Green attractions
The city is filled with gardens and parks, trees flank the major roads and Odense River snakes its way through the city centre. We believe that all the greenery is a big part of the calm and relaxed feeling that is typical of Odense - green is good for the soul.
Just living is not enough," said the butterfly, "one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower. Hans Christian Andersen
Parks and Gardens
Kongens Have (King's Garden) in Odense
Odense, Funen
Nature spots
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.
The approximately 15 ha Næsbyhoved Forest is a beech-clad hill, sandwiched between Kanalvej and Næsbyvej and hides the remnants of a medieval royal castle.
Follow the beautiful Odense River through atmospheric forest areas and attractive residential neighborhoods, past Skovsøen and out to Ejby Mølle.
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
This outdoor gym is primarily intended for adults and teens and you will find no dedicated fitness equipment for children.
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.
Tips for cyclists in Odense, routes, maps, rentals and more.