Banegårdspladsen & The Trinity Sculpture, Odense
A busy railway forecourt where commuters, cyclists and an eight‑metre Hans Christian Andersen–inspired sculpture share the same lively urban stage.
Banegårdspladsen is the forecourt square in front of Odense’s central station, a busy urban space where everyday commuters share the scene with the eight‑metre bronze sculpture “The Trinity” by Bjørn Nørgaard. Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s tales, its spiralling figures, stair-like plinths and fairy‑tale characters turn this transport hub into a small open‑air artwork gallery. It’s a quick, atmospheric stop that neatly captures Odense’s blend of modern city life and storybook imagination.
A brief summary to Banegårdspladsen
- Odense, Odense C, DK
- Duration: 0.25 to 1 hours
- Free
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Outdoor
- Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
Local tips
- Allow at least 10–15 minutes to walk around The Trinity from different angles; the intertwined figures and fairy‑tale details only reveal themselves slowly.
- Visit in early morning or late afternoon for softer light on the bronze and fewer people crossing the square, which makes photography easier.
- In wet weather, watch for slick paving around the sculpture’s stepped base and give yourself time to move carefully if you are taking close‑up photos.
- Use Banegårdspladsen as a quick orientation stop: note the station entrance, bus stands and main streets radiating out before heading deeper into the city.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Drink Options
- Drinking Water
- Food Options
- Seating Areas
- Sheltered Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
- Visitor Center
Getting There
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Train to Odense Station
Arrive by intercity or regional train to Odense Station, a major stop on Denmark’s east–west main line. Fast trains from Copenhagen typically take about 1–1.5 hours and from Aarhus about 1–1.5 hours, with tickets usually ranging from roughly 200–400 DKK one way in standard class depending on time and advance purchase. Services run frequently throughout the day, including evenings. Once you step off the platform and exit the station’s main hall on the city side, you are directly on Banegårdspladsen.
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City bus to Odense Station area
Odense’s city buses operate numerous routes that converge at or beside the central station. Typical journey times from residential districts and outlying neighbourhoods range from 10 to 30 minutes, with buses usually running every 10–20 minutes in daytime and less frequently in late evening. Single tickets generally cost around 20–30 DKK, with options to pay via card or travel card on most services. Alight at stops signed for the station; from the bus stands it is only a short, step‑free walk across to Banegårdspladsen.
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Regional bus from Funen and nearby towns
If you are coming from smaller towns on Funen or nearby regions without direct rail connections, regional buses link many communities to Odense. Travel times commonly range between 30 and 75 minutes depending on distance and route, and fares are usually comparable to regional train prices for the same distance, often around 40–120 DKK. Services may be less frequent in the evenings and on weekends, so checking timetables in advance is important. Most regional buses arrive at or near the station’s bus terminal, from where Banegårdspladsen lies just beyond the main station building.
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Cycling within Odense
Within Odense itself, cycling is a practical and popular way to reach Banegårdspladsen thanks to the city’s extensive bike lanes. Riding from central districts typically takes 5–20 minutes depending on your starting point, with mostly flat terrain and dedicated cycle paths along main corridors. You can use your own bicycle or rent one from local bike hire outlets or app‑based schemes at varying daily or hourly rates. Bicycle parking racks are located around the station area, allowing you to secure your bike before you walk directly onto the square.
Banegårdspladsen location weather suitability
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Any Weather
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Clear Skies
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Mild Temperatures
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Cold Weather
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Rain / Wet Weather
Discover more about Banegårdspladsen
A city gateway shaped by railways and stories
Banegårdspladsen is Odense’s railway square, the urban forecourt where streets, buses, bikes and trains all flow together. As you step out of the station, this is the first open space you encounter, framed by transport buildings, shops and the steady rhythm of people arriving and departing. It feels practical at first glance, yet there is a deliberate sense of openness here: broad paving, clear sightlines and room to pause before you dive into the city. The square has grown up around Odense’s role as a rail hub for Funen, and its character is still shaped by movement. Bicycles glide past in dense streams, buses pull in and out, and there is a constant low murmur of rolling suitcases, conversations and announcements drifting from the station. Despite the bustle, patches of seating and low planting offer small islands where you can pause and orient yourself.The Trinity: a spiralling tribute to Hans Christian Andersen
Rising eight metres above the paving, The Trinity sculpture by Danish artist Bjørn Nørgaard pulls the square firmly into Odense’s fairy‑tale universe. At a distance you notice a tall, twisting column of bronze figures; up close you can trace three intertwined characters spiralling upward, an expressive portrait of Hans Christian Andersen and his many inner contradictions. The sculpture is based on a figure Andersen himself sketched in the 1850s, reimagined here in monumental form. Around the base, the plinth breaks into stair‑like levels that rise and fall in different directions. On these surfaces and along the column you find small scenes and figures from Andersen’s tales: familiar characters, hints of journeys, shadows and companions from his stories. The work rewards slow looking; new details surface as you circle it from different angles, each side suggesting a different mood or narrative.Reading the square as an open-air gallery
Although Banegårdspladsen functions first as a transport space, it is also part of Odense’s wider network of public art. The Trinity stands as a strong sculptural anchor, but the square’s value lies in how it frames the work. Paving lines subtly guide your gaze towards the sculpture, while the open sky above it becomes part of the composition, changing with light, clouds and time of day. During the day, the bronze catches shifting sunlight, from cool morning glints to warm late‑afternoon tones. In the darker months, artificial lighting picks out edges and faces, giving the figures a more dramatic, almost theatrical presence. The constant flow of people moving around the sculpture becomes an ever‑changing backdrop, turning the square into a living stage where art and everyday life share the same setting.Everyday rhythms and short but vivid visits
Most encounters with Banegårdspladsen are brief: a few minutes between trains, a quick shortcut across the square, a meeting point before exploring Odense. Yet those short pauses can be surprisingly rich. You can sit for a moment to watch commuters weave around the sculpture, children darting up onto the steps of the plinth, or cyclists threading through the space with casual ease. If you have a little more time, the square can serve as a gentle introduction to Odense’s fascination with Andersen. From here, you are only a walk away from fairy‑tale sculptures scattered through the city and the dedicated museum worlds built around his life and work. Banegårdspladsen, with The Trinity at its heart, is like a prologue: a compact scene that hints at deeper stories waiting just beyond the station.Seasonal moods at the station forecourt
The feel of Banegårdspladsen shifts noticeably with the seasons. In winter, cold air and early dusk give the square a crisp, cinematic quality, with warm light spilling from the station and steam rising from coffee cups on nearby benches. On bright summer days, the space opens up, its pale paving and bronze tones softened by sun and the brighter colours of passing cyclists and travellers. Rain turns the ground reflective, doubling the sculpture in shiny puddles and adding a gentle soundtrack of drops. Whatever the weather, the square remains an outdoor room where Odense’s daily life passes in front of a single, striking artwork.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Odense St.
0.1 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
0.1 km
A towering, threefold portrait of Hans Christian Andersen that greets you outside Odense Station with colour, symbolism and quietly dramatic storytelling.
Oceania
0.6 km
A bold, reclining bronze goddess that provokes, delights, and defines Odense's artistic identity.
visit
0.6 km
Experience Odense's premier cocktail bar, Visit, where classic and innovative drinks meet in a cozy, inviting atmosphere.
Papirbåden | H.C. Andersen
0.8 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.”
Kirsebærtræer, Ny Kongevej
1.6 km
Odense's longest cherry blossom avenue, where community passion transforms a neighborhood street into springtime magic.
EM-statue-1992 (Richard Møller Nielsen)
2.4 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
2.9 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
4.5 km
A striking red-brick monument to Odense's industrial heritage and early 20th-century urban modernization.
Jernalderlandsbyen Odins Odense
4.6 km
Discover Danish and international art at Bredgade Kunsthandel, an elegant gallery in central Copenhagen’s historic Frederiksstaden near top cultural landmarks.
Sortehusene
6.6 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.
8.7 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
10.6 km
Discover Sanderumgaard, Funen’s enchanting Romantic-era landscape park: a blend of historic estate, poetic gardens, and serene lakes just beyond Odense.
The Glavendrup Stone
13.4 km
Denmark's longest runic inscription, carved with divine invocation and protective curse.
Rolfshøj
13.6 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.
Unmissable attractions to see
Danmarks Jernbanemuseum
0.2 km
Explore Denmark's railway heritage aboard historic locomotives and vintage carriages in an authentic 1954 depot.
King's Garden
0.2 km
Odense’s historic royal garden – a formal yet welcoming green gateway of lawns, sculptures and summer concerts beside the city’s castle.
Saint Hans Church
0.3 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.
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.
Carl Nielsen Museum
0.3 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.
The City's Bridge
0.3 km
Stunning coastal headland at Funen’s northern tip, offering wild landscapes, panoramic sea views, rare birdlife, and serene walking trails in a pristine Danish nature reserve.
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.
H. C. Andersens House
0.4 km
An immersive museum in Odense where architecture, garden and multimedia exhibitions draw you deep into the imaginative world of Hans Christian Andersen.
Blackfriars Square
0.4 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.
Andersen on the bench
0.4 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.
VILLE VAU
0.4 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
0.5 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
0.5 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.
Møntergården
0.5 km
A pocket-sized historic quarter where cobbled courtyards, timbered houses and multimedia galleries bring the story of Odense and Funen vividly to life.
Thriges Kraftcentral
0.5 km
A fully operational 1916 power station where vintage diesel engines roar to life monthly, preserving a century of industrial innovation.
Essential places to dine
Giraffen
0.1 km
Hearty Danish comfort food and a casual bar atmosphere right inside Odense’s main station, ideal for hungry travelers and locals on the go.
Brasserie Bordeaux
0.3 km
A classic French brasserie in central Odense, serving breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner with thoughtful wines and cocktails in warm, candlelit surroundings.
Restaurant Under Lindetræet
0.4 km
Intimate fine dining in a 1771 townhouse opposite Hans Christian Andersen’s home, where seasonal Danish cuisine meets softly lit Odense history.
Restaurant Oluf Bagers Gaard
0.4 km
Historic merchant's house serving refined Danish cuisine and social dining in the heart of Odense.
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.
Restaurant Mam
0.5 km
Intimate French-inspired dining in central Odense, where seasonal Danish ingredients, local culinary heritage and thoughtful service come together over unhurried dinners.
Bar Tapas
0.5 km
Cosy Nordic-Spanish tapas in central Odense, serving a curated ten-course evening of shared plates, Spanish wines and sangria in a warm, candlelit setting.
La Dolce Vita | Fashion Cafe
0.5 km
Cozy Italian restaurant and café in central Odense, serving classic pizzas, pastas and antipasti in warm, informal surroundings from evening until late.
Grønttorvet
0.5 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.
Ryan's of Odense
0.5 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.
Den Gamle Kro A/S
0.5 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.
Grand's Fiskerestaurant
0.5 km
Classic seafood and shellfish in the historic First Hotel Grand, where local Danish produce, seasonal menus and a refined wine list create leisurely evenings in central Odense.
UBN
0.6 km
Lively city-centre brasserie in historic Odense, serving seasonal comfort food and stone-oven pizzas alongside a serious cocktail bar with 300+ spirits.
Den Lille Smalle
0.6 km
Cozy Odense café beloved for exceptional smoothie bowls, quality coffee, and genuine Danish hygge.
A Hereford Beefstouw - Odense
0.6 km
For nearly 50 years Odense’s quintessential Danish steakhouse, now closed but still shaping the character and culinary memory of Vestergade 13.
Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
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.
Asian Stitching & Applied Arts v / Hong Diem Phan
0.3 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.
Klods Hans
0.4 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
0.5 km
A warm, glowing boutique in central Odense where millions of years of Baltic amber meet clean Danish jewellery design and thoughtfully curated gifts.
Baggårdsbutikken
0.5 km
Curated vintage and secondhand fashion in the heart of Odense's city center.
ButikZoom
0.5 km
Industrial-chic furniture and décor in a former Odense industrial setting, blending raw materials, moody lighting and Nordic restraint into a compact design showcase.
Boutique India v/ shahzad ali
0.5 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
0.5 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.
Look At This
0.6 km
A small, curated clothing store tucked inside a redbrick former textile factory, where Odense’s industrial past meets calm, contemporary Scandinavian style.
Aunt Green ApS
0.6 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.
Faraos Cigarer
0.6 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.
Rezet Sneaker Store Odense
0.6 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
0.6 km
A spacious, lounge‑like whisky specialist in central Odense, pairing rare independent bottlings with relaxed tastings and knowledgeable, down‑to‑earth guidance.
SEPHORA MAGASIN ODENSE
0.7 km
A sleek, centrally located beauty hub inside Magasin, where international makeup, skincare and fragrance meet Odense’s city-center shopping life.
Magasin Odense
0.7 km
Odense’s classic multi-level department store, blending Danish style, fashion, beauty, homewares and cosy café stops under one roof on lively Vestergade.
Essential bars & hidden hideouts
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
0.3 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.
Lørups Vinstue
0.5 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.
Grand Bar & Lounge
0.5 km
Sophisticated cocktails and refined ambiance in a historic 1897 building at the heart of Odense.
Kick Off - Sportspub
0.6 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
0.6 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
0.6 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.
Bootleggers Craft Beer Bar - Odense C
0.6 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.
Den Standhaftige Tinsoldat Af Odense
0.6 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
0.6 km
Intimate candlelit cocktails, shareable tapas and a warm, relaxed buzz right in the heart of Odense’s nightlife district.
Viggos
0.6 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
0.7 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.
Pub 47 - Bills Pub
0.7 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.
The Boat House
0.7 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.
Bar Rar Ltd.
0.7 km
Intimate, candlelit cocktail bar in central Odense, pairing Nordic simplicity with carefully crafted drinks and a relaxed, late-night neighbourhood vibe.
Nightclubs & after hour spots
Boogie Dance Café
0.4 km
Odense's oldest disco where retro charm meets genuine community dancing.
BUTCHERS Odense
0.6 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
0.6 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
0.8 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
5.7 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
26.6 km
Nyborg's independent music sanctuary where local bands rehearse, collaborate, and perform since 1974.
KJ's bodel
27.2 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
40.7 km
Compact, high-energy weekend nightclub in central Svendborg, serving mainstream beats, drinks and a sociable dance floor until the early hours.
AHA Livestage
43.6 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
47.2 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
48.2 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
49.5 km
Distinctive links course on Ærø’s northwest cape, blending historic lighthouse views, Nordic coastlines, and a classic Danish golfing challenge.
Samsø Island Distillery
49.6 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
49.7 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
50.5 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
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Modern Designs
For the architecture buff
- Modern
- Landmarks
- Art & Design
For the social media creator & influencer
- Photo Spots
- Architectural Shots
- Instagrammable
- Reel-Friendly
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
- Wheelchair Access
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Solo Female Friendly
- Business Friendly
