Green attractions
Odense’s green spaces are a historic hallmark of the city. Odense River runs through the city, and with a car-free city centre as well as 120 parks and gardens, nature and green spaces in Odense give you countless opportunities to relax and explore the city at a gentler pace.
As early as the 1930s, the first ideas emerged about making Odense a green city. Today, efforts are being made to ensure that every resident of Odense is no more than 300 metres from a green space – even as the city continues to develop. The city’s green qualities are deeply rooted in the local mindset, and you can clearly feel this as you move through the city. Right here in the capital of Funen, you do not have to choose between urban life and the calm of nature. In Odense, the two go hand in hand.
Outdoor experiences
Whether you prefer a peaceful walk along the river, a longer hike through green spaces or an even longer bike ride to small villages or the coastline, the options are right on your doorstep in the centre of Odense.
Parks and Gardens
Klosterhaven - Medicinal Herbs
Odense, Funen and the Islands
The Fairy Tale Garden in Odense
Odense, Funen and the Islands
Kongens Have (King's Garden) in Odense
Odense, Funen and the Islands
The Romantic Garden Sanderumgaard
Odense, Funen and the Islands
Just living is not enough," said the butterfly, "one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower. Hans Christian Andersen
Nature spots
South-east of Odense lies Tarup-Davinde – a large natural area where former gravel pits have beco...
The little forest Fruens Bøge is situated in the southern part of Odense. Some of it's attractions are a little, idyllic lake and the restaurant Carlslund.
The Hans Christian Andersen Forest was planted in 2001. Seen from the air, the forest resembles Andersen's paper cut-out "The Sun Head".
Years ago Stige Island was in use as a landfill, but now it has been cleaned up and turned into a nature/activity area.
Odense is full of beautiful green areas that invite you to go for a walk, a bike ride, or sit and relax in green surroundings. Skovsøen is one of them.
Kohaveskoven with its surrounding woods, new plantings and grazed meadows is one of Odense's largest and finest natural areas.
Explore Næsbyhoved Forest, where beech trees, cultural history and the remains of a medieval royal castle meet close to Odense city centre.
Discover Odense at a slower pace on the Åstien trail along the river. The 10 km route takes you past woodland, a lake, green spaces and peaceful places to stop.
The River Odense is about 54 kilometres long and runs through Odense. The river is Funen's longest watercourse, usually 30-50 metres wide.
The almost 3-hectare fenced area in Hedvigslundskoven is a great place to walk your dog. There is old forest, new plantings and a large grassy area.
Outdoor fitness
Outdoor fitness area by Påskestræde/Åstien in Odense with equipment for adults and teens. A great stop for exercise in the fresh air by the river.
The gym in Munke Mose has fitness equipment for both children and adults and some are placed together so that you can compete with each other.
The outdoor fitness area at Skt. Jørgens Engen contains a variety of equipment for full-body training. The equipment is sized for adult users.
We suggest: Go for a walk
These are some of our favourite routes, and we are happy to share. Chose between forest walks, walks by the water, short, long, and intricate routes. We have drawn them for you in Google Maps to make them easy to follow. Happy trails :)
Take the walk along the canal to Stige Ø, where an old landfill has been transformed into a beautiful recreational area with hiking trails and wild nature. It takes just over an hour to go out there - remember to allow time for the trip back, as unfortunately there is no possibility of public transport.
This route takes you from the city centre to Fruens Bøge on the most beautiful path imaginable along Odense River. Along the way, you will pass Odense Aafart, Odense Zoo and finally, you are almost at The Funen Village (open-air museum).
Here you walk in a forest area in the middle of the city, and in fact you move between 3 smaller forests on the trip, namely Åløkkeskoven, Storskoven and Snapindskoven. Along the way, you get close to the harbour, the canal and Odense Stadium.
Experience Odense in new and different ways through exciting digital city walks. Free options.
This is a 7 km walking route along the river that takes you by 13 playgrounds and outdoor fitness equipment.
Vælg blandt over 200 lokale eventyr, der gør det let og underholdende for voksne at tage børn i alderen 4-9 år med på opdagelse i naturen.
Extra tips
Odense is home to several excellent golf courses, and by staying in Odense, you can enjoy the cit...
The artist Thomas Dambo, who grew up in Odense, has created one of his iconic trolls in recycled materials right here in Odense.
The wheels are spinning, the wind is rushing past, and the kilometres are disappearing one by one.
The manor route takes you on a journey through the history of the Funen landscape.
The fact that Odense is located right by Odense Fjord and that the Odense River runs through the cit
