Denmark's second-largest island, Funen, beckons travelers with its enchanting blend of fairy tale heritage and natural beauty. Known as "Denmark's Garden Island," the destination boasts more than 120 castles and manor houses surrounded by pristine gardens, making it a top choice for any 2025 travel itinerary.
The island's crown jewel is Odense, the birthplace of fairy tale author Hans Christian Andersen. Located just over an hour from Copenhagen Central Station by train, this charming city serves as an ideal gateway to explore Funen's magical offerings. Andersen, creator of timeless stories such as "The Little Mermaid," "The Snow Queen" and "The Ugly Duckling," continues to captivate audiences worldwide more than a century after his death.?
A drone shot of H.C. Andersen's House. (Photo Credit: VisitOdense)
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This year marks a particularly special year for Odense, as the city commemorates the 150th anniversary of Andersen's passing with "Andersen Forever," a comprehensive festival featuring theater, poetry, arts and music performances from August through the fall.
Visitors to Odense should not miss the cutting-edge H.C. Andersen's House, where architecture, technology and artistry merge to depict his stories. Two-thirds of the museum is located underground and is surrounded by a fairytale garden, creating an immersive experience that brings Andersen's creative universe to life. The nearby H.C. Andersen Childhood Home, a charming half-timbered house, offers intimate glimpses into the author's early life and formative years.?The new?H.C. Andersen's House is located at the edge of?The Old Town. Here you will find a variety of cosy cafés and shops, such as the wonderful museum shop “Kramboden” as well as small colourful houses and fairytale sculptures.
For culinary adventures, food enthusiasts can explore Storms Pakhus, a vibrant street food market offering locally crafted beers and diverse dining options. The picturesque Vintapperstr?de provides another delightful stop, where visitors can enjoy local brews at Christian the 4th while soaking in the neighborhood's Latin Quarter atmosphere.
From central Odense, travelers can sail with Odense ?fart to The Funen Village, an open-air museum that recreates life during Andersen's era. This journey can be combined with an evening at the historic Sortebro Kro for a complete cultural immersion.
Beyond Odense, Funen's South Archipelago is one of Denmark's most beautiful island chains, where calm waters and long summer days create ideal conditions for exploration. The seaside towns of Svendborg and Faaborg serve as bases for island-hopping adventures, with ferries connecting visitors to peaceful retreats such as Avernak? and Ly?.?
Egeskov Castle (Photo Credit: VisitFyn)
No visit to Funen would be complete without experiencing Egeskov Castle, Europe's best preserved Renaissance water castle. Built by Frands Brockenhuus in 1554, this architectural marvel combines Renaissance and Gothic elements in a stunning lakeside setting. The castle offers multiple floors of exhibits, extensive gardens, and serves as both a working family home and public museum.
Visitors can also embark on maritime adventures aboard M/S Helge, a historic ship that provides roundtrip excursions or hop-on-hop-off service between enchanting destinations including Valdemar Castle, Hotel Christiansminde and Stella Maris.
VisitDenmark, VisitOdense and the H.C. Andersen Foundation have joined forces with RoadScholar to promote the "From Canals to Castles" tour, which brings visitors to Funen to explore both Odense and Egeskov Castle. This carefully curated multigenerational travel experience includes Copenhagen with many magical attractions, creating the perfect opportunity for families to explore Denmark's fairy tale landscape together across generations.
Want to learn more? Read this brochure and join VisitDenmark’s webinar on July 1st:?https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/133871485884135264
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