Ville Vau at H.C. Andersen’s House, Odense
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.
Ville Vau is the playful children’s universe inside H.C. Andersen’s House in Odense, set beside the leafy H.C. Andersen Haven. Designed as a fairy‑tale world at child height, it’s filled with themed play rooms, costumes, props and creative workshops where kids can dress up, act out stories and dive into hands‑on arts and crafts. It’s an imaginative indoor refuge in central Odense that turns Andersen’s tales into open‑ended, physical play for families.
A brief summary to VILLE VAU
- H.C. Andersen Haven, Odense, Odense C, 5000, DK
- Visit website
- Duration: 1.5 to 3 hours
- Mid ranged
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Indoor
- Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
- Tuesday 1 pm-4 pm
- Wednesday 1 pm-4 pm
- Thursday 1 pm-4 pm
- Friday 1 pm-4 pm
- Saturday 10 am-4 pm
- Sunday 10 am-4 pm
Local tips
- Plan at least two hours in Ville Vau so children have time for both free play in the themed rooms and a relaxed session in the upstairs creative workshop.
- Dress children in comfortable clothes that can handle climbing, crafting and a splash of paint, and consider bringing a spare top for younger kids.
- Combine your visit with a stroll through H.C. Andersen Haven right outside, so kids can unwind outdoors after the intensity of indoor play.
- Arrive near opening time on weekends and school holidays to enjoy the play spaces before they become busier later in the day.
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
- Visitor Center
Getting There
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Train and walk from Odense Station
From Odense Railway Station, it typically takes around 10–15 minutes to walk to H.C. Andersen Haven, where H.C. Andersen’s House and Ville Vau are located. The route is flat and fully urban, suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. If you prefer not to walk, local city buses run frequently between the station area and stops close to the museum, with single tickets usually costing around 20–30 DKK depending on the specific line and ticket type.
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City bus within Odense
Several Odense city bus routes serve stops within a short walk of H.C. Andersen Haven, with journey times of roughly 10–20 minutes from most central neighbourhoods. Buses usually run at least every 20–30 minutes during the day, more often on main routes. Expect to pay in the region of 20–30 DKK for a single adult ticket; children’s fares are lower and day passes offer better value if you are making multiple trips.
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Car via central Odense with nearby parking
If you arrive by car from elsewhere on Funen or Jutland, allow 10–25 minutes of driving once you reach the outskirts of Odense to navigate into the compact city centre around H.C. Andersen Haven. There are underground and multi‑storey car parks close to the museum, with typical hourly parking fees in the range of 15–25 DKK and higher charges for all‑day stays. Spaces can fill at peak weekend and holiday times, so allow extra time for finding a spot and walking a few minutes to the entrance.
VILLE VAU location weather suitability
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Any Weather
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Rain / Wet Weather
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Mild Temperatures
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Cold Weather
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Hot Weather
Discover more about VILLE VAU
A fairy-tale world built just for children
Ville Vau is the children’s wonderland within H.C. Andersen’s House, tucked into the green pocket of H.C. Andersen Haven in central Odense. Conceived as a dedicated play universe, it translates the spirit of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tales into rooms that invite children to crawl, climb, dress up and invent stories of their own. Rather than focusing on artefacts, Ville Vau is all about imaginative play, where Andersen’s characters and motifs become prompts instead of exhibits. Step inside and you enter a sequence of low‑scaled spaces, cosy corners and nooks that feel tailored to small bodies and big imaginations. Light, colour and sound are used to suggest different moods, from quiet corners for make‑believe to more energetic areas where children can act out entire adventures. Everything is robust, touchable and intended to be used, not just looked at.Play oases, costumes and story settings
The heart of Ville Vau is a series of themed play oases. Each one hints at scenes and ideas drawn from Andersen’s world: a princely interior here, a woodland hideaway there, perhaps a ship’s deck or a crooked rooftop. Rather than reproducing specific tales literally, the settings borrow familiar elements – a crown, a feathered cloak, a mysterious chest – and let children weave them into their own narratives. Costumes and props are everywhere: capes, hats, gowns, animal ears, toy swords and theatrical accessories that can be combined in endless ways. Rails and trunks encourage children to rummage and choose who they want to be – royal, rogue, creature or storyteller. Soft furnishings and varied levels invite climbing, lounging and staging impromptu performances, often with adults recruited as extras in the drama.Creative workshops and hands-on making
Upstairs, Ville Vau opens into a light‑filled creative workshop space devoted to crafts and painting. Here, tables are laid out with paper, colours and simple materials so children can draw characters, paint scenes or experiment with textures and collage. Staffed sessions sometimes guide visitors through simple activities, but the space is equally suited to unstructured making where families can linger and work at their own pace. The workshop extends the museum’s focus on storytelling into the act of creation. Children not only move through a fairy‑tale world; they also produce their own images and ideas inspired by what they have seen. Finished pieces can be taken home as personal mementos of the visit, reinforcing the feeling that Ville Vau is a place where imagination leaves a tangible trace.Part of the wider H.C. Andersen universe
Although Ville Vau feels like a world of its own, it is closely integrated with the architecture and garden of H.C. Andersen’s House. Large windows, glimpses of greenery and the proximity of the surrounding fairy‑tale garden keep a connection to the outdoors, so children’s play flows naturally between interior rooms and the wider museum environment. Families can alternate between the more contemplative, immersive exhibition spaces downstairs and the exuberant, physical energy of Ville Vau. The setting in H.C. Andersen Haven means that, before or after a session of intense play, it is easy to step outside into paths, hedges and small clearings that echo themes from the author’s stories. Sculptural elements, planting and sightlines continue the sense of entering a storybook landscape, creating a full‑day experience centred on Andersen’s imagination.Practicalities for families
Ville Vau is designed for children accompanied by adults, with facilities and layouts that make it straightforward for families to settle in for several hours. Soft surfaces, clear sightlines and defined play zones help carers keep track of younger visitors, while seating areas allow adults to rest without leaving the action. The broader museum complex provides access to restrooms, café options and a shop, all within short walking distance under one roof. Located in the heart of Odense, Ville Vau is easy to combine with other Hans Christian Andersen sites nearby, yet it stands out as the most unashamedly child‑centred part of the experience. For many families, it becomes the moment when Andersen’s universe moves from page and exhibition to something lived, laughed through and physically explored.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
0.3 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
0.4 km
Experience Odense's premier cocktail bar, Visit, where classic and innovative drinks meet in a cozy, inviting atmosphere.
Skyggen, rejseskammeraten og improvisatoren
0.4 km
A towering, threefold portrait of Hans Christian Andersen that greets you outside Odense Station with colour, symbolism and quietly dramatic storytelling.
Odense St.
0.4 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)
2.5 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
4.1 km
A striking red-brick monument to Odense's industrial heritage and early 20th-century urban modernization.
Jernalderlandsbyen Odins Odense
5.0 km
Discover Danish and international art at Bredgade Kunsthandel, an elegant gallery in central Copenhagen’s historic Frederiksstaden near top cultural landmarks.
Sortehusene
6.9 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
10.3 km
Discover Sanderumgaard, Funen’s enchanting Romantic-era landscape park: a blend of historic estate, poetic gardens, and serene lakes just beyond Odense.
Rolfshøj
13.2 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
H. C. Andersens House
0.1 km
An immersive museum in Odense where architecture, garden and multimedia exhibitions draw you deep into the imaginative world of Hans Christian Andersen.
Hans Christian Andersen Mural
0.1 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 Comediehuus
0.1 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.
Blackfriars Square
0.1 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
0.2 km
Discover the tranquil beauty of Sneglehøjen in Odense, a serene natural retreat perfect for leisurely walks and family outings.
St. Alban's Church
0.2 km
Experience the heart of Danish comedy at Odense Comediehuus, where culture and laughter intertwine in the vibrant city center.
Andersen on the bench
0.2 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.
Odense Noble Virgin Convent
0.2 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.
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.
Kramboden i Odense
0.2 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.
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.
Carl Nielsen Museum
0.2 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.
Museum Odense
0.2 km
An intimate city museum in Odense’s old town, blending Viking stories, historic homes and hands-on family exhibits across courtyards and centuries.
Møntergården
0.3 km
A pocket-sized historic quarter where cobbled courtyards, timbered houses and multimedia galleries bring the story of Odense and Funen vividly to life.
Klods Hans billedevæg
0.3 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.
Essential places to dine
La Dolce Vita | Fashion Cafe
0.0 km
Cozy Italian restaurant and café in central Odense, serving classic pizzas, pastas and antipasti in warm, informal surroundings from evening until late.
Ryan's of Odense
0.1 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
0.1 km
Historic merchant's house serving refined Danish cuisine and social dining in the heart of Odense.
Restaurant Under Lindetræet
0.1 km
Intimate fine dining in a 1771 townhouse opposite Hans Christian Andersen’s home, where seasonal Danish cuisine meets softly lit Odense history.
Restaurant Ribelli
0.1 km
Inventive Italian fine dining with a Funen twist, served in an intimate, design-conscious dining room in the historic heart of Odense.
Den Gamle Kro A/S
0.1 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.
Brasserie Bordeaux
0.1 km
A classic French brasserie in central Odense, serving breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner with thoughtful wines and cocktails in warm, candlelit surroundings.
Grønttorvet
0.2 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 Lille Smalle
0.2 km
Cozy Odense café beloved for exceptional smoothie bowls, quality coffee, and genuine Danish hygge.
Restaurant Bacchus
0.2 km
Authentic French fine dining in an intimate Odense setting, where classical technique meets refined hospitality.
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.
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.
Rivalen restaurant & bar
0.2 km
Contemporary Danish dining with innovative flair in Odense's vibrant city center.
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.
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.
Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
House of Amber Odense
0.1 km
A warm, glowing boutique in central Odense where millions of years of Baltic amber meet clean Danish jewellery design and thoughtfully curated gifts.
Klods Hans
0.1 km
Characterful fairy-tale souvenir shop in Odense’s historic quarter, offering Andersen-themed gifts and Danish keepsakes in a cosy half-timbered setting.
Boutique India v/ shahzad ali
0.2 km
A colourful little Odense shop where Indian textiles, clothing and homewares bring the patterns, textures and warmth of the subcontinent to historic Overgade.
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.
Living Nice / Café Kleist
0.2 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.
Reden Op Shop
0.2 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.
Rezet Sneaker Store Odense
0.3 km
Scandinavian-style sneaker boutique in central Odense, blending clean design, curated streetwear and sought-after footwear drops on lively Vestergade.
SEPHORA MAGASIN ODENSE
0.3 km
A sleek, centrally located beauty hub inside Magasin, where international makeup, skincare and fragrance meet Odense’s city-center shopping life.
Magasin Odense
0.3 km
Odense’s classic multi-level department store, blending Danish style, fashion, beauty, homewares and cosy café stops under one roof on lively Vestergade.
Friluftsland
0.4 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.
Summerbird
0.4 km
Refined Danish chocolaterie and gift shop in central Odense, showcasing elegant marzipan, pralines, and design-led treats perfect for thoughtful, gourmet gifting.
Hunkemöller Danmark A/S
0.4 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.
Dr. Adams
0.4 km
Curated Scandinavian fashion boutique celebrating independent style since 1994.
Moby Disc
0.4 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.
Look At This
0.5 km
A small, curated clothing store tucked inside a redbrick former textile factory, where Odense’s industrial past meets calm, contemporary Scandinavian style.
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.
Lørups Vinstue
0.2 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.
Kick Off - Sportspub
0.2 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.
Rabalder Bar Odense
0.2 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.
The Flower and the Bee
0.2 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.
June Bar
0.3 km
Intimate candlelit cocktails, shareable tapas and a warm, relaxed buzz right in the heart of Odense’s nightlife district.
Den Standhaftige Tinsoldat Af Odense
0.3 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.
Bootleggers Craft Beer Bar - Odense C
0.3 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.
Grand Bar & Lounge
0.3 km
Sophisticated cocktails and refined ambiance in a historic 1897 building at the heart of Odense.
Den Brølende And
0.4 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
0.4 km
Odense's casual sports bar where pool, darts, and community spirit meet affordable drinks and good times.
Champagniet
0.4 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
0.4 km
Intimate Odense wine bar pairing timeless European recipes with a curated list of continental wines in a warm, candlelit setting on Klaregade.
Tingstedet
0.5 km
Smoky, lively and unapologetically brown, Tingstedet is Odense’s cellar bar where cheap beers, close tables and local stories fuel long, unpretentious nights.
No Stress Odense
0.5 km
Laid‑back cocktail den in central Odense, blending dessert‑inspired drinks, old‑school beats and retro gaming in a cozy living‑room atmosphere.
Nightclubs & after hour spots
Boogie Dance Café
0.1 km
Odense's oldest disco where retro charm meets genuine community dancing.
BUTCHERS Odense
0.2 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.
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
0.9 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
5.4 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
40.2 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
47.5 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
48.6 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
49.1 km
Distinctive links course on Ærø’s northwest cape, blending historic lighthouse views, Nordic coastlines, and a classic Danish golfing challenge.
Samsø Island Distillery
50.0 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
50.1 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
50.8 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
- Fun-filled
- Lively
- Quirky
- Unique
- Casual
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Colorful Aesthetics
- Modern Designs
For the architecture buff
- Modern
- Art & Design
- Parks & Gardens
- Landmarks
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
For the social media creator & influencer
- Instagrammable
- TikTok-Friendly
- Photo Spots
- Selfie Spots
- Reel-Friendly
- Colorful Backdrops
- Architectural Shots
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Sustainable
- Eco-Friendly
- Public-Transport Accessible
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Adventure Photo Shoot
- Day Trip
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Child Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Wheelchair Access
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Solo Female Friendly