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Stockholm and Copenhagen: Any Suggestions?

I have another exciting trip planned very soon! We’re cashing in some airline miles and taking a trip next week to Sweden and Denmark!

We’re starting in Stockholm, then going to Copenhagen and we’ll be in each for a bit under a week. I honestly haven’t had much time to plan, so I thought I’d turn to you lovely people for suggestions. All suggestions are welcome, though of course anything related to fabric or craft is wonderful. Perhaps even a little fabric shopping excursion could be arranged?

Any ideas?

{image above: Stockholm, found here}

Sarai Mitnick

Founder

Sarai started Colette back in 2009. She believes the primary role of a business should be to help people. She loves good books, sewing with wool, her charming cats, working in her garden, and eating salsa.

Comments

Diana

May 1, 2012 #

I’ll keep an eye on this post because we’re going to Copenhagen this summer too!

Kim

May 1, 2012 #

I love Stockholm!

You must do a boat tour and maybe a stop off on one of the further away islands.
Also going to the Vasa museum is a must, as well as wandering round the old town.
There are some nice second hand shops as well but I do not remember the names of them.
You will have a great time!

Elena

May 1, 2012 #

Stockholm is such a great city! Super jealous you get to visit.

We went last year. Didn’t hit any fabric stores, but couldn’t recommend Skansen highly enough – an open-air museum with lots of old farm houses and buildings from days gone by. There are quite a few artisans working out of the old buildings (like a baker, glass worker, potter). The cinnamon buns from the baker are immensely delicious. The main shop is also worth a look for goodies to take home.

Hope you have a great time!

Dana

May 1, 2012 #

Wow, am jealous! Hope you find some amazing things to do.

Signe Marie

May 1, 2012 #

Wohoo, you’re going to my home city then (Copenhagen). Where do I start… well, first of all, I did a google map of yarn and fabric stores (mostly yarn) a while ago that you can find here: http://maps.google.dk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=211230193941860718393.00049d1addbecc7491e61

Please keep in mind that I haven’t checked up on opening hours since I made the map. As you can see, my favorite yarn store closed unfortunately, but in the sewing department, I recommend Handler, Skipper Stoffer and Skindhuset (skindhuset is leather/fur supplies/tools/accesories only).

For yarn, Sommerfuglen is a great shop, but since they focus more on international yarns that are hard to come by otherwise for Danes, foreign visitors may be underwhelmed by the amount of nordic yarns there. Uldstedet and Isagers own shop may be more interesting to you… A few new shops opened recently, I will check up on it and add them to the map.

Just send me an email if you’re up for a guided tour :-)

Signe Marie

May 2, 2012 #

Replying to my own post here, because I had to leave in a hurry yesterday (May Day and sunshine, extremely rare combination). I see you have had great advice from everyone already, so I’ll just add a few comments for Copenhagen:

Do bring at least windproof clothes if you plan to do any kind of trips outside. We are just at the brink of summer here, but that’s always a treacherous time. This weekend temps will drop to 37 F at night, the wind is still rough and if you’re out walking all day, yeah… you know. I just got a cold because I thought it was summer, silly me.

Transportation: Do not buy any kind of unlimited transportation passes unless the weather is really bad, because they are crazy expensive. Like another poster mentioned, Copenhagen is nice and compact and most areas are within walking distance. You will be much better off with a multi-ride ticket (called klippekort) for 2 zones. With one of these paper cards you just clip it one time for each person for any ride within Copenhagen metropolitan area. They are valid for busses, metro and S-train – even the river busses, which is a great alternative to expensive canal fares. If you want to go further, you just clip the card twice for each person (tadaa: 4 zones). You can get these klippekort (called clipcards by english speaking folks) in any train/metro station, supermarket or kiosk for 145DKK for 10 clips.

Bike hire is also a great option – people are much safer riding bikes in Copenhagen than many other cities I have visited. Most car owners are cyclists themselves and pay good attention to us. Also, there’s designated biking paths in most parts of the city. But remember lights at night and don’t ride in pedestrian areas, fines are hefty if you forget (1000 DKK). Your hotel can help you out if you don’t use the options mentioned here.

And last but not least, I would recommend taking the time to step out of the city centre a few times. Historical Copenhagen is fascinationg and beautiful and usually appeals strongly to Americans, but contemporary Copenhagen is found outside.

Do not miss Christiania. Our ‘free town’, where you can buy hash on every corner (not legally, though) initiated in the 70’s and home of many creative communities, artists, hippies and unfortunately, quite a few pushers. It is about to turn into something new – no one really knows how it will work out. Christiania is right next to the city centre on the ‘island’ Christianshavn – you can walk there or take the metro. Take your time, go for a walk to look at all the self-built houses along the canal. Grab a bite in Morgenstedet, organic, vegetarian and cheap. There is probably some band playing at night.

If you want to experience everyday life, take a stroll out one of the streets that lead from Copenhagen and into the neighbourhoods. In my opinion Nørrebro, Vesterbro and Frederiksberg are the most interesting areas outside the city centre. Just walk along the main street, for Nørrebro this would be Nørrebrogade (for Vesterbro it’s Vesterbrogade – easy huh?). You cross the city’s newest hang-out place, Dronning Louises Bro (the bridge that connects Nørrebro with central Copenhagen) and just walk out Nørrebrogade. First you’ll be in hipster central, lots of small luxe shops, cafes and vegan take-out. That will change into little Mogadishu, where you can get a somali haircut or north african food. Which again will turn into a more…. copenhagen meets the middle east kind of theme. Food, jewellery and all kinds of shops, mostly run by middleeastern immigrants. Actually theres a few pakistani fabric shops here as well. Nørrebrogade is a fantastic street.

For Vesterbro, take a stroll down Vesterbrogade or Istedgade, hold onto your wallet here, because even though Vesterbro is lovely and beatiful, it’s also home to most of the citys drug addicts and prostitutes.

For Frederiksberg I would take Gammel Kongevej, very beautiful old street with small shops that leads out to Frederiksberg City Hall, the Frederiksberg Gardens and the Garden of the Danish horticultural society (my secret place, fantastic garden – open to everyone, every day).

I have to go to work now, hope this is useful. It feels pretty good to actually be of some help to you for a change. Just tweet or email if you get lost and need help from a local guide.

Sarai

May 11, 2012 #

Thank you so much for all of this wonderful information! This is going to be completely invaluable once we get to Copenhagen!

Elise

May 1, 2012 #

I will be interested to hear about your travels as my son will be studying in Copenhagen this summer!

Melissa

May 1, 2012 #

You will want to devote a good amount of time just wandering through Old Town in Stockholm. There are so many adorable shops and cafes. I also remember really loving taking a boat tour along the waterfront. Enjoy, its an enchanting city!

Karin

May 1, 2012 #

In Copenhagen, I suggest a visit to Illums Bolighus for pretty home wares and next door is George Jensen with beautiful silver work. A beer on the quay side in the old harbour is a must, too! Noma in Copenhagen is considered to be the world’s best restaurant at the moment, if you are up for a real blow out.
You can see the changing of the guards at the queens castle which is not far from the little mermaid statue in the harbour.
In fact, Copenhagen is a smallish, compact city that is easily walkable.
I am sure you are asking for sewing/crafting shopping ideas, but I couldn’t suggest throwing these in.

Juliette

May 1, 2012 #

Hang on to your wallet -and I don’t mean pickpockets, I mean the prices of things! =D

Seriously though, we did a road trip around Scandinavia in 2010 and had a BALL and can’t wait to go back! Totally buy one of those hop-on-hop-off tourist boat day passes in Stockholm as they’re a cheap and fun way to see the sights and cool your heels from all the walking. Vasa is way cooler than we thought (we’re not huge museum people) and totally worth it (get there early), but we found Skansen to be really overrated and too much after having already spent days walking around town. Mainly we just went from cafe to design store to ice cream all day and then repeated for 4 days, lol! I used the city guides from Design*Sponge and Emma’s design blog for shop ideas, but really, walk and ye shall find b/c cool shops are EVERYWHERE. Serendipity is more fun anyhow, right?

We also had a blast in CPH. WakeUpCopenhagen is a fabulous design-budget hotel within a 5 min walking distance of Tivoli (go at night!) and really not far from anything. Rent bikes ahead of time via the hotel and you’re golden. Fit in a long wander at the Royal Copenhagen shop…gorgeous. As in Stockholm, you can find the city guides online, or you can wander in the main pedestrian shopping areas and there will be no shortage of cool places that will call to you like a siren’s song.

Tina at travelingmama.net did a great series called Shop 52 back in 2010 and did some amazing sneak peaks into lots of fabulous shops in CPH. Love those.

I bought fabric with my souvenir budget and the biggest stash came from Gronlykke in CPH: http://www.gronlykke.com/ You need to find that place and go upstairs and be in awe. Some Liberty fabrics, some Japanese stuff, but it was mainly Scandinavian stuff and was fabulous! We have a fun tablecloth in our kitchen made from cute oilcloth I bought at this shop. =)

Naomi

May 1, 2012 #

Oh, that’s lovely! I’m a Stockholmer born and bred, you can e-mail me (naomimolly.abramowicz@gmail.com) questions if you want some tips about what to do in our lovely city! :)

Jenny

May 1, 2012 #

Welcome to my home town!

When I have friends that are going to spend only a day or to, I use to recommend Skansen and Gamla stan.

You will indeed want to spend a day at Skansen, so much to see, and nice cafés (you can live without the big central restaurant, though, go to Gubbhyllan, Gruvan or Stora Gungan instead). There’s a lot of crafty stuff in the shop. Close to it you’ll find Nordiska Museet that has a textile chamber withs samples of traditional Swedish embroideries, good for a rainy day.

In Gamla Stan you’ll find lot’s of crafty stores, don’t miss Jobs hand printed textiles: http://www.jobshandtryck.se/.

Svensk Slöjd is a shop with really beautiful textile (and other) craft: http://www.svenskslojd.se/, a similar shop is Svensk Hemslöjd, http://www.svenskhemslojd.com/butik/.

Svenskt tenn is an exclusive shop with elegant design and loved prints: http://www.svenskttenn.se/default.aspx

Copenhagen is great, too, haven’t been there for a long time but I would really like to go! Have fun and let’s hope you’ll get nice weather!

Jenny

May 1, 2012 #

Haha, forgot to say that my home town is Stockholm.

didyoumakethat

May 1, 2012 #

Ooh, ooh, ooh! We went to Stockholm for Christmas a few years back and it was magical. (Though, as someone has already commented, heinously expensive.) Order an open prawn sandwich – best prawns you’ll ever eat! I recommend this restaurant: http://www.konstnarsbaren.se/valkommen.htm. Also, you should go to the Nordiska Museet. It’s wonderful. A design-based museum – they had a whole section on washing machines (!) and some lovely dolls’ houses. The people are great – admirably direct. Enjoy!

amisha

May 1, 2012 #

if you are looking for a good place to stay, my husband and i stayed at hotel twentyseven in copenhagen when we visited over christmas a couple of years ago, and loved it! small cozy rooms, good views, and a full breakfast spread & tapas spread for dinner. i remember that there was a yarn shop on the same street as the hotel that had some great stuff. we just walked and walked all over the city, for days… such a beautiful, inspiring place. you are going to have a great time!

Sølvi

May 1, 2012 #

Welcome to Scandinavia! I live nearby Stockholm, and these are some of my advice for your travel.

If you want to go to the non-touristy parts of Stockholm, and maybe do some vintage and second hand shopping, Söder is your place to be, just take the metro to Slussen or Medborgarplatsen and walk around town there. There´s also a nice fabric store there called Tygverket. Come to think of it, there is actually also a silk museum nearby, I´ve never been there, but it might be a good place to have a look? Oh, yes and there is a permanent exhibition about fashion and power in Scandinavian history at Nordiska Museet that´s quite interesting.

There is also a nice fabric shop on the main shopping street of down town Stockholm (although rather expensive), SidenKarlsson on Drottninggatan. Another good fabric store for quality silks is Simbra Siden near Odenplan.

Have a nice trip! :-)

Anna | Mormor hade stil

May 3, 2012 #

The Silk museum is called Almgrens Sidenväveri and you can find info here: http://www.kasiden.se/html/engl.html

amy k.

May 1, 2012 #

oh, have a wonderful time!!

I was just thinking I need to see you and am so excited to hear about your LAST trip, now we will have to catch up on two!! have a super amazing time. xoxo

Sarai

May 11, 2012 #

It’s been so long! We’ll get together when I get home!

Rebekka

May 1, 2012 #

I live in Copenhagen, and late spring and summer is the best time of the year! (Be prepared for summer rain though.)

I second the tip to go to Tivoli in the evening so you can see the lights. In general it’s lovely to be out in the evenings when they are light so long. Try to get out of the city center if you have time and visit the different neighborhoods like Vesterbro (cool and trendy), Østerbro (posh) and Nørrebro (ethnic and alternative).

The National Museum is free and has some old clothing and jewelry, including textiles they found with bog people. (I also remember a really pretty empire dress from the colonial period made from a sari.)

I’ll second Uldstedet as a nice yarn store, it’s in Fiolstræde. Also Grønlykke (the street is Læderstræde) has nice things and lots of pretty fabrics (also gorgeous oilcloths if you are into that), but they are expensive. The area around Grønlykke is called Strædet and runs parallel to the big pedestrian shopping street Strøget, it’s more cosy and is not quite so overrun with the tiring kind of teenagers and tourists off the cruise ships. Almost right across from Grønlykke are a few design shops with porcelains and things like that from small independent designers.

Another good fabric store is called City Sycenter (= sewing center). I used to go to it all the time but I haven’t been since they moved since it’s sort of out of the way for me and I’ve been trying to use my stash up – but a large selection, and almost entirely apparel fabrics (lots of wools and silks) ranging from nice to exclusive (at the old location they had a room where you were only allowed to touch the fabrics under supervision). Also laces and tapes and ribbons. The new location is in the part of the city called Valby at Skolegade 19 right near Valby station, but make sure you’ve got room on your credit card!

Remember to ask for tax free when you purchase goods you will be bringing home, since the sales tax here is 25%.

Have a great trip!

Sharyn

May 1, 2012 #

Love both those cities. I went to Stockholm several years ago. I second the tip for the Vasa Museum. It is one of the best museums I have ever been to. The old city is beautiful to walk around. Also the modern art museum was great as well. We went to Copenhagen for 3 days last August. Definitely hire a bike for at least one day to cycle around the city. It’s so well set up for cycling (some of the cycle lanes even have their own traffic lights). I would really recommend a trip to the Louisiana Art Museum. It’s about a 30 min train trip north of Copenhagen (from the main station). It has an amazing collection of art, beautiful grounds right on the coast, with a great sculpture garden. We also went to the design museum, which had some interesting exhibits but was quite small. Hope you have a lovely time.

Devon from Miss Make

May 1, 2012 #

In Copenhagen, definitely rent a bike and bike around the city! There are SO many people that ride bikes there, they basically have their own traffic signals and lanes, and it’s really easy and fun to get around. Also there is a canal/wharf area called Nyhavn, it dates from the 1600’s but it’s still a really lively place to sit outside at a cafe and have a beer. There are all these colored buildings lining the water and a bunch of old sailboats. Possibly a bit touristy but fun nonetheless.

In Stockholm you should eat at a restaurant called Den Gyldene Freden. It’s a tavern that opened in 1722 (!!) so it is in this old awesome building on a narrow winding street. The food there was also really good.

Susan

May 1, 2012 #

I’ve only been to Copenhagen, but absolutely loved it. There were so many lovely homeware shops, but I found this one, just off the main shopping street, and ended up bringing home lots of tea towels!

http://www.hskjalmp.dk/

Another shop which reminded me a bit of the ikea ‘marketplace’ (ie full of things you never knew you needed) is ‘sostrene grene’, and is incredibly cheap by Danish standards

http://www.grenes.dk/

If you are into museums, there is a great open air museum in Copenhagen which was great to wander around

http://natmus.dk/en/besoeg-museerne/frilandsmuseet/

And for the most delicious cakes and hot chocolate with whipped cream, try La Glace

http://laglace.dk/en/

Have a wonderful time!

emily

May 1, 2012 #

I’ve only been to Copenhagen for a few days, but my must sees were cycling out to the new residential areas(architecture geek) and walking around Kristiana – anarchist town near the centre. Just walking around in general – the castle is worth going to. Also the Lego shop!
I stayed at 27 too, nice!

I have a friend who studied in Stockholm, and she went on a trip to see the northern lights from a frozen lake – sounds amazing!
Enjoy!

Pauline

May 1, 2012 #

I spent a week in Stockholm a couple of years ago and I agree with the other comments, you should go to Skansen and the Vasa museum. I had such a great day in Skansen, it’s an open air “museum” with animals and traditional houses.
I didn’t go to any fabric shop but you should have a a walk in the old town, it’s so beautiful with its yellow and orange houses.
Have a nice trip!

Amanda

May 1, 2012 #

My husband attended a conference in Copenhagen a couple of years ago. He says you must have a Danish every morning; they are the best anywhere!

Awfulknitter

May 2, 2012 #

Yes, but did you know that Danish pastries didn’t actually originate in Denmark? They come from Vienna, so in Danish they’re called wienerbrød – literally, Viennese bread.

(Is it possible to be a cake nerd? If so…)

Apple cake is also really good in Scandinavian countries, particularly with custard.

Geri

May 1, 2012 #

I spent a semester abroad and Copenhagen and loved just about everything but the weather in Winter.
For food in the inner city, I would definitely recommend Riz Raz (http://www.rizraz.dk/), which has the most amazing all-vegetarian buffet. It’s slightly pricy but absolutely worth it. Also, Soupanatural (http://www.soupanatural.dk/) has a whole lot of soups that come with homemade bread. It’s one of the cheaper places I found for lunch, and the atmosphere is very cozy. I would avoid getting much food on Stroget (the main pedestrian street) because it is such a touristy area. You can also get some authentic Danish food around Gammeltorv (one of the main squares near City Hall), but you could just as easily buy things like Rugbrød (the dense rye bread for smørrebrød), leverpostej (liver paste–the Danish peanut butter, basically), smoked laks (salmon), and more for much cheaper at a grocery store and put it together yourself. Near Gammeltorv, on Nørregade, is this amazing and expensive design-y store called Notre Dame.
There are lots of towers you can pay a small fee to climb and see awesome views, like the Round Tower, which has a crazy history, and the spiral tower, which is close to Christiania, if you go there. Morgenstedet is a really delicious and cheap vegetarian restaurant in Christiania.
Go to the National Museum because it is free and amazing. While there’s lots of historic artifacts and natural history exhibits, my favorite is the toy and dollhouse exhibit. You can go around the backs of the dollhouses and look inside! As for art museums, there is the Glyptotek, which is free one day a week and has a bunch of Van Goghs, Picassos, etc. The Louisiana is also exciting, but it requires a train ride a little ways out of the city, so it’s a bit pricey.
If you go to Christiansborg, which houses Parliament, you should go down to see Bishop Absalon’s ruins! Christiansborg has a crazy history because it’s burned down so many times, and they found ruins dating back to the 12th century when building the most recent Christiansborg in the early 20th century.
Go to Tivoli in the afternoon and stay for the lights at night. You can also go on a 15-min train ride to Bakken, the oldest amusement park in the world. I spent a little time walking around and then went to the nearby beach, which is beautiful. There is also Amager Strand, a great beach near the airport that is right on the metro. While you’re around there, check out the amazing modern Danish architecture at Ørestad (VM Houses, 8-House, Mountain Dwellings). They also built crazy canals there, and it’s right on the metro.
As for getting around, you can rent bicycles from Baisikeli (http://www.baisikeli.dk/), which is a nonprofit that sends all proceeds to fund bringing bikes to Africa to help people get around. Biking in Copenhagen is an amazing experience. Public transportation is also amazing in Copenhagen, and you can buy a pass for a day or a few days, which gives you access to the buses, S-tog, Metro, and Harbor Bus (the boat to cross the harbor). Price is based on the number of zones, so if you’re staying in the inner city or just outside, it should be pretty inexpensive.
Enjoy! Copenhagen is an awesome city!

Ann

May 1, 2012 #

Our family went on sabbatical in Stockholm and we had small children. One of our favorite places was Haga Park, the copper tents, the butterfly garden and just strolling. Stockholm has a wonderful transit system so it is easy to get around both by bus and Tunnelbana. When the sun comes out so do the ice cream stands, one on every corner.
I agree with others about Old Town, Skansen, Vasa museum, boat rides and the Nordiska museet. Beautiful city!

Julie

May 1, 2012 #

Someone else mentioned this as well, but the Louisiana Museum outside of Copenhagen is supposed to be beautiful. Have fun!!

Jacqui

May 1, 2012 #

I spent a couple days in Stockholm a few years ago and loved it! I stayed in Gamla Stan (the old town) and can highly recommend it for being very central for getting around Stockholm as well as the most amazing place on its own! I stayed in this gorgeous little hotel, the Lady Hamilton, just down the street from the palace, it was insanely charming and decorated with all these neat little antiques and objects. Not cheap – but then nothing is in Sweden! I second everyone’s recommendations above, plus a visit to the design shop Designtorget, which showcases up-and-coming designers, and the Royal Palace museum. I also recommend a visit to Sundbergs Konditori in Gamla Stan, their pastries are to die for – just the thing after a hard day of sight-seeing!

Karin

May 1, 2012 #

Handler is a great store for notions, laces etc, someone mentioned Summerfugl ( agree) and almost next to is Whidberg….Copenhagens oldest fabricstore. Expensive but all fabrics will be that compare to US…
I visited City Sycenter a couple of weeks ago and it´s not what it used to be neither is Riz Raz. but Valby was nice.
Stof 2000 is a more modest fabricstore pricewise, if you go to the one near Nörreport you´ll find there bargain area ( there are two shops there ) You might find Onion patterns interesting they also sell magazines, older one at reduced prise like domestics and Burda, Patrones etc.
The leather / fur shop has a big selection of bucklets, hasps etc.
Denmark has great designers and I suggest Illum for snoopshopping, also don´t miss Noa Noa and I think you´ll like Edith and Ella across the street from Illum.
I´ll be going to Stockholm the week after you and I´ll will as always visit the Nordiska Museet, I never get tired of it, right now there is an exibition of weawing and there should bee looms so you can try it for yourself. There is a fabric store in Täby that I was told was worth a visit, don´t recall the name but I´ll be back on that one.
For a first time visit I think Wasa is a must. The entire Island where both Wasa and Nordiska is located is perfect for walking or renting bikes.
Both Copenhagen and Stockholm are great for just walking around.

Karin

May 1, 2012 #

Your Comment… *Fashion Fabrics ( modetyger.nu )

Isis

May 2, 2012 #

Stockholm: definitely Gamla Stan, then walk south over the bridge. There was a shopping strip with some cook vintage stores, but if you walk down the streets west of there you’ll find all kinds of quirky indie stores with design, vintage, secondhand and gifts. Just looking at the map now and I think it might be around about the street named Folkungagatan. Also you must go to a market hall and have an open sandwiche :)

Copenhagen: hire a bike, must hang out at the free town of Christiania, and dont even bother with the little mermaid.

Silke

May 2, 2012 #

I recommend the fabric store Sidencarlson at Drottninggatan. And at Fjädarholmen (archipelago) you have a really nice fish restaurant. I celebrated last midsummer there. :-)

Dame Titine

May 2, 2012 #

If the weather is nice in Stockholm and you enjoy hiking, take the boat to Utö island in the south of the archipel; the boat will take you through several islands to leave/take people and goods. You can leave the boat at the second stop on Utö and walk back to the main stop (don’t remeber the names). It’s a very nice place.
A little north Copenhagen, I recommend that you visit the Louisiana modern art museum. Prefer a sunny day if you can, since the garden and the sea shore are very nice.

Rebecca

May 2, 2012 #

You must go to Tivoli! It’s the cutest little ‘amusement’ park ever! There aren’t a lot of rides but the scenery is so pretty, there are shows, and good resturants. I had a blast when I went! Here is thier web-site. Also just a little bit down the road from Tivoli is a great museum! If I remember correctly I am pretty sure that it was free. Tivoli and this museum were some of the highlights on our trip!
http://www.tivoli.dk/composite-3351.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Storkyrkan

Hope this helps!

Rebecca

May 2, 2012 #

I didn’t put a link to the museum, but to an awesome church in Stockholm. :)

Rebecca

May 2, 2012 #

I didn’t put a link to the museum but to a really old church in Stockholm. It is just beautiful!

Leslie

May 2, 2012 #

In Copenhagen:
Best bakery is Lagkagahuset. Go often.
Take a boat tour, seeing Copenhagen gives you a whole new perspective.
Take the tour led by Hans Christian Andersen. It’s not touristy, it’s kind of behind the scenes fun.
Strøget is THE shopping street, bring cash! I saw so many great things.
If you wear glasses, Denmark has the most amazing frame. I wish I’d known, I would have bought some and had the glasses made up at home.
Riz Raz is a buffet that’s popular with locals and tourists.
There’s a great clothing store, Noa Noa. They make scandinavian style contemporary clothes. When I visited I was a plus-size and couldn’t find anything in my size. :-( I’d go back there in a minute.
Clothes are great and unique, danish pastry is a dream and strolling the street and eating in an outdoor cafe is so lovely. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.

Leslie

May 2, 2012 #

forgot to mention that Marimekko store sells fabric but when I was there I could only afford a very small amount.

Miranda

May 2, 2012 #

There was an article in an old Threads magazine about Copenhagen and all the great sewing/fabric/notions stores. I am so sorry that I cannot remember which one! Maybe one of your other followers will remember?

Awfulknitter

May 3, 2012 #

I’m sure you’ll have a great time! I’m really envious that you get to spend so much time in these cities; I’ve only been once, and they were shorter visits. Still, I’ve got plenty of things I’d recommend! I tend to go for museums, architecture, history, good food, and good beer while I’m on holiday, so of course recommendations are in this vein… I’ve really liked reading others’ recommendations, I’m itching to go back now!

There are two things you should definitely eat. Smørrebrød are usually translated as open sandwiches, but you can’t really pick them up, they’re so overloaded with delicious things that you really need a knife and fork. The second thing is pickled herring, which is thoroughly delicious despite sounding so uninspiring. It’s great at breakfast with rye bread and really keeps you going until lunchtime.

Copenhagen

Canal tour from Gammel Strand with DFDS
– This is a really good way of getting a feel for the city, as well as getting views that you can’t get any other way.

Arbejdermuseet (The Workers’ Museum)
– This is a bit of a strange museum, all about the lives of the working classes in Copenhagen – unusual, but quite interesting. But even if you don’t fancy the museum, there is a nineteenth century beer hall (“Ølhalle”)/restaurant in the basement that does traditional Danish food, which is rather nice.

Botanical Gardens
– These are nice if the weather’s good and you fancy a stroll – and even if the weather’s bad, there’s the big greenhouses, with all their unusual plants.

State Art Museum (Statens Museum for Kunst)
– This is a good art collection, although maybe not outstanding. The main thing I wanted to see was the paintings by Wilhelm Hammershøi, who’s the only Danish painter I know. His paintings are still, cool, serene, mysterious – all kinds of interesting, sometimes contradictory, things, and I like them a lot! At the moment, they have a particular exhibition about him.

Hirschsprung Collection
– This is a really good little collection of nineteenth century Danish art, not too large. And they have more paintings by Hammershøi.

National Museum
– The National Museum is quite large, but the part I liked most was the Stone Age and Viking artefacts – there was one particular dagger made of flint that was absolutely lovely, strange as that might sound. The Viking things are part of a history that you don’t find in many other places – they’re presented in a really interesting way.

Nørrebro Bryghus – Ryesgade 3, Nørrebro
– This is a restaurant and microbrewery – both beer and food are excellent! The smørrebrød are particularly fantastic.

Somerfuglen – Vandkunsten 3
– This has to be one of the best yarn shops I’ve ever been in! I did visit a couple of others in the city, but this one was by far my favourite.

Oh, and in Copenhagen watch out for the cycle/bike lanes that are nearly indistinguishable from the pavement – I nearly got run over by fast-moving cyclists so many times!

Stockholm

We bought ‘Stockholm cards’ which give you free or discounted entry to lots of mseums, as well as free public transport. With the card that lasted three days, I found that it had paid for itself by the time we’d been to four museums. You can buy them online, and then pick them up when you arrive.

Gamla Stan
– The old town, and is just lovely for ambling around (although it’s quite small, I almost wanted there to be more of it!).

Riddarhuset
– This is the ‘house of nobles’ – the interesting thing is that the main chamber is hung with painted coats of arms from the noble families of Sweden. (Well, I found it interesting…)

Skansen (open air museum)
– I loved this place! I absolutely second all the recommendations to go here. There are traditional buildings from all over Sweden, and there’s ‘living history’ type things going on. I was a bit worried about the zoo section (I did expect it to be rather depressing, like these things often are), but the animals had pretty large enclosures. And the owl’s aviary that you can walk through was amazing, as the owls were being fed and were completely unconcerned about the visitors being so close and taking photographs! We had a really nice selection of tea and good open sandwiches in one of the cafes (I think it was Café Petissan).

Vasa Museum
– It’s a whole, real seventeenth century ship in a museum! What is there not to like? Really, really fascinating.

Butterfly House
– A greenhouse with butterflies, very soothing. Unless you’re afraid of butterflies, which judging by the shrieking I heard, some of the visitors were…

Kvarnen – Tjärhovsgatan 4, Södermalm
– This is a beer hall (apparently in the traditional Swedish style), which also does really nice food.

Some of my pictures from the trip are on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/24810486@N04/sets/72157623721685374/ (There are also some taken in Oslo, Brussels, and Cologne in the set – you know, when you travel by train you end up going through a lot of places!)

Rebekka

May 4, 2012 #

The bike lanes are usually a half curb up from the street and a half curb down from the sidewalk. Sometimes it’s not quite as clear in real life but there is usually some kind of a curb-like stone border between the sidewalk and the bike lane, even if they end up being almost the same height. Pedestrians have the right of way when crossing a bike lane at a crosswalk, zebra crossing, and when entering or exiting a bus where there isn’t an “island” at the bus stop. But stay alert anyway!

Helena Ivalo

May 3, 2012 #

Hey Girls.
Just got to know your patterns -and wow, I’m looking foreward to get started with a couple of summerdresses.
Your style matches the city of Copenhagen so well. I could think of many things I like to show you, Do you need a guide? I will be happy to :)
All the vintage shops around “Studiestræde” (it’s a road name), will by a great inspiration.
I think that the greatest fabric shop is “City Sy centre” in Valby, they have both liberty and funny kids print, and Chanel-look-buclé. It is worth the little bus or trainride. The two old guys who mind the shop is so quirky, in the very best sense off the word.
I live in another part of denmark now, but when i have the oppertunity I will allways go to shop yarn at brønshøj torv. Theres a shop who has been there for 25 years now, and it still the most exciting place to go. The shops own patterns are all danish, but they have a great selection of yarns. It’s not as hip as some shops, but it craftmanship.
Still i’ll be happy to show you around, :) Have a nice trip :)
Helena Ivalo

Pia

May 3, 2012 #

When in Stockholm, check out Livrustkammaren (http://livrustkammaren.se/en). It’s a museum in the bottom of the royal castle with royal clothing from bygone days. They used to have an exhibition called “royal vintage” witch sadly is over now, but they still have some dresses from the 20’th century. It is really good inspiration, and perfect for either a too cold or to hot day for being outside. They also have a shop with books about the exhibitions (http://livrustkammaren.se/sv/butiken/publikationer), though I think most of them are i swedish, check them out anyway.
If you want to shop vintage, as some mentioned, check out Söder, the southern part of the central Stockholm. here is a guide in swedish (http://livinggreen.se/guider/80-guider/276-vintageguide-stockholm) but run it trough translate. I recommend Beyond Retro, witch is’nt as expensive as some of the other pure vintage shops. The charity shops Stadsmissionen (Skånegatan 75), Emmaus (Peter Myndes Backe 8, they have one big shop and one small with special vintage) and Myrorna (Hornsgatan 96) are a lot cheaper and you can still find good things.
Good luck with your journey!

Anna | Mormor hade stil

May 3, 2012 #

Hey, I’m from Stockholm and you are so welcome to my city! What a joy to read all the comments about people really having a great time here, I certainly hope you will too!

Depending on your preferences of what to see and do there are plenty of interesting sights. Several people have already mentioned the Skansen and Vasa museums. They are great if you’re in to Swedish history! Also another commenter mentioned the old Silk Weavers museum which you can find info about here http://www.kasiden.se/html/engl.html

The royal castle in Drottningholm and it’s park with it’s Chinese Pavilion http://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/royalpalaces/thechinesepavilion.4.396160511584257f2180001373.html is beautiful, you can take a boat trip there from central Stockholm and enjoy the City as you travel by water.

Another REALLY cool place to visit is the home of Carl Milles, a mid-century artist’s home: http://www.millesgarden.se/?languageID=5 The home is used for temporary exhibitions as well as housing a sculpture garden and some of the absolutely finest mid-century furniture designs by Josef Frank you can imagine.

If you’re looking for shopping vintage there are some really good shops, one of my favourites is called Old Touch at Upplandsgatan 43, metro station Odenplan.

Some people have already mentioned taking a stroll in Old Town and the area south of Folkungagatan at the south part of Stockholm. South of Folkungagatan is known as “SoFo” here in Stockholm and is filled with many indie designer stores.

A great vegetarian restaurant you have to visit is Hermans, at Fjällgatan 23 about 10 minutes walk from metro station Slussen. You can view a video of the beautiful terrace here http://gastrogate.com/restaurang/hermans I really recommend this not only for the great bouffet of vegetarian cooking but also because of the splendid view of our beautiful city.

If you want more tips or want me to be your personal guide to any of these sights (I’d love to!!) you can email me at anna(at)mormorhadestil.se

Welcome to Stockholm!

Lisa

May 4, 2012 #

Don’t forget the Tivoli park in Copenhagen! An amusement park in the middle of a city, and miraculously, the lines for rides aren’t even very long.

scuffsan

May 4, 2012 #

I’m sure you will have a great time in both Stockholm anc Copenhagen!

In Stockholm you should make sure to walk around cause it really is a beautiful city. Many others have said it too, but you shouldn’t miss Skansen and the Vasa museum. For sightseeing I would recommend doing some of it by boat. I also agree with Anna that the vegetarian restaurant Hermans is worth a visit. The view from the terrace is fantastic!

Copenhagen is wonderful too, but I haven’t been there for years. I’ve actually been thinking about going there this summer so I’m taking in all the tips of where to go and what to see.

Megan

May 4, 2012 #

How exciting for you! I was in Copenhagen in January, and found the Stof2000 stores Karin mentioned – one in Friedrichsburg and one in more downtown. I loved their selection of knits, especially their stripes! I got some great deep purple cotton knit for a shirt (unfortunately, the shirt has issues, but that wasn’t the fabric’s fault).

I’ll likely be back in Copenhagen for a month in July, so I’m delighted to learn about the other fabric and yarn stores! For those of you who live in nearby – can I ask what you wear on your feet during the summer when you wear skirts and dresses (like, my lovely Rooibos and Parfait variations=))? Tights? Sandals? Boots? It seems like it will be a bit colder than I’m used to, and I think my bare legs and sandals might be a little cold and wet.

Copenhagen was such a great city! I loved the Irma grocery stores, and delighted in riding my bike everywhere.

Signe Marie

May 4, 2012 #

Megan, did you see the long (very long and odd looking) link I put in my first comment above? I have updated the map, so it is pretty straightforward if you want to go yarn/fabric shopping in July. July is a great time for yarn shopping, many great wools are on sale when summer peaks.

As for footwear, ballet flats are very popular when it’s too cold for open sandals, but ankle boots, leather brogues (men’s style) and ‘dressier’ (if thats even a word) sneakers are very common, too.

Rebekka

May 4, 2012 #

Flats when it’s too cool for sandals, and if it’s really rainy and you need to be out walking or biking then you can wear wellies/rubber boots. If you are on your way to somewhere indoors (like a party or a museum), bring the flats in your bag and you can stash the wellies in the wardrobe or a locker while you’re inside.

Megan

May 5, 2012 #

Thank you both very much for your replies, that’s very helpful! I’ll be looking for some comfortable ballet flats, then. And Signe Marie, your map is ammmmazing! Thank you so much for taking the time to put that together. I’m so excited to have this to guide me in my exploring!

Marianne

May 5, 2012 #

We moved from Copenhagen almost 3 years ago, and I still really miss it!!

For food I´d try some brunches, it´s very popular in Copenhagen, and they often do a good vegetarian version ( generally, Danes like their meat..). There are lots of great places to eat in Copenhagen, but I´d generally try to avoid the city centre area, it´s pricier and not as high quality as the “broerne” ( Østerbro, Nørrebro, Fredriksberg and Vesterbro. As mentioned above Lagkagehuset is a fantastic bakery, and Irma is the best grocery store. They have a new marketplace for food close to Nørreport station, which is supposed to be good as well.
I would recommend Nørrebro, the area in which we lived. They have the best coffeeplace ( http://www.coffeecollective.dk/ ) in Jægersborgsgade, a street generally worth a visit, with small local shops and restaurants. Awalk through “Assistens”, the graveyard where Søren Kirkegaard and H.C. Andersen and many famous Danes are burried will be fantastic now in spring. St. Hans torg, Blågårdsgade / Blågårdsplads and the area around has many great shops and places to eat. Elmegade (running from St. Hans torg has several clothingstores worth a look, carrying danish brands like Ganni, Edith & Ella, Mads Nørgaard, etc.
For cocktails I´d try Gilt http://www.gilt.dk/ where they do nordic cocktails. I haven´t been there the last couple of years, but it used to be great.
Fabric is generally expensive, so I´d go for inspiration, food and enjoying the atmosphere. Both Handler and Whidberg area great places to look, and Glyptoteket is the coolest museumbuilding in town, with coloured walls showing off the white sculptures.
Enjoy both places – it´s a wonderful time of the year to come, but be prepared for cool evenings and possibly chilly winds.

Karin

May 8, 2012 #

I think there is an exebition of Queen Margrete´s dresses in Copenhagen probably at Amalienborg She is a very stylish lady

Sasha

May 8, 2012 #

A fantastic restaurant in CPH is Manfred’s! Started by people who worked at Noma, and affordable!
http://manfreds.dk/

I really enjoyed walking around Frederiksberg , particularly a little side street between Mynstersvej and Madvigs. You can make your way up Frederiksberg Alle, to the Frederiksberg Elder Cemetery and then to the Frederiksberg Garden.

Rent a bicycle if you can and just peddle around!

Sasha

May 8, 2012 #

Sasha

May 8, 2012 #

Ico

May 9, 2012 #

If you like Scandinavian fabrics you should visit tiogruppen store in Götgatan street, I bought some fabrics last summer there to make these bags:
http://icotiquismiquis.blogspot.com.es/2011/10/tiogruppen.html

http://www.tiogruppen.com/

Enjoy your trip!

Sewing Princess

May 10, 2012 #

So cool you are visiting two cities that have been on my list for ages. All the tips you have received so far are so helpful. I bought fabric from Stoff2000 a few years ago and it was very nice.

Sarai

May 11, 2012 #

I just want to thank all of you for the wonderful recommendations! As I write this, we’re preparing for our first day in Stockholm and I am so excited to try out your suggestions. So much more personal than a guide book!

I can tell I’m going to love both cities already.