Best Landmarks near Promenaden Treppe

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

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

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

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

Odense Castle is a dignified Baroque complex set in the heart of Odense, overlooking the leafy King’s Garden and a short stroll from the cathedral. Once a royal residence and administrative seat, the pale-yellow wings, neat courtyards and formal parkland offer a calm contrast to the busy city streets. While interior access is limited, the castle’s façades, gardens, sculptures and seasonal events make it a pleasant cultural pause on any walk through central Odense.

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

Ny Kongevej is Odense's longest avenue lined with Japanese cherry trees, transforming into a spectacular floral display each spring. This beloved neighborhood street stretches through residential Odense C, where local residents have collectively invested in maintaining and expanding the cherry tree population. The avenue has become one of the city's most cherished seasonal attractions, drawing visitors and photographers during the brief but stunning blooming period.

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

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

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