[2] With its half-timbered houses, narrow streets and large marina, it is a popular tourist spot in the summer.

[5] The town is thought to have grown up as a result of the ferry which provided a connection to Klakring in Jutland in the Middle Ages.

Furthermore, like most Danish communities, in the 17th century it suffered from a reduction in trade, becoming Funen's smallest market town with only 438 inhabitants in 1672.

In 1882, the town was connected to Odense by rail while the harbour was enlarged in 1874 and 1894 attracting a shipyard and various smaller industries.

[6] For most of the 20th century, the town's principal occupation remained trade but it faced increasing competition from nearby Odense.

Development has recently moved increasingly into the service sector, especially after the seat of Nordfyn Municipality's was established in Bogense in 2007.