Hans Christian Andersen’s Childhood Home, Odense
Step into the tiny yellow cottage on Munkemøllestræde where a shoemaker’s son grew into the storyteller whose fairytales would enchant the world.
In a quiet cobbled lane in central Odense, the small yellow half‑timbered house on Munkemøllestræde offers an intimate glimpse into Hans Christian Andersen’s early years. From age two to fourteen, the future storyteller shared these few modest rooms with his parents, a shoemaker’s tools and big dreams. Today the cottage is preserved as a compact museum, with a reconstructed cobbler’s workshop, text and objects drawn from Andersen’s own recollections, and a tiny enclosed garden planted with flowers from his tales.
A brief summary to Hans Christian Andersen's Childhood Home
- Munkemøllestræde 3, Odense, Odense C, 5000, DK
- +4565514601
- Visit website
- Duration: 0.5 to 1 hours
- Mid ranged
-
Indoor
- Mobile reception: 4 out of 5
- Tuesday 11 am-4 pm
- Wednesday 11 am-4 pm
- Thursday 11 am-4 pm
- Friday 11 am-4 pm
- Saturday 11 am-4 pm
- Sunday 11 am-4 pm
Local tips
- Combine your visit with Hans Christian Andersen House nearby; a single museum ticket often includes or discounts entry to the Childhood Home.
- Arrive close to opening time to experience the small rooms before they feel crowded, especially in school holidays and summer weekends.
- Spend a few quiet minutes in the tiny garden to spot plants mentioned in Andersen’s tales and to enjoy a calm pause in the middle of the city.
- Ceilings and doorways are low; taller visitors should watch their heads and anyone with mobility issues should be prepared for uneven floors.
- Bring older children who know some of Andersen’s stories; recognizing references in the exhibits adds extra magic to the small museum.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Seating Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
Getting There
-
Walk from central Odense
From the historic core of Odense, reaching Munkemøllestræde is a straightforward city walk of about 10–20 minutes depending on your starting point. The route runs along paved streets and some cobblestones, with only gentle inclines. It is suitable for most visitors, though wheelchair users may find the final cobbled sections slightly uneven. Walking has no cost and is often the quickest option within the compact centre.
-
Local city bus within Odense
Odense’s city buses link residential districts with the inner city in roughly 10–25 minutes of travel time, depending on distance and traffic. A single adult ticket typically costs around 24–30 DKK and can be bought from ticket machines or via local transport apps. Buses stop within a short walk of the cathedral area, from where it is an easy stroll through the old streets to the childhood home. Services run frequently during the day but are less frequent in the evening and on Sundays.
-
Light rail (Odense Letbane) plus short walk
If you are staying along the Odense light rail line, take the tram to a central stop near the historic quarter. Journeys within the city usually take 5–20 minutes, using the same ticket system and fares as local buses, with single adult rides around 24–30 DKK. Trams run at regular intervals throughout the day. From the central stop it is an easy pedestrian approach through the old town streets to Munkemøllestræde.
-
Taxi within Odense
Taxis are widely available across Odense and offer a convenient option if you prefer direct access to the old town. A typical ride of 3–5 kilometres within the city takes about 10–15 minutes, depending on traffic, and usually costs in the region of 120–200 DKK including basic fees. Taxis can drop passengers close to the cobbled lane, but vehicles cannot drive directly up to the cottage door due to the historic street layout.
Hans Christian Andersen's Childhood Home location weather suitability
-
Any Weather
-
Cold Weather
-
Mild Temperatures
-
Hot Weather
Discover more about Hans Christian Andersen's Childhood Home
A modest yellow house that shaped a storyteller
Step off busy Odense streets into Munkemøllestræde and the pace drops with the cobblestones. Here, in a low yellow half‑timbered cottage, Hans Christian Andersen spent his childhood from the age of two until he left for Copenhagen as a teenager. The house is small even by 19th‑century standards: a couple of compact rooms and a narrow entrance set directly onto the street. Yet within these tight walls a shoemaker’s son began imagining worlds far larger than the town around him. Opened as a museum in 1930, the building has been carefully preserved so that its scale and character remain close to what Andersen described in his autobiographical writings. The ceilings are low, the floors uneven, and the timber framework clearly visible, giving a tangible sense of a working‑class home in early 1800s Denmark.Inside the cobbler’s rooms
The interiors are arranged around a reconstructed cobbler’s workshop, echoing the tools and materials Andersen’s father used. Wooden lasts, leather scraps and simple benches show how the front room doubled as both workplace and living space. Nearby, displays weave in quotations from Andersen, anchoring the objects to specific memories: stories read aloud, fantasies spun while shoes were mended, and the constant presence of poverty. The living quarters are sparse, with few possessions and almost no ornament. Simple furniture, bare floorboards and practical household items underline how cramped life would have been for a family sharing these rooms. This very constraint, however, helps explain the intensity of Andersen’s inner life; with little material comfort, imagination became a vital escape.A tiny garden full of fairytales
Behind the house, a walled backyard garden adds a gentler note. Historically, the family had almost no garden to speak of, but today the space is planted with species mentioned in Andersen’s writings: elder, dock, gooseberries and other modest plants that caught a child’s eye. The garden is deliberately small and enclosed, creating an almost stage‑like setting where nature feels curated and close at hand. It is easy to picture the young Hans studying leaves and stems, turning tiny details into metaphors that would later blossom in his stories. Benches invite a short pause, making this a surprisingly tranquil corner of the city centre.Context within Odense’s Andersen heritage
The childhood home forms one element of a wider constellation of Andersen sites in Odense, which also includes his presumed birthplace and a large contemporary museum dedicated to his life and work. Unlike those broader installations, this house focuses tightly on a specific period: the years when he was still anonymous, poor and full of longing. Panels and objects sketch the family’s circumstances, the father’s early death and the mother’s struggles, without overwhelming the small rooms. The emphasis stays on atmosphere rather than exhaustive biography, making the visit compact but emotionally resonant.Planning your time inside the cottage
The museum is small enough to explore in under an hour, but its details reward a lingering look. The narrow layout and historic structure mean space is limited; only a handful of people can comfortably stand in each room at once. In cooler months, the thick walls and low ceilings feel snug; in summer, open windows bring in muted city sounds from the lane outside. Short, clear labels in multiple languages make the story accessible, and it is easy to combine a stop here with a wider wander through Odense’s historic core. For anyone interested in how a global literary figure emerged from intensely modest surroundings, this little house is an essential piece of the puzzle.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Oceania
0.2 km
A bold, reclining bronze goddess that provokes, delights, and defines Odense's artistic identity.
Papirbåden | H.C. Andersen
0.2 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
0.2 km
Experience Odense's premier cocktail bar, Visit, where classic and innovative drinks meet in a cozy, inviting atmosphere.
Skyggen, rejseskammeraten og improvisatoren
0.7 km
A towering, threefold portrait of Hans Christian Andersen that greets you outside Odense Station with colour, symbolism and quietly dramatic storytelling.
Odense St.
0.7 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.
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)
2.3 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
3.7 km
A striking red-brick monument to Odense's industrial heritage and early 20th-century urban modernization.
Jernalderlandsbyen Odins Odense
5.1 km
Discover Danish and international art at Bredgade Kunsthandel, an elegant gallery in central Copenhagen’s historic Frederiksstaden near top cultural landmarks.
Sortehusene
7.3 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.
9.4 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
13.1 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
14.1 km
Denmark's longest runic inscription, carved with divine invocation and protective curse.
Unmissable attractions to see
The maiden jump
0.1 km
Walk through history at The Funen Village in Odense, where 19th-century farmsteads, gardens, and local traditions offer a full-senses journey into rural Denmark.
Odense Cathedral - St. Canute's Church
0.1 km
A vibrant tribute to Hans Christian Andersen’s timeless tales, this lively mural transforms central Odense into a colorful celebration of Denmark’s literary heritage.
The Darning Needle
0.2 km
A provocative Hans Christian Andersen–inspired granite sculpture on Odense’s main shopping street, where a simple needle becomes a playful, ambiguous urban conversation.
Eventyrhaven
0.2 km
Riverside lawns, fairy-tale sculptures and seasonal blooms create a peaceful Hans Christian Andersen–inspired refuge in the very heart of Odense.
Odense City Hall
0.2 km
Enjoy serene lawns, mature trees, and recreational paths in Nyborg’s central green park—a scenic spot for relaxation and community just steps from historical landmarks.
Den Flyvende Kuffert Eventyrskulptur
0.2 km
A bronze suitcase poised for takeoff above a shimmering fountain, this H.C. Andersen–inspired sculpture turns a small Odense square into a quiet fairytale scene.
Vægmaleri
0.2 km
Discover the tranquil beauty of Sneglehøjen in Odense, a serene natural retreat perfect for leisurely walks and family outings.
Bispens lysthus
0.2 km
A tiny red timber pavilion on stilts above Odense Å, Bispens Lysthus blends riverside calm, ecclesiastical history and postcard-perfect charm in the city’s green heart.
Klokkedybet
0.2 km
A quiet, story-rich bend of Odense River where legends of a sunken bell and Hans Christian Andersen’s fairytale imagination deepen an otherwise modest city waterscape.
St. Alban's Church
0.3 km
Experience the heart of Danish comedy at Odense Comediehuus, where culture and laughter intertwine in the vibrant city center.
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.
Washing Site at Odense River
0.4 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.
Klods Hans billedevæg
0.4 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.
Tidens Samling
0.4 km
Hands-on time travel through 20th‑century Danish homes, fashion and design inside Odense’s historic Brandts Klædefabrik complex.
The Sea Horse
0.4 km
A powerful Andersen-inspired sea horse and mermaid burst from the Odense River, marking a poetic gateway between city streets and leafy Munke Mose park.
Essential places to dine
Druen & Bønnen
0.2 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.
Restaurant Madklubben Odense
0.2 km
Big-hearted, central Odense brasserie serving modern seasonal comfort food in iconic premises, with space for everything from weekday lunches to festive gatherings.
Rivalen restaurant & bar
0.2 km
Contemporary Danish dining with innovative flair in Odense's vibrant city center.
Restaurant Klosterkroen
0.2 km
A cozy, inn-style restaurant in central Odense serving generous portions of traditional Danish comfort food in nostalgic, candlelit surroundings.
MASH - Restaurant Odense
0.2 km
Modern American steakhouse vibes in a historic Odense brewery yard, serving premium cuts, bold wines and cocktails in a low‑lit, cosmopolitan setting.
The Burger Odense
0.2 km
Quality flame-grilled burgers in casual comfort at the heart of Odense.
Café Kræz
0.2 km
Central Odense café by day, vibrant weekend bar by night with European cuisine and live entertainment.
A Hereford Beefstouw - Odense
0.2 km
For nearly 50 years Odense’s quintessential Danish steakhouse, now closed but still shaping the character and culinary memory of Vestergade 13.
Café Skt. Gertrud
0.2 km
Classic French café and weekend cocktail bar in Odense's vibrant city center since 1986.
UBN
0.2 km
Lively city-centre brasserie in historic Odense, serving seasonal comfort food and stone-oven pizzas alongside a serious cocktail bar with 300+ spirits.
Restaurant Bacchus
0.2 km
Authentic French fine dining in an intimate Odense setting, where classical technique meets refined hospitality.
Den Lille Smalle
0.2 km
Cozy Odense café beloved for exceptional smoothie bowls, quality coffee, and genuine Danish hygge.
Amy's Bar & Winehouse
0.2 km
A cozy, social hub in central Odense renowned for its expertly chosen wines, relaxed atmosphere, and local flavor—perfect for an authentic Danish evening out.
Vietnam Street Food / Restaurant Odense
0.3 km
Casual Vietnamese street-food spot in central Odense, serving pho, bánh mì and noodle bowls in a bright, unfussy setting ideal for quick, flavourful meals.
Olivia Brasserie - Restaurant Odense
0.3 km
French-inspired brasserie cooking, relaxed café energy and cobbled-lane atmosphere in the heart of Odense’s historic Vintapperstræde.
Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
Moby Disc
0.1 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.
Summerbird
0.1 km
Refined Danish chocolaterie and gift shop in central Odense, showcasing elegant marzipan, pralines, and design-led treats perfect for thoughtful, gourmet gifting.
All About Kids
0.1 km
A welcoming children’s universe in central Odense, combining Scandinavian-style toys and décor with a calming baby lounge and practical stroller rentals.
Dr. Adams
0.1 km
Curated Scandinavian fashion boutique celebrating independent style since 1994.
Magasin Odense
0.1 km
Odense’s classic multi-level department store, blending Danish style, fashion, beauty, homewares and cosy café stops under one roof on lively Vestergade.
Hunkemöller Danmark A/S
0.1 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.
SEPHORA MAGASIN ODENSE
0.2 km
A sleek, centrally located beauty hub inside Magasin, where international makeup, skincare and fragrance meet Odense’s city-center shopping life.
Friluftsland
0.2 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.
Rezet Sneaker Store Odense
0.2 km
Scandinavian-style sneaker boutique in central Odense, blending clean design, curated streetwear and sought-after footwear drops on lively Vestergade.
Bog & idé - Odense C
0.2 km
Odense's premier destination for books, games, stationery, and creative supplies in the city centre.
Flying Tiger Copenhagen
0.2 km
A colourful, budget-friendly design playground in central Odense, packed with quirky gifts, stationery, toys and home essentials for spontaneous, feel-good browsing.
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.
Underground
0.3 km
Curated streetwear and sneakers with urban culture vibes in central Odense.
Tryde Andrés - Wunderwear - Odense C
0.3 km
Intimate Danish lingerie and swimwear boutique on Odense’s main shopping street, blending heritage, personal fittings and understated Scandinavian style.
Faraos Cigarer
0.4 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.
Essential bars & hidden hideouts
Den Brølende And
0.0 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
0.0 km
Odense's casual sports bar where pool, darts, and community spirit meet affordable drinks and good times.
No Stress Odense
0.1 km
Laid‑back cocktail den in central Odense, blending dessert‑inspired drinks, old‑school beats and retro gaming in a cozy living‑room atmosphere.
Champagniet
0.1 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
0.1 km
Intimate Odense wine bar pairing timeless European recipes with a curated list of continental wines in a warm, candlelit setting on Klaregade.
Tingstedet
0.2 km
Smoky, lively and unapologetically brown, Tingstedet is Odense’s cellar bar where cheap beers, close tables and local stories fuel long, unpretentious nights.
June Bar
0.2 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
0.2 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.
James Dean Bar
0.2 km
Retro 1950s vibes and karaoke nights in the heart of Odense's nightlife scene.
Proud Mary Odense
0.2 km
Big, boisterous and central, Proud Mary Pub Odense turns a former arcade into a vast English-style party pub with sports screens, cocktails and dancing till late.
The Old Irish Pub
0.3 km
Odense's multi-level music venue where Irish tradition meets electronic beats across three unforgettable floors.
Christian Firtal
0.3 km
Odense's premier craft beer specialist with rotating taps and expert bartenders in a cozy pedestrian street setting.
LA Tequila Bar Odense
0.3 km
Basement tequila shots, loud beats and a young crowd turn this Odense city‑centre bar into a compact late‑night party zone on weekend nights.
Grand Bar & Lounge
0.3 km
Sophisticated cocktails and refined ambiance in a historic 1897 building at the heart of Odense.
The Boat House
0.3 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
Dansebar Odense
0.2 km
Lively central Odense nightclub with mainstream hits, colorful lights and a sociable dance floor vibe from late evening into the early hours.
Boogie Dance Café
0.4 km
Odense's oldest disco where retro charm meets genuine community dancing.
BUTCHERS Odense
0.5 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.
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
5.2 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
39.9 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
48.0 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.
Ærø Golf Klub
48.7 km
Distinctive links course on Ærø’s northwest cape, blending historic lighthouse views, Nordic coastlines, and a classic Danish golfing challenge.
Vinkapellet Samsø
49.0 km
Experience the finest organic and natural wines at Vinkapellet Samsø, a cozy haven for wine enthusiasts in the heart of Brundby.
Samsø Island Distillery
50.4 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
50.5 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
51.2 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
- Tranquil
- Scenic
- Unique
- Casual
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Vintage Styles
- Rustic Designs
For the architecture buff
- Historic
- Landmarks
- Heritage Neighborhoods
For the social media creator & influencer
- Photo Spots
- Architectural Shots
- Instagrammable
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Public-Transport Accessible
- Locally Managed
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Day Trip
- Roadtrip Stop
- Myth & Legends
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
