If your idea of a European holiday involves fewer crowds, leisurely walks and storybook streets instead of rushing from one tourist attraction to another, Taapsee Pannu may have just found your next destination.

The actor recently shared glimpses of her summer getaway in Odense, Denmark’s third-largest city, describing it as her “reset”. Captioning her Instagram post, she wrote, “Shades of summer looked something like this. Odense. The fairytale city. The Viking land. Denmark. My reset.”

While Copenhagen often steals the spotlight, Taapsee’s latest travel diary proves that Odense is equally charming, especially for travellers looking to embrace the Scandinavian philosophy of slow living.

Why is Odense called the fairytale city?

Located on the Danish island of Funen, around two hours from Copenhagen, Odense is best known as the birthplace of legendary author Hans Christian Andersen, whose timeless stories include The Little Mermaid, The Ugly Duckling and The Princess and the Pea.

The city embraces its literary roots with fairy-tale sculptures, immersive museums, colourful streets and charming architecture that make visitors feel as though they’ve stepped into the pages of one of Andersen’s books.

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Following Taapsee’s itinerary

Judging by the photos, Taapsee embraced Odense exactly the way locals recommend, without an itinerary packed to the minute.

Her holiday featured:

-Walking through picturesque cobblestone streets lined with pastel-coloured houses.

-Exploring quaint boutiques, cafés and Scandinavian restaurants.

-Relaxing outdoors and soaking in the city’s peaceful atmosphere.

-Visiting the Hans Christian Andersen Museum, one of Odense’s biggest attractions.

-Enjoying wholesome café meals, smoothie bowls and local delicacies.

Instead of chasing landmarks, the actor’s holiday celebrated the joy of slowing down—something Scandinavian destinations are increasingly becoming known for.

More than just another European city

Odense offers a unique blend of medieval history and contemporary Scandinavian design. Visitors can wander through Gammel By (Old Town), admire beautifully preserved half-timbered houses, cycle along dedicated bike lanes, or simply spend hours by the waterfront. Modern architecture sits comfortably alongside centuries-old buildings, creating a city that’s both historic and refreshingly modern.

For literature lovers, the Hans Christian Andersen Museum, designed by renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, is among the city’s biggest highlights.

A city Taapsee now calls home

Odense holds special significance for Taapsee beyond being a holiday destination.

The actor lives in the Danish city with her husband, former badminton champion Mathias Boe, and was appointed VisitOdense’s global tourism ambassador in 2025 to help introduce the city to international travellers, particularly from India.

Speaking about the collaboration, Taapsee had said it was a privilege to call Odense her second home and hoped to inspire more people to discover its unique charm.

Why Odense deserves your next Europe trip

If Paris feels overcrowded and Amsterdam too busy, Odense offers a refreshing alternative.

Expect storybook streets perfect for leisurely walks, excellent cycling infrastructure, world-class museums, cosy Scandinavian cafés and a slower pace that encourages travellers to savour rather than rush through a destination.

It’s the kind of city where the journey matters as much as the sightseeing, exactly the sort of escape Taapsee’s latest holiday beautifully captures.