Funen-Denmark: the archipelago of fairy tales, with 400 islands and 123 castles to discover by bike

Avatar photo

Funen, or Fyn in Danish, the third largest island in Denmark located in an archipelago southwest of Copenhagen, is the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen, Danish novelist, playwright, storyteller and poet, famous for his short stories and fairy tales , but it is also a natural area with a large number of castles and islands.

With its waterways, cottages, coastal cycle paths, footpaths and the special light of the Baltic Sea, Funen exudes a calm and relaxed atmosphere suitable for slow tourism.

Here are some highlights to prepare for the visit to the island:

Odense, the capital: this picturesque city is a mixture of tradition and modernity. A new museum was inaugurated last year, entirely dedicated to the writer Hans Christian Andersen;

Ærø: This is a very “photogenic” island that attracts many travelers looking for nature experiences. It is also the starting point for visiting the many southern islands of the Funen archipelago, for island-hopping itineraries;

Egeskov Castle: This is one of the finest examples of Renaissance architecture in Northern Europe. The castle houses a collection of period costumes from 1850 to 1900;

New for 2023 is also the castle tour, a 660 km cycle route to discover the many castles and mansions of the island of Funen, Langeland and Ærø, in a combination of culture, landscape and fun on two wheels.

Catherine Mills Avatar