Denmark: Strolling on Funen
Rolling hills, beautiful beaches and charming villages with – indeed – half-timbered houses. Yet everything here is different: let yourself be surprised in Funen, the second largest island in Denmark.
Funen is the second largest island in Denmark, nestled between its big brother Zealand and the mainland of Denmark. The island is surrounded by the salty seawater of the Great and Little Belt and is also called the Garden of Denmark: due to the rolling landscape, the orchards and the enormous amount of wild flowers you encounter everywhere.
Beautiful Daisy Route
The best way to discover Funen? Simply by car, along the Daisy Route, marked with brown signs with a picture of a daisy on them – this way you will pass the most beautiful places and the nicest villages. The route also leads to the south of the island, where you can enjoy walking along beautiful bays and inlets of the sea. With an unobstructed view of the islands of the South Funen Archipelago – some are accessible via a bridge, others by ferry. If you have time, you can visit, for example, the island of Ærø: a fishing island with old harbour villages such as Marstal and Ærøskøbing. The latter in particular is really worth a visit, with its cobbled streets and fishermen's houses whose doors are colourfully painted.
Charming towns and villages
There are many more charming towns and villages on the island. Such as Kerteminde, a fishing village in the north of the island. This was the home of the famous painter couple Johannes and Alhed Larsen, whose works you can see in the museum named after them, near the house where they received many other painters. In Kerteminde you should also not miss Amanda: the statue of a local fishing girl – great for a selfie. On the east coast is Nyborg, where the ferry to Zealand used to depart. The large bridge over the Great Belt now makes that crossing unnecessary, but the town – and certainly the castle – is very nice to visit.
The city of Odense
The most important city on Funen, however, is Odense, in the interior. It is the birthplace of shoemaker's son Hans Christian Andersen, who wrote dozens of fairy tales. There is a museum where you can learn more about the world-famous poet and writer. There is also a zoo and – not unimportantly – you can do great shopping there!
Great tips on Funen
Must do
Egeskov Fairy Tale Castle in Odense! A special combination, because here you will also find museums with classic cars, jet fighters and helicopters!
With the kids
The Hans Christian Andersen museum of course (Odense). And 'Kiss a crab!': catching crabs under the guidance of a nature guide, in Middelfart.
You must taste
Smoked cheese, made from sour milk. That is Rygeost, a local specialty from the island of Funen. It is a soft cheese that you often find on rye bread with slices of radish and pickle.
Looking for a Motorhome or Caravan to discover Funen? Click here for the offer
