Region

Funen

Funen lies between Jutland and Zealand and is known for its gentle, fertile landscape of farms, orchards and small towns. Odense, its main city, makes a pleasant base with a historic centre and strong connections to the rest of the country. The island's coast is dotted with sheltered bays and harbours, and just to the south lies a scatter of small islands. Funen's quieter pace and short distances make it a favourite for cycling and slow travel, and it is easy to include on a route between east and west. Funen is the middle island of the country, separated from Jutland by the Little Belt and from Zealand by the Great Belt, and both gaps are crossed by fixed links on the main east-west route. Its interior is a patchwork of low hills, hedged fields, orchards and manor houses, and its coast has many inlets, sandy stretches and small harbours. Odense, in the north centre, anchors the island, with smaller market towns such as Svendborg and Faaborg on the southern side. The best season is late spring through early autumn, when blossom, harvest produce and warm water all come into play; spring is especially pretty in the fruit-growing districts. Practical tip: Funen suits a slow loop by bicycle or by car with frequent stops, and the south coast is the natural launch point for the island-hopping routes described under the South Funen Archipelago.