Tidens Samling – The Time Collection, Odense
Hands-on time travel through 20th‑century Danish homes, fashion and design inside Odense’s historic Brandts Klædefabrik complex.
Tidens Samling is a charming hands-on cultural history museum tucked into the old Brandts Klædefabrik complex in central Odense. Step through a series of meticulously recreated Danish living rooms from 1900 to the 1990s, where you are encouraged to sit on the furniture, open drawers, browse the bookshelves and even try on vintage clothes. It is an intimate, nostalgic journey through 20th‑century everyday life that appeals equally to curious kids and adults who remember these decades firsthand.
A brief summary to Tidens Samling
- Brandts Klædefabrik, Farvergården 7, Odense C, Odense C, 5000, DK
- +4565911942
- Visit website
- Duration: 1 to 2 hours
- Budget
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Indoor
- Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
- Monday 10 am-4 pm
- 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
Local tips
- Plan 1–2 hours so you can sit, read and explore details in several rooms rather than rushing through each decade.
- Visit on a weekday morning for a quieter atmosphere, which makes it easier to take photos and try vintage outfits.
- Bring older relatives or friends who remember the 1950s–1980s; their stories add an extra layer to the experience.
- Combine your visit with nearby Brandts art museum and cafés in the same factory complex for a full cultural afternoon.
- Check current ticket prices and any temporary exhibitions in advance, as special displays may focus on particular decades or themes.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Drink Options
- Drinking Water
- Food Options
- Seating Areas
- Sheltered Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
Getting There
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Walking from central Odense
From the pedestrian heart of Odense, reaching Tidens Samling on foot typically takes 5–15 minutes depending on your starting point. The route runs through flat, paved city streets and pedestrian lanes within the central shopping and cultural district. Pavements are generally wide and suitable for strollers and wheelchairs, though some surfaces are cobbled near the historic Brandts Klædefabrik complex. As distances are short, no cost is involved, and walking is a convenient option in most seasons except during heavy rain or winter ice.
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Bus from Odense Banegård Center
Local city buses connect Odense Banegård Center (the main train and bus hub) with stops a short walk from the Brandts area, where Tidens Samling is located. Typical journey times are around 5–10 minutes of driving plus a few minutes on foot. A single adult ticket on Odense city buses generally costs about 20–30 DKK and can be bought from ticket machines, apps or sometimes on board, depending on the line. Services run frequently during the day on weekdays and Saturdays, but schedules are more limited on Sundays and late evenings, so checking current timetables before departure is advisable.
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Cycling within Odense
Odense is well known for being bicycle-friendly, and cycling to Tidens Samling is a practical choice from most inner-city neighborhoods. Expect travel times of 5–20 minutes for typical urban distances. The route uses marked bike lanes on relatively flat terrain, making it suitable for casual riders. You can bring your own bicycle or rent one from city bike schemes or rental shops, with typical daily rental prices starting around 80–150 DKK depending on the type of bike. Bike racks are available in and around the Brandts Klædefabrik complex, but they may fill up at busy times.
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Car or taxi within Odense
Reaching Tidens Samling by car or taxi from elsewhere in Odense usually takes 5–15 minutes of driving, depending on traffic. The Brandts quarter is in the city center, where parking is mainly in public car parks or parking houses with hourly fees, often in the range of 15–25 DKK per hour. Spaces can be limited at peak shopping times and during special events in the area. Taxis operate throughout the city, with typical short inner-city rides often costing from about 80–150 DKK depending on distance and time of day.
Tidens Samling 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 Tidens Samling
Everyday Denmark Frozen in Time
Tidens Samling, or The Time Collection, invites you into the private world of Danish homes across the 20th century. Rather than focusing on kings, wars or grand politics, this small museum turns the spotlight on ordinary living rooms, kitchens and youth rooms from 1900 to the 1990s. Each decade is represented by a fully furnished interior, from lace doilies and heavy mahogany to sleek 1960s lamps and chunky 1980s electronics. The museum sits on an upper floor of the historic Brandts Klædefabrik complex, once a textile factory and now a creative cultural quarter. Inside, the industrial past gives way to cozy domestic scenes, carefully curated down to the magazines on the coffee table and the patterns on the wallpaper. It feels less like a museum and more like walking into the homes of a whole century of Danes.Rooms You Are Allowed to Touch
Unlike most museums, Tidens Samling is intentionally hands-on. You are welcome to sit on sofas, leaf through books and open cupboard doors to see what people stored away decades ago. Radios, sewing machines, telephones and board games are placed as if they have just been used, inviting you to imagine the lives that unfolded around them. This tactile approach makes the social history come alive. Instead of gazing at objects in glass cases, you physically share the same space as them. For many visitors, the familiar creak of a chair or the smell of old textiles triggers powerful memories, while younger generations discover how different daily routines once were before streaming, smartphones and fast fashion.Fashion, Form and Domestic Design
Beyond the living rooms, Tidens Samling highlights 20th‑century fashion and design. Clothing racks and accessories show how silhouettes, fabrics and colors changed from corseted early‑1900s outfits to the bold prints of the 1970s and the power dressing of the 1980s. Household objects reveal the evolution of taste: decorative ceramics give way to minimalist tableware, while sturdy wood furniture gradually competes with light metal and plastic pieces. The museum’s focus on form and function illustrates how design mirrored broader social shifts. Growing urbanization, new roles for women, and the spread of consumer culture all leave traces in the cut of a dress or the shape of a sideboard. Together the objects form a visual timeline of how comfort, status and style were expressed at home.Playful Time Travel for All Ages
Tidens Samling is particularly engaging for families and mixed‑age groups. Children can try on selected vintage clothing, pose in front of old mirrors and experience what a teenager’s room looked like long before social media. Grandparents often recognize details from their own childhood homes, turning a simple walk through the decades into an impromptu storytelling session. Because the museum is compact, it is easy to explore at a relaxed pace without overwhelming younger visitors. Many people spend an hour or two drifting between decades, lingering where personal memories or curiosities catch their attention. For travelers passing through Odense’s cultural district, it fits neatly into a half‑day alongside neighboring galleries and shops.A Quiet Gem in the Brandts Quarter
Located within the Brandts Klædefabrik complex, Tidens Samling benefits from the creative atmosphere of its surroundings while remaining a calm, introspective corner. Outside, the former factory courtyards host art venues, cafés and boutiques; inside, the museum offers a quieter kind of discovery, focused on the intimate details of everyday life. The combination of modest scale and rich detail makes Tidens Samling feel like a hidden gem rather than a grand institution. It is ideal for travelers who enjoy cultural history, design, nostalgia or simply a short, meaningful break from busier urban sights. In a single floor of rooms, it condenses a century of Danish domestic history into an experience you can literally sit down in.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
visit
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Experience Odense's premier cocktail bar, Visit, where classic and innovative drinks meet in a cozy, inviting atmosphere.
Oceania
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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.”
Skyggen, rejseskammeraten og improvisatoren
0.8 km
A towering, threefold portrait of Hans Christian Andersen that greets you outside Odense Station with colour, symbolism and quietly dramatic storytelling.
Odense St.
0.8 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
1.4 km
Odense's longest cherry blossom avenue, where community passion transforms a neighborhood street into springtime magic.
EM-statue-1992 (Richard Møller Nielsen)
1.9 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
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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
4.8 km
Discover Danish and international art at Bredgade Kunsthandel, an elegant gallery in central Copenhagen’s historic Frederiksstaden near top cultural landmarks.
Sortehusene
7.5 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.
9.2 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.
Rolfshøj
13.5 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
13.9 km
Denmark's longest runic inscription, carved with divine invocation and protective curse.
Unmissable attractions to see
Pantheonsfrisen
0.1 km
A striking Don John mural turning an ordinary Odense side street into a memorable canvas of symbols, stories and contemporary Nordic street art.
Brandts
0.1 km
Funen’s flagship art museum in a historic woollen mill complex, blending Danish masterpieces, contemporary exhibitions, family-friendly creativity and café life on Amphi Square.
Brandts Klædefabrik - byen i byen
0.1 km
A historic woollen mill turned vibrant cultural quarter, where art, film, shopping and café life fill atmospheric brick courtyards in the heart of Odense.
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.
Funen Opera
0.2 km
An intimate Danish chamber opera beside Odense’s parkland, where classic works and bold new productions unfold just a few metres from your seat.
The Sea Horse
0.3 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.
Den Flyvende Kuffert Eventyrskulptur
0.3 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.
Munke Mose
0.4 km
Central Odense’s riverside wetland park where fairy-tale sculptures, grand old trees and easygoing outdoor life meet along the gentle Odense River.
Hans Christian Andersen's Childhood Home
0.4 km
Step into the tiny yellow house on Munkemøllestræde where a poor shoemaker’s son began the journey to becoming the world’s great master of fairytales.
Bispens lysthus
0.4 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.
The maiden jump
0.4 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.
Gerthasminde
0.4 km
A hidden royal villa set amidst the enchanting palace gardens of Marselisborg in Aarhus, where Danish history and tranquil beauty harmoniously meet.
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.
Odense Cathedral - St. Canute's Church
0.5 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.
Odense City Hall
0.5 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.
Essential places to dine
Kong Volmer Odense
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Authentic Danish smørrebrød and lunch tradition in Odense's cultural heart.
Mona Lisa
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Cozy Italian trattoria tucked into Odense’s artsy Brandts Passage, serving generous pastas, crisp pizzas and classic antipasti in a warm, candlelit setting.
Café Cuckoo's Nest
0.1 km
Odense's vibrant brasserie where weekend brunches, grilled steaks, and convivial gatherings meet pedestrian-friendly charm.
Pasfall
0.1 km
Refined French-inspired fine dining in Odense’s atmospheric Brandts Passage, where seasonal Nordic ingredients, precise cooking and relaxed elegance turn meals into occasions.
Marcello's
0.1 km
All‑day café life on Odense’s main pedestrian street, blending generous brunches, comfort food and cocktails with a warm, urban brasserie feel.
Mitchell's Odense
0.2 km
Denmark's only British gastro pub, serving authentic carvery and craft beverages in warm, family-friendly surroundings.
Marcantonio Trattoria - Pizzeria
0.2 km
Cosy Roman-style trattoria and pizzeria tucked into Odense’s old-town cobbles, serving wood-fired pizzas, generous pasta plates and classic Italian comfort food.
Salinaz Odense
0.2 km
Premium South American steaks and gourmet burgers in the heart of historic Odense.
Olivia Brasserie - Restaurant Odense
0.2 km
French-inspired brasserie cooking, relaxed café energy and cobbled-lane atmosphere in the heart of Odense’s historic Vintapperstræde.
Eydes Gastro Pub
0.2 km
All-day brunch, hearty pub dishes and a full bar in a cosy, central Odense gastro pub with both snug corners and lively street-side seating.
The Burger Odense
0.2 km
Quality flame-grilled burgers in casual comfort at the heart of Odense.
Restaurant Værdsat
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Informal Scandinavian gourmet in central Odense, where seasonal Funen produce, playful menus and a warm neighborhood atmosphere meet from lunch until late.
KÖZ Resturant
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Authentic Turkish grilling and traditional cuisine in Odense's vibrant city center.
I Pupi Siciliani
0.3 km
Intimate Sicilian restaurant in central Odense, serving seasonal tasting menus, handmade pasta and robust southern Italian flavours in a warm, candlelit setting.
Kok & Vin
0.3 km
Intimate French-inspired bistro in historic central Odense, pairing seasonal Nordic produce with thoughtful wines in a warm, candlelit setting.
Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
Tryde Andrés - Wunderwear - Odense C
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Intimate Danish lingerie and swimwear boutique on Odense’s main shopping street, blending heritage, personal fittings and understated Scandinavian style.
Underground
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Curated streetwear and sneakers with urban culture vibes in central Odense.
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.
Bog & idé - Odense C
0.2 km
Odense's premier destination for books, games, stationery, and creative supplies in the city centre.
Faraos Cigarer
0.3 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.
Friluftsland
0.3 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
0.3 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.
All About Kids
0.3 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
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Curated Scandinavian fashion boutique celebrating independent style since 1994.
Moby Disc
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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
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Refined Danish chocolaterie and gift shop in central Odense, showcasing elegant marzipan, pralines, and design-led treats perfect for thoughtful, gourmet gifting.
Magasin Odense
0.4 km
Odense’s classic multi-level department store, blending Danish style, fashion, beauty, homewares and cosy café stops under one roof on lively Vestergade.
SEPHORA MAGASIN ODENSE
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A sleek, centrally located beauty hub inside Magasin, where international makeup, skincare and fragrance meet Odense’s city-center shopping life.
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.
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.
Essential bars & hidden hideouts
Heidi's Bier Bar Odense
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Closed but not forgotten, this basement bar once turned central Odense into a roaring Alpine lodge of big steins, table dancing and unapologetic après-ski energy.
Proud Mary Odense
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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.
James Dean Bar
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Retro 1950s vibes and karaoke nights in the heart of Odense's nightlife scene.
The Old Irish Pub
0.2 km
Odense's multi-level music venue where Irish tradition meets electronic beats across three unforgettable floors.
LA Tequila Bar Odense
0.2 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
0.2 km
Odense's premier craft beer specialist with rotating taps and expert bartenders in a cozy pedestrian street setting.
The Boat House
0.2 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.
Den Røde Bar
0.2 km
A cozy, crimson-toned bar inside Teater Momentum, serving relaxed drinks, local Arnbitter cocktails and cultural vibes in the heart of Odense’s creative scene.
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.
Pub 47 - Bills Pub
0.3 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.
Lalou Vinbar
0.3 km
Intimate Odense wine bar pairing timeless European recipes with a curated list of continental wines in a warm, candlelit setting on Klaregade.
No Stress Odense
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Laid‑back cocktail den in central Odense, blending dessert‑inspired drinks, old‑school beats and retro gaming in a cozy living‑room atmosphere.
Champagniet
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Intimate champagne bar in Odense’s old town, pairing carefully curated bubbles with cosy hygge vibes and small plates made for slow, sparkling evenings.
Viggos
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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.
Pianobar odense
0.3 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.
Nightclubs & after hour spots
Dansebar Odense
0.3 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
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.
Boogie Dance Café
0.6 km
Odense's oldest disco where retro charm meets genuine community dancing.
BUTCHERS Odense
0.8 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.
Dance Odense, Funen Square Dance Club
5.6 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
27.4 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
40.1 km
Compact, high-energy weekend nightclub in central Svendborg, serving mainstream beats, drinks and a sociable dance floor until the early hours.
AHA Livestage
43.5 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
48.6 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
50.5 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
50.6 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
51.3 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
- Fun-filled
- Lively
- Quirky
- Unique
- Casual
- Boutique
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Vintage Styles
- Colorful Aesthetics
- Retro Vibes
For the architecture buff
- Historic
- Landmarks
- Heritage Neighborhoods
- Art & Design
For the social media creator & influencer
- Instagrammable
- Photo Spots
- Selfie Spots
- Aesthetic Corners
- Reel-Friendly
- Architectural Shots
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Public-Transport Accessible
- Low Impact
- Locally Managed
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Adventure Photo Shoot
- Day Trip
- Roadtrip Stop
- 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
