Free experiences on Funen and the islands 2024

On Funen and the islands, you will find wonderful free experiences for both children and adults - whether it is a trip around Odense, Funen's cultural life or a good hiking trip.

In this guide, we have collected the best recommendations and tips for memorable experiences.

The capital of Funen

Visit Odense

The largest city on Funen is Odense, and therefore it must be said to be Funen's Capital. The city is one of the oldest in all of Denmark, and if you are looking for culture and history, Odense is just the place for you.

There are many free experiences for young and old when you visit Odense - We recommend that you stop by the Viking fortress Nonnebakken and go exploring in the old town, where you can follow in the footsteps of HC Andersen.

Free experience

Find His Cave Hand

Go on a troll hunt in Odense. The artist Thomas Dambo has created trolls from recycled wood, which are located around Denmark - The troll Hans Hulehånd lives in the middle of Funen's capital Odense.

You can find a map of the trolls right here.

Main attraction

Visit HC Andersen's House

In the middle of Odense there is a small yellow house - Hans Christian Andersen's childhood home. Today, the house is decorated like a museum, where you can experience the birthplace of the famous poet.

During the summer of 2021, a new HC Andersen's house will open, which consists of both architecturally beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces.

Children and young people under 18 have free entry.

Nature experience

Go hiking in the Funen countryside

When you move out into the Funen nature, you understand why it is said that Funen is fine. The Funen nature offers everything from hilly landscapes with unique views to flat beaches where you can take a dip or a rest.

Below we have collected some of the best hiking routes on Funen.

Home to deer and fallow deer

Nature Park Hindsgavl Animal Park

The nature park Hindsgavl Dyrehave is home to many deer and fallow deer that graze on the open plains and in the forests. These deer look after the landscape and preserve the historic manor landscape from the 13th century.

The park offers marked routes for walking, running, horse riding, cycling and orienteering. Here you can experience old memories of the past, frog concerts at midnight and roaring red deer in late summer.

The zoo also has seating and barbecue areas for bringing food. Regardless of whether you are looking for peace or outdoor activities, Hindsgavl Dyrehave offers ideal conditions.

Address: Hindsgavl Alle, 5500 Middelfart

Historical experience

Visit the Funen Village

Come for a walk in the countryside in the middle of Odense city. In the Funen Village live peasant wives, men and priests, all of whom help to create an authentic experience and story about how people lived in the 19th century.

At this open-air museum you can explore the history of Funen, and the place offers experiences for all ages.

Children and young people under the age of 17 have free entry.

Address: Sejerskovvej 20, 5260 Odense S

Free nature experience

Denmark's biggest rock

Close to the southeastern Funen village of Hesselager is Denmark's largest stone - Damestenen.

The 10 meter high and 1000 ton heavy stone was brought here from Sweden by means of the ice during the last ice age, and with its large size, must be said to be an impressive sight.

Get a unique experience

The Langeland Art Towers

In 2010, De Langelandske Kunsttårne was expanded to 12 towers to celebrate Langelands Elforsyning's 100-year anniversary. This created the basis for "Denmark's longest art exhibition".

At the same time, the "Fonden De Langelandske Kunsttårne" was formed, which now manages the project and acts as a link between artists and Langeland's electricity supply.

The 12 towers offer a unique art experience in the beautiful nature of Langeland, from north to south and east to west. The towers are open all year round, and each tour offers new experiences that vary with the seasons and the weather. This form of exhibition is unique and offers tranquility to enjoy art and nature.

Go on a fantastic hiking and cycling tour

Enebærodde

Enebærodde, between the Kattegat and Odense Fjord, offers wonderful nature experiences. Bring trainers or a bike and enjoy the quiet headland with fantastic views.

Explore the approx. 12 km of trails along the coast, through deciduous and spruce forest, Funen's largest heath, and bird reserves. See galloway cattle and maybe vipers sunbathing.

Access via Halshusene, where there is parking. Cars are not allowed. At the tip of the headland you must not swim due to strong currents, but enjoy the view and a packed lunch in the green area.

An exhibition with an idyllic courtyard

Farvergården in Kerteminde

Farvergården offers exhibitions over three floors that explore life as a craftsman and fisherman in Kerteminde. The museum has a mini-cinema where you can see films from Kerteminde shot between 1938 and 1962, including “Amanda and the student,” in which a local girl shows a student around town. Children aged 5-10 can experience the 1900s Kerteminde through the eyes of Marie and Johannes, who talk about life as children back then.

Behind Farvergården is an idyllic courtyard where you can enjoy the tranquility in the middle of Kerteminde. The garden is laid out according to old traditions with perennial beds and low boxwood hedges.

Farvergården's shop is full of old-fashioned goods reminiscent of the mid-20th century.

Opening hours and entrance

-1. June – 31 August: Monday-Sunday at 10 – 16
-1. September – 20 October: Tuesday-Sunday at 10 – 16

Free entry for all.

Address: Langegade 8, 5300 Kerteminde

Attraction for the whole family

Danish Railway Museum

Stand in the cab of one of the old steam locomotives, experience how you once traveled in 1st class, or take a ride in the popular mini train with the kids.

The Danish Railway Museum offers both play and history for both young and old, and therefore it is an obvious place to visit with the whole family.

Children aged 0-17 have free entry.

Address: Dannebrogsgade 24, 5000 Odense

Experience wild horses at Langeland

The Wild Horses in Gulstav Mose

The Wild Horses in Gulstav Mose at the southern tip of Langeland is a unique nature experience. Up to 60 Exmoor ponies live year-round in a large area of grasslands, lakes, moors, woods and cliffs.

The ponies live largely without human interference and can be seen in their natural habitat. In the summer there are foals and matings to be seen, especially in April and May. The Nature Agency Fyn provides straw fodder in the winter, but otherwise the horses are self-sufficient.

The Exmoor ponies are believed to be Europe's closest genetic descendants of the original wild horses that disappeared around 1870.

You are encouraged to keep a minimum distance of 25 meters from the animals, avoid petting or feeding them, and you must not walk between the animals.

There is free access to the area all year round.

Attraction for the whole family

Go exploring at TICKON

Visit Tranekær International Center for Art and Nature (TICKON) and experience Land-art in Tranekær Castle Park, where artists create works directly in nature with natural materials such as wood, soil and stone. The Ahlefeldt-Laurvig family handed over the park's decoration to TICKON in 1993. Here you can discover Site-specific Art, where the artworks are integrated naturally and gradually decompose, meaning that only 14 of the original works still stand.

Tranekær Castle Park covers 83 hectares, mainly around the castle lake. During the visit, you will receive a brochure with a map of the park and the works of art. Discover art that seems to merge with nature and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.

Opening hours: The park is open all year round from sunrise to sunset.

Free entry for children and young people under the age of 18

Address: Botofte Strandvej 4, 5953 Tranekær

Take an evening walk with the Night Watch Corps in Ærøskøbing

Guardian tour in Ærøskøbing

The night watch corps in Ærøskøbing was established in 1702 by order of the Duke at Gottorp Castle in Schleswig after a break-in at a young mother alone with her 16-week-old child, who was quite frightened. The night watchmen acted as night police officers until 1863, securing the city's inhabitants and maintaining peace and order. They kept an eye out for fire hazards and made sure that the oil lamps in the city streets were lit in the dark of night.

In the 1990s, the watchman returned to Ærøskøbing as a tour guide in the old town with exciting stories about the historic houses and their residents. The tour passes the city's oldest houses and offers vivid stories and anecdotes about the city and its residents.

Dates and start times:

June: every evening from Tuesday 25 June at 21:00

July: every evening at 21:00

August: Until August 13: every evening at 20:00

Address: The old square in Ærøskøbing next to the library.

Take a trip to the reborn oasis

Explore Stige Island

Stige Ø has been reborn as a natural oasis and activity area after serving as Odense Municipality's waste depot. The island is now cleaned and offers a hilly landscape with several viewpoints and a rich flora and fauna. The clean-up has also enabled the production of gas for energy purposes, which is described in more detail on the island's information signs.

You can explore Stige Ø both during the day and at night thanks to public facilities and shelters that can be reserved on the island. Activities include a mountain bike course, hiking trails, a unique playground with large swings above a viewpoint, a military-style circuit training route and bird watching.

ATTENTION: Please note that overnight stays in tents are not permitted due to the risk of gases in the ground.

Address: Stige Ø, 5000 Odense C

Find inspiration in Glorup Park, just like HC Andersen did

Glorup Estate and park

Moltke bought Glorup Gods in 1762 and modernized it with the help of architect NH Jardin and architect Christian Josef Zuber. They added a storey to the west facade and a new superstructure to the main gate, while retaining the four wings and the mansard roof.

HC Andersen often visited Glorup and admired the garden, which is one of Denmark's first romantic gardens with linden alleys, oak trees, fruit trees and exotic plants. The forests around Glorup Herregård and Rygård contain larch, Douglas fir and noble fir.

Opening hours: The garden is open to visitors Thursday to Sunday from 10am to 4pm in the period 1 April to 31 September.

ATTENTION: Visitors are asked to follow signage, use the designated paths and keep their distance from the estate, which is a private residence.

Address: Glorupvej 34, 5853 Ørbæk

Experience Funen's only round church

Horne Round Church

Funen's only round church, Horne Kirke, has a significant history and a remarkable interior that includes works by Eckersberg as well as a rare Greveloge and Communion Hall. The church plays a central role in history and is surrounded by many fascinating legends.

Horne Kirke was used as a filming location for the famous film "Adam's Apples" in 2004.

The church offers Christian meditation every Thursday at 17 all year round. The meditation requires no special prerequisites, just the ability to be in silence.

Address: Søren Lundsvej 40, 5600 Faaborg

The water tower has a unique location on Nyborg Vold

The water tower on the Queen's Bastion

The water tower at Dronningens Bastion, designed by Emil Swanenflügel and built in 1899, is a unique example of industrial construction from that time. Protected in 1997, it retains intact its water installations, including a rare riveted steel water tank.

The tower measures 22.40 meters in height from ground to roof and 24 meters inside, while Rundetårn in Copenhagen is 36 meters high.

The water tower is open for free visits on selected days, often in connection with art exhibitions.

Address: Møllebakken 10, Dronningens Bastion, 5800 Nyborg

Go on a walking and cycling trip on one of Denmark's smallest island municipalities

Explore Aero

Ærø, one of Denmark's smallest island municipalities with approximately 6,050 inhabitants, offers a real island atmosphere in the South Funen Archipelago. The island spans 88 km2 and includes three port towns and 14 villages, with varied landscape from hills in the north to flatter terrain in the south.

It is ideal for walking and cycling, with good swimming beaches, angling and artistic inspiration. The island's harbors are popular with sailing tourists, and access is by ferry from Svendborg, Faaborg, Rudkøbing or Fynshav. Explore the island on foot or by bike, using the Øhavsstien that stretches 36 km around the island or go on your own adventures.

Highlights include Voderup Klint with impressive cliffs and Vitsø Nor near Søby, a bird-rich wetland with beautiful views.

The trip to the island: You can get to Ærø by using one of the five ferries.

Experience one of Denmark's most spectacular art workshops

Gallery Galschiøt

Galleri Galschiøt is home to one of Denmark's largest and most spectacular private art workshops on an 8,000 m2 area. The place offers a unique universe filled with sculptures and activities from all over the world, including Mexico, China, Europe and Kenya.

There are regular art exhibitions both in the park and the gallery, where you can also find a shop with sculptures and jewellery. At the workshop, Galschiøt and his team work to create everything from small jewelery to 8 meter high sculptures, which are cast at the site's own bronze foundry.

Opening hours:

8 July – 11 August: Monday to Friday at 12:00-17:00 (Sunday 12:00-16:00)

12 August – 22 December: Monday to Friday at 09:00-17:00 (Sunday 12:00-16:00)

Address: Banevänget 22, 5270 Odense N

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