Oslo, Strockholm or Coenhagen
 

We(2 couples) have never been to this part of the world and have the opportunity of a break for a weekend in November. Which of these cities do we go to - we are aged from late 40's to early 60's and haven't really worked out how to act our age yet - BUT FULL OF LIFE AND FUN. Any suggestions please. (We are coming from Ireland - one couple from the South and one from the North!!)

Of course, I meant "Copenhagen" !!!!

I have never been to Stockholm, but we love Copenhagen---lots of life and fun there. Oslo is nice but more quiet, I would say. Take lots of money!

Enzian - your reply interests me! "lots of money" - even coming from Ireland?? I thought our prices were way over the top??!!

irishk,

We came back this summer form Copenhagen adn stockol ( and Helsinki, Moscow and st Petersburg too)

We liked Stockholm lots more than Copenhagen. Copenhagen was nice but felt more provincial than Stockholm. Stockholm seemded a bit more hip and happening.

In any event, yes take LOTS of cash, prices are very high!

Have not been to Oslo.

Enjoy!

irishk---you're probably OK, coming from Ireland. We skipped Copenhagen on our trip this year, as much as I love it, because of the expense. But your Irish currency is much stronger than our dollar.

It depends on what you want to see and do! I haven't been to Oslo yet, but Copenhagen and Stockholm both have much to offer. IMHO, Stockholm deserves a tad longer than "a weekend," and while you could easily spend longer than that in Copenhagen, it might be more "do-able" in that time frame. Hope that helps!

According to EIU, Oslo is the world's most expensive city. Tokyo used to have that honor (?) for many years but I never thought Tokyo was any more expensive than NYC or Paris. Now, Oslo is another story altogether IMO. It IS expensive; I'm almost afraid of getting hungry or thirsty while I'm in Oslo. If your idea of vacation includes eating out and having a few drinks with your dinner, then Oslo isn't the most economical destination.

I love both Stockholm and Copenhagen but I personally prefer Copenhagen.

Here a thread on Stockholm v. Copenhagen comparison:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/archi.../t-645230.html

Have been to both twice.... both lovely, but I prefer Stockholm. (But then all my grandparents were Swedish -:)

I've been to all 3 and loved Stockholm, liked Copenhagen and not much impressed with Oslo if that helps. We stayed in the Gamla Stan area of Stockholm which I loved, very romantic with good walking, eating and shopping, also the Nobel Museum.

I think Stockholm has the most to see/do - even in chilly weather, plus a good restaurant scene. And it seems the most like a big city.

Copenhagen is a close second, lots to do and several lively areas.

Oslo somehow has a much more small town feel - and it seems like they roll up the sidewalks at about 10 pm (I'm sure that's not the case - but that's how it felt).

Even from an Irish perspective, Oslo is an expensive city. Herself and I agreed that if we went again we would bring sandwiches.

Of the three, I liked Stockholm the most, and not only because our money went farthest there (although it did). Herself and I particularly enjoyed the Vasa Museum, Skansken, and boats and water.

Our interactions with people -- limited enough, I admit -- were easier and friendlier in tone in Stockholm than in Oslo or Copenhagen.

Thanks you everyone. Lots for me to think about and research over the weekend!

We're same age group and come from North of Scotland. Been to Stockholm, Copenhagen and Bergen,but not Oslo. Do yourselves a favour and go to Stockholm! More to see and do, great variety of restaurants and bars. You'll have a great time!
We found some good Irish bars in Stockholm -the drinks were very reasonably priced!!!

Sounds like we need to visit Stockholm next time. . .

Thanks for all the replies. It'll probably be Stockholm, but I think we will have to arrange a few other dates later on and try to visit Oslo etc.!

What about NY? You can direct flight to EWR from Shannon or Dublin!

Having just visited all three, I will add my 2 cents. I LOVED Oslo for the Viking museum, Folk museum, Munch art museum and lovely harbor. LIKED Stockholm primarily for the VASA museum (warship sunk on maiden voyage in the harbor and completely restored). ENJOYED Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen. If you go to Stockholm, I would suggest Prinsen's for dinner. Yes, it's expensive like everything else there. Have a good weekend! JKR

I spent a little over a week in Copenhagen and just under a week in Stockholm a couple of years ago. I loved them both but if I could only return to one, it would be Stockholm.

I also stayed in Gamla Stan and it is a great area....fun to be in and convenient for getting around. The Vasa Museum is fabulous..or at least it was for me. It was a very lively, fun, city.

I am Norwegian, so obviously biast to Oslo. I can recomend Kjøbenhavn (Copenhagen). If you are design interested it is a super choise, hip(retro and new). Tivoli is superb, and prices the lowest of the three capitals.

Also it has food traditions, you probably know "danish" pastry.

I forgot. Oslo still the best choise, of course:)

And I will later post a guide to the less expensive restaurants and museums:)

I loved all three cities, but would go back to Copenhagen because of the Danish people. They are the most hospitable, friendly, and fun loving of the bunch.

The Danish pastries, are of course, magical.

Loveling wrote (about Oslo): "And I will later post a guide to the less expensive restaurants and museums"

Do they exist?

Yes of course they exist:)

Ill post later, not today.

Loveling, that's much too late for me! I found Oslo to be the most expensive city I ever visited. Other than the prices, I liked it a lot.

I don't recall the museums on the Bygdoy peninsula being very expensive, and the main city centre museum (the one with the bronze of Hell and a room full of Munches), I thought was free? Same for Viglandspark (Frogner) - I thought you could just wander through without having to buy a ticket?

Admittedly, it's been a few years since I last went, and maybe things have changed now....

Overall, Stockholm is probably your best bet, but I just wanted to point out there are free/cheapish things to do in Oslo.

Sorry, it is difficult for me to decide between Stockholm and Copenhagen! I think that ay of them is a very good destination.
You received a lot of good advices, I would like just to add some small recos:
In both of them try to visit City Hall.
In Copenhagen we liked two art museums: Glyptotek and Thordwaldsen (spelling??)
In Stockholm, the Mills Garden with the statues is superb!

That does not mean that I do not like Oslo, but it is on the third place for me.

We live in Southern sweden really close to Copenhagen. Never get tired of visiting Copenhagen.Its special in the cold winter days-sylish and twinkly However Stockholm is really special. Fab place to stay is Långholmen in Stockholm Its a converted prison. Its what is called a vandrahem (youth hostel) but really nothing like the Uk equivalent. Think clean simple stylish hotel with usual restaurant but also a communal kitchen useful if on a budget.This one is really amazing its on its own island so you can look out of your cell at the boats.
Booze is dear in Scandinavia- but really cost of living in Sweden just a touch over the UK. Hotels are generally cheaper,public transport cheaper, dinner tends to be rather expensive, good tip eat in a nice restaurant for lunch they do a set ``dagens`` this can be as cheap as 70kr (maybe bit more in Stockholm)youll get a really nice main with salad a soft drink with your meal and coffee. Vasa museum is a must do.
Have a lovely time in this most amazing part of the world. Dont expect Irish banter and hospitality. But appreciate the truly cool conservative but liberal forward thinking Scandinavian peoples. If you feel homesick or particularly unadventurous youll find anirish bar somewhere.
You can always take a train between the cities if you want to see a bit more of sweden.
Sorry missed Oslo off my reply- nothing against it only been there once. really expensive but lovely.

Copenhagen has a lot more to offer then Stockholm ,resturants, outdoor activities, good transport you name it.
sir Basil
http://www.hotelara.com/travel/denmark/