Denmark consists of one peninsula and over 400 islands, of which around 70 are inhabited. At the heart of this realm lies Funen (Fyn) — the country's third-largest island, often called "the garden of Denmark" for its rolling, fertile landscape of manor houses, orchards and cosy villages. Around Funen spreads one of Europe's most beautiful archipelagos, joined by some of the world's most impressive bridges.
Odense — the town of Hans Christian Andersen
Funen's capital, Odense, is one of Denmark's oldest towns and the birthplace of world literature's greatest fairy-tale writer, Hans Christian Andersen (1805–1875). Here he wrote himself into history with tales such as "The Little Mermaid", "The Ugly Duckling" and "The Emperor's New Clothes", translated into more than 160 languages.
The modern Hans Christian Andersen House, designed by the Japanese architect Kengo Kuma and opened in 2021, takes visitors into the poet's fairy-tale universe. Nearby lies Den Fynske Landsby (the Funen Village), an open-air museum where old timber-framed houses, workshops and farms are gathered to recreate country life in the 19th century.
Egeskov Castle — Europe's finest moated manor
In the middle of Funen, Egeskov Castle rises directly out of a lake. Built in 1554, it is one of Europe's best-preserved Renaissance moated castles. Legend says the construction required a whole forest of oak trees — hence the name Egeskov ("oak forest"). Today the castle is surrounded by magnificent gardens, mazes, vintage-car collections and playgrounds, making it one of Funen's most visited attractions.
Faaborg, Svendborg and the South Funen archipelago
Southern Funen is known for its charming harbour towns. Faaborg, with its cobbled streets and half-timbered houses, is the gateway to the archipelago, while Svendborg is a lively maritime town and the departure point for ferries to the many islands. The South Funen Archipelago is a unique coastal landscape of small islands, islets and shallow waters — a paradise for sailors, kayakers and nature lovers.
Ærø — the picturesque pearl
Among the archipelago's islands, Ærø shines the brightest. The town of Ærøskøbing is one of Denmark's best-preserved market towns, with cobbled streets, brightly coloured half-timbered houses and old skipper's homes from the golden age of sailing ships. Along the shore stand Ærø's famous bathing huts — small, colourful beach cabins in pastel shades that have become an iconic image of the Danish summer. The neighbouring islands of Tåsinge and Langeland offer manor houses, bathing beaches and quiet cycle routes through the open countryside.
The bridges that tie the country together
The Danish islands are joined by masterpieces of engineering. The Great Belt Fixed Link (Storebælt), inaugurated in 1998, connects Funen with Zealand. Its suspension bridge, the East Bridge, has a free span of 1,624 metres and was the world's second-longest suspension bridge when it opened — it remains among the longest in the world. The Little Belt bridges (Lillebælt) connect Funen with Jutland: the old bridge from 1935 and the new motorway bridge from 1970. Together they make the islands a seamless part of the country, while ferries and bicycle ferries still link the smaller islands — a journey that is an experience in itself.
Cycling and sailing experiences
Funen and its archipelago are made for slow travel. The Archipelago Trail (Øhavsstien) and the quiet country roads pass orchards, beaches and small harbours. In summer the waters teem with sailing boats, and the ferry crossings between islands give the journey a special rhythm. Here a holiday is not about hurrying but about savouring Danish island life — the sea, the light and genuine hygge.