Some places truly feel like they’re straight out of a fairy tale. Others take direct inspiration from books and films to create a fantasy world for all to enjoy. For fans of the author Hans Christian Andersen, there’s no shortage of exquisite destinations to add to your travel bucket list.
Born in Odense, Denmark, on April 2, 1805, Andersen was a prolific writer of many things, including plays, poetry, and travelogues. However, he’s most well-known in the children’s literature genre for his numerous fairy tales. With beautiful prose and often a melancholy tone, Andersen’s most famous fairy tales include The Little Mermaid, The Snow Queen, The Ugly Duckling, Thumbelina, The Emperor’s New Clothes, The Princess and the Pea, The Red Shoes, The Steadfast Tin Soldier, The Little Match Girl, and The Nightingale.
With a legacy that spans generations, Han Christian Andersen’s stories remain part of the cultural zeitgeist thanks to their simple beauty and everlasting themes of love, heartache, courage, and fortitude. In celebration of Andersen’s birthday and International Children’s Book Day, let’s explore the places that fans of the original fairy tales and film adaptations should visit around the world.
1. H.C. Andersen’s House (Odense, Denmark)
Located in Hans Christian Andersen’s birthplace of Odense, Denmark, H.C. Andersen’s House is a unique and immersive museum that captures the spirit of the author’s tales, inviting visitors into a one-of-a-kind experience. Divided into distinct sections, the museum features an original design that combines indoor and outdoor elements, creating a feast for the senses. It’s unique in that most of the structure is underground, surrounded by a beautiful garden.
In his house, learn about his life and writing, while gazing upon his drawings and paper cuttings. At the Ville Vau, visitors, especially families with children, will enjoy the fun interactive activities with costumes and props, where kids can act out their own stories and unleash their imaginations.
The gardens remain a favorite for many visitors. As the official website states, the gardens are “a tribute to imagination, curiosity, and the adventurous in everyday life.” With multiple levels and an array of colorful flowers and plants, these natural wonders feel like a fairy tale haven and reflect the spirit of his stories.
2. The Tinderbox (Odense, Denmark)
The Tinderbox offers visitors, particularly families, a vivid and unique experience that brings Andersen’s stories to life. Guests not only watch theater improvisation but are invited to play amongst the handmade scenery.
Kids can also dress in costumes, get their faces painted, act out their own fairy tale, or put on a puppet show in the Fairy Tale Land area.
3. Munke Mose Park (Odense, Denmark)
Located in the heart of Odense, Denmark, this lovely, sprawling park is one of the city’s most picturesque and popular places for locals and tourists alike. Visitors enjoy peaceful walks amongst the trees, gentle boat rides down the Odense River, picnics on the grass, and stunning views of all the nature that surrounds them.
Children will enjoy the Fairy Tale playground, which presents the connection to Andersen. Slides and swings sit among large tree stumps and butternuts, said to be inspired by The Ugly Duckling. The large and colorful “Butterflies in the Lake” offers visual interest and takes inspiration from Thumbelina. Overall, the Munke Mose Park showcases a blend of the natural world with a dash of whimsy.
4. Hans Christian Andersen Forest (Odense, Denmark)
The Hans Christian Andersen Forest may only be a little over 25 years old, but it’s no less magical, nor unworthy of a visit from fairy tale lovers. On the contrary, the forest feels like a dream straight out of the pages of Andersen’s stories.
From above, the forest’s intricate design resembles Andersen’s cut-out “The Sun Head,” and combines two of the author’s staples: the delicate paper cut-out designs he made and the large manor estates he frequently visited during his life.
The forest consists of oak and lime trees, resembling the mazes and parks that these manors featured, specifically those that would stretch out toward the nearby forests. Located East of the river, the forest has become an ideal destination for peaceful outings for the young and young at heart.
5. Tivoli Gardens (Copenhagen, Denmark)
One of the world’s oldest amusement parks, Tivoli Gardens, proves to be one of Denmark’s most historical and iconic destinations. Opening in 1843, it features immaculate gardens, live music and performances, and classic carnival attractions. One could even say Walt Disney drew inspiration from Tivoli Gardens for Disneyland.
Hans Christian Andersen visited so often that he too drew inspiration for his work, particularly The Nightingale. To honor him, Tivoli Gardens erected a bronze statue of the Danish author. He sits on a bench, gazing toward Tivoli Town Hall. Additionally, the park honored Andersen with the incredible dark ride, “The Flying Trunk,” which takes guests on a magical journey through over 30 of his fairy tales.
6. The Little Mermaid Statue (Copenhagen, Denmark)
Of all of Andersen’s fairy tales, The Little Mermaid has become the most well-known and, undoubtedly, beloved. Her story has been adapted numerous times, and her character remains one of tremendous resilience. The statue could say very much the same.
Sculpted by artist Edvard Eriksen, the Little Mermaid’s face resembles that of famed ballerina Ellen Price, while her body was modeled after Eriksen’s wife, Eline. She sits atop a large rock, overlooking the water at the Langelinie promenade in Copenhagen. Despite being a beautiful symbol for the city, the statue has been vandalized numerous times. However, each time she has been restored, appropriately reflecting the resilient, faithful spirit that the character embodies.
7. The Hans Christian Andersen Museum (Solvang, California)
In the charming, quaint, Danish-themed town of Solvang, California, lies a small but lovely tribute to Andersen’s work. Located in the upstairs of The Book Loft, The Hans Christian Andersen Museum features multiple things related to this Dane’s life and creative endeavors.
This free exhibit features a model of his childhood home, displays about his life and loves, including the renowned singer Jenny Lind (of The Greatest Showman fame), letters, poems, and personal photographs. Visitors can also check out an abundance of his stories in various languages.
After perusing the museum, one must take a stroll through town to experience a place quite reminiscent of the kind of town Andersen grew up and lived in. Solvang’s gem proves to be a perfect destination for Americans who may not want to or cannot travel internationally.
8. Frederiksborg Castle (Hillerød, Denmark)
North of Copenhagen sits an idyllic Renaissance castle that’s said to have inspired Andersen to write many of his fairy tales. The grandeur of its architecture, combined with adjoining Baroque-style gardens, creates a dreamy atmosphere all its own. Indeed, a trip to Frederiksborg Castle feels like stepping into the pages of a storybook.
In the main gallery hangs a portrait of the author, while a small room stands as a modest but elegant tribute. Inside hangs another portrait along with paper cutouts, a personal letter, and some of his collected works atop a large desk.
9. Casteldardo (Sardinia, Italy)
Hans Christian Andersen’s stories have been adapted for the screen multiple times, especially by the Walt Disney Company. In 1989, they made the animated film The Little Mermaid to great success and acclaim. In recent years, they’ve remade many of their animated classics into live-action films, one being The Little Mermaid in 2023.
Taking a slightly different route, this version strayed away from its Danish roots towards a Caribbean one. However, another part of the world provided the filming locations for Prince Eric’s castle and the surrounding village.
Casteldardo, in Sardinia, Italy, had the necessary look and vibe filmmakers desired. The picturesque Mediterranean village has that quintessential fairy tale feel, but one more at home on the beach and wondrous ocean.
10. The Little Mermaid Attractions (Disneyland and Walt Disney World)
Speaking of Disney’s original film, The Little Mermaid has had a presence in the U.S. parks since the film’s release, with character meet and greets, parade floats, and merchandise. However, when Ariel finally received her own attraction, fans like me rejoiced.
Although the inside of the attractions is identical, their exterior queue areas differ, as do their names. In Disney California Adventure, The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure opened June 3, 2011, replacing the film Golden Dreams. A year later, on December 6, 2012, in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, Under the Sea- Journey of the Little Mermaid opened, replacing the Submarine Voyage.
In both rides, guests board giant, colorful clamshells on this Omni-mover journey through Ariel’s story. We see all of the film’s key moments and hear the delightful songs from Alan Menken and Howard Ashman. In DCA, the structure is simple, with few changes made to the building. Magic Kingdom’s building features much more elaborate displays, including a statue of Ariel on the front of a ship, and part of Prince Eric’s castle.
11. Mermaid Lagoon (Tokyo DisneySea)
While the U.S. parks each have a Little Mermaid ride, an international gem gives the story much more. In Tokyo DisneySea, the renowned park adjacent to Tokyo Disney, lies Mermaid Lagoon. Rather than one attraction, guests can visit an entire land dedicated to the classic tale, adapted from Andersen.
The outside colorful facade evokes King Triton’s Palace, while inside, guests feel like they’ve gone under the sea. The land includes several family-friendly rides such as Flounder’s Flying Fish Coaster, The Whirlpool, a teacup-style spinning ride, and Jumpin’ Jellyfish, a slow-moving “balloon” ride that moves up and down.
The fanciful area may not have the subtlety of Andersen’s original tale, but it retains the vivacity that makes Disney’s adaptation so beloved.
12. Frozen Ever After (EPCOT, Walt Disney World)
In 2013, Walt Disney Productions adapted another one of Anderson’s classic stories. Loosely based on The Snow Queen, Frozen became a worldwide sensation and an absolute juggernaut for the company. Although the stories vary significantly, the Disney adaptation retains Andersen’s setting, frozen heart motif, and themes of love overcoming all.
Much like The Little Mermaid, Frozen has been a mainstay in Disney Parks with character interactions and parades. Soon, Elsa and Anna had their own attraction- Frozen Ever After, located in the Norway Pavilion in EPCOT. Although it’s not a brand-new attraction, taking over the Maelstrom boat ride, fans did not complain. With state-of-the-art animatronics and lighting technology, along with Frozen’s incredible music, this attraction feels right at home in the Orlando theme park.
13. The World of Frozen (Disneyland Paris and Hong Kong Disneyland)
With Frozen’s immense worldwide popularity, it should come as no surprise that Disney would create more than a single attraction based on the film. Indeed, in Hong Kong Disneyland and Disneyland Paris, Imagineers went all in, creating a real-life Arendelle.
From the stunning architecture to the exceptional attractions, The World of Frozen transports guests into a colorful Scandinavian village straight out of the animated film. Though things have come a long way from Andersen’s humble beginnings and simple stories, one cannot deny the awe-inspiring vision the talented artists have created in these two parks. Let us hope The World of Frozen may come to a U.S. park someday in the future.