Carl Nielsen Museum, Odense
Compact yet richly layered museum in Odense’s musical quarter, tracing Carl Nielsen’s life, music and partnership with sculptor Anne Marie Carl-Nielsen.
Tucked into Odense’s musical quarter beside the concert hall, the Carl Nielsen Museum celebrates Denmark’s most renowned composer through an intimate, two-level exhibition. Manuscripts, scores and personal objects trace Nielsen’s journey from humble Funen beginnings to national icon, while displays also spotlight his sculptor wife, Anne Marie Carl-Nielsen. Audio stations, images and evocative period pieces bring both their creative worlds and early 20th-century Danish cultural life into sharp, accessible focus.
A brief summary to Carl Nielsen Museum
- Claus Bergs Gade 11, Odense Municipality, Odense C, 5000, DK
- +4565514601
- Visit website
- Duration: 1 to 2 hours
- Free
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Indoor
- 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
- Allow around 1–2 hours to explore; the museum is small but text-rich, with plenty of details and listening points worth taking slowly.
- Combine your visit with nearby sights such as the Danish Railway Museum or Odense Cathedral, all within a comfortable walk in the city centre.
- Check current opening hours and any seasonal changes in advance, as schedules can differ between low and high season.
- If you are a fan of sculpture, look out for material on Anne Marie Carl-Nielsen to appreciate the artistic dialogue within the couple.
- Consider pairing this museum with a visit to Carl Nielsen’s Childhood Home in rural Funen for a fuller picture of his life journey.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Drink Options
- Food Options
- Seating Areas
- Sheltered Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
- Visitor Center
Getting There
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Light rail and walking
From Odense Station, take the Odense Letbane light rail to the city centre stops near the historic core; the ride typically takes around 5–10 minutes with frequent departures during the day. A standard single ticket within the city zone generally costs in the range of 20–30 DKK, depending on ticket type. From central stops such as those near the pedestrian district it is an easy urban walk of roughly 10–20 minutes through level streets to the museum area around Claus Bergs Gade, suitable for most visitors with basic mobility.
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City bus and walking
Odense’s city buses connect residential districts with the centre and the area around the cathedral and concert hall in approximately 10–20 minutes, depending on starting point and traffic. Single fares within the city usually fall between 20 and 30 DKK, with tickets bought from machines, apps or on board on some routes. Services are more frequent on weekdays and daytime hours; in the evenings and on Sundays, expect longer intervals. From central bus stops it is a short, straightforward walk along paved streets to the museum’s entrance.
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Bicycle from central Odense
Cycling is one of the most convenient ways to move around Odense, which has a well-developed network of bike lanes. From most central neighbourhoods you can reach the museum area in roughly 5–15 minutes at a relaxed pace. City bike rentals and hotel bicycles are common, with daily rental prices often in the 80–150 DKK range depending on type and provider. The terrain is flat and suitable for all experience levels, though you should be comfortable riding in light city traffic and following local cycling rules.
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Car within Odense municipality
If you are driving from elsewhere in Odense, allow about 5–20 minutes to reach the city centre, depending on distance and traffic. Public car parks such as those operated near the concert hall and in central garages charge hourly rates that typically range from around 15 to 30 DKK per hour, with higher rates in the most central facilities. Parking spaces can be tighter on weekday mornings and during major events at nearby venues, so factor in extra time to find a spot and walk a few minutes to the museum.
Carl Nielsen Museum 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
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Hot Weather
Discover more about Carl Nielsen Museum
Music, life and legacy in Odense’s cultural heart
Step inside the Carl Nielsen Museum and you are walking into the story of Denmark’s most celebrated composer, told in a compact but carefully curated space beside Odense’s concert hall. The museum is part of Museum Odense and anchors the city’s musical quarter, where performances and exhibitions intersect. Here, the focus is squarely on Nielsen the person as much as the composer, with his life and times unpacked through letters, portraits, photographs and personal belongings. Across two floors, the museum traces Nielsen’s journey from a boy in rural Funen to a figure whose symphonies and songs helped define Danish musical identity. Original scores, early editions of his works and programmes from landmark performances chart the evolution of his style as he challenged the musical norms of his era. The rooms are modest in scale, but dense with narrative detail, encouraging you to pause, read and listen rather than rush through.Stories of a composer who bent the rules
Nielsen’s reputation rests on his ability to stretch tonality and form without losing a strong sense of melody and rhythm. Exhibition sections explore key themes in his life and music – awakening, resistance, crisis and reconciliation – giving structure to his creative development. Wall texts and listening points introduce you to the symphonies, concertos and songs that made him a national figure, while also hinting at the doubts and tensions behind the confident public persona. Archival photographs and personal letters sketch a man rooted in his Funen upbringing yet keenly engaged with artistic debates across Europe. You see how his folk music background, military band experience and exposure to modernist ideas combined into something distinctly his own. For visitors unfamiliar with classical music, the emphasis on human stories, relationships and everyday objects makes his world approachable rather than intimidating.A partnership of music and sculpture
One of the museum’s most compelling threads is the artistic partnership between Carl Nielsen and his wife, the sculptor Anne Marie Carl-Nielsen. Displays highlight her role not just as a companion but as a trailblazing artist who created large-scale public works and ecclesiastical commissions at a time when few women worked at that level. Sketches, photographs and reproductions of her sculptures sit alongside his scores, underscoring how both challenged expectations in their respective fields. The presentation gives a sense of a well-connected, culturally active couple in early 20th-century Denmark: studio snapshots, travel mementos and domestic items suggest how home life, artistic experimentation and public duties overlapped. This dual focus turns what might have been a specialist composer museum into a broader portrait of creativity, ambition and negotiation within marriage and society.An intimate museum made for close looking and listening
The Carl Nielsen Museum is relatively small, so the experience is concentrated and manageable in a single visit. Rather than large galleries, you move through a sequence of rooms that feel almost like extended studies, each with a specific theme or phase of life. This scale encourages slow exploration: you can linger by a display case, follow a timeline, or sit and absorb a musical excerpt without the pressure of a vast circuit. The connection with the neighbouring concert hall is more than physical. Knowing that Nielsen’s works are still performed in the city where he was born adds resonance to hearing them within the museum. For many visitors, the museum functions as a prelude or counterpoint to live music elsewhere in Odense, situating performances within the long arc of his life story.Planning your visit among Odense’s cultural highlights
Because the exhibition is focused and compact, most people find that an hour or two is enough to see everything at a comfortable pace. This makes the museum easy to combine with other nearby attractions such as Odense’s cathedral, the Danish Railway Museum or the Hans Christian Andersen sites, all within walking distance in the historic centre. The museum generally opens daytime hours several days a week, with extended days in the main season. It is part of a wider network of Museum Odense sites, and at times combined ticketing with Carl Nielsen’s Childhood Home on Funen may be available, allowing you to connect the urban story here with his rural beginnings. Indoors, climate-controlled galleries make this a reliable stop in changeable Danish weather, whether you are seeking a brief cultural interlude or a deeper dive into the life of a composer whose music still echoes well beyond Odense.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Odense St.
0.3 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
0.3 km
A towering, threefold portrait of Hans Christian Andersen that greets you outside Odense Station with colour, symbolism and quietly dramatic storytelling.
Oceania
0.5 km
A bold, reclining bronze goddess that provokes, delights, and defines Odense's artistic identity.
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.”
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
1.8 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
3.2 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
4.4 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
6.7 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.
9.0 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
13.3 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
13.7 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
VILLE VAU
0.2 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.
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.
Kramboden i Odense
0.3 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.
Banegårdspladsen
0.3 km
A busy railway forecourt where commuters, cyclists and an eight‑metre Hans Christian Andersen–inspired sculpture share the same lively urban stage.
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.
St. Alban's Church
0.4 km
Experience the heart of Danish comedy at Odense Comediehuus, where culture and laughter intertwine in the vibrant city center.
Danaë
0.4 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.
Odense Noble Virgin Convent
0.4 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.
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.
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.
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.
Den Gamle Kro A/S
0.3 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.
Restaurant Oluf Bagers Gaard
0.3 km
Historic merchant's house serving refined Danish cuisine and social dining in the heart of Odense.
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.
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.
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.
Giraffen
0.4 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.
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.
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.
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.
Rivalen restaurant & bar
0.4 km
Contemporary Danish dining with innovative flair in Odense's vibrant city center.
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
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.
Living Nice / Café Kleist
0.1 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.
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.
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.
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.
Look At This
0.3 km
A small, curated clothing store tucked inside a redbrick former textile factory, where Odense’s industrial past meets calm, contemporary Scandinavian style.
Asian Stitching & Applied Arts v / Hong Diem Phan
0.4 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.
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
0.4 km
Curated vintage and secondhand fashion in the heart of Odense's city center.
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
0.5 km
Odense’s classic multi-level department store, blending Danish style, fashion, beauty, homewares and cosy café stops under one roof on lively Vestergade.
Friluftsland
0.6 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
0.6 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ungarsk Vinstue
0.4 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
0.5 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.
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.
Nightclubs & after hour spots
BUTCHERS Odense
0.3 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
0.5 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
1.0 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
26.9 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
40.4 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
47.3 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
48.3 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
49.3 km
Distinctive links course on Ærø’s northwest cape, blending historic lighthouse views, Nordic coastlines, and a classic Danish golfing challenge.
Samsø Island Distillery
49.8 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
49.9 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
50.6 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
- Unique
- Casual
- Boutique
- Tranquil
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Minimalist Designs
- Modern Designs
- Vintage Styles
For the architecture buff
- Historic
- Landmarks
- Art & Design
For the social media creator & influencer
- Photo Spots
- Architectural Shots
- Aesthetic Corners
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Public-Transport Accessible
- Low Impact
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Day Trip
- Mindfulness
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
- LGBT Friendly
- Business Friendly
