Kongens Have (King’s Garden), Odense
Odense’s historic royal garden – a formal yet welcoming green gateway of lawns, sculptures and summer concerts beside the city’s castle.
Kongens Have in central Odense is the city’s oldest and most elegant garden, a former royal park wrapped around Odense Castle. Today this green rectangle of lawns, formal avenues and sculptures links the historic centre, the railway area and the harbour, serving as Odense’s principal urban oasis. In summer it becomes an open-air stage for concerts and festivals, while year-round it offers quiet corners, statues and broad paths for relaxed strolls, picnics and play.
A brief summary to King's Garden
- Jernbanegade, Odense, Odense C, 5000, DK
- Visit website
- Duration: 0.5 to 3 hours
- Free
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Outdoor
- Mobile reception: 5 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
- Bring a picnic blanket in summer; the central lawns are ideal for relaxed meals with castle views and plenty of space around you.
- Check local listings for Kongens Have concerts and festivals in summer, when stages and lighting transform the garden after dark.
- Stroll the outer paths to find the main sculptures and sound installation, which are slightly away from the busiest central lawn.
- Visit early in the morning for a quieter, more contemplative atmosphere and soft light on the castle and tree avenues.
- Pack an extra layer if attending an evening event; even in summer, temperatures can drop noticeably after sunset on the open lawns.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Drink Options
- Food Options
- Seating Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
Getting There
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Train and walk
From elsewhere in Funen, take a regional train to Odense Station, a major hub with frequent services from towns such as Middelfart, Nyborg and Svendborg. Typical journeys within the island range from 20 to 45 minutes, with standard adult tickets usually around 40–90 DKK depending on distance and time of day. From the station it is an easy, mostly level 5–10 minute walk through the central district to the garden, suitable for most visitors including those with wheeled luggage or prams.
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City bus
Odense’s local buses stop close to Kongens Have on routes serving the central city and nearby neighbourhoods. Travel times from outer districts such as Vollsmose or Dalum are typically 10–20 minutes, depending on traffic. Single tickets bought on board or via local ticket apps usually cost about 24–30 DKK for an adult within the city fare zones. Buses run throughout the day, with reduced frequency in the late evening and on weekends, and most stops around the centre have level pavements and shelters.
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Bicycle
Odense is one of Denmark’s more cycle-friendly cities, with marked bike lanes leading into the centre from surrounding districts. From many residential areas within the ring road you can expect a 10–20 minute ride to Kongens Have at a relaxed pace. Several hotels and bike shops offer rentals, with typical prices around 100–150 DKK per day for a standard city bike. Surfaces are mostly flat, but be prepared for busy intersections at peak hours and use bike lights during the darker months.
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Car and parking
Drivers approaching central Odense can follow main routes toward the city core and use one of the public car parks around the centre, many of which are within a 5–10 minute walk of Kongens Have. Expect typical city parking fees in the range of 12–25 DKK per hour during the day, with time restrictions and higher demand on weekdays and during major events in the garden. Spaces can be limited at peak times, and some underground or multi-storey facilities have height limits that may affect larger vehicles.
King's Garden location weather suitability
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Clear Skies
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Mild Temperatures
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Hot Weather
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Cold Weather
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Any Weather
Discover more about King's Garden
A royal garden at the heart of Odense
Kongens Have, or the King’s Garden, forms a stately green foreground to Odense Castle, right in the centre of the city. Laid out in the early 18th century as a Baroque garden, it was designed to frame the royal residence with symmetry, long sightlines and carefully controlled nature. Over time, the garden shifted from a private space for the court to Odense’s most important public green area, welcoming residents and visitors into its broad lawns and tree-lined walks. Today the garden still feels regal, with the pale façade of the castle rising above the treetops and long straight paths pulling your eye toward historic buildings at the edges. Even with modern city life only a few steps away, the atmosphere remains calm and deliberate, more like an outdoor salon than a wild park.From Baroque plans to a modern city oasis
The garden’s original Baroque plan, created in the 1720s, can still be sensed in its structure. Straight paths cut the space into clear geometries, and lines of trees create green corridors that hint at the formality of its first design. Over the centuries storms, replanting and tree diseases have reshaped the planting, yet the underlying order and sense of composition remain. This mix of historic layout and newer plantings gives Kongens Have a layered character. Old statues share the lawns with contemporary artworks, and mature trees cast shade over open grassy areas where people now spread out blankets rather than royal parterres. The result is a garden that feels both historically grounded and very much part of a living, evolving city.Art, sculpture and quiet discoveries
Scattered through the garden are several sculptures that reward unhurried exploration. Among them are expressive figurative works and a prominent equestrian statue of a Danish monarch, anchoring one of the main axes. Modern pieces appear too, including an installation of rounded forms that emit sounds, adding a playful, almost musical dimension to the space when activated. Benches are placed at key viewpoints, inviting you to pause and frame the castle, trees and artworks in different combinations. Because cars are kept at the perimeter, the inner garden feels self-contained and peaceful, making it an easy place to wander slowly, read a book or simply watch the patterns of people passing by.Concerts, festivals and summer energy
In the warmer months Kongens Have transforms into one of Odense’s most atmospheric outdoor venues. The flat lawns and central location make it a natural home for open-air concerts, jazz evenings and larger music festivals, where stages are set against the backdrop of castle and trees. On event days the garden fills with sound, food stalls and a distinctly festive energy. Even outside big events, summer evenings are lively. Groups meet for picnics after work, children play around the statues, and the long northern light stretches out the day. Yet it rarely feels overwhelming: the park’s generous size allows quieter edges to coexist with more vibrant corners.Everyday green gateway for the city
Beyond its beauty and history, Kongens Have also functions as a crucial green link between Odense’s centre, the railway district and the redeveloped harbour area. Commuters cut through under the trees, students pause on the lawns, and visitors often encounter the city for the first time here as they step out towards the historic streets. Because it is open at all hours, it offers a dependable patch of calm in the daily rhythm of Odense. Whether you come for a lunchtime stroll, an evening concert or an early-morning walk under the limes, the King’s Garden offers a compact but rich slice of royal history, urban nature and everyday local life in a single, very walkable space.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
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.
Odense St.
0.2 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.
visit
0.4 km
Experience Odense's premier cocktail bar, Visit, where classic and innovative drinks meet in a cozy, inviting atmosphere.
Oceania
0.5 km
A bold, reclining bronze goddess that provokes, delights, and defines Odense's artistic identity.
Papirbåden | H.C. Andersen
0.6 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.”
Kirsebærtræer, Ny Kongevej
1.4 km
Odense's longest cherry blossom avenue, where community passion transforms a neighborhood street into springtime magic.
EM-statue-1992 (Richard Møller Nielsen)
2.2 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
2.8 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
4.3 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
6.8 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.
8.8 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
10.7 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
13.5 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
Odense Castle
0.1 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.
Danaë
0.1 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.
Saint Hans Church
0.2 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.
The City's Bridge
0.2 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.
Banegårdspladsen
0.2 km
A busy railway forecourt where commuters, cyclists and an eight‑metre Hans Christian Andersen–inspired sculpture share the same lively urban stage.
Danmarks Jernbanemuseum
0.3 km
Explore Denmark's railway heritage aboard historic locomotives and vintage carriages in an authentic 1954 depot.
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.
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.
Carl Nielsen Museum
0.4 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.
Den Flyvende Kuffert Eventyrskulptur
0.4 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.
Hermes (gud for handlende) vandskulptur
0.4 km
A monumental Hermes of granite and water marks the gateway to Odense’s main shopping street, weaving myth, Viking history and urban everyday life into one sculpture.
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.
Vægmaleri
0.4 km
Discover the tranquil beauty of Sneglehøjen in Odense, a serene natural retreat perfect for leisurely walks and family outings.
Hans Christian Andersen Mural
0.4 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.
Andersen on the bench
0.5 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.
Essential places to dine
Giraffen
0.2 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
0.2 km
A classic French brasserie in central Odense, serving elegant comfort food, brunch and Bordeaux-friendly dishes from morning coffee to late-night drinks.
Restaurant Mam
0.2 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
0.2 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.
Restaurant Oluf Bagers Gaard
0.3 km
Historic merchant's house serving refined Danish cuisine and social dining in the heart of Odense.
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.
Grand's Fiskerestaurant
0.3 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.
Restaurant Under Lindetræet
0.3 km
Intimate fine dining in a 1771 townhouse opposite Hans Christian Andersen’s home, where seasonal Danish cuisine meets softly lit Odense history.
Ryan's of Odense
0.4 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.
Kok & Vin
0.4 km
Intimate French-inspired bistro in historic central Odense, pairing seasonal Nordic produce with thoughtful wines in a warm, candlelit setting.
Bone's Odense
0.4 km
Family-friendly American barbecue in the heart of Odense, with saloon-style interiors, slow-cooked ribs, salad and soft-ice bar, and space for relaxed group dinners.
UBN
0.4 km
Lively city-centre brasserie in historic Odense, serving seasonal comfort food and stone-oven pizzas alongside a serious cocktail bar with 300+ spirits.
Vietnam Street Food / Restaurant Odense
0.4 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.
Restaurant HOS
0.4 km
Intimate Nordic dining in central Odense, serving elevated smørrebrød by day and seasonal set menus by night in a calm, minimalist setting on lively Kongensgade.
La Dolce Vita | Fashion Cafe
0.4 km
Cozy Italian restaurant and café in central Odense, serving classic pizzas, pastas and antipasti in warm, informal surroundings from evening until late.
Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
Living Nice / Café Kleist
0.3 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.
Klods Hans
0.3 km
Characterful fairy-tale souvenir shop in Odense’s historic quarter, offering Andersen-themed gifts and Danish keepsakes in a cosy half-timbered setting.
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.
Cadenhead's Whisky Shop, Denmark
0.4 km
A spacious, lounge‑like whisky specialist in central Odense, pairing rare independent bottlings with relaxed tastings and knowledgeable, down‑to‑earth guidance.
House of Amber Odense
0.4 km
A warm, glowing boutique in central Odense where millions of years of Baltic amber meet clean Danish jewellery design and thoughtfully curated gifts.
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.
Rezet Sneaker Store Odense
0.4 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.
Friluftsland
0.5 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.
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.
Hunkemöller Danmark A/S
0.5 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.
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.
Asian Stitching & Applied Arts v / Hong Diem Phan
0.5 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.
Tryde Andrés - Wunderwear - Odense C
0.5 km
Intimate Danish lingerie and swimwear boutique on Odense’s main shopping street, blending heritage, personal fittings and understated Scandinavian style.
Dr. Adams
0.6 km
Curated Scandinavian fashion boutique celebrating independent style since 1994.
Essential bars & hidden hideouts
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.
Grand Bar & Lounge
0.3 km
Sophisticated cocktails and refined ambiance in a historic 1897 building at the heart of Odense.
Viggos
0.4 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.
Bootleggers Craft Beer Bar - Odense C
0.4 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.
Pianobar odense
0.4 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
0.4 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.
June Bar
0.4 km
Intimate candlelit cocktails, shareable tapas and a warm, relaxed buzz right in the heart of Odense’s nightlife district.
The Boat House
0.4 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.
0.5 km
Intimate, candlelit cocktail bar in central Odense, pairing Nordic simplicity with carefully crafted drinks and a relaxed, late-night neighbourhood vibe.
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.
LA Tequila Bar Odense
0.5 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.
Christian Firtal
0.5 km
Odense's premier craft beer specialist with rotating taps and expert bartenders in a cozy pedestrian street setting.
The Old Irish Pub
0.5 km
Odense's multi-level music venue where Irish tradition meets electronic beats across three unforgettable floors.
Champagniet
0.5 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
0.6 km
Intimate Odense wine bar pairing timeless European recipes with a curated list of continental wines in a warm, candlelit setting on Klaregade.
Nightclubs & after hour spots
Boogie Dance Café
0.3 km
Odense's oldest disco where retro charm meets genuine community dancing.
Dansebar Odense
0.4 km
Lively central Odense nightclub with mainstream hits, colorful lights and a sociable dance floor vibe from late evening into the early hours.
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.
The slaughterhouse Nightclub & Eventhus
0.6 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
26.7 km
Nyborg's independent music sanctuary where local bands rehearse, collaborate, and perform since 1974.
KJ's bodel
27.3 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
40.6 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
47.4 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
48.4 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
49.2 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
50.0 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
50.7 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
- Relaxing
- Tranquil
- Scenic
- Fun-filled
- Lively
- Unique
- Casual
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Modern Designs
- Rustic Designs
For the architecture buff
- Historic
- Parks & Gardens
- Landmarks
- Viewpoints
- Heritage Neighborhoods
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
- Panoramas
- Sunset Spots
For the social media creator & influencer
- Instagrammable
- Photo Spots
- Selfie Spots
- Aesthetic Corners
- Reel-Friendly
- Architectural Shots
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Low Impact
- Public-Transport Accessible
- Locally Managed
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Mindfulness
- Meditation Spot
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Adventure Photo Shoot
- Roadtrip Stop
- Day Trip
- Festival / Event Nearby
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
- Vegetarian Friendly
- Vegan Friendly
- Business Friendly
- Wheelchair Access
