H.C. Andersen’s House, Odense
An immersive museum in Odense where architecture, garden and multimedia exhibitions draw you deep into the imaginative world of Hans Christian Andersen.
H.C. Andersen’s House in Odense is a striking, contemporary museum that invites you into the imaginative world of Denmark’s most famous storyteller. Set partly underground and wrapped in a fairytale garden, it blends immersive soundscapes, light installations and architecture by Kengo Kuma into a narrative journey through Andersen’s tales and creative mind. Interactive zones and the playful Ville Vau area make it as engaging for children as for adults.
A brief summary to H. C. Andersens House
- H.C. Andersen Haven 1, Odense C, Odense C, 5000, DK
- +4565514601
- Visit website
- Duration: 1 to 2 hours
- Mid ranged
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Mixed
- Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
- 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
- Sunday 10 am-4 pm
Local tips
- Plan at least 1.5–2 hours to fully experience the underground exhibitions, fairytale garden and Ville Vau play universe without rushing.
- Arrive early in the day for quieter galleries; this helps you appreciate the subtle soundscapes and light installations at their best.
- Combine your visit with a walk to Andersen’s childhood home and nearby sculptures to round out the story of his life in Odense.
- If travelling with children, check current programming for creative workshops in Ville Vau and allow extra time for free play.
- The experience involves dim lighting and sound effects in places; sensitive visitors may prefer to take short breaks in the garden between sections.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Drinking Water
- Food Options
- Seating Areas
- Sheltered Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
- Visitor Center
Getting There
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Train and walking from Odense Station
From Odense Railway Station, H.C. Andersen’s House is an easy urban walk of about 10–15 minutes through the compact city centre. The route is flat and paved, suitable for strollers and most wheelchairs, and can be managed in all seasons with normal city footwear. There is no additional cost beyond your train ticket, and frequent regional and intercity trains connect Odense with Copenhagen and other Danish cities throughout the day.
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Local city bus within Odense
Several Odense city bus lines run through the central district with stops a short walk from H.C. Andersen’s House, typically within a 5–8 minute walk. Travel time from residential neighbourhoods or the outer shopping areas is usually 10–25 minutes depending on distance and traffic. A single adult ticket within Odense’s urban zone generally costs in the range of 20–30 DKK and can be bought via ticket machines, apps or on board on most services. Buses operate frequently during the day but less often in evenings and on weekends.
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Car or taxi within Odense and from nearby towns
Arriving by car, you can use central Odense parking facilities such as underground garages close to the museum, with typical walking times of 3–7 minutes from car to entrance. Driving from nearby Funen towns usually takes 20–40 minutes, while a taxi ride from the outskirts of Odense into the centre often takes 10–20 minutes depending on traffic. Expect central taxi fares to fall roughly in the 120–220 DKK range one way, with additional cost for longer distances and peak periods. Parking is generally paid by the hour and may be time‑limited, so always check local signage.
H. C. Andersens House 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
Discover more about H. C. Andersens House
A modern doorway into a storyteller’s imagination
H.C. Andersen’s House is not a traditional display of relics, but an immersive exploration of Denmark’s master of fairy tales. Located in the historic heart of Odense, the museum occupies a sculptural complex of circular timber and glass volumes that spill into a lush garden. Two-thirds of the building lies underground, so the visible architecture feels light and low, allowing nature and city to remain centre stage. Inside, the experience unfolds as a narrative rather than a sequence of showcases. Sound, light, projections and scenography guide you deeper into Andersen’s universe, echoing the sense of wonder, melancholy and humour that shape his stories. Instead of focusing on desks and personal belongings, the museum concentrates on his ideas, language and imagination, encouraging you to feel the tales rather than simply read about them.Architecture that blurs museum and fairytale garden
The museum is woven into a 7,000‑square‑metre garden that acts as both park and narrative landscape. Curving hedges, sunken courtyards and meandering paths mirror the geometry of the building, creating outdoor “rooms” that feel like chapters in an open‑air book. Hornbeam and beech hedges shift with the seasons, so the garden’s character changes from dense green walls in summer to more transparent silhouettes in winter. Walls give way to clipped hedges, and glass facades reflect sky and foliage. This design blurs the boundary between gallery and garden, so that your visit becomes a continuous wander between interior scenes and outdoor pauses. The garden is openly accessible, so locals cross it on daily routines while museum visitors drift between sculptures, quiet seating spots and playful interventions inspired by Andersen’s motifs.Stepping into the tales themselves
Exhibitions here are conceived as a series of encounters with themes from the stories rather than chronological biography. Rooms may envelop you in soundscapes from The Nightingale, kaleidoscopic reflections suggestive of The Snow Queen, or theatrical lighting that transforms familiar scenes into something uncanny. Texts and quotations are used sparingly, letting atmosphere carry much of the storytelling. Multimedia installations invite you to listen closely, to follow whispered fragments or shifting images, and to question what is real and what is imagined. The result is a visit that feels more like entering a stage set or dream than reading a museum panel. You emerge with a renewed sense of how Andersen used simple language to explore complex emotions, identity and change.Family discoveries and the world of Ville Vau
For families, one highlight is Ville Vau – an expansive creative zone where children can dress up, act out scenes and move through themed playrooms. Costumes, props and small set pieces reference characters and situations from the tales, but the emphasis is firmly on open‑ended play. Craft and workshop areas give space for drawing, building and storytelling in your own words. Because much of the main exhibition is sensory and atmospheric, children often engage naturally with the spaces, spotting familiar motifs from books or films. Seating niches and quieter corners are woven into the route, allowing timeouts without stepping fully away from the experience. The museum café and shop provide an easy pause for adults while younger visitors recharge.Andersen’s Odense beyond the museum walls
H.C. Andersen’s House forms part of a broader cultural landscape in Odense. Just a short walk away, you can find the small yellow childhood home where the writer grew up, cobbled streets that inspired his depictions of modest city life and public sculptures drawn from his tales. The museum connects conceptually to these places, encouraging you to see the surrounding streets as an extension of the narrative journey. The wider redevelopment of the city centre has reduced traffic and created a more pedestrian‑friendly environment around the museum. As you leave, it is easy to drift into nearby parks, squares and alleys where murals, statues and discreet references to Andersen’s characters appear. In this way, the house is both a destination and a starting point for tracing his imaginative footprints through modern Odense.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Oceania
0.3 km
A bold, reclining bronze goddess that provokes, delights, and defines Odense's artistic identity.
Skyggen, rejseskammeraten og improvisatoren
0.3 km
A towering, threefold portrait of Hans Christian Andersen that greets you outside Odense Station with colour, symbolism and quietly dramatic storytelling.
Odense St.
0.4 km
Central rail and bus hub of Funen, Odense Station links Denmark’s mainlines with the city’s historic heart, light rail and cultural sights in one integrated complex.
Papirbåden | H.C. Andersen
0.4 km
A delicate paper boat turned gleaming sculpture, Papirbåden floats on Odense’s Fairytale Garden lake, quietly celebrating H.C. Andersen’s “Steadfast Tin Soldier.”
visit
0.4 km
Experience Odense's premier cocktail bar, Visit, where classic and innovative drinks meet in a cozy, inviting atmosphere.
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)
2.5 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
4.2 km
A striking red-brick monument to Odense's industrial heritage and early 20th-century urban modernization.
Jernalderlandsbyen Odins Odense
5.0 km
Discover Danish and international art at Bredgade Kunsthandel, an elegant gallery in central Copenhagen’s historic Frederiksstaden near top cultural landmarks.
Sortehusene
6.9 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.
9.1 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
13.2 km
A quiet Neolithic long barrow in the fields near Ferritslev Fyn, where a simple stone chamber and grassy mound bring Funen’s prehistoric past close at hand.
The Glavendrup Stone
13.8 km
Denmark's longest runic inscription, carved with divine invocation and protective curse.
Unmissable attractions to see
VILLE VAU
0.1 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.
Hans Christian Andersen Mural
0.1 km
A towering black‑and‑white portrait of Hans Christian Andersen on a quiet Odense gable, where fairytale heritage meets contemporary street art in the old town.
Blackfriars Square
0.1 km
A modest cobbled square where traces of a 13th‑century monastery, a pioneering theatre and a bustling market weave Odense’s history into everyday city life.
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.
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.
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.
Saint Hans Church
0.2 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.
Møntergården
0.2 km
A pocket-sized historic quarter where cobbled courtyards, timbered houses and multimedia galleries bring the story of Odense and Funen vividly to life.
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.
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.
St. Alban's Church
0.2 km
Experience the heart of Danish comedy at Odense Comediehuus, where culture and laughter intertwine in the vibrant city center.
Vægmaleri
0.2 km
Discover the tranquil beauty of Sneglehøjen in Odense, a serene natural retreat perfect for leisurely walks and family outings.
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.
Odense Castle
0.3 km
Step into Denmark’s Gothic heart at Odense Cathedral—site of St. Canute’s martyrdom, renowned Renaissance art, and centuries of royal and religious history.
Danaë
0.3 km
A serene bronze heroine from Greek myth, Gerhard Henning’s Danaë reclines quietly in Odense’s King’s Garden, bridging baroque greenery and modern city life.
Essential places to dine
Restaurant Under Lindetræet
0.1 km
Intimate fine dining in a 1771 townhouse opposite Hans Christian Andersen’s home, where seasonal Danish cuisine meets softly lit Odense history.
La Dolce Vita | Fashion Cafe
0.1 km
Cozy Italian restaurant and café in central Odense, serving classic pizzas, pastas and antipasti in warm, informal surroundings from evening until late.
Restaurant Oluf Bagers Gaard
0.1 km
Historic merchant's house serving refined Danish cuisine and social dining in the heart of Odense.
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.
Den Gamle Kro A/S
0.1 km
Historic timbered inn in central Odense serving elevated Danish classics in candlelit rooms and a charming courtyard, ideal for both intimate meals and celebrations.
Brasserie Bordeaux
0.2 km
A classic French brasserie in central Odense, serving breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner with thoughtful wines and cocktails in warm, candlelit surroundings.
Ryan's of Odense
0.2 km
Atmospheric Irish pub in Odense’s lively city center, famed for its live music, warm hospitality, and classic selection of beers and comfort food.
Restaurant Ribelli
0.2 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
0.2 km
Cozy Odense café beloved for exceptional smoothie bowls, quality coffee, and genuine Danish hygge.
Restaurant Bacchus
0.2 km
Authentic French fine dining in an intimate Odense setting, where classical technique meets refined hospitality.
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.
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.
Rivalen restaurant & bar
0.3 km
Contemporary Danish dining with innovative flair in Odense's vibrant city center.
UBN
0.3 km
Lively city-centre brasserie in historic Odense, serving seasonal comfort food and stone-oven pizzas alongside a serious cocktail bar with 300+ spirits.
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.
Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
Klods Hans
0.1 km
Characterful fairy-tale souvenir shop in Odense’s historic quarter, offering Andersen-themed gifts and Danish keepsakes in a cosy half-timbered setting.
House of Amber Odense
0.1 km
A warm, glowing boutique in central Odense where millions of years of Baltic amber meet clean Danish jewellery design and thoughtfully curated gifts.
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.
Living Nice / Café Kleist
0.2 km
Stylish hybrid café and design store in Odense’s Odeons Kvarter, where Scandinavian interiors meet French–Italian café indulgence in a relaxed, home-like setting.
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.
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.
Rezet Sneaker Store Odense
0.3 km
Scandinavian-style sneaker boutique in central Odense, blending clean design, curated streetwear and sought-after footwear drops on lively Vestergade.
SEPHORA MAGASIN ODENSE
0.4 km
A sleek, centrally located beauty hub inside Magasin, where international makeup, skincare and fragrance meet Odense’s city-center shopping life.
Magasin Odense
0.4 km
Odense’s classic multi-level department store, blending Danish style, fashion, beauty, homewares and cosy café stops under one roof on lively Vestergade.
Look At This
0.4 km
A small, curated clothing store tucked inside a redbrick former textile factory, where Odense’s industrial past meets calm, contemporary Scandinavian style.
Friluftsland
0.4 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
0.4 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.
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
0.5 km
Curated Scandinavian fashion boutique celebrating independent style since 1994.
Moby Disc
0.5 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.
Essential bars & hidden hideouts
Lørups Vinstue
0.2 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.
Sir Club
0.2 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.
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.
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.
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.
Den Standhaftige Tinsoldat Af Odense
0.3 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.
June Bar
0.3 km
Intimate candlelit cocktails, shareable tapas and a warm, relaxed buzz right in the heart of Odense’s nightlife district.
Bootleggers Craft Beer Bar - Odense C
0.4 km
Urban craft beer sanctuary on Odense’s Gråbrødre Plads, pouring rotating specialty brews, free popcorn and laid-back good times from afternoon until late night.
Grand Bar & Lounge
0.4 km
Sophisticated cocktails and refined ambiance in a historic 1897 building at the heart of Odense.
Den Brølende And
0.5 km
Odense’s roaring dance basement where karaoke Thursdays, sing-along party hits and shared buckets of cocktails fuel carefree, late-night dancing on tables.
City Club
0.5 km
Odense's casual sports bar where pool, darts, and community spirit meet affordable drinks and good times.
Champagniet
0.5 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
0.5 km
Intimate Odense wine bar pairing timeless European recipes with a curated list of continental wines in a warm, candlelit setting on Klaregade.
Tingstedet
0.5 km
Smoky, lively and unapologetically brown, Tingstedet is Odense’s cellar bar where cheap beers, close tables and local stories fuel long, unpretentious nights.
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.
Nightclubs & after hour spots
Boogie Dance Café
0.1 km
Odense's oldest disco where retro charm meets genuine community dancing.
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.
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
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
5.4 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
40.3 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
47.5 km
Witness awe-inspiring live falconry shows and get up close with eagles, owls, and hawks at Samsø’s premier raptor center, blending living heritage with wilderness spectacle.
Vinkapellet Samsø
48.5 km
Experience the finest organic and natural wines at Vinkapellet Samsø, a cozy haven for wine enthusiasts in the heart of Brundby.
Ærø Golf Klub
49.1 km
Distinctive links course on Ærø’s northwest cape, blending historic lighthouse views, Nordic coastlines, and a classic Danish golfing challenge.
Samsø Island Distillery
49.9 km
Experience authentic Danish craftsmanship at Samsø Island Distillery, where local botanicals and sustainable practices fuse to create distinctive gin and aquavit on scenic Samsø.
Ræven
50.1 km
Island spirit and Danish hospitality await at Ræven, Samsø—a cozy neighborhood bar with local brews, lively evenings, and a real taste of authentic island life.
Garagen
50.8 km
Garagen is Samsø’s beloved island bar, famed for live music, a rustic woodland setting, and its welcoming, laid-back vibe—a true hub for locals and travelers alike.
For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Scenic
- Fun-filled
- Lively
- Unique
- Casual
- Boutique
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Modern Designs
- Rustic Designs
For the architecture buff
- Modern
- Landmarks
- Art & Design
- Parks & Gardens
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
For the social media creator & influencer
- Instagrammable
- Photo Spots
- Selfie Spots
- Aesthetic Corners
- Architectural Shots
- Reel-Friendly
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Sustainable
- Eco-Friendly
- Public-Transport Accessible
- Locally Managed
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Adventure Photo Shoot
- Day Trip
- Festival / Event Nearby
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Child Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Wheelchair Access
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Solo Female Friendly
- Vegetarian Friendly
- Vegan Friendly
- Business Friendly
