My wife and I will be traveling to Denmark for the first time in September. We’re going to spend 5 or 6 days in Copenhagen and then 4 or 5 days in another city - probably either Stockholm or Amsterdam. We won’t have a car so it has to be accessible by train. Thoughts?
(Hotel and restaurant suggestions would also be welcome.)
Quite different experiences, albeit both have water a key element.
Amsterdam a super city for challenging our perspectives, and can be somewhat intense. Personally we prefer staying outside the centre (beyond the Museum quarter) in one of the leafier suburbs and enjoy the more local shopping along PC Hoofstraat, plus the quirky 9 streets (runstraat, herenstraat etc.) with wonderfully specialised shops. The centre in general a bit brash for us, though there’s much to see and enjoy there as well. Sunday mornings are a lovely time to walk along normally bustling canals.
Stockholm overall felt classier, albeit is more expensive. Some lovely walking in historic streets, and with the potential for ferry trips to nearby islands.
My two home towns!
If train is the deciding factor then I believe it’s easier to go with Stockholm but I never looked in to the possibility to travel by train to Amsterdam. I have always flown when going to Copenhagen from Amsterdam.
In some ways I feel that Copenhagen falls in between Amsterdam and Stockholm in many ways. If you’re more in to the Nordic-ness go to Stockholm. If nature is more appealing, Stockholm is the better option with island, forest /nature just around the corner.
The more free spirited and open-mindedness feel, Amsterdam is the place to go. Smaller (it’s the size of a village with most thing a metropol would offer), prettier, more extremes/standing out, or art/culture - Amsterdam as well. Ian is right about where to stay, in my opinion. Avoid the center (you can visit there instead), stay inside the ring, museumplein is quite a very nice area to be and plenty good things nearby. Even a visit for a bath in Zuiderbad is architecturally interesting if you enjoy a swim.
As prices has increased for many things here in Amsterdam and the SEK been relatively weak, the price difference hasn’t been that significant lately.
In Stockholm each island of the city has its own charm and vibe, from the more hip Södermalm, to posher Östermalm and everything in between.
Curious to hear what you go for in the end!
As someone who did train between Denmark and Amsterdam a few times during his student days(10-15 years ago), I’ll have to say; Don’t do it!
It’s 2025 but neither Denmark, Germany or the Netherlands have managed to make this stuff run smoothly. You’ll see three changes between Copenhagen and Amsterdam and that’ll take you 9-10 hours if all goes well.
The easiest would be train from Copenhagen to Stockholm, which I’ve heard is quite reliable.
Have fun
Both are great but Stockholm is arguably my favorite city on earth. So that’s my view.
Not been to Stockholm, but planning to do so.
Wife and I have been to Amsterdam, 4 times in the last 6 years. Can’t wait to go back.
We stayed at the Waldorf Astoria in Amsterdam on one of the canals, one of the best hotels I’ve stayed at.
We booked on points a year ahead, and took a paid upgrade. They have there own private garden and it’s on one of the prettiest streets in town.
Herengracht where the hotel is located is as far to the center of the canals I’d recommend staying. In terms of strolling around I personally prefer the west end of the canal in Jordaan but it’s very pretty there and plenty to see and do a short walk away.
I’d do Amsterdam over Stockholm in your case, even though I like Stockholm more than Amsterdam. You’ve already ticked the Nordic box with Copenhagen, Amsterdam would be a different experience.
Thoughts on the Hilton Stockholm? We’re spending 2 night there in September.