A Tale of Two Cities: Copenhagen and Stockholm

I am pleased to introduce to you a Tale of Two Cities: Copenhagen and Stockholm. Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark. Stockholm is the capital of Sweden. Both are major cities in Scandinavia. Copenhagen is 35 minutes away from Lund by train. Stockholm is 4 hours away by train. 

Copenhagen is on the left. Stockholm is on the right. 

While they are both fantastic cities, they have a small rivalry both in history and modern times. Many times in history, the Kingdoms of Denmark and Sweden were at war with each other. They even fought each other in the battle of Lund. 

The Battle of Lund in 1676. 

COPENHAGEN

Copenhagen was founded in the 12th century as a fishing village. Copenhagen became Denmark’s capital in 1443. It played a key role in the Hanseatic League and later in Scandinavian conflicts. Denmark had a powerful monarchy, once ruling over Norway, Iceland, and parts of Sweden (this includes Lund, which was part of the Danish Kingdom for many years). Copenhagen has always been a city focused on trade and commerce. When you walk around the streets, you feel that the city is lively, minimalistic, colorful, and full of cafes. 

Copenhagen is famous for its concept of hygge, a Danish word that roughly translates to a feeling of coziness, comfort, and warmth. This is reflected in the city's relaxed lifestyle, thriving café culture, and emphasis on work-life balance. 

An old map of Central Copenhagen with the Nyhaven harbour

A skyline view of Copenhagen 

Below is Nyhaven. It is a popular tourist spot with many restaurants. It is next to the harbour and you see many sail boats that dock next to the buildings. Nyhaven is the most famous spot in Copenhagen. However, you can also find many castles, palaces, and churches. 

Nyhaven harbour with the local boats

Me next to my favorite Danish boat

Enjoying the little bit of sun for the day

The King of Denmark has a residence in the city. At certain times of the day, you can see the palace guard marching to his residence through the streets. This traditional only happens if the royal family is residing in Copenhagen and not in other parts of Denmark. 

Danish Guards standing in the snow.

Marching of the Danish Royal Guard to the Palace

Changing of the Danish Guard 

Copenhagen also has many art festivals and live jazz shows. In February, I went to the Copenhagen Jazz Festival and visited a place called the Library Bar. You can find a cocktail, books, and jazz music. If you are lucky, they may even have a candlelight symphony playing the best movie soundtracks of Hans Zimmer. 

Copenhagen lightshow

Copenhagen has many interactive art installations. 

A cinematic video of your tour in Copenhagen 

STOCKHOLM. 

Stockholm was founded in the 13th century. Stockholm became Sweden’s capital in 1523. It was central to Sweden’s rise as a great European power in the 17th century. Stockholm played a major role in the Viking Age and later as Sweden's political and economic hub. It is the largest city in Sweden and is home to the Swedish government and monarchy. Stockholm is made up of many thousands of tiny islands and is formally known as the Stockholm Archipelago.

A map of Central Stockholm. 

Stockholm skyline over Gamla Stan (old Stockholm)

Stockholm has many boats and ferries that traverse the islands. 

A skyline view of Stockholm. 

 Stockholm also hosts the Nobel Prize ceremonies. One of my friends in my class works at the Nobel ceremony every year and gets to see the prize winners. She helps organize the Nobel banquets each year. 

Nobel Prize, featuring Alfred Nobel 

Nobel Prize Banquet

A key cultural tradition in Stockholm is fika—a daily ritual of taking a coffee break with pastries, often accompanied by deep conversation. This speaks to Sweden’s emphasis on balance and quality of life.

Stockholm, on the other hand, exudes a more structured and refined atmosphere. It blends historical elegance with modern innovation, making it a hub for tech startups, music, and fashion. While Copenhagen embraces a casual, bohemian vibe, Stockholm leans towards polished efficiency.

If you are a fan of history and finer culture, Stockholm is the city to be in. It has many museums focused on Scandinavian history and culture. It also has the Royal Palace of the King of Sweden. I went inside the palace with some friends, and it was inspiring. You could tell that many banquets and ceremonies took place there. 

A Viking helmet at the Nordic History Museum

Inside of the Stockholm Royal Palace

Stockholm also has a changing of the guard around the King's palace. At certain times of the day, they change the guard through an elaborate ceremony. You can hear them shouting orders from the waterfront area. Afterwards, you can explore Gamla Stan, which is the old district of Stockholm. It has very narrow alleyways full of old hotels, boutqiues, and cafes. There are also old walls where cannonballs are lodged from battles centuries before. 

Changing of the Royal Guard in Stockholm

Swedish Parliament building at night. 

For New Year's, I was in Stockholm, and I saw a huge firework show across the city. It was snowing so it was very hard to see, but all of the city came alive and stood out in the blizzard-like snow to celebrate the new year. Stockholm also has a lively Jazz scene, but perhaps not as grand as Copenhagenen's. However, if you time it right, you may enjoy jazz on New Year's Eve when it is snowing. 

New Year's Fireworks in the snow.

Jazz Night in Gamla Stan

I am in front of a small church

Your cinematic tour around Stockholm. 

***

So, there you have it, folks. The small tale of two cities: Copenhagen and Stockholm. Which would you like to join? Which would you like to live in? 

Today, Sweden and Denmark are close friends diplomatically despite their cultural and language differences. They are like two cousins who bicker and make fun of each other. 

Danes make fun of how delicate, polite, and reserved Swedes are. Swedes make fun of the harshness of the Danish language, their courseness, and their ability to drink copious amounts of beer. Danes have dark humor and are sarcastic. Swedes are ironic and self-deprecating. Swedes keep to rules and a schedule. Danes are more relaxed but will always be on time. 

However, at one time in history, Danes and Swedes were both part of Viking and Old Norse culture and shared many key ideas and customs. It goes to show how fast history moves and how things change.

I look forward to sharing more with you next time about my time studying in Sweden!