When it comes to planning a trip to Scandinavia, travelers often stumble upon a ‘hard’ choice – Copenhagen or Stockholm. Our travelers also experience the problem every time they have to go on a short trip. No one can say no Copenhagen’s artsy cityscape, but Stockholm’s mix of nostalgia and trends is also hard to miss. In a nutshell, both cities offer stunning architecture and cool Nordic vibes—but which one is better for travelers?
In this guide, we’ll break down the pros and cons of traveling to Copenhagen and Stockholm, comparing key factors like cost, accessibility, attractions, weather, food, and nightlife. By the end, you’ll know which city suits your travel style better.
Copenhagen or Stockholm to Travel – Summary
- Cost
- Accessibility
- Tourist Attractions
- Weather
- Food
- Nightlife
Cost: Which One is Cheaper – Copenhagen or Stockholm?
Sitting in the Scandinavian region makes Copenhagen and Stockholm undeniably expensive. Both cities are luxurious price-wise if we compare them to other European cities like London and Amsterdam. Our travelers who have been to Copenhagen and Stockholm usually spend around €500 per day! Living is expensive in both cities, but traveling can cost you more bucks.
Copenhagen
The capital of Denmark is regarded as one of the most expensive cities in the world, especially when it comes to traveling. Accommodation takes the biggest part of your travel budget, as a standard hotel room starts from €75. You can save up by staying in a shared hostel room, which starts from €25.
Furthermore, you need to spend more budget on food. A cup of coffee costs around €4 and a dinner in a standard restaurant starts from €50. But, you might stumble upon fairly-priced finger food in street vendors, which cost around €5. Other than that, you can save your budget for public transportation and tourist attractions, as they come in reasonable packages.
Stockholm
We cannot deny that the capital of Sweden is expensive, even by global standards. However, Stockholm offers a wide range of budget-friendly options. You can find clean and centrally located hostels for only €20. A standard and strategically located hotel room can start from €60. Besides that, a choice of street vendors and local restaurants allows you to save your travel budget.
Which is cheaper to travel to: Stockholm
Accessibility: Which City is Easier to Get Around – Copenhagen or Stockholm?
Both cities boast excellent public transportation networks, including metros, buses, and ferries. They are highly accessible to tourists, in which multi-day and all-inclusive packages are available. If you decide to travel around the cities, you can commute comfortably just by public transportation. Here is the breakdown of the two:
Copenhagen includes buses, metro, trains, and harbor buses in its transportation network. As a tourist, you can buy an all-inclusive Copenhagen card that covers all transportation modes and some of the city’s best attractions. Besides that, Copenhagen is extremely bike-friendly. It is often called the “cycling capital of the world.” The city is compact, making it easy to explore by bike or on foot.
Stockholm has declared love for tourists, making it easy for visitors to access public transportation. Stockholm Public Transport (SL) includes buses, trams, ferries, and commuter lines. You can access all transportation modes with a single, 75-minute card. Time-based cards, including 24 hours and 72 hours, are also available for short-term visitors.
While Copenhagen offers bike routes, Stockholm is nicer to discover on foot. But, you need to plan your route as the connection between 14 islands makes it harder to explore.
Which is more accessible: Copenhagen is easier to navigate, especially by bike.
Tourist Attractions: What Can You See and Do?
Copenhagen and Stockholm are both charming Scandinavian capitals that sweep you off your feet. At a glance, the two cities look similar, boasting canalside storybook houses and gaudy medieval buildings. Traces of centuries-old kingdoms and communities can be found all over the city, like in Copenhagen’s Christiansborg Palace and Stockholm’s Gamla Stan.
Still, the two cities feature different attractions that might fit different types of crowds:
Things to See and Do in Copenhagen
One word for the city: artistic. Copenhagen earned the nickname ‘City of Spires’ due to the collection of pointy towers in the city’s churches and castles. Moreover, Copenhagen has upscaled and colorful Scandinavian architecture, featured in popular spots such as Nyhavn Harbor.
Copenhagen offers a wide variety of activities. But, the fun ones include water-based activities as Copenhagen is located by the sea. You can hop on a boat through Copenhagen’s canals or have a picnic at a canalside park. Another interesting attraction to see is the Little Mermaid statue, which takes you into Christian Andersen’s imagination. Of course, you cannot miss a fun-filled day out at Tivoli Park, which invites travelers of every age.
Things to See and Do in Stockholm
In a nutshell, Stockholm takes you traveling back in time. It has the sophistication and fika most Scandinavian cities have, but also well-preserved old structures. Our travelers collectively mentioned Gamla Stan as one of the best places to visit in Stockholm. The cobblestone streets and Art Noveau-esque buildings can take your breath away.
Then, other attractions include nature and pop culture. TripLeader Max, a sailor with 6 years of experience, mentioned Stockholm Archipelago as an attraction worthy to explore. Then, if you love dancing to Dancing Queen, you should visit ABBA Museum and see the footsteps of the legendary band.
Which attractions are better: Both cities have plenty to offer, but Stockholm provides a richer variety for history and museum lovers, while Copenhagen offers quirky charm and iconic landmarks.
Weather: Which City Has Better Weather?
Copenhagen generally has a milder climate thanks to its coastal location, but it’s also windier and can feel colder in winter. Also, expect sudden showers in Copenhagen, like what our TripMates experienced in the autumn!
Stockholm experiences colder winters with snow but enjoys beautiful, sunny summers with long daylight hours.
Which one is better to travel:
- Stockholm in the summer. Midnight sun, islands exploration, and cultural festivals like Midsommar
- Copenhagen in the winter. The temperatures and weathers are milder.
Food: Where Can You Eat Better?
Copenhagen is a global foodie hotspot, famous for its New Nordic cuisine. The city is home to Noma, one of the world’s top restaurants, and countless Michelin-starred spots. Even casual street food like those from Reffen Food Market impresses.
Stockholm offers traditional Swedish cuisine like meatballs, herring, and cinnamon buns. It also has great fine dining options, but the food scene is generally more traditional compared to Copenhagen’s experimental edge.
Which has better culinary scene: Foodies will love Copenhagen for its world-class culinary scene, but Stockholm is perfect for hearty, comforting Nordic flavors.
Nightlife: Which City Parties Better?
Copenhagen has a vibrant, youthful nightlife. From cozy bars in Nørrebro to dance clubs and jazz bars, there’s something for everyone.
Stockholm also offers fantastic nightlife, especially in areas like Södermalm, with its cool bars and live music venues. However, alcohol can be expensive and the nightlifeis slightly more reserved due to stricter regulations.Which party is crazier: Copenhagen wins for a more diverse and buzzing nightlife scene.
Final Verdict: Copenhagen vs Stockholm
Both cities are incredible, but your ideal destination depends on your travel style:
| Category | Copenhagen | Stockholm |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | More expensive | Slightly more affordable |
| Accessibility | Super bike-friendly | Great public transport |
| Attractions | Iconic, quirky sights | Historic, island hopping |
| Weather | Milder winters | Sunny summers, snowy winters |
| Food | World-class gastronomy | Traditional Swedish comfort food |
| Nightlife | Lively and diverse | Cool but more reserved |
Bottom Line: If you love food, design, and cycling, go for Copenhagen. If you’re into history, scenic archipelagos, and cozy cafés, choose Stockholm.
Or better yet? Visit both! With just an hour flight or a scenic train-boat combo between them, it’s easy to explore both capitals on one unforgettable trip.
Planning a Scandinavian getaway? Whether it’s Copenhagen, Stockholm, or both—you’re in for a treat! Travel with like-minded travelers and experienced locals at JoinMyTrip!