Copenhagen or Stockholm
 

My wife and I will be visiting our 20 year old son in Europe in late October (he will be studying in Amsterdam). We want to take him to either Copenhagen or Stockholm for a couple of days (arrive on Thursday night, depart on Sunday). At that time of year, which city is preferable? We will have two full days to tour. We like pretty places, with some charm. We are not big museum people. We do like historic sights. I am also not sure which city is more expensive.

I'd say that Copenhagen is slightly more expensive than Stockholm.
But also Stockholm is not exactly a budget destination.
Days in late October will be short, in Stockholm even bit more shorter than in Copenhagen.
Is there a special reason why of all big cities in Europe you have committed yourself only on one of those two?
Places like Barcelona or Rome would have come to my mind sooner than any Scandinavian locations.

I have been to both and it is really a matter of taste. I found Stockholm a bit prettier and more stylish. Copenhagen was nice and had more to offer to sight see and experiment with food. We were there in August and both places were quite rainy and on the colder side. If you are familiar with celcius, it was about 12-15 C, or somewhere around 60F.

I visited both in July...
Stocholm is spectacular, but a young person may enjoy Copenhagen more

Personally I also liked Stockholm better. It can be glorious in summer with all the life along and on the water(fronts) until very late at night. Late October will be a different vibe, I am afraid. Even though the climates are not really comparable, Stockholm is only a bit further south than the Yukon / BC "border".

Also, I found Stockholm more expensive than Copenhagen, in terms of hotels and restaurants. We stayed in the center of Stockholm but further away in Copenhagen.

I live in Stockholm and I love both cities.

This time of year when the trees are becoming green and the sun sets at 21:30 I always realize that I think Stockholm is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever seen. In my opinion it is really spectacular. Taking a stroll back home, crossing all bridges, after a night out at sunrise 3:00 in the morning is magic.

Skating on a frozen lake Mälaren a sunny day in February when everything is covered in snow and sparkling ice crystals is also magic.

However, in late October I often wish that I lived somewhere else... Follow Cowboy's advice and save Stockholm to another trip!

I am looking at these cities because my son specifically wants to go there and he knows they are expensive, hence wanting to do one with us picking up the tab. I guess we could also do Helsinki or Oslo, if they are as interesting. My son is also a hockey fan, so if it is hockey season, that may make for a good evening activity.

I was surprised at the beauty of Stocholm....., but , as I said, it was summer.
Hardly slept at all.
Was reminded of the Norwegian film " .Insomnia"

Regarding the weather it doesn't really matter which of the Scandinavian capitals you pick.

In my opinion Stockholm and Copenhagen win over Oslo and Helsinki when it comes to things to see and do. I think the hockey season in Sweden starts in mid-September.

Go to www.timeanddate.com and check sunrise and sunset hours for those four cities in late October.
As we will go back to winter time in late October that will result in daylight from 7am until 4pm only, a few minutes more in Copenhagen.

Your money can neither buy more daylight nor better weather, though. But if you are fine with that, why not. Though I fInd the Nordic capitals, and especially Stockholm, most beautiful during midsommar or quite the opposite before Christmas when the Old Town (or Copenhagen's Tivoli) is like a magic wonderland (okay, touristy, but very tasteful touristy) and they have already snow while we are still stuck with rain.

With some degree of generalization, I found mostly dining out the most expensive item by far. I have to admit that Stockholm was one of the few places where I deliberately went to a McDonalds to save some money. Though the one on Södermalm, towering over Slussen, does have quite a nice view over the Old Town and beyond.
Other touristy stuff like hotels or entrance fees were more or less in a normal range, IME.

The Nordic countries are also well-known for excellent design, so it does not hurt to take a look into the stores. From small individual quirky shops to the big department stores, either along Copenhagen's Strøget or Stockholm's Sergels Torg. Not just for decorative items but also and maybe especially for everyday household items and glassware. Good quality and craftmanship does come with an adequate price tag, though.

If I had to rank the four cities by costs from moderately expensive to very expensive it would be Helsinki, Stockholm / Copenhagen, (the rest of the world), Oslo.

Maybe someone else can give you some advice on the hockey question.

Maybe it will be easier for you and your son to decide if you have a look at these web sites:

Stockholm: http://www.visitstockholm.com/en/
Stockholm, the Vasa Museum: http://www.vasamuseet.se/en/

Copenhagen: http://www.visitcopenhagen.com/

Oslo: http://www.visitoslo.com/en/

Helsinki: http://www.visithelsinki.fi/en

It is not that difficult to find moderately priced restaurants in Stockholm. Beer and wine are expensive though, even at cheaper places due to high taxes on alcohol.

Friday lunch you should take advantage of the set lunch offered in most restaurants on weekdays. There will be a limited menu to choose from, usually 3 - 5 dishes for 8 - 10 euros. A salad buffet, sometimes limited to carrots and cabbage and sometimes with a wide range of veggies, bread and butter, a non alcoholic drink and coffee or tea will be included in the price. Expect to pay considerably more for your evening meals.

Taxis are extremely expensive in Stockholm but not really needed as public transport is very good. Taxis could be a legal scam as prices are not regulated. Some unscrupulous taxis charge 3 times more than the reliable taxi companies. And this is legal as long as the price is displayed on a sticker on the rear side window. Most visitors have no clue about that they must check the price sticker before getting into a taxi.

In my opinion prices in Copenhagen, Stockholm and Helsinki are comparable. Alcoholic drinks are slightly cheaper in Copenhagen. In Oslo anything will cost a smaller fortune.

Thanks for all the input. I asked my son if he would rather go somewhere further south, but he really wants to get up to Scandanavia. It sounds like Stockholm is the prettier city, more Scandanavian city, Copenhagen the more European with better nightlife. I imagine either Stockholm or Copenhagen will have more than enough to occupy us for 2-3 days.

I see that Halloween in Tivoli will be going on in Copenhagen during our dates. Is this of interest to us (two 50 year olds and a 20 year old boy)? Apparently, Tivoli Gardens is all done up for Halloween and the park is in full swing into the night. Is this of interest to folks our age, or is Tivoli really a kids thing?

Stockholm, just for the opportunity to re-visit the Vasa Museum.

I think Tivoli would be spectacular in general. We all loved it. It would probably be fun for Halloween. I would imagine there would be adult party goes there too.

What would be the best hotel as far as location since we only have 24 hours in Stockholm. Is The Grand Hotel worth the price?

I have not stayed at the Grand Hotel, but I have stayed at Sheraton Stockholm and the location is excellent. It is a nice hotel, clean and comfortable.

The Grand Hotel is probably the most expensive hotel you can stay at while in Stockholm. The Sheraton often has very good value campaign prices on different hotel booking sites.

There are many good hotels with reasonable prices in central Stockholm. Check out any hotel booking site, the locations will be plotted on a map.

I stayed at the Grand Hotel once and was disappointed. Our room was very bland hotel like and not as impressive and historic-like as the room my husband stayed in and bragged about after his business trip. The pretty breakfast veranda with windows was full so we were seated in a side room with no windows. All in all not worth the money. There are some lovely boutique hotels in Stockholm that I would suggest booking instead.

Both cities are pretty and charming. Copenhagen is smaller, more intimate and can be seen in the short period of time that you have. Tivoli Park is wonderful, any time of year. I always ride the rides ( and I'm 64!). There will be less to do in Copenhagen although the appeal for a young man may be greater.

Stockholm is more of a big city and also more spread out. There is far more to see and do. You should consider visiting the Vasa Museum ( a maritime museum exhibiting the 17thC Vasa ship), the nearby Nordiska Museet ( I know you don't like museums, but they have an entire floor devoted to Swedish culture and traditions: fascinating), Scansen Park, and walking through Old Town.

It doesn't sound as though you will be interested in cultural events during your short stay but, if you are, the Danish Royal Ballet is among the finest companies in the world, and the opera and ballet in Stockholm are also excellent.

I always stay at the Grand Hotel in Stockholm and, with one exception, have had wonderful rooms. The one time that I received a poor room, I politely requested another and was given a much nicer room. The hotel staff are gracious and accommodating. Rooms on the 5th floor overlooking the water are magical: beautiful views, large, comfortable and beautifully appointed bedrooms and bathrooms. The rates may be more than you wish to pay.

I didn't understand the comment about the amount of daylight. I have traveled often to both cities and often in December, although several times in Oct. I wouldn't worry about light...it won't be an issue when you are there.

I have found Norway, in general, to be more expensive than either Sweden or Denmark, but I think that you and your son will prefer to save Norway for another visit ( but do consider it at some point, and Oslo on their national day, in May).

You can't go wrong, no matter which city you choose. Have fun and enjoy yourselves. The Scandanavian people are friendly, their cities are beautiful and you will never have to worry about being " ripped off" (unless by a cab driver, and only then if they aren't Scandanavian).

Sweden. Hands down. I absolutely love Sweden! If you go, stay in Kunsgaarden district, which is near Gamla Stan. Also, if you have time, do try and visit Visby (on the island of Gotland). If not though, Stockholm is a charming and delightful city.

Visit Gamla Stan - the old city. Spend a day shopping, and walking the narrow streets. Take the "Under The Bridges" boat tour - it is very informative and not very expensive.

Make sure you visit the Vasa Museum and Spirit Museum (Absolut Vodka) on Djurgaarden. Also, the National Museum is wonderful as well.

Yes, I am biased towards Sweden because I just visited (along with Norway, Denmark, and Germany), and I am of Swedish heritage. I've now traveled much of Europe, and will always find Sweden to be my favorite country in the world.

I stayed at Scandic Grand Central, which was very centrally located to the train, and Gamla Stan and pretty much everywhere. Yes, I walked a bit, but it was nice to not need a taxi.

If you are actually more interested in CPH than Stockholm because of the Tivoli thing and you kid wants you to spend lots of money??? Then stay at the Hotel Nimb which is on the Tivoli property.

We just visited both cites for the 3rd time. Initally liked Copenhagen better, then Stockholm and now have firmly decided that Stockholm is the prettier, more elegant, more beautiful, etc. Copenhagen has a more relaxed vibe but since your son is staying in Amsterdam, I'd say that it is somewhat like Amsterdam and that Stockholm would afford a different experience that would be very worthwhile. We stayed at the Radisson Blu Strand around the corner from the Grand Hotel and on a prettier waterfront (the one in front of the Grand Hotel is in renovation right now). We opted for a superior room with waterfront view which we liked a lot. Reviews can be rather negative about the standard rooms without view which are apparently small. For my money, the best hotel around that area is just down the street from the Grand Hotel, the Lydmar. It's much smaller, in its own building and has a very nice modern but substantial aesthetic. We had lunch there twice and really enjoyed it. Unfortunately it, too, is on the waterfront that is currently undergoing renovation. Which ever you pick, you should enjoy the place. Both are wonderful cities.