Kulturbotanisk Have
A tranquil 10-hectare botanical sanctuary housing 13,000 plant species and Denmark's finest birch and fern collections.
Kulturbotanisk Have is a serene 10-hectare botanical garden in eastern Odense featuring over 13,000 plant species from around the world. Originally established in 1947 as a teaching resource for local schools, this idyllic green space now serves as both an inspiration garden for horticulture enthusiasts and a peaceful retreat for visitors of all ages. The garden showcases Denmark's largest collection of birch and fern plants, alongside tropical and temperate species arranged in thematic circles designed to engage the senses.
A brief summary to Cultural-botanical Garden
- Odense, Odense SØ, 5220, DK
- Duration: 1.5 to 4 hours
- Free
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Outdoor
- Mobile reception: 4 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
- Visit during spring or summer for peak floral displays, though autumn offers equally stunning scenery with warm-toned foliage and fewer crowds.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes with good grip, as paths vary in terrain and can be uneven in places.
- Allow at least 2–3 hours to explore the thematic circles and river areas without rushing; the garden rewards slow, attentive wandering.
- Bring a picnic or visit early morning to experience the garden at its most peaceful, before afternoon foot traffic increases.
- Check the official website for seasonal events, guided tours, and any temporary closures or special programming before your visit.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Drinking Water
- Food Options
- Seating Areas
- Picnic Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
Getting There
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Public Bus
Multiple bus routes serve the Odense SØ district where the garden is located. Journey times from central Odense typically range from 15–25 minutes depending on the route and traffic conditions. Buses run regularly throughout the day with reduced frequency in evenings and on Sundays. Single tickets cost approximately 24 DKK, or consider a day pass for multiple journeys. Check the Midtrafik website or local transport apps for current schedules and route numbers serving the garden's vicinity.
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Bicycle
Cycling is a practical and popular option in Odense, with dedicated cycle paths connecting most neighborhoods. The journey from central Odense to the garden typically takes 15–20 minutes depending on your starting point and route. Odense has excellent bicycle infrastructure and rental services are widely available. The garden area is relatively flat and accessible by bike, with secure parking facilities available on-site.
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Car
Driving to Kulturbotanisk Have is straightforward via local roads in the Odense SØ district. Journey times from central Odense range from 10–15 minutes depending on traffic and parking availability. The garden has dedicated parking areas, though spaces can be limited during peak visiting hours on weekends and in summer. Parking is typically free or low-cost. GPS coordinates (55.399, 10.430) can be used for navigation via standard mapping applications.
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Walking
Walking from central Odense to the garden is feasible but requires 45–60 minutes depending on your starting point and route. The walk passes through residential neighborhoods with varying terrain and pedestrian infrastructure. This option suits those with time to spare and interest in exploring Odense's local character. Comfortable walking shoes are essential, and the route is generally accessible year-round, though winter conditions may affect some paths.
Cultural-botanical Garden location weather suitability
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Any Weather
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Clear Skies
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Mild Temperatures
Discover more about Cultural-botanical Garden
A Living Classroom Born from Educational Vision
Kulturbotanisk Have emerged from a practical need in 1947, when Odense's schools required a dedicated space to cultivate plants for botany lessons. What began as an educational resource has evolved into one of Denmark's most comprehensive botanical collections, spanning 10 hectares of carefully curated landscapes. The garden's dual purpose—serving both as a teaching institution and public sanctuary—remains central to its identity, welcoming school groups, university researchers, and casual visitors seeking horticultural inspiration.A World of Plants in One Garden
The garden houses more than 13,000 different plant species gathered from across the globe, creating a living encyclopedia of botanical diversity. Visitors encounter tropical specimens thriving alongside temperate varieties, organized within thematic circles that guide exploration and encourage sensory engagement. Denmark's largest collection of birch and fern plants forms a particularly distinctive feature, offering specialists and curious amateurs alike the opportunity to study these groups in unprecedented depth. Perennials and seasonal bloomers ensure that the garden transforms throughout the year, with spring and summer bringing spectacular floral displays of greens and vibrant colors.Seasons of Transformation
The garden's character shifts dramatically with the seasons, each period offering distinct visual and atmospheric qualities. Spring and summer showcase abundant flowering plants and lush foliage, while autumn brings warm oranges and golds that contrast beautifully against evergreen plantings. Even winter reveals the structural elegance of bare branches and persistent seed heads. A serene river winds through the grounds, adding a contemplative dimension to walks and providing habitat for local wildlife. The peaceful setting, combined with open green areas and shaded pathways, creates an environment suited to leisurely strolling, quiet reflection, or family outings.Design and Accessibility
The garden functions as both an inspiration resource for garden designers and a practical public park. Its layout encourages exploration through open areas and planted zones, with comfortable walking paths suitable for visitors of varying mobility. The grounds accommodate picnicking, informal gatherings, and extended visits, while information boards and thematic plantings provide educational context without overwhelming casual visitors. The combination of cultivated garden spaces and more naturalistic areas creates varied experiences within a single destination.Community and Educational Role
Beyond its appeal to tourists and garden enthusiasts, Kulturbotanisk Have remains deeply embedded in Odense's educational infrastructure. Kindergartens and schools regularly visit for outdoor learning experiences, while the garden continues to serve researchers studying plant taxonomy, horticulture, and ecology. This multifaceted function ensures the space remains dynamic and purposeful, supporting both formal education and informal discovery.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Papirbåden | H.C. Andersen
2.6 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
2.7 km
A bold, reclining bronze goddess that provokes, delights, and defines Odense's artistic identity.
Odense St.
2.7 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.
Skyggen, rejseskammeraten og improvisatoren
2.7 km
A towering, threefold portrait of Hans Christian Andersen that greets you outside Odense Station with colour, symbolism and quietly dramatic storytelling.
visit
2.9 km
Experience Odense's premier cocktail bar, Visit, where classic and innovative drinks meet in a cozy, inviting atmosphere.
Kirsebærtræer, Ny Kongevej
4.2 km
Odense's longest cherry blossom avenue, where community passion transforms a neighborhood street into springtime magic.
Odense Dyrskueplads
4.7 km
Experience the cultural heartbeat of Funen at Odense Dyrskueplads, a premier venue for festivals, fairs, and community events in Odense.
Richard Møller Nielsens Plads
5.0 km
Copenhagen’s Jægersborggade is a vibrant hub for coffee lovers, foodies, and creatives, blending artisan shops, eco-eats, and street art in Nørrebro’s heart.
EM-statue-1992 (Richard Møller Nielsen)
5.0 km
Small in size but huge in symbolism, this Odense statue honours the local coach who led Denmark to its unforgettable Euro 1992 triumph.
Bolbro vartegn
5.3 km
A bold neighbourhood landmark celebrating Bolbro's vibrant community identity in western Odense.
TheDoorOdense
5.6 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
5.6 km
A striking red-brick monument to Odense's industrial heritage and early 20th-century urban modernization.
Sortehusene
6.3 km
Historic black houses preserving working-class resilience on Odense's waterfront.
Jernalderlandsbyen Odins Odense
7.1 km
Discover Danish and international art at Bredgade Kunsthandel, an elegant gallery in central Copenhagen’s historic Frederiksstaden near top cultural landmarks.
Sanderumgaard v/Erik Vind
8.3 km
Discover Sanderumgaard, Funen’s enchanting Romantic-era landscape park: a blend of historic estate, poetic gardens, and serene lakes just beyond Odense.
Unmissable attractions to see
Rosengårdcentret
1.7 km
Funen’s largest shopping centre, blending over 150 stores, 25 eateries and a cinema into a bright, weather-proof hub for everyday errands and relaxed days out.
Bunkermuseum Of Odense
2.1 km
Step into a fully preserved Cold War command bunker beneath Odense and explore an atmospheric maze of control rooms, exhibits and civil defence history.
Go monkey odense
2.2 km
Tree‑top ziplines, bouncing net universes and nerve‑testing free‑falls bring forest‑style adventure to the edge of urban Odense at GoMonkey’s outdoor climbing park.
Møntergården
2.3 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
2.3 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
2.3 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.
Andersen on the bench
2.4 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.
Klods Hans billedevæg
2.4 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.
Washing Site at Odense River
2.4 km
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.
Blackfriars Square
2.4 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.
Odense Comediehuus
2.4 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.
Carl Nielsen Museum
2.4 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.
Hans Christian Andersen Mural
2.5 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 Noble Virgin Convent
2.5 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
2.5 km
Experience the heart of Danish comedy at Odense Comediehuus, where culture and laughter intertwine in the vibrant city center.
Essential places to dine
Restaurant Aro
1.4 km
Michelin-starred Nordic cuisine where flawless technique meets creative vision in intimate Odense.
Banjo's
2.0 km
Unpretentious Odense grillbar serving classic Danish smørrebrød, hotdogs, burgers and ribbensteg in a casual, everyday setting on Sandhusvej.
Vår
2.3 km
Intimate, light-filled fine dining in Odense, where a Michelin-recognized chef crafts calm, seasonal tasting menus rooted in local Funen produce and thoughtful wine.
Grønttorvet
2.4 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
2.4 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 Under Lindetræet
2.5 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
2.5 km
Cozy Italian restaurant and café in central Odense, serving classic pizzas, pastas and antipasti in warm, informal surroundings from evening until late.
Restaurant Sezer v/Askin
2.5 km
Cosy Odense neighborhood steakhouse and Italian-inspired eatery serving generous plates, grilled favorites and comfort classics in a warm, easygoing atmosphere.
Ryan's of Odense
2.6 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 Oluf Bagers Gaard
2.6 km
Historic merchant's house serving refined Danish cuisine and social dining in the heart of Odense.
Den Lille Smalle
2.6 km
Cozy Odense café beloved for exceptional smoothie bowls, quality coffee, and genuine Danish hygge.
Restaurant Bacchus
2.6 km
Authentic French fine dining in an intimate Odense setting, where classical technique meets refined hospitality.
Brasserie Bordeaux
2.7 km
A classic French brasserie in central Odense, serving breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner with thoughtful wines and cocktails in warm, candlelit surroundings.
Rivalen restaurant & bar
2.7 km
Contemporary Danish dining with innovative flair in Odense's vibrant city center.
Restaurant Ribelli
2.7 km
Inventive Italian fine dining with a Funen twist, served in an intimate, design-conscious dining room in the historic heart of Odense.
Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
Red Cross Op Shop
1.4 km
Sustainable secondhand shopping supporting humanitarian aid in central Odense.
Butik Pulvis
1.5 km
A cosy Odense vintage shop where estate finds, Danish design and everyday curiosities are carefully curated into a calm, characterful treasure trove.
Den Lille Vandal
1.5 km
A cosy Odense shelf market where local families trade gently used children’s clothes, toys and gear, blending everyday practicality with a sustainable, community feel.
Det Gamle Apotek POP UP - Rosengårdcentret
1.8 km
A cosy Det Gamle Apotek pop-up in Rosengårdcentret, filling Odense’s biggest mall with Danish Christmas charm, nostalgic décor and atmospheric Scandinavian hygge.
aneBane
1.8 km
A cosy women’s boutique and sewing studio in a quiet Odense street, blending curated Scandinavian style with personal, small-scale craftsmanship.
GenbrugsHallerne
2.1 km
A vast indoor thrift hall in Odense where hundreds of private stalls turn second-hand shopping into an urban treasure hunt of everyday finds and quirky curios.
Look At This
2.1 km
A small, curated clothing store tucked inside a redbrick former textile factory, where Odense’s industrial past meets calm, contemporary Scandinavian style.
Baggårdsbutikken
2.2 km
Curated vintage and secondhand fashion in the heart of Odense's city center.
Hipstory | SHOWROOM ODENSE
2.2 km
Educational art celebrating history's most influential figures in contemporary design.
Reden Op Shop
2.3 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
2.4 km
A colourful little Odense shop where Indian textiles, clothing and homewares bring the patterns, textures and warmth of the subcontinent to historic Overgade.
House of Amber Odense
2.5 km
A warm, glowing boutique in central Odense where millions of years of Baltic amber meet clean Danish jewellery design and thoughtfully curated gifts.
Asian Stitching & Applied Arts v / Hong Diem Phan
2.5 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
2.5 km
Characterful fairy-tale souvenir shop in Odense’s historic quarter, offering Andersen-themed gifts and Danish keepsakes in a cosy half-timbered setting.
Dorthe Riber - Trend of Wear
2.5 km
Owner-run Odense boutique offering Scandinavian-inspired everyday fashion, warm personal service and carefully chosen pieces on lively Skibhusvej.
Essential bars & hidden hideouts
Vandpibe Cafe Odense - Casablanca lounge cafe
1.9 km
Cozy Odense shisha lounge blending Middle Eastern café culture with Danish hygge, soft music, and long, sociable evenings over fragrant hookah and drinks.
Den Lille Kro Odense
2.1 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.
Den Standhaftige Tinsoldat Af Odense
2.3 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.
The Flower and the Bee
2.3 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
2.3 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
2.3 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.
Lørups Vinstue
2.4 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.
Ungarsk Vinstue
2.4 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.
Sir Club
2.6 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.
June Bar
2.8 km
Intimate candlelit cocktails, shareable tapas and a warm, relaxed buzz right in the heart of Odense’s nightlife district.
Den Brølende And
2.8 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
2.8 km
Odense's casual sports bar where pool, darts, and community spirit meet affordable drinks and good times.
Bootleggers Craft Beer Bar - Odense C
2.8 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.
Carlsens Kvarter
2.8 km
Characterful Odense beer bar pairing old-school pub coziness with one of the city’s most impressive selections of Danish and international brews.
Champagniet
2.8 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.
For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Tranquil
- Scenic
- Relaxing
- Zen
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Rustic Designs
- Bohemian Styles
For the architecture buff
- Parks & Gardens
- Heritage Neighborhoods
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Panoramas
- Waterfront
- Sunrise Spots
- Sunset Spots
For the social media creator & influencer
- Photo Spots
- Aesthetic Corners
- Instagrammable
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Eco-Friendly
- Protected Area
- Locally Managed
- Wildlife Habitat
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Mindfulness
- Meditation Spot
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Nature Escape
- Day Trip
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Child Friendly
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Wheelchair Access