Papirbåden – The Paper Boat of H.C. Andersen
A delicate paper boat turned gleaming sculpture, Papirbåden floats on Odense’s Fairytale Garden lake, quietly celebrating H.C. Andersen’s “Steadfast Tin Soldier.”
Floating gently on the lake in Odense’s Fairytale Garden, Papirbåden is a gleaming metal sculpture shaped like a delicate paper boat, inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s tale “The Steadfast Tin Soldier.” Surrounded by landscaped greenery, flowerbeds and views of nearby church spires, this small but evocative artwork captures the bittersweet romance and quiet drama of Andersen’s universe. It’s an easy, atmospheric stop along any walking route through central Odense’s Hans Christian Andersen sites.
A brief summary to Papirbåden | H.C. Andersen
- Odense Å, Odense, Odense C, DK
- Duration: 0.5 to 1.5 hours
- Free
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Outdoor
- Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
Local tips
- Bring the original text or a synopsis of “The Steadfast Tin Soldier” and read a passage by the lake; the sculpture’s symbolism feels richer when the story is fresh in mind.
- Visit around early morning or late afternoon for softer light and calmer paths; reflections on the water are more striking and photos of the boat come out better.
- Combine the stop with a slow loop through the Fairytale Garden to find other Andersen-related sculptures, turning the visit into a short, themed art walk.
- In cooler months, dress for wind and damp air from the water, as you may want to linger on benches near the pond while you take in the scene.
- If visiting with children, let them fold their own paper boats beforehand; comparing their creations with the metal sculpture can be a fun, simple activity.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Seating Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
- Restrooms
Getting There
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On foot from central Odense
From Odense’s historic core near the cathedral and Hans Christian Andersen’s House, the Fairytale Garden and Papirbåden are typically 5–10 minutes away on foot through level city streets and park paths. Surfaces are mostly paved or firm gravel, so the route is manageable with strollers and standard wheelchairs, though after heavy rain some sections can feel damp. Walking is free and allows you to link the boat with nearby Andersen-related sights in a single gentle loop.
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City bus within Odense
Several city bus lines run through central Odense and stop within a short walk of the Fairytale Garden, with typical journey times of 10–20 minutes from residential districts or the outskirts of the centre. A single adult ticket within Odense generally costs around 20–30 DKK and can be purchased via ticket machines or mobile apps; reduced fares exist for children. Buses usually run every 10–20 minutes during the day, less frequently in evenings and on Sundays, and most vehicles are low-floor with space for wheelchairs and prams.
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Bicycle in the city
Odense is known as a bicycle-friendly city, and many visitors reach the Fairytale Garden by bike in about 5–15 minutes from most central neighbourhoods. You can use local bike-share services or standard rentals, which often cost in the range of 80–150 DKK per day depending on type and season. Expect marked cycle lanes on main roads and mixed-traffic, low-speed streets near the park. Bike racks are usually available close to the garden, but always bring a lock and be prepared for wet or windy conditions outside summer.
Papirbåden | H.C. Andersen location weather suitability
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Any Weather
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Clear Skies
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Mild Temperatures
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Cold Weather
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Hot Weather
Discover more about Papirbåden | H.C. Andersen
A fairy-tale boat in the heart of Odense
Papirbåden, or The Paper Boat, seems at first glance like a child’s folded scrap of paper, set adrift on the still water of the Fairytale Garden in central Odense. Step closer and you see it is crafted from gleaming metal, its sharp folds catching light and reflections from the surrounding pond. The sculpture appears to “sail” quietly in place, anchored in the small lake with lawns, flowerbeds and mature trees forming a soft green frame. The setting is part of what makes the piece memorable. Church towers and historic roofs rise beyond the treetops, while paths curve gently around the water’s edge. Even on a busy day in the city, the immediate impression here is calm: the slow ripple of the water, the rustle of leaves, perhaps a duck gliding past the boat as if escorting it on an imagined journey.From tin soldier to sculpted symbol
The sculpture pays tribute to Hans Christian Andersen’s story “The Steadfast Tin Soldier,” where a toy soldier, swept away by fate, eventually sails in a paper boat along gutters and streams. In the tale, that fragile vessel carries him toward both danger and his beloved ballerina, turning a simple child’s game into a symbol of devotion and courage in the face of uncertainty. Here in Odense, Andersen’s hometown, the paper boat becomes a sculpted symbol for that moment in the story: the fragile, hopeful voyage into the unknown. The choice of durable metal to depict something as delicate as folded paper underlines the staying power of Andersen’s imagination, still floating through the city generations after the stories were first told.The Fairytale Garden as an open-air storybook
Papirbåden is just one of several sculptures scattered through the Fairytale Garden, each echoing a different tale or character. Nearby, a statue of Andersen himself keeps watch over the lawns, while other figures from his stories appear around the city, turning Odense into an informal open-air gallery. The garden itself dates back to the 19th century and feels like a small urban refuge. Benches along the water invite you to pause and read, sketch the reflections of the boat, or simply watch the play of light on its metallic surfaces. The gentle scale of the space makes it easy to appreciate details: the angles of the hull, the mirrored sky on the steel, the way the sculpture changes mood with shifting weather.A quiet pause on the Andersen trail
Many visitors weave Papirbåden into a broader walk linking Andersen’s house, childhood home, cathedral and the riverside parks. The boat offers a natural pause on this circuit, requiring no ticket, queue or structured visit, just a few unhurried minutes by the water. Children often recognise the shape instantly, while adults tend to connect it to memories of folding paper boats or hearing Andersen’s stories. The site works in all seasons: spring flowers reflected around the boat, high-summer greenery, autumn leaves drifting onto the water, even winter days when the metallic folds stand out against bare branches and low northern light. It is a modest piece in scale, but one that rewards anyone who slows down long enough to let the story behind it come to mind.Small details that bring the story to life
What lingers is the interplay between sculpture and surroundings. On overcast days the boat can look almost monochrome, a quiet silhouette on the dark water. On bright afternoons it throws back glints of silver and blue, as if catching some invisible current. Stand at different points along the shore and the folds of its hull rearrange into new patterns. In this way Papirbåden functions both as a tribute to a specific fairy tale and as a reminder of Andersen’s broader themes: journeys, longing, transformation and the thin line between play and peril. For a brief moment beside the lake in Odense, a simple boat in a city garden becomes a vessel for memory and imagination.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Papirbåden | H.C. Andersen
0.0 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.”
Oceania
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A bold, reclining bronze goddess that provokes, delights, and defines Odense's artistic identity.
visit
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Skyggen, rejseskammeraten og improvisatoren
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A towering, threefold portrait of Hans Christian Andersen that greets you outside Odense Station with colour, symbolism and quietly dramatic storytelling.
Odense St.
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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.
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EM-statue-1992 (Richard Møller Nielsen)
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TheDoorOdense
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Jernalderlandsbyen Odins Odense
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Sortehusene
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Denmark's longest runic inscription, carved with divine invocation and protective curse.
Unmissable attractions to see
Eventyrhaven
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Riverside lawns, fairy-tale sculptures and seasonal blooms create a peaceful Hans Christian Andersen–inspired refuge in the very heart of Odense.
Odense Cathedral - St. Canute's Church
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St. Alban's Church
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Odense City Hall
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The maiden jump
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Washing Site at Odense River
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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
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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.
Hans Christian Andersen's Childhood Home
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Vægmaleri
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Kramboden i Odense
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VILLE VAU
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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.
Hans Christian Andersen Mural
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Essential places to dine
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Restaurant Bacchus
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Den Lille Smalle
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MASH - Restaurant Odense
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A Hereford Beefstouw - Odense
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UBN
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Den Gamle Kro A/S
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Restaurant Klosterkroen
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A cozy, inn-style restaurant in central Odense serving generous portions of traditional Danish comfort food in nostalgic, candlelit surroundings.
Ryan's of Odense
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La Dolce Vita | Fashion Cafe
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Café Kræz
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Restaurant Madklubben Odense
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Café Skt. Gertrud
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Restaurant Ribelli
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Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
Aunt Green ApS
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Summerbird
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Magasin Odense
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Odense’s classic multi-level department store, blending Danish style, fashion, beauty, homewares and cosy café stops under one roof on lively Vestergade.
Rezet Sneaker Store Odense
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Scandinavian-style sneaker boutique in central Odense, blending clean design, curated streetwear and sought-after footwear drops 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.
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.
Dr. Adams
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Curated Scandinavian fashion boutique celebrating independent style since 1994.
All About Kids
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A welcoming children’s universe in central Odense, combining Scandinavian-style toys and décor with a calming baby lounge and practical stroller rentals.
Hunkemöller Danmark A/S
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Central Odense lingerie and swimwear boutique offering feminine designs, expert bra fitting help and relaxed browsing right on the city’s main shopping street.
Friluftsland
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Compact outdoor specialist shop in central Odense, offering quality gear, expert advice and hands-on testing for everything from city showers to Nordic trekking.
House of Amber Odense
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A warm, glowing boutique in central Odense where millions of years of Baltic amber meet clean Danish jewellery design and thoughtfully curated gifts.
Boutique India v/ shahzad ali
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A colourful little Odense shop where Indian textiles, clothing and homewares bring the patterns, textures and warmth of the subcontinent to historic Overgade.
Bog & idé - Odense C
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Odense's premier destination for books, games, stationery, and creative supplies in the city centre.
Reden Op Shop
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Flying Tiger Copenhagen
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Essential bars & hidden hideouts
Den Brølende And
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City Club
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June Bar
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Intimate candlelit cocktails, shareable tapas and a warm, relaxed buzz right in the heart of Odense’s nightlife district.
Champagniet
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No Stress Odense
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Bootleggers Craft Beer Bar - Odense C
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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.
Lalou Vinbar
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Intimate Odense wine bar pairing timeless European recipes with a curated list of continental wines in a warm, candlelit setting on Klaregade.
Tingstedet
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Smoky, lively and unapologetically brown, Tingstedet is Odense’s cellar bar where cheap beers, close tables and local stories fuel long, unpretentious nights.
Kick Off - Sportspub
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The Flower and the Bee
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Rabalder Bar Odense
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Den Standhaftige Tinsoldat Af Odense
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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.
Lørups Vinstue
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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.
Grand Bar & Lounge
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Sophisticated cocktails and refined ambiance in a historic 1897 building at the heart of Odense.
James Dean Bar
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Retro 1950s vibes and karaoke nights in the heart of Odense's nightlife scene.
Nightclubs & after hour spots
Dansebar Odense
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Boogie Dance Café
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BUTCHERS Odense
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The slaughterhouse Nightclub & Eventhus
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Dance Odense, Funen Square Dance Club
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Muzirkus
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KJ's bodel
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Crazy Daisy Svendborg
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AHA Livestage
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Falkecenter Samsø ApS
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Ærø Golf Klub
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Vinkapellet Samsø
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Samsø Island Distillery
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Ræven
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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
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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
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For the architecture buff
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For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
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For the social media creator & influencer
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For the eco-conscious traveler
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For the kind of experience you’re after
- Photowalk
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For how adventurous you want the journey to be
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