National Geographic thinks Fyn’s Kerteminde is one of Europe’s best secret villages: Fyn is pronounced ‘Foon’ and is located between Zealand (Copenhagen’s home island) and mainland Denmark. If you’re driving from Copenhagen, you go over the ‘Great Belt Bridge’ (the 4th longest suspension bridge in the world) in order to get there. Fyn is covered in gardens, woods, parks, castles and connected to its own archipelago. Egeskov Castle is a destination packed with outdoor activities, exhibitions and festivals (such as the popular Heartland music festival) throughout the year. Odense has its own street food hotspot, Storms Pakhus, where you can try world cuisine in the cool surroundings of an old warehouse. On Fyn you can also try the only bridgewalking outside Sydney! You can harness up, climb up into the belly of a massive bridge, and then see Fyn from a whole new angle. The most famous Dane ever, Hans Christian Andersen, came from Odense and the atmospheric old town is a place where you can truly step back in time, into the world of his fairy tales. Buy a one-day ticket to Hans Christian Andersen’s Odense, visit his childhood home, and follow his trail through his city. Each October, deep in the heart of Denmark, wizards, goblins and cosplayers gather at the ‘Magic Days Festival’ (formerly known as the ‘Harry Potter Festival’). Heartland Festival means music from big international artists, long summer nights, a dramatic castle and gardens as a backdrop: a unique festival held at the start of summer each year. Enjoy the atmosphere of Fyn’s cutest towns and villages: beyond the cute seaside town of Kerteminde, one can visit Denmark’s only Viking ship burial ground at Ladby, and jump into the sea from the iconic outdoor swimming baths of the old port of Faaborg. The pretty harbour of Svendborg is also a good starting point to explore Fyn’s many neighbouring islands. The archipelago of small, laid-back islands around Fyn’s coast is one of Denmark’s best kept secrets: you can cycle or drive between islands, taking quaint ferries or crossing pretty bridges, with the calming sound of water at your side. Get to know the Danish way of life at the many small villages along the way, such as the beautiful and picturesque Ærøskøbing on Ærø. Fyn is also full of photogenic spots, both natural landscapes and manmade attractions. Valdemar’s Castle on Tåsinge island is one of these, particularly the tea pavilion set right on a bay with views over the sea. The castle and museum is also home to Denmark’s biggest mini golf course. Read more: Visitdenmark.com/fyn
