Ten ways Copenhagen beats Stockholm

With Sweden's global reputation for technology, gender equality and music making, Stockholm loves to bill itself as the capital of Scandinavia.

 

But if you ask us, Copenhagen clearly wins the battle. We've put together ten reasons why Denmark's capital tops Sweden's. Our friends at The Local Sweden are sure to disagree and they'll be posting their defence of Stockholm next week. In the meantime, use the comments below to let us know which city you think should lay claim to the title of Scandinavia's capital.

 

1. Copenhagen is twice as hipster

 

Outdoor ping-pong in Vesterbro. Photo: Ty Stange/Copenhagen Media Center

 

Yeah, yeah Stockholm, you've got Södermalm, but we have Vesterbro AND Nørrebro, two distinctly different districts that have been singled out as among the hippest places on Earth. The US-based website Thrillist declared Vesterbro the fourth most hipster neighbourhood in the world (two spots ahead of Södermalm) while Nørrebro was number nine on Skyscanner’s list of the top 20 most hipster neighbourhoods.

 

2. We have Christiania

 

Christiania. Photo: Ty Stange/Copenhagen Media Center

 

Hey Stockholm, do you have a controversial former hippie commune where you can score weed in the middle of the city? Nope, didn't think so.

 

3. We do more biking

 

Biking on Gothersgade. Photo: Ty Stange/Copenhagen Media Center

 

This one probably doesn’t even need pointing out, as Copenhagen has already solidified its global reputation as a city that is absolutely crazy about bicycles. We have five times as many bikes as cars and three quarters of us cycle year-round regardless of weather. To give you an idea of how many bikes there are here, some 16,000 abandoned bikes are collected in the city each year – maybe we should ship them to you? As an added bonus, all of that biking has also made Copenhagen the world’s healthiest city. 

 

Read also: Danish bike culture even cooler than you thought

 

4. We’re more LGBT friendly

 

Copenhagen Pride. Photo: Connie Maria Westergaard/Copenhagen Media Center

 

We know you’re really big on the image of Sweden as a open and welcoming country. But do you want to guess which city was named the most gay-friendly destination in the world by venerable travel guide Lonely Planet? We’ll give you a hint: it rhymes with Hopenhagen. 

 

5. We’re better for business

 

Photo: Tuala Hjarnø/Copenhagen Media Center

 

According to Forbes magazine, Denmark is the best country in the world for business. If you don’t trust their judgement, how about the World Bank’s? They declared Denmark the world’s fourth best country in the world – and the best in Europe – for the ease of doing business. If that weren’t enough, a 2014 analysis from Copenhagen Capacity found that the Danish capital is 20 percent cheaper for businesses than Stockholm.

 

6. We have cooler TV shows

 

Borgen. Photo: Mike Kolöffel/DR

 

Danish television has become a worldwide phenomenon based on the strength of shows like The Killing, Borgen and The Bridge. All of them are set either completely or partially in Copenhagen, with the latter of course sharing the billing with the southern Swedish city of Malmö. Even in their own country, Swedes play second fiddle in the TV world. Sure, the Swedish TV show Welcome to Sweden has attacted some international attention, but come on, that’s not exactly a prize winner, is it?

 

Read also: What makes Danish TV so cool?

 

7. Copenhagen is a hotter music city

 

Roskilde Festival. Photo: Vegard Kristiansen/Roskilde Festival

 

Just a short jaunt from Copenhagen is the home of the Roskilde Festival, one of the biggest music festivals in Europe. While it’s technically not Copenhagen, it’s close enough and most of the city relocates there for the week anyway. But it’s not just Denmark's festival season that attracts visitors – any Copenhagen music fan can will tell you that the Swedes love to come over the border for concerts. 

 

8. Denmark's capital is a better food city

 

Photo: Copenhagen Cooking/Copenhagen Media Center

 

We’ve got the world’s best restaurant, Noma in Copenhagen alongside other eateries in the region boasting a total of 18 Michelin stars compared to Stockholm’s 12, we can safely lay claim to the title of the culinary hub of Scandinavia. 

 

9. We have a bigger airport

 

Copenhagen Airport. Photo: Colourbox

 

If you’re flying from Stockholm to an international destination, odds are you will be routed through Copenhagen, where we have the largest and busiest airport in the Nordics. Some 25.6 million passengers came through Copenhagen Airport last year including, we’re sure, a countless number of envious Stockholmers. 

 

 

Cheaper rent than Stockholm. Photo: Colourbox

 

'Cheap’ is a relative term when it comes to Scandinavia. After all, Copenhagen was just this month declared the eighth most expensive city in the world. But housing in the Danish capital is significantly cheaper than in much of Stockholm. According to an analysis in September, an average 80 square metre flat in Copenhagen costs 2.5 million kroner while a similar flat would cost 4.4 million kroner in Stockholm. And who would want to pay almost two million kroner more to live in a city that is so clearly second-rate?

 

Let us know which Scandinavian capital you prefer and why in the comments box below