My insider tips for Sweden & Copenhagen: where we stayed, what we ate, and the clothes to pack for the cities and a separate Swedish Lapland winter trip. For more cold-weather packing.
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For daytime stops, wear the grey-dot knit with warm trousers. Shop polka-dot merino sweater.
Photo credit: J.Crew
Then add the Ava scarf over a city coat for dinner. Shop soft woven scarf.
Photo credit: Anine Bing
For dinner, pack the Loraine pair as a polished indoor shoe. Shop classic loafers.
Photo credit: Sam Edelman
What to wear in Sweden and Copenhagen comes down to warm city layers and one useful dinner outfit. These are the stays, meals and museum stops I would share with a friend, plus our winter stay at Arctic Bath in Swedish Lapland. They are different parts of the trip, not a six-day route. Allow separate travel time for the city-to-city journey and the winter extension.
Stockholm: Hotel Diplomat, Dinner and Museums
First, wear the fine high-neck layer under a knit or jacket. Shop high-neck layering top.
Photo credit: Intimissimi
Then use the York scarf to finish a simple knit outfit. Shop wool scarf.
Photo credit: Anine Bing
For city stops, pair these Chelsea boots with straight trousers. Shop Chelsea ankle boots.
Photo credit: Blundstone
We stayed at Hotel Diplomat in Stockholm, and we also had dinner at the hotel. The dinner photos below are from that meal.
For dinner, the Horsebit detail adds a dressier finish. Shop brown suede ankle boots.
Photo credit: Gucci
For colder days, the Expedition parka adds a warm outer layer. Shop insulated winter parka.
Photo credit: Canada Goose
Next, pair the Cain knit with tailored trousers for dinner. Shop textured knit sweater.
Photo credit: Khaite
Schmaltz was another dinner I really liked. It is a small bar and deli near Östermalmstorg.
The Royal Palace belongs on the Stockholm sightseeing list.
I loved Fotografiska. We saw the hip-hop exhibition on our visit and had a great lunch with the city and water views from the top floor.
We went to Tennstopet for New Year’s Day lunch. It is a historic option for traditional Swedish food, but I would make this one optional rather than build the trip around it.
Copenhagen: Hotel Sanders and the Meals I Remember
We stayed at Hotel Sanders and had dinner in the lobby restaurant, Sanders Kitchen. The whole fish, steak, fries and green beans in this photo are from that dinner, not from Barr.
For color, choose the red jacket with a simple winter outfit. Shop red down jacket.
Photo credit: Fjallraven
Also, the high V neckline leaves room for a light base layer. Shop black cashmere V-neck sweater.
Photo credit: J.Crew
For walks, pack the crew-height socks. Shop cushioned wool hiking socks.
Photo credit: Smartwool
Barr was so good for dinner. The bone marrow was amazing, and everything we had was good. Esmée was another Copenhagen dinner stop from our trip.
Breakfast at GRØD in Torvehallerne was great, and I appreciated the gluten-free options. These are my breakfast photos from that visit.
Finally, keep the softsole pair for hotel mornings. Shop sheepskin slippers.
Photo credit: Minnetonka
For example, carry the compact bag to breakfast and museums. Shop brown crossbody bag.
Photo credit: DeMellier
Meanwhile, the lilac shade brings a softer color to city layers. Shop long down jacket.
Photo credit: L.L.Bean
For a traditional Danish lunch, we went to Restaurant Schønnemann. It specializes in smørrebrød, the Danish open-faced sandwich, and is a lunch stop rather than a dinner plan.
I also loved the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art and lunch at its café. The museum is in Humlebæk, outside Copenhagen, so give it its own outing instead of squeezing it between city meals. The café has views across the Sound and the sculpture terrace.
These are the coffees from our Copenhagen visit.
Arctic Bath: Our Swedish Lapland Winter Stay
Our winter stay was at Arctic Bath in Harads, Swedish Lapland. Dogsledding, snowshoeing, horseback riding in the forest and ice fishing were part of our Arctic trip. This is a separate winter stay, not an autumn afternoon outside Stockholm.
My packing tip: email the hotel before you go about the extra-insulated coats and snow pants. They provided that outerwear for guests on our visit.
Next, style the Lachlan pair with warm trousers and a soft knit. Shop leather Chelsea boots.
Photo credit: Madewell
Then add the knit toque to a scarf and coat. Shop cashmere winter hat.
Photo credit: Canada Goose
Finally, the low slip-on shape works for easy hotel mornings. Shop shearling-lined ankle boots.
Photo credit: UGG
Stockholm Layers for City Walks
- For Stockholm city walks, I would wear a thermal top, a merino sweater, warm trousers and an insulated coat, with wool socks, gloves, a scarf and a hat that covers the ears.
Also shop: shearling-lined ankle boots, the warm shearling-lined pair for dry cold days and easy hotel mornings.
Stockholm Layers for Museums and Dinner
- For the Royal Palace, Fotografiska and dinner, start with wool trousers and a turtleneck or knit, with a thermal layer underneath when needed. Keep the warm coat, scarf, hat, mittens and winter boots for the journey.
Packing for Arctic Bath in Winter
- For Arctic Bath activities, pack a moisture-wicking wool or synthetic base-layer top and long johns, warm wool socks and a fleece or wool mid-layer. Add the hotel-confirmed Arctic outerwear, insulated snow pants, winter boots, warm mittens, a hat and neck protection.
Also shop: Similar: thermal merino base layer crew.
Also shop: Similar: thermal merino base layer bottoms.
Copenhagen Layers for Walking and Dinner
- For Copenhagen’s winter walks, I would wear thermal layers, a warm sweater, trousers and an insulated windproof and waterproof outer layer. Add a scarf, hat, gloves and waterproof winter footwear. Pack for damp wind around the harbor, not just the number on the weather forecast.
Also shop: suede ankle boots.
Copenhagen Layers for Markets and Breakfast
- For GRØD breakfast, Torvehallerne and indoor stops, a sweater dress with thermal tights or leggings works under the proper winter coat. Keep the crossbody bag small and easy to carry. For Louisiana, use the same outdoor kit and leave room in the day for the trip outside Copenhagen.
Also shop: brushed high-waist leggings, Similar: cashmere ribbed turtleneck sweater dress.
A Tailored Nordic Dinner Look
- For Sanders Kitchen, Barr, Esmée or a Stockholm dinner, I would pack one warm-trouser-and-knit outfit or a sweater dress, then change a scarf or jacket rather than pack a new outfit for every meal. A blazer and silk scarf are indoor finishing pieces. Keep the insulated coat and safe winter footwear for the journey.
For a little color at breakfast or under a city coat, a green silk twill scarf from Liberty brings a garden print and winding blue river to a plain knit. The 90cm square is silk twill. Shop here.
Winter Packing Checklist: Cities and Arctic Bath
Stockholm and Copenhagen: thermal top and bottoms; two useful knits; warm trousers; one dinner outfit; an insulated weather-ready coat; wool socks; winter boots with grip; hat, gloves or mittens and scarf. Pack an indoor shoe only if you will actually change into it.
Arctic Bath: wool or synthetic base layers; fleece or wool mid-layers; spare dry socks; hotel-confirmed insulated activity outerwear, boots and mittens; hat and neck protection; comfortable hotel clothes; a swimsuit for the spa; and the medicines, chargers and toiletries you need.
Keep Toiletries Simple
Bring the skincare and makeup you already use, plus lip balm and sunscreen. Cold outdoor days call for comfortable, protected skin, not a second suitcase of beauty products. Keep medicines and the toiletries you need in hand luggage, within your airline’s liquid rules.
A High-Neck Layer for Cold Days
A fine-knit high-neck top is an easy cold-weather layer. The cashmere high-neck top works under a coat or a cardigan.
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Shop the Post
- J.Crew Carolyn Polka-dot Merino Crewneck
- Anine Bing Ava Scarf
- Sam Edelman Loraine Loafers
- Anine Bing York Scarf
- Intimissimi Cashmere High-Neck Top
- Blundstone 558 Chelsea Boot
- Gucci Horsebit Suede Ankle Boot
- Canada Goose Expedition Parka
- Khaite Cain Sweater
- Fjallraven Expedition Down Lite Jacket
- Similar: J.Crew Cashmere High V-neck Sweater
- Smartwool Hike Crew Socks
- Similar: Minnetonka Sheepskin Softsole Slipper
- DeMellier New York Crossbody Warm Brown
- L.L.Bean Ultrawarm Down Jacket
- Madewell Lachlan Chelsea Boot
- Canada Goose Cashmere Toque
