Odense & The Fairytales

Odense in Denmark was a dream, especially since I am writing my uni dissertation on Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales. It was like stepping into a fairy tale in itself, as the town is mostly cobbled streets with coloured houses and cosy cafes. There are signs of Andersen everywhere, from footstep paintings on the floor, murals on the side of buildings and of course the 3 museums dedicated to the writer.

You can visit HCA's birthplace, childhood home and the H.C. Andersen Hus, a modern and interactive museum based on his life and works. All 3 are must sees when visiting Odense, and are all within walking distance from each other.

Stepping into his childhood home was surreal. You can feel the magic and the history inside the house, and see his living area, kitchen and garden. The H.C. Andersen Hus takes on a clever approach to documenting his life and artefacts. Interactive headsets help guide you around the museum on your terms, and you can tune into whatever sign or object you wish. There is everything from his travel suitcase to his original manuscripts and so much more.

I highly recommend visiting if you are in Copenhagen, Aarhus or Billund. It was a 2 hour drive from Copenhagen across The Great Belt (the bridge which separates the islands) and the drive itself is scenic. On the way down we stopped over at Slagelse, a small town about half way between Copenhagen and Odense. It had cute cafes, shops and restaurants. Its a great little stop for the drive across.

In addition to the Andersen scene, Odense is a beautiful town with lots of shops, restaurants and culture. Visiting at Christmas time is extra special, as the Christmas lights, trees and gift shops are all open and buzzing.

I'm lucky to have seen lots of beautiful towns and cities in Denmark, and Odense is certainly one of my favourites!