A new light rail just opened in Denmark’s third biggest city Odense, known as the home of the famous Danish fairy-tale writer H.C. Andersen. The rail will make it easier for locals and tourists alike to access the many wonders the city has to offer.
The new Odense Light Rail opened on 28 May, spanning 26 stops (24 of which are open now) and 8.7 miles trough the city and the surrounding area.
The route is surrounded by grass and trees. two trees have been planted for each tree that was removed during the construction, resulting in over 1,400 new trees and 31 square miles of grass.
The city centre stretch of the route, ranging from Kongensgade to Albani Square, is a great way to explore the city’s top sights.
Kongensgade
Kongensgade in Odense’s main pedestrian street is filled with restaurants, shops and coffee shops. Visit Restaurant HOS for a taste of the traditional Danish Smørrebrød “an open-faced sandwich” or go around the corner to gourmet Restaurant Vår or French-inspired Restaurant Pasfall, both on the prestigious White Guide list. Arkaden Food Hall, where you can experience food from all over the world, is also located nearby. Odense also has Denmark’s first museum for art and visual culture, Art Museum Brandts, which showcases more than ten exhibitions a year of new and classical art. Looking for a little more action? Enjoy a beautiful boat trip or go kayaking on the Odense River with Odense Aafart.
Odense Train Station
The main train station in Odense is located next to good shopping opportunities and restaurants on Vestergade. In the opposite direction, you’ll find Storms Pakhus, a gastronomic and creative food market and Odense Harbour, that have developed into a cultural and recreational hub called Byens Ø (the island of the city). The area offers everything from great restaurants as e.g. Restaurant North Atlantic, and harbour bath to beach volleyball and mini-golf.
ODEON
From this stop, Travellers will be able to explore Odense’s new music and theatre venue Odeon, which offers classical music concerts, musicals, comedy shows and much more. Odense’s Concert Hall is also located in this area, where Odense Symphonic Orchestra performs almost exclusively. A visit to The Old Town Quarter is a must, a historical area where you’ll find some of the city’s oldest houses still standing, while others are reconstructed within the City Museum Møntergården. Be sure to also check out the highly appraised new museum H.C. Andersen’s House.
Albani Square
In the heart of Odense is the new pulsating Albani square, a new beautiful gathering place with modern architecture, green spaces, various shops and several newly built apartment buildings. In the area, visitors can explore Anarkist Beer and Food Lab, Sct. Albani Church and Odense Cathedral. This area is also popular as it houses the great H.C. Andersen’s Childhood Home and the beautiful Fairy Tale Garden, which houses several sculptures related to H.C. Andersen.
