Funen - The Fairy-Tale Island

Funen (Danish: Fyn) is an island with an area of 2,985 km² in the south of Denmark. The fairy-tale island is the country's third biggest island after Zealand and Vendsyssel-Thy and is surrounded by several small islands (e.g. Ærø, Langeland, Tåsinge and Thurø). Its capital is the university city of Odense, which is also Denmark's third biggest city. Other significant cities and towns are Nyborg, Svendborg, Middlefart, Faborg and Assens. Funen's coast is almost 1,1000 kilometres long and borders on the Little and Great Belt as well as on the Baltic Sea and the Kattegat. Regarding the climate, mild to warm temperatures as well as changeable weather conditions are typical of the region.

Bright rape fields, green grassland and the deep blue sea water, accompanied by thick beech forests, long sandy beaches, small bays and exciting cliff coasts - Funen's landscape is harmonious and diverse at the same time. The interaction of vast meadows and forests, golden sand and the wonderful fruit gardens creates a breathtaking scenery for lovers of nature and artists.

The storyteller and writer Hans Christian Andersen, who was born in Odense in 1805, once called Funen "fine". The island indeed looks like a place from a fictional story with its numerous fairy-tale castles and gardens, historical cities, churches, manor houses, paved alleys, beautiful half-timbered houses and the hollyhocks, which have been planted in many places. It is no wonder that the island inspired the inventor of Thumbelina. You can visit Hans Christian Andersen's birth place in the capital of Odense or the Tinderbox, which re-enacts the writer's stories with theatre performances, costumes, make-up and music. Travellers can also see his fairy tales on stage during the Hans Christian Andersen Festival Plays in July/August in The Funen Village (Den Fynske Landsby). The latter is an authentic open-air museum, which recreates the living conditions in Funen in the 18th and 19th century. Other interesting museum complexes on the island are the Danish Railway Museum in Odense, the Naturama (a modern natural history museum) in Svendborg, the Viking Museum in Kerteminde and the Oldtimer and Motorcycle Museum in Egeskov Castle. The impressive fairy-tale castle is one of Funen's main attractions as well as one of the country's most beautiful castles with its wonderful castle garden, the red brick walls and the pointy towers.

Being a princess or a knight for a day, feeding giraffes, going for a walk in the treetops or building gigantic sandcastles - Funen is an eldorado for families. Countless facilities such as Odense Zoo, one of the best zoos in the whole of Europe, or the play forest at Egeskov castle, charming harbour cities and the wonderful landscape offer fun for young and grown-up visitors. In addition, there is a wide range of holiday homes and camping grounds, which promise relaxed family holidays. Many tourists are impressed by the variety of traditional Danish dishes and fresh natural products. Particularly popular delicacies are the island's delicious fruit from the local fruit gardens, the vitamin-packed fruit juices and the hearty smoked cheese.

The island of Funen offers excellent conditions for numerous leisure activities on the water and on shore. Hiking, cycling, sailing, diving, surfing and fishing are particularly popular on Denmark's third biggest island. In addition, you can go on whale-watching tours and seal safaris.

Due to its proximity to the mainland, Funen can be reached by ferry as well as by car or train. Several bridges connect the island with the mainland and neighbouring islands. In addition, you can take the plane to the national airport in Odense. May tourists, however, arrive at the international airport in Copenhagen or Billund before they continue their journey in a rental car or by train. The main tourist season are the summer months. Temperate to warm air and water temperatures make your holidays during this season as pleasant as possible.