Best Odense Day Trips: Egeskov Castle And Wonderful Coastal Towns

While Odense can offer a fairytale experience in the heart of Denmark, the city doesn’t boast a ton of activities for a multi-day stay. If you’re like us and love to explore beyond the city limits, you’ll be happy to know that Odense makes the perfect base for exploring the rest of the island of Fyn. In this post, we’collected our favourite Odense day trips on this charming, mostly flat island, dotted with quaint towns, peaceful harbours, beautiful countryside, and one of Denmark’s most iconic attractions: Egeskov Castle.

Let’s hit the road and see what’s beyond the cobblestones of Odense.

Fyn in a Day (or Two): What’s Possible For Odense Day Trips

Fyn (pronounced something like “fyoon”) is Denmark’s third-largest island, and it’s small enough to get around easily but large enough to pack in lots of variety. The distances are short, so you can easily visit two or even three towns in one day if you’re up for it. Or you can take a slower pace and spend more time soaking in the scenery and sampling the local food.

In this post, I’ll take you through some of the best Odense day trips—including our visit to Egeskov Castle, which is not just a castle, but a full-on experience, and the nearby towns of Svendborg, Kerteminde, and Nyborg. We managed to combine Egeskov Castle with a trip to Svendborg one day, and then explored Nyborg and Kerteminde on another.

👉 Planning to go to Odense? Check how you can spend a magical day in the fairytale town: One Day in Odense

1. Egeskov Castle: A Fairytale Come to Life

Getting there: Egeskov is about 30 minutes south of Odense by car. If you don’t have a vehicle, you can take a regional train to Kværndrup and then bus 920.

Note: The castle is closed during the winter and it usually opens in April for the Summer season.

Let’s start with the big one. Egeskov Castle (Egeskov Slot) is hands down the most famous site on the island, if not in Denmark, and for good reason. This Renaissance-era castle is like something out of a storybook. Built in 1554, it’s one of the best-preserved moat castles in Europe, and it’s not just a pretty face. The grounds are massive and filled with enough activities to keep you busy for hours. Another interesting point is that this is still, to this day, an active castle. There is an actual nobleman who lives there with his family.

When we visited, we were pleasantly surprised by how much there was to do. Beyond admiring the castle’s fairytale architecture, you can explore the interior rooms, which are decked out in historical furnishings and exhibitions that give you a glimpse into noble life in Denmark over the centuries. There’s even a toy museum, a vintage car collection, and a quirky fashion exhibit.

Outside, the gardens are spectacular. Think hedge mazes, flower gardens, and themed sections like the water garden and the renaissance garden. We especially loved the Tree Top Walking path, where you can literally walk among the treetops on suspended bridges. If you’re travelling with kids, there are multiple playgrounds and even a giant bamboo labyrinth to get lost in (we did, for longer than we’d like to admit). All of this makes it one of the best Odense day trips you can do.

There are a few cafés/ bistros on site, offering light lunches, and there are picnic areas if you bring your own. The admission is quite expensive (255 DKK, which is roughly 34 EUR), so I’d recommend planning to spend at least 4–5 hours here—more if you want to really take your time—in order to make it worth it. You can download a map ahead of time if you want to map out your visit here.

2. Svendborg: Laid-Back Coastal Charm

Pairing well with Egeskov is the town of Svendborg, which is about a 20-minute drive further south. This lovely harbour town sits on the coast and has a very relaxed, maritime vibe. We got there in the late afternoon after Egeskov and still had time to wander the cobbled streets, grab a coffee at one of the many cosy cafés, and walk along the waterfront.

The town is small but has a lot of character. Check out the local natural history museum (Naturama) if you want a peek into Northern Europe’s wildlife. The museum even has some whale skeletons to marvel at. Or, if you have a bit more time, take a short ferry ride to one of the nearby islands like Drejø or Skarø—popular spots in summer.

The island of Skarø is famous for an ice-cream parlour that produces natural, organic and environmentally friendly ice cream. It tastes amazing, so if you have the time, do consider trying it.

👉 Tip: If you’re there on a weekend, the local market near the harbour is a great place to pick up artisanal goods and local produce.

3. Kerteminde: Seaside Beauty and Art

Another great town for a day trip from Odense is Kerteminde, located on the northeastern coast of Fyn. This one feels like a true fishing village, complete with a small harbor, colorful houses, and some truly great seafood.

We spent the morning strolling along the marina and exploring the charming streets lined with cafes and galleries. The main attraction here is the Fjord & Bælt Center, a small but very engaging marine science center that’s especially great if you’re traveling with kids. You can learn about the marine life of the surrounding fjord and even see harbour porpoises and seals up close. They have seal and porpoises training daily twice a day at 11 am and 1 pm.

Kerteminde is also home to the Johannes Larsen Museum, dedicated to one of Denmark’s most well-known painters. Even if you’re not a huge art buff, like me, the museum is still worth visiting for its setting alone—a gorgeous villa with sea views and lovely gardens.

Lunch tip: Try the local fish restaurants along the harbour. We had smoked fish and rye bread with a cold beer, and it was one of the simplest but most satisfying meals we had on Fyn.

4. Nyborg: History and a Splash of the Sea

Finally, there’s Nyborg, another town rich in history and located on the eastern side of the island. It was actually once the seat of the Danish Parliament and is home to Nyborg Castle, which has been undergoing extensive renovations but still offers a fascinating look into medieval Danish politics and royal life. Unfortunately, the castle is still closed as of May 2025.

Nyborg also has a beach, which is great for a summer dip, and a relaxed pedestrian town center. We wandered the old streets, popped into a few bakeries and shops, and ended up by the harbor for an ice cream. The town has a very chill, local feel—it’s not as touristy as other places, and that makes it even more charming.

Fun fact: You can see the Great Belt Bridge (Storebæltsbroen) from various points in the town. It is one of the largest bridges in Europe, connecting Nyborg to Zealand and the rest of Denmark to Copenhagen. An engineering marvel, even just seeing it from a distance is a bit of a thrill, never mind actually driving on it, or travelling by train.

Suggested Odense Day Trips Combinations

If you’re trying to figure out how to group the towns, here’s what we did and what we recommend:

Day 1: Egeskov + Svendborg
Start with Egeskov Castle in the morning, then head to Svendborg for a relaxed afternoon by the water. Have dinner in Svendborg before heading back to Odense.

Day 2: Nyborg + Kerteminde
Explore Nyborg and the beach area in the morning, then drive up to Kerteminde for a seafood lunch and a visit to the marine center or art museum.

Both combinations are doable without feeling too rushed, especially if you start your day early.

Useful Tips For Your Odense Day Trips:

• Car rental: If you have a car, exploring Fyn becomes incredibly easy. The roads are good, and the distances are short. So I’d highly recommend enjoying the flexibility of a car if possible
• Public transport: Trains and buses do connect most towns, but you’ll need to plan ahead, especially for smaller routes and on weekends. And it might take you as much as twice the time it takes driving, case on point, getting to Egeskov by train and bus.
• When to visit: Late spring, summer and early autumn are ideal for these trips. Many attractions (especially Egeskov) have reduced hours or are closed in winter.
• Budget: Entrance to Egeskov isn’t cheap (around 30 EUR per adult), but it’s worth every cent. Towns like Svendborg and Kerteminde are free to explore, with costs mostly limited to food and optional museum entry.

Conclusion: Why It’s Worth Exploring Beyond Odense

While Odense is a lovely city full of Hans Christian Andersen charm, exploring the rest of Fyn really gives you a fuller picture of Danish life—from historic castles to sleepy fishing villages, rolling fields to harbourside cafés. Whether you’re chasing fairy tales, maritime history, or just a relaxed change of pace, a couple of Odense day trips are all you need to experience the best of this underrated Danish island.