Copenhagen Shopping: 16 Distinctively Denmark Things to Buy
1. Royal Copenhagen Dinnerware
You will find it at the Royal Copenhagen Flagship Store, where the most famous dinnerware is Flora Danica, dating back to the 1700s, a gift from royalty to royalty. The collection is one of the most prestigious in the world and costs a fortune. The cheapest item, a plate, costs no less than $1,065! The porcelain collection was presented to Danish Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary as a wedding gift in 2004. Royal Copenhagen designs are some of the best examples of history and tradition keeping up with modern times.
Amagertorv 6 (Strøget)
DK-1160 Copenhagen K
www.royalcopenhagen.com
Business hours:
Monday - Wednesday; Friday; Saturday 10:00 - 18:00
Thursday 10:00 - 14:00
Saturday 10:00 - 17:00
Sunday 11:00 - 16:00
Royal Copenhagen Factory Outlet
9, Søndre Fasanvej
DK-2000 Frederiksberg
www.royalcopenhagen.com
Business hours:
Monday - Friday 10:00 – 18:00
Saturday 10:00 – 17:00; Sunday: 10 am - 16:00
Illums Bolighus
Amagertorv 10 (Strøget)
DK-1160 Copenhagen K
www.illumsbolighus.dk
Business hours:
Monday - Saturday 10:00 – 19:00
Sunday 11:00 – 16:00
Imerco stores
www.imerco.dk/Find-butik-6176.aspx
Inspiration stores
www.inspiration.dk/butikker
Kop & Kande stores
www.kop-kande.dk/Forhandlere.aspx?ID=1537
2. Georg Jensen Jewelry
Amagertorv 4
DK-1160 København K.Amagertorv 4
www.georgjensen.com
Business hours:
Monday - Friday 10:00 - 18:00
Saturday 10:00 - 17:00
Sunday 11 am - 15:30
Magasin department store
Kongens Nytorv 13
DK-1095 Copenhagen K
www.magasin.dk
Business hours:
Daily: 10:00 - 20:00
The Daisy collection is also sold in a large number of jewelry stores. Find stores at www.georgjensen.com/dk/storelocator
3. Sømods Bolcher Bonbons
Sømods Bolcher is an old-fashioned bonbon store and factory. The business was established back in 1891, and not much has changed over the past 120 years. A couple of machines have eased the production flow, but the bonbons are still produced according to old recipes, with no artificial sugars, colors or flavorings added. At the old factory shop at Nørregade 36 you can actually watch the bonbons being made before you buy any. Four generations of the Sømod family have run the business, which is currently the Purveyor to The Royal Danish Court. Look for the photograph of Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II on the wall inside the shop at Nørregade 24.
Nørregade 36 and 24
DK-1165 Copenhagen K
www.soemods-bolcher.dk
Business hours:
Monday – Thursday 10:00 - 17:30
Friday 10:00 - 18:00
Saturday 10:00 - 15:30
Sunday 11:00 - 15:00
4. Ole Henriksen Skin Products
5. Kähler Ceramics
Frederiksborggade 22
DK-1153 Copenhagen K
www.stilleben.dk
Business hours:
Monday - Friday 10:00 – 18:00
Saturday 10:00 – 17:00
Illums Bolighus
Amagertorv 10 (Strøget)
DK-1160 Copenhagen K
www.illumsbolighus.dk
Business hours:
Monday - Saturday 10:00 – 19:00
Sunday 11:00 – 18:00
Imerco stores
www.imerco.dk/Find-butik-6176.aspx
Inspiration stores
www.inspiration.dk/butikker
Kop & Kande stores
www.kop-kande.dk/Forhandlere.aspx?ID=1537
Bahne stores
www.bahne.dk/Om_Bahne/Find%20Bahne.aspx
For more information about Kähler: www.kahlerdesign.com
6. PH Lamps
Poul Henningsen was a Danish architect, film maker and writer, among other things. He passed away in 1967, but left behind a series of cultural masterpieces, probably the most famous of which are the PH lamps, named after his own initials. From 1941, he served as an architect for Copenhagen’s amusement park, Tivoli Gardens. The job was later taken over by his son. Poul Henningsen had his own drawing room from 1919, where he worked alongside other architects on completing the PH lamps from 1926 onward. He originally wanted to create a lamp that spread the light of the electric light bulb to the maximum but, at the same time, eliminated visual glare. Relying on endless experiments and mathematical calculations in his home, he designed a lamp with several concentric shades which only emit reflected light and obscures the light source. The design company Louis Poulsen owns the rights over the PH lamps.
Kuglegårdsvej 19 - 23
DK-1202 Copenhagen K
Business hours:
Monday – Friday 08:00 – 17:00
Illums Bolighus
Amagertorv 10 (Strøget)
DK-1160 Copenhagen K
www.illumsbolighus.dk
Business hours:
Monday - Saturday 10:00 – 19:00
Saturday 10:00 – 19:00
Sunday 11:00 – 18:00
For more information about PH lamps: www.louispoulsen.com
7. LEGO Toys
8. Hay Toys and Accessories
Hay is one of Denmark's modern times most successful design companies, if you are counting international appeal. Hay first saw their day of light in 2002. The company's goal was, and still is, to offer their customers innovative Danish design classics, mainly furniture, but also smaller interior designer accessories and toys, as they were made back in the 1950s and 60s, but with a contemporary twist, updated to the time of today. The collection includes cushions, quilts, bed covers, rugs, hangers, cups, storage boxes, etc. There is a Hay House flagship furniture store in Copenhagen, and a smaller one - Hay CPH store - stocking some furniture, rugs, textiles and toys, not far from there.
Østergade 61, 3rd floor (Strøget)
DK-1100 Copenhagen K
Business hours:
Monday – Saturday 10:00 – 18:00
Sunday 11:00 – 17:00
9. Normann Copenhagen Home Decoration
The world of Normann Copenhagen is, in the words of its founders, “like putting on a pair of glasses and seeing the world in a different way”, meaning that founders, Jan Andersen and Poul Madsen, love to challenge the conventional rules of design. In their large 1,700 m2 flagship store in Copenhagen you will find furniture, lamps, rugs, storage boxes, clothes, shoes, dinnerware, quilts and toys. There are 38 products in Normann Copenhagen’s own collection. The other merchandise are from the Danish and international, established and up and coming designers. The two-level store is an attraction in its own right and is often used as a venue for fashion events, parties and exhibitions.
10. The Little Mermaid
11. Greengate Copenhagen
Læderstræde 3 & 5
DK-1201 Copenhagen K
www.gronlykke.com
Business hours:
Monday – Friday 10:00 – 17:30
For more information about Greengate Copenhagen: www.greengate.dk
12. Ole Lynggaard Copenhagen Jewelry
Ole Lynggaard Copenhagen was established in 1963 by Danish goldsmith Ole Lynggaard. The family business includes his daughter and fellow goldsmith Charlotte Lynggaard. Father and daughter are famous trendsetters in Denmark, when it comes to jewelry design, and have a reputation of a luxury brand designed for royalty and modeled by Danish celebrities, such as Lene Nystrøm, from band AQUA, and lately, supermodel Helena Christensen. Ole Lynggaard Copenhagen has been supplying the Danish royal family with jewelry for 40 years. In 2008, the business was proudly appointed a Purveyor to The Royal Danish Court.
Ny Østergade 4
DK-1101 Copenhagen K
www.olelynggaard.com
Business hours:
Monday – Friday 10:00 – 18:00
Saturday 10:00 – 16:00
For more information on the Ole Lynggaard Copenhagen Lotus collection: www.olelynggaard.com/en/jewellery/new-launches/lotus/amber/
For more Ole Lynggaard Copenhagen retailers: www.olelynggaard.com/en/retailers/denmark/
13. Danish Fashion
Mads Nørgaard Copenhagen offer men’s, women’s and children’s clothing and build their collections around the core of fashionable classics. In 2008, Mads Nørgaard also presented a 100% organic underwear line for men.
The demand for organic clothing is growing rapidly in Copenhagen and elsewhere, and designers, like Vigga Svensson, the woman behind the Katvig children’s clothes, are forerunners in this field. Svensson manages to produce fashionable clothes while protecting the environment. The children’s clothes are made of recycled organic cotton and recycled polyester extracted from plastic bottles. Even the transport and packaging are environmentally friendly.
Denmark’s leading fashion lady, Malene Birger, creates, in her own words, “affordable luxury”. Her women’s collection is elegant and gives an artistic spin on modern classics.
Denmark’s fashion rebel, Henrik Vibskov, is more than just a designer. He is also an artist and musician – known for bringing it all together in his fashion shows. His style is fun, alternative and controversial. His collections include men’s, women’s and also children’s wear. Since 2003, he has been the only Scandinavian designer on the official show schedule of the Paris Men’s Fashion Week.
Amagertorv 15 (Strøget)
DK-1160 Copenhagen K
Business hours:
Monday – Friday 10:00 – 18:00
Saturday 10:00 – 17:00
Sunday 12:00 - 16:00
For more Mads Nørgaard Copenhagen retailers: www.madsnorgaard.com/#contact
By Malene Birger Boutique
Antonigade 10
DK-1106 Copenhagen K
Business hours:
Monday – Friday 10:00 – 18:00
Friday 10:00 - 19:00
Saturday 11:00 – 17:00
For more By Malene Birger retailers: www.bymalenebirger.com/branding/#/stores/1/1/
Henrik Vibskov
Gammel Mønt 14
DK-1172 Copenhagen K
http://www.henrikvibskovboutique.com
Business hours:
Monday – Friday 11:00 – 18:00
Saturday 11:00 – 17:00; Sunday 11:00 - 16:00
14. BeckSöndergaard Accessories
Apart from bags and purses, BeckSöndergaard also make other accessories, such as scarfs. Organic cotton is a growing part of their collections as well, certified with GOTS, the Global Organic Textile Standard overseeing production, processing, manufacturing, packaging, labeling, exportation, importation and distribution. Danish designers Lis Beck and Anna Søndergaard are the creative force behind the design of BeckSöndergaard, and are known for their love of eel skin leather, bright colors and Scandinavian simplicity.
Kongens Nytorv 13
DK-1095 Copenhagen K
www.magasin.dk
Business hours:
Daily 10 am - 8 pm
For more information on BeckSöndergaard: www.becksondergaard.com/Classics.html
15. House of Amber Jewelry
Kongens Nytorv 2 (by Nyhavn)
DK-1050 Copenhagen K
www.houseofamber.com
Business hours:
Monday – Friday 10:00 – 17:00
16. Toms’ Chocolate
The story of the Toms Group started in 1924 as a small chocolate factory which eventually grew to become Denmark’s largest chocolate and sweets manufacturer. In the years of 1950s-70s, the company bought their Danish rivals Anthon Berg, Pingvin Lakrids and Galle & Jessen, which are still retained as individual brands today. In the 1980s and 90s, they went on to acquire Bonbon, Bogø Chocolate, English Taverner’s and Parrs Quality and Swedish Webes. The chocolate factory is located in Ballerup, a suburb to Copenhagen, and the building itself was designed by famous Danish architect Arne Jacobsen. It produces 15,000 tons of chocolate per year, and you can visit the factory by appointment. Toms Group has been a Purveyor to The Royal Danish Court since 1950.
Other Interesting Souvenirs from Denmark
If traveling to Denmark is not on your immediate agenda, or you simply can't afford an extra space in your luggage, fortunately, these days, you can find a wide selection of authentic and truly interesting Danish souvenirs online. Presented here are some of the Danish products sought by foreign visitors, now available online for your convenience.
2. Danish Traditional Snacks Kringle, the traditional Danish butter-layered pastries, are usually available in 8 flavors: pecan; raspberry; cherry; apple; almond; blueberry; cinnamon; and chocolate pecan. Butter Cookies - Danish biscuits made of butter, flour, and sugar, often referred to as "crisp cookies" for their texture, caused, in part, by the quantity of butter and sugar inside. Danish Blue Cheese, also known as Danablu, is a semi-soft, blue mold cow's cheese with a slightly tangy taste. It is milder and creamer then most and is ideal for salads, dressings, dips and desserts.
3. Danish Marzipan bars Danish Marzipan bars come in multiple variations: coated in dark chocolate; with nougat, covered in milk chocolate and light chocolate decor; with cognac and milk chocolate coating, and many more. These are ideal presents for Christmas or any other celebration.
4. Nisse, The Nordic Gnome A mythological character from Scandinavian folklore, 'nisse' is a garden gnome-like creature who stands no taller than 90 cm (35 in), has a long white beard, and wears a conical/knit cap of red or other bright color. He is typically associated with winter and, most notably, Christmas, and as such, is regularly depicted on Christmas cards, in figurines, toys, etc. Excellent decor for home, or gift for Christmas, Valentine's Day or any other occasion.
5. Popular Danish Books If you want to perceive Hygge (“hoo-ga”), the Danish philosophy of comfort, togetherness, and well-being; learn about the hidden gems of Copenhagen – cute places, neighborhoods, etc.; or to figure out what it means to be Danish, then perhaps you might want to read some of the books on Denmark, the world’s happiest nation, and enlighten yourself on these and other subjects.
6. Danish Licorice Put your lips close around a bite of the centuries-old Danish tradition of handmade boiled licorice-making to savor the strong, salty licorice of potent Nordic taste that will explode on your tongue, bringing up associations of the sea, tar, and bonfire smoke. A welcome change from other licorice products you may have tried elsewhere.
“Glerups” Slipper Quality crafted indoor felt shoes made of 100% pure natural wool, fitted with soles of soft calf's skin for superior comfort. Trimmed and edged to perfection, these booties will keep your feet naturally warm.
Walking Tours in Copenhagen, Denmark
Create Your Own Walk in Copenhagen
Latin Quarter Walking Tour
Back in the Middle Ages, the area surrounding Our Lady's Square (“Frue Plads” in Danish), right in the heart of it, was considered a “ray of light” in the overall darkness of those times. A... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Hans Christian Andersen's Copenhagen
Born in Odense (central Denmark) a poor shoemaker's son, Andersen spent... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
Little Mermaid Walking Tour
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles