Amber's Guide: Girl's Trip to Copenhagen and Stockholm
BEST TIME TO TRAVEL: The ideal time to visit Copenhagen and Stockholm is from May through August. June, in particular, is a magical time as the cities celebrate Midsummer. While the cities are also charming during the winter, especially with Christmas markets, the warmer months truly bring out the best of Copenhagen and Stockholm, making it the best time to experience Scandinavian culture and outdoor beauty. We visited in August, but should note that some popular bakeries and restaurants were closed for summer holidays.
Day 1 - CPH
Check into Villa Copenhagen. This hotel is centrally located, luxurious, and has an amazing heated rooftop pool. After settling in, head to Fabro. This spot doesn't take reservations, so make sure you get there early. Cap off the night with a drink at Lille Bla Wine Bar, a cozy spot known for its great selection of wines and beautiful aesthetic. I was obsessed with this bar, and probably would’ve come back multiple times if I had the chance.
Day 2 - CPH
Kickstart your day with a matcha and brunch at Sonny or visit Atelier September for a cozy ambiance and great food. Then, stroll through the picturesque Nyhavn, famous for its colorful townhouses and historical wooden ships. Stop by Apotek 57 to indulge in some delightful bakery goods, and make your way to the Design Museum—this is probably one of the most unique and diverse art museums I’ve visited while traveling, so don’t miss it.
Afterwards, relax with drinks at Pompette, a charming spot right around the corner from your dinner spot. Make sure you make a reservation at Baest, known for its organic and locally sourced Italian food. This was my favorite meal from the trip (close call with Forma; might still be a coin toss).
If you’re up for it, end your day with a visit to Admirigalde 26 Wine Bar. If you’re looking for something a little more energetic, time to go clubbing. We loved Jolene, but ultimately advise asking a local for a rec based on what you’re looking for.
Day 3 - CPH
Start with a hearty brunch at Studio x Kitchen. Then, rent bikes and head to my absolute favorite spot in Copenhagen, La Banchina! This is the most fun spot to sunbathe and swim in the refreshing Copenhagen canals. If it’s too crowded, consider Hey Captain as an alternative. If it’s raining or too cold for swimming, take a walk through Tivoli Gardens, one of the world's oldest amusement parks.
End your day at Ruby, known for its cozy atmosphere and creative cocktails.
Day 4 - Stockholm
Catch your flight from Copenhagen to Stockholm. Once you arrive, check into Miss Clara. The rooms are modern and the hotel has it’s own sauna for guests. The breakfast included is also fantastic. Once you settle in, visit Ingrid for a vanilla bun or Östermalms Saluhall for a taste of local food markets. For entertainment, I highly recommend booking a spa visit—Swedish massage in Sweden, anyone? I really wished we had booked Yasuragi in advance, but we went to Centralbadet and really enjoyed it too. It’s a more traditional experience, and very close to the hotel.
For dinner + drinks, head to Savant Bar or ask the hotel for a dinner recommendation. In a very off-brand but fun twist of events, we went to Aifur for a viking-themed dinner. Very touristy, but fun nonetheless. The food was also surprisingly good.
Day 5 - Stockholm
Start your day with a pastry at Green Rabbit, or make the trek out to Rosendals Café, surrounded by beautiful gardens. Afterwards, we went to Fotografiska, a renowned museum for contemporary photography. Pro tip: make sure you check out the roof cafe.
Then, treat yourself at Parlans, famous for its delicious caramel candies. If you have some time to kill, you could consider doing a self-guided tour of the insane subway artwork in Stockholm—this was a fun, unique, and cheap activity that I actually loved.
Make sure you grab dinner at Forma, one of my favorite meals from the trip. Then, head out to experience Stockholm's vibrant nightlife. Consider Under Bron, F12, or Berns for dancing, or Tjoet (where we ended up) for cocktails.
Day 6 - Stockholm
Start your day early and enjoy freshly baked cardamom buns at Fabrique. Then, plan a boat trip to the archipelago. Destinations like Fjäderholmarna, Vaxholm (what we opted for), and Dalarö are perfect for a day trip. These places are small enough that you don’t need to do much research on them in advance—just stroll around and see what magic finds you! For your last dinner, head to Sillkafé for really traditional Swedish food. My recommendation—be adventurous with the menu.
If you’re planning a trip to Copenhagen or Stockholm, feel free to reach out with any questions!