11 Best Sights in Funen and the Central Islands, Denmark

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We've compiled the best of the best in Funen and the Central Islands - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.

Egeskov Slot

Fodor's choice

There are castles, and then there are castles. With its Renaissance main building, impressive moat, delicate spires, gigantic garden, and even grander knight's hall, Egeskov is one of Europe's most extraordinary buildings. After losing yourself in the grand halls, leave time for tree-top walking and exploring the forest, as well as for perusing the exhibitions about classic cars, historic dresses, and airplanes. The castle is home to the yearly Heartland Festival, which brings together Denmark's creative elite for three days of contemporary art and music, intellectual debates, and fine dining.

H. C. Andersens Hus

Fodor's choice

After a massive renovation, this landmark museum reopened in 2021. It is dedicated to the famous fairy-tale author Hans Christian Andersen. The museum tells the story of his life through thousands of items related to the Danish author, from his vintage travel suitcases to his top hat, handwritten manuscripts, and poetic paper cuttings, as well as through highly interactive, audiovisual components. The museum is designed by the Japanese architect Kengo Kuma and is one of Denmark's biggest. There's a café, a labyrinth garden, and a cultural center for children in the basement. Tickets must be booked in advance.

Kunstmuseum Brandts

Fodor's choice

Occupying a former textile factory, this four-story building is home to one of Denmark's best—and first—museums of art and visual culture, an educational center specializing in the same subjects, and an art bookstore with a wide range of books. National and international exhibits shown here vary widely, but there's a focus on photography and visual art.

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Valdemars Slot

Fodor's choice

One of Denmark's best-preserved castles is located on the island of Tåsinge, immediately south of Svendborg. There's a restaurant, a tea pavilion, an orchard to get lost in, and several stately buildings to explore. The castle was built in the 17th century for a Danish prince, but it now belongs to a wealthy family.

Ærøskøbing

Fodor's choice

Time seems to stand still in Ærø's main town, where the half-timbered houses and cobblestoned, winding streets look exactly like they did a century ago. The heart of town is full of small restaurants, cafés, inns, and galleries, but the harbor and the beach---where a seemingly endless column of charming, colorful beach houses stands guard---beg to be explored too. A quirky museum sheds light on the island’s rich maritime history.

H. C. Andersens Barndomshjem

In Hans Christian Andersen's childhood home, where he lived in the early 1800s, the young boy and his parents lived in three tiny rooms. The rooms are outfitted with rustic, period furnishings (chairs, lamps, a table) and little else. Ticket price includes one-day admission to five Hans Christian Andersen attractions.

Møntestræde 1, Odense, 5000, Denmark
65-51–46–01
Sight Details
Rate Includes: DKr 165 (incl. Hans Christian Andersen\'s House and Møntergården), Closed Mon. Sept.--June

Marstal

The yacht harbor is the biggest attraction in Marstal, a small town with a long, maritime history. The town itself is not as pretty as Ærøskøbing, but the museum dedicated to documenting the island’s seafaring history (Marstal Søfartsmuseum) makes it worth a visit. South of town you’ll find Eriks Hale, a narrow tongue of land with beach on either side. The isthmus is home to a long row of incredibly photogenic beach houses, and there’s a bathing bridge popular with young families.

Møntergården

While most of Odense's attractions are dedicated to the city's most famous son, Hans Christian Andersen, this museum explores the history of the city itself. The museum consists of several buildings, most of them quaint old half-timbered houses, as well as an atmospheric cobblestoned courtyard. There are permanent as well as changing exhibitions, all dedicated to Odense's and Funen's history and art scene.

Møntestræde 1, Odense, 5000, Denmark
Sight Details
Rate Includes: Dkr 100 (free for visitors who have visited Hans Christian Andersen\'s House on the same day), Closed Mon. Sept.--June

Sankt Knuds Kirke

Constructed between the 13th and 15th century, this is Denmark's only purely Gothic cathedral. The intricate wooden altar covered with gold leaf was carved by German sculptor Claus Berg. Beneath the sepulcher are the bones of St. (King) Knud, killed during a farmers' uprising in 1086, and his brother.

Vikingemuseet Ladby

The village of Ladby, 16 km (10 miles) east of Odense, is best known as the home of the 1,100-year-old remains of this ship, which belonged to a Viking chieftain and is now the centerpiece of the Viking Museum. The chieftain was buried here, along with the hunting dogs and horses he would need for Valhalla—the afterlife.

Voderup Klint

These cliffs, leading down to Ærø’s southern coast, are some of the most spectacular nature to be found on the island. The grassy, terrace-like giant steps link the rolling hills of Ærø’s heartland with one of Denmark’s southernmost coastal areas, and it’s an excellent place to go for a hike.

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