Odense

Odense is the third largest city in Denmark. It has a population of 170,327 and is the main city of the green island of Funen.

It is one of the oldest cities in Denmark and celebrated its 1000^th anniversary in 1988. The city takes its name from the Nordic god of war, poetry and wisdom, Odin.

Odense is home to a magnificent Gothic cathedral, interesting museums and galleries and a picturesque archipelago that’s perfect for a boat trip in the summer.

The Odense River runs through the city and offers plenty of opportunities to take a long walk, bike ride or run. Odense is known as the National Cycling City of Denmark. Both old and young people ride their bikes all over the city.

More than 150 different nationalities live in Odense among them are many international students. All in all 16,320 students have chosen to study in Odense. 

Odense is the birthplace of the world famous fairytale writer Hans Christian Andersen and the city proudly displays statues, parades and monuments in his memory. Andersen was born on 2 April 1805, in a tiny house on Munkemøllestræde, quite close to the cathedral. During his lifetime, Andersen created many famous fairy-tales which today are internationally famous.  For example 'The Little Mermaid', 'The Ugly Duckling', and 'The Snow Queen'.

Odense's most famous landmark was Odinstårnet (The Odin Tower) constructed in 1935, as the second-tallest tower in Europe, only surpassed by the Eiffel Tower with its 177 meters. Odinstårnet was blown up by a Danish Nazi group in 1944 and has never been rebuilt. However, a miniature model of it now stands in the residential area Odinsparken in the area where the original tower was.

Getting to Odense

Odense Airport, around 7 miles (11.5km) north of the city, offers only very limited international services. Airline passengers from the UK are better served by Copenhagen Airport, around 2 hours from Odense by direct train.

It is possible to travel by overnight train from the UK to Odense (London-Brussels-Cologne-Odense) – a 13.5hr journey.

Odense’s convenient location on a major Danish railway line makes it well connected with other Danish cities such as Aarhus (less than 2 hours away), Copenhagen (1.5 hours) and Nyborg (20 minutes). It’s also only 4-5 hours from Hamburg in Germany. 

Getting Around Odense

There is a free city bus that does a circuit of Odense city centre that runs every 10 minutes during the day. It is also possible to rent a city bike where the first 30 minutes are free.

Universities in Odense

• University of Southern Denmark Odense

  City: Odense

• Funen Art Academy

  City: Odense