Stockholm vs Copenhagen

When it comes to the Scandinavian capitals, it can be easy to get them mixed up – all three are ridiculously clean, incredibly well-organised and consistently ranked among the best cities to live in Europe. So, when it comes to deciding between a Denmark or Sweden city break, you might find yourself adopting a ‘let’s just go where the wind blows us’ sort of approach – but think again, as each stylish city has its own distinctive personality. Copenhagen is a petri dish of innovation, where forward-thinking entrepreneurs can be spotted thinking up their next great concept in trendy cafes. Meanwhile, Stockholm is more of a shrine to yesteryear, where locals enjoy life much as their forefathers did: with a good smorgasbord and an icy beer in a cosy medieval-style tavern. Inspired? Keep reading to discover who wins the battle of Stockholm vs Copenhagen.

1. Traditional Nordic Feel: Stockholm
2. Contemporary Nordic Feel: Copenhagen
3. Nature: Stockholm
4. Food: Copenhagen

Traditional Nordic Feel: Stockholm

From the Gothic style of the Stockholm Cathedral to the intricate Baroque design of the Royal Palace, Stockholm is a treasure trove of traditional Nordic architecture. To seriously strike gold, head to the old town of Gamla Stan, a relatively compact island where you’ll find the city’s most emblematic toy-town buildings: autumnal-coloured townhouses that are home traditional cafes and restaurants. The city is also crawling with some of the region’s finest museums and our team of experts can help you pick out the best museums in Stockholm ahead of your trip.

When in Copenhagen, the place to be for historic architecture is most definitely around the 17th-century waterfront of Nyhavn Harbour – think charming cafes bordered by the gentle canal on one side and great-big, brightly-coloured townhouses on the other. 

Image by Natalia Kyrzova/Everest/stock.adobe.com.

Contemporary Nordic Feel: Copenhagen

While Copenhagen still prides itself on preserving its pockets of medieval architecture, the city has more of an eye for what the future holds than the past. Cutting-edge architecture and urban spaces are dotted across the city – old car parks have been converted into public sports and leisure spaces (such as Konditaget Lüders and Israels Plads), while old museums have been spruced up with juxtaposing extensions (Ordrupgaard Art Museum). To experience the city like a true local, take a long cycle ride through Superkilen, a park designed to celebrate the city’s many communities with its hundreds of benches, fountains and playgrounds brought from countries as far-flung as Jamaica, Thailand and Ethiopia.

If you’re keen to soak in a bit of Stockholm’s contemporary spirit, make sure to interweave visits to modernist spaces into your itinerary. Marvel at the physics-defying Aula Medica, before heading to the unassuming Liljevalchs Konsthall art gallery for a taste of the city’s modern art scene.

Image by Olivier Romano.

Nature: Stockholm

While both Stockholm and Copenhagen are home to pristine parks, nearby beaches and elegant harbours, we’re going to hand the ‘best nature’ award to the ‘Venice of the North’: Stockholm. The city itself is made of 14 islands, meaning you’re never far away from a glassy, teal canal, while the wider Stockholm Archipelago is home to a whopping 30,000 islands and islets, all of which are accessible by boat. Stockholm also boasts breathtaking beaches, with coastal haunts like Smedsuddsbadet and Langholmsbadet becoming the go-to spots in the summer. Our team of experts can tailor an outdoorsy adventure to your fancy – be that kayaking through the canals, jetting off for an evening wildlife safari in the nearby forests or enjoying a leisurely cycle ride through the city’s best parks.

If you have your heart set on Copenhagen but you’re still keen for a dose of nature, don’t worry – you still have plenty of options. Take a walk through the wild-flower fields of Sondermarken park, enjoy a cycle ride through the beautiful Dyrehaven deer park or brave a refreshing dip in the Havnebad harbour bath. 

Image by Dagmar Schwelle/LAIF-REA.

Food: Copenhagen

When it comes to comparing the foodie scene of Stockholm vs Copenhagen, it’s not an easy choice, but we’ll give this one to Copenhagen based on its sheer innovative spirit. The city is a pioneer of the sustainable New Nordic movement, which rethinks how food is sourced, prepared and experienced. For a true taste of Copenhagen, book a spot on a gastronomic tour of the city, where you can sample ethically-sourced smoked fish and artisan meats at the Torvehallerne food market and visit microbreweries and concept restaurants in the vibrant foodie neighbourhood of Norrebro. For something a little more high-brow, head to Michelin Green-Starred ARK to enjoy a nine-course plant-based tasting menu, or to the seriously immersive Alchemist to savour a whopping 50-course high-concept meal.

Copenhagen might have just pipped Stockholm to the post, but the capital of Sweden is also a real linchpin in Scandinavia’s fine-dining scene. Visit Frantzen to watch the skilled chefs prepare perfectly curated dishes right in front of your eyes, or drop by Ekstedt for a Michelin-starred meal prepared entirely without electricity – a perfect demonstration of the city’s dedication to creativity and innovation.

Image by Olivier Romano.

Written by Emma Begley | Header image by Dagmar SCHWELLE/LAIF-REA.