Traversed by a namesake river, Odder is a historic town south of Aarhus. It was first mentioned in the 14th century as “Oddræth” and lies just a stone’s throw from Jutland’s east coast. In 1884, it became a railway town when the Odder Line was built to connect the cities of Hou and Aarhus.
Things to do in Odder
An imposing brick portal leads to the Odder Church, which has a rich history dating back to the late 12th century. It houses a magnificent altarpiece carved by Peder Jensen Kolding and a 16th-century pulpit decorated with paintings of Christ and the Apostles. On the south side of the church is a chapel dedicated to the family of the 17th-century Danish naval officer, Jens Rodsteen.
For a dose of local history, visit the Odder Museum, which exhibits cultural and industrial artefacts from across the region. It lies alongside an 1883-built historic water and steam mill that has been beautifully preserved. Changing art exhibitions are regularly presented at the museum and there’s a garden cafe serving hot drinks and cakes.
On the outskirts of Odder is the Bjørnegrotten, an abandoned bear enclosure surrounded by forest. It once formed part of a 19th-century zoo run by a local estate owner, Emil von Holstein-Rathlou. With its access tunnel, sloped bathing area and sleeping quarters, it’s a fascinating place to imagine viewing the two Russian bears that were once housed here.
Getting around Odder
Odder is around 25 minutes’ drive from Aarhus and an hour from Aarhus Airport, which has seasonal flights to destinations across Europe and North Africa. Regular trains connect to the Odder railway station while both buses and trams travel through the town. The centre of Odder is compact enough to explore on foot.