Denmark

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Copenhagen, Roskilde, Odense, Århus, Aalborg

The city of Odense is the third largest city in Denmark, and is the main city of the island of Funen.

Odense is the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen, and walking around in the city you will find different signs of this. Furthermore the city is the birthplace of actor Ulrich Thomsen and the former AC Milan defender Thomas Helveg.

Danish singer Kim Larsen has lived in the city since 1994. You might not know him, but all danes do, and if you go party with some danes there is a 98% chance of you hearing at least one Kim Larsen song during the party.

Even though the city has 158.000 inhabitants it feels like a small town when you walk around. You will find plenty of opportunities to relax, and saving up some energy before moving on.

Couchsurfing in Odense

Hosts

There are far more hosts than surfers in Odense, so it shouldn't be a problem to find an available couch, even if you haven't planed on going there a month in advance.

Do a profile search using the couchsearch! menu, and choose a profile you think is interesting. Unless you are unlucky they will probably have both time and room to host you. If not, try another profile.

Due to the size of Odense you might not find a lot of hosts that have been vouched for, but dont let that scare you. Run through their references and you will probably see that they aren't that scary :)

Events/meetings

The Odense community is hosting events at least once a month, but if you are coming to town and want something to happen, check the Odense/Funen group, and if nothing is on try contacting: Rasmus Hansen and ask if he can arrange something.

The community is getting more and more active, so the chance of nobody wanting to meet up with you for a meeting, or an events i rather slim.

If you want to go out and have a few drinks, you can post it on the Odense forum a week, or a couple of days in advance, then a couple of locals (as well as their guests) are usually up for it.

Going out

Eating out

Unfortunatly the danes haven't got a tradition of eating traditional danish food when they eat out, so very few places serve danish specialities (if anybody knows a place that does, please add it to this place, or send it to Rasmus, and he will add it). So if you want danish food, ask you host politly if he will cook "frikadeller", "medister" or maybe "boghvedegrød" for you.

But if you want to eat out, Odense has a few places worth checking out:

Mongolian Barbecue The first oriental restaurant to open in Denmark. They offer all you can eat buffet at resonable prices (about 20 euros i think). You go to the buffet, pick your vegetables, meat and sauce, and bring the dish to the chef, who will then cook it for you, and hand it to you on a new, clean plate. If one time isn't enough fell free to do it all once more... and once more :)

Adress: Overgade 24, 5000 Odense C

Pane & Vino A nice italian restaurant in a very nice area with small streets. Good food, a lot to choose from, and low prices (10-30 euros). You can choose between pizza, pasta and meat dishes. And they have different combo offers (starter and main dish at a discount price).

They have special offers if you eat before 4 pm (less than 10 euros).

The atmosphere is relaxed, and with a combo offer you wont go to bed hungry.

Adress: Vintapperstræde 8, 5000 Odense C

Da Isabella Another italian restaurant, but with a mexican twist. They serve traditional italian food, as well as steaks ala Mexico, the prices is between 20 and 30 euros for main dish, dessert and a coke (or beer) if you do not choose the priciest meat and beverages.

Atmosphere is cozy, but you will othen have to wait for the staff, as they seem to be under-staffed most of the time. But this will give you more time to socialize with the people you are out with.

They offer take away at discount prices.

You might want to consider going to "Il gusto" for dessert, not because the desserts are bad at "Da Isabella", its just that if you are a gelato/ice cream lover, "Il gusto" is just cross the road, and they have the best icecream/gelato in town.

Adress: Vindegade 67-69, 5000 Odense C

Il Gusto Il gusto is italian for "the taste", at if you like italian gelato you have to try Il Gusto. Owned by a italian, it offers probably the best gelato in town. The range of tastes is constantly changing, and you might not find the same selection if you visit the place twice the same day. It is a bit expensive (think it is 2½ euro for the smallest you can get), but its worth every penny.

Afterwards you can go to the "Smagløse Cafe", just cross the road if you want a beer, coffee, a game of fuzzball or just a relaxing moment.

Adress: Vindegade 84, 5000 Odense

Eydes Kælder If you like meat, want to fell like a cave man or just want to listen to live music, you might want to consider visiting "Eydes (kælder)". They serve spareribs which you probably end up eating with your hands, tossing the bones into a basket (thats the cave man part). Or you can order other kinds of meat, different salads or just beer. They have a selection of imported beers, so you won't get disappointed. The prices is a bit higher than the previous restaurants, but they are fair compared to the usual danish prices.

Adress: Kongensgade 31A, 5000 Odense

Bars

Den Smagløse Cafe

Cosy bar close to the city center. Nice atmosphere, usually packed on Tuesday night where there is live music. Rather cheap beers.

Adress: Vindegade 57, 5000 Odense C

Heidis Bierbar

Tirol themed bar, packed in weekends after 1-2 am, but worth a visit before this time.

Adress: Vestergade 57, 5000 Odense (in an alley, but easy to find, as there usually are people outside smoking).

Arkaden

A collection of bars in the city center. Usually with a very young crowd, with few rather old exeptions. The bar "Musikhuset" has karaoke during the night.

Adress: Vestergade 68, 5000 Odense C

Transportation

The easiest way of getting to Odense is by train, all trains stop at the main station (Odense Banegårdcenter). Getting around in the city is easiest by either bike or the local buses (Bybusser). Remember to keep your trainticked, you can travel for free with the buses the same day you traveled with train , if you show your trainticke.

For more information contact your host, or visit: website for local busses, but so far it is only availible in Danish

Places to stay

Couchsurf. Hostels and hotels a rather expensive (about 50 euros i think for one night), so you should check out if there are any available couches before looking up the two hostels in Odense on: DanHostel.

Just to make sure you got it right: Couchsurf when you are in Odense... The money saved can be spendt on a crazy night out, or maybe your only well made stake on the trip :)