Best Landmarks near Banegårdspladsen

Odense Station is the main rail hub of Funen and the gateway to Hans Christian Andersen’s hometown, set on Østre Stationsvej at the northern edge of Odense’s historic center. The modern 1995 complex folds together intercity rail, regional trains, buses and the light rail, with shops and services under one roof. It is a practical, covered base for day trips across Denmark and a convenient starting point for exploring Odense on foot, by tram or by bike.

Rising beside Odense’s busy railway hub and the greenery of Kongens Have, the eight‑metre sculpture “Skyggen, Rejsekammeraten og Improvisatoren” forms a striking, threefold portrait of Hans Christian Andersen. Created in 2005 by Danish artist Bjørn Nørgaard, the work weaves together figures and motifs from Andersen’s tales into a bold, contemporary monument. With its colourful, symbolic surfaces and slightly surreal forms, this outdoor artwork invites you to pause, circle around it and slowly decode how shadow, traveller and improviser capture different sides of Denmark’s most famous storyteller.

Set beside the leafy King’s Garden in the heart of Odense, Odense Castle is a dignified former royal residence that now houses city offices behind a pale-yellow, classically proportioned façade. Originally built as a royal palace and later remodelled in the 18th and 19th centuries, the castle anchors one edge of the park with its long wings, copper roofs and decorative details. Visitors come not for grand interiors, but for the tranquil setting, the historical architecture and the relaxed green space that frames the building.

Byens Bro is a striking 135-metre pedestrian and cycle bridge that spans 15 railway tracks at Odense Railway Station, connecting the city centre with the harbour area. Opened in May 2015 and designed by Gottlieb Paludan Architects, this architectural landmark features a distinctive 40-metre mirror-finished steel pylon and integrated bicycle parking for 1,400 bikes. The bridge provides direct access to three station platforms via lift and stairs, and creates two vibrant urban squares that serve as meeting points for commuters and visitors.

In the heart of Odense’s modern cultural quarter, the bronze sculpture “Hans Christian Andersen on the Bench” invites you to literally sit beside Denmark’s most famous storyteller. Created by sculptor Jens Galschiøt, the lifelike figure of Andersen, relaxed yet thoughtful, sits outside the hotel and casino complex near the concert hall. It is a compact but characterful stop on any Hans Christian Andersen walking route, ideal for a quick pause, a photo, and a quiet moment reflecting on his fairy-tale world.

A striking street art mural located on Vestergade in central Odense, this public artwork exemplifies the city's vibrant contemporary art scene. The mural contributes to Odense's urban transformation, bringing color and artistic expression to the historic streetscape. Part of a broader initiative to integrate visual art into everyday city spaces, this piece invites passersby to pause and engage with the creative energy that defines modern Odense.

A striking neo-Gothic Catholic church in central Odense, built in the early 20th century and designed by German architect Ludwig Schneider. With its distinctive 54-meter tower, ornate stained glass windows, and hand-carved wooden altarpiece, this architectural gem serves as a spiritual focal point for the city's Polish, German, and Vietnamese Catholic communities. Though overshadowed by the nearby cathedral, St. Alban's Church stands as a testament to 20th-century religious craftsmanship and immigrant heritage.

A striking bronze sculpture of the sea goddess Oceania reclines on Flakhaven, Odense's central square. Created by Danish artist Svend Wiig Hansen and installed in 1992, this provocative work features a classical face, seal-flipper feet, and a muscular form that has sparked both admiration and debate among locals and visitors. Children delight in using the sculpture as a climbing and sliding structure, while its bold, unapologetic presence makes it one of Odense's most talked-about artworks.

Odense City Hall presides over Flakhaven square in the very heart of Odense, a red‑brick landmark that doubles as both the city’s political hub and one of its most photogenic facades. Built between 1881 and 1883 in an Italian‑inspired Gothic historicist style by architects J.D. Herholdt and Carl Lendorf, it frames the cathedral and cobbled square with ornate gables, arches and a clock tower. Visitors come to admire the architecture, pause on the steps overlooking lively Flakhaven, and use the building as a reference point while exploring Hans Christian Andersen’s hometown.

A submerged bronze sculpture of Hans Christian Andersen by artist Jens Galschiøt sits in Odense Fjord, visible just below the surface near the public swimming pool. Created for an unrealized fountain project, the 3-meter figure became famous after a symbolic 2011 'burial' protest against bureaucratic delays. A reproduction now permanently occupies the harbour, embodying the whimsical defiance of one of Denmark's most unconventional public artworks.