into the streets carrying a richer sense of how Odense once sounded and smelled along its water’s edge.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
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.”
Oceania
0.3 km
A bold, reclining bronze goddess that provokes, delights, and defines Odense's artistic identity.
visit
0.5 km
Experience Odense's premier cocktail bar, Visit, where classic and innovative drinks meet in a cozy, inviting atmosphere.
Skyggen, rejseskammeraten og improvisatoren
0.6 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
2.0 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
3.4 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
4.0 km
A striking red-brick monument to Odense's industrial heritage and early 20th-century urban modernization.
Jernalderlandsbyen Odins Odense
5.3 km
Discover Danish and international art at Bredgade Kunsthandel, an elegant gallery in central Copenhagen’s historic Frederiksstaden near top cultural landmarks.
Sortehusene
7.1 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
10.1 km
Discover Sanderumgaard, Funen’s enchanting Romantic-era landscape park: a blend of historic estate, poetic gardens, and serene lakes just beyond Odense.
Rolfshøj
13.0 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
Klods Hans billedevæg
0.0 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.
Odense Noble Virgin Convent
0.1 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
0.1 km
Experience the heart of Danish comedy at Odense Comediehuus, where culture and laughter intertwine in the vibrant city center.
Kramboden i Odense
0.1 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.
Klokkedybet
0.1 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.
Museum Odense
0.2 km
An intimate city museum in Odense’s old town, blending Viking stories, historic homes and hands-on family exhibits across courtyards and centuries.
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.
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.
Odense Comediehuus
0.2 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.
Odense City Hall
0.3 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.
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.
Odense Cathedral - St. Canute's Church
0.3 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.
Vægmaleri
0.3 km
Discover the tranquil beauty of Sneglehøjen in Odense, a serene natural retreat perfect for leisurely walks and family outings.
Blackfriars Square
0.3 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.
H. C. Andersens House
0.3 km
An immersive museum in Odense where architecture, garden and multimedia exhibitions draw you deep into the imaginative world of Hans Christian Andersen.
Essential places to dine
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.
Grønttorvet
0.2 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 Bacchus
0.3 km
Authentic French fine dining in an intimate Odense setting, where classical technique meets refined hospitality.
Den Lille Smalle
0.3 km
Cozy Odense café beloved for exceptional smoothie bowls, quality coffee, and genuine Danish hygge.
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.
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.
Druen & Bønnen
0.3 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.
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.
Restaurant Under Lindetræet
0.3 km
Intimate fine dining in a 1771 townhouse opposite Hans Christian Andersen’s home, where seasonal Danish cuisine meets softly lit Odense history.
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.
Restaurant Oluf Bagers Gaard
0.3 km
Historic merchant's house serving refined Danish cuisine and social dining in the heart of Odense.
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.
Restaurant Klosterkroen
0.4 km
A cozy, inn-style restaurant in central Odense serving generous portions of traditional Danish comfort food in nostalgic, candlelit surroundings.
Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
Boutique India v/ shahzad ali
0.2 km
A colourful little Odense shop where Indian textiles, clothing and homewares bring the patterns, textures and warmth of the subcontinent to historic Overgade.
Reden Op Shop
0.2 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.
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.
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.
Klods Hans
0.3 km
Characterful fairy-tale souvenir shop in Odense’s historic quarter, offering Andersen-themed gifts and Danish keepsakes in a cosy half-timbered setting.
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.
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.
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.
Dr. Adams
0.4 km
Curated Scandinavian fashion boutique celebrating independent style since 1994.
Moby Disc
0.4 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.
Hunkemöller Danmark A/S
0.4 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.
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.
Living Nice / Café Kleist
0.5 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.
All About Kids
0.5 km
A welcoming children’s universe in central Odense, combining Scandinavian-style toys and décor with a calming baby lounge and practical stroller rentals.
Essential bars & hidden hideouts
Kick Off - Sportspub
0.2 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.
The Flower and the Bee
0.2 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.
Rabalder Bar Odense
0.2 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.
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.
Lørups Vinstue
0.3 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.
June Bar
0.4 km
Intimate candlelit cocktails, shareable tapas and a warm, relaxed buzz right in the heart of Odense’s nightlife district.
Den Brølende And
0.4 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
0.4 km
Odense's casual sports bar where pool, darts, and community spirit meet affordable drinks and good times.
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.
Champagniet
0.4 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.
Sir Club
0.4 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.
No Stress Odense
0.5 km
Laid‑back cocktail den in central Odense, blending dessert‑inspired drinks, old‑school beats and retro gaming in a cozy living‑room atmosphere.
Lalou Vinbar
0.5 km
Intimate Odense wine bar pairing timeless European recipes with a curated list of continental wines in a warm, candlelit setting on Klaregade.
Grand Bar & Lounge
0.5 km
Sophisticated cocktails and refined ambiance in a historic 1897 building at the heart of Odense.
Den Lille Kro Odense
0.5 km
A classic Odense brown bar with history in its walls, cold beer on tap and a warmly worn, neighborhood atmosphere that feels instantly familiar.
Nightclubs & after hour spots
BUTCHERS Odense
0.2 km
High-energy nightclub on Odense’s Overgade, mixing pounding bass, lights and late-night drinks in a central old-town setting steps from major sights.
Boogie Dance Café
0.3 km
Odense's oldest disco where retro charm meets genuine community dancing.
Dansebar Odense
0.4 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
1.1 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
5.1 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
26.1 km
Nyborg's independent music sanctuary where local bands rehearse, collaborate, and perform since 1974.
KJ's bodel
26.7 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
40.0 km
Compact, high-energy weekend nightclub in central Svendborg, serving mainstream beats, drinks and a sociable dance floor until the early hours.
AHA Livestage
44.1 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
47.7 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
48.7 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
48.9 km
Distinctive links course on Ærø’s northwest cape, blending historic lighthouse views, Nordic coastlines, and a classic Danish golfing challenge.
Samsø Island Distillery
50.2 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
50.3 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
51.0 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 architecture buff
- Historic
- Viewpoints
- Heritage Neighborhoods
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
- Waterfront
For the social media creator & influencer
- Photo Spots
- Selfie Spots
- Architectural Shots
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Low Impact
- Public-Transport Accessible
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Roadtrip Stop
- Day Trip
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
