Copenhagen Shopping: 16 Distinctively Denmark Things to Buy
Denmark is renowned for simple, industrial and functional design, as well as bohemian and everyday fashion-wear for the individual urban living. The capital Copenhagen, home to Copenhagen Fashion Week twice a year and biannual INDEX: Design to Improve Life - the world’s biggest design awards, is the hub for fashion and designer gifts shopping, bound to please yourself and your loved ones alike. The city's main shopping area is located on and around Stroget, one of the world’s longest pedestrian streets. Modern as they seem, you will, however, find most Danish designs deeply rooted in history and national tradition. Here are some of the creme de la creme ideas of what to bring home from a trip to Copenhagen.
(To visit the venues mentioned in this article, check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Copenhagen)
1. Royal Copenhagen Dinnerware
If you can bring only thing from a trip to Copenhagen, bring a piece of Royal Copenhagen’s Blue Fluted Mega dinnerware. The original Blue Fluted design dates back to 1775. But about a decade ago, a young artist named Karen Kjældgaard-Larsen had the courage to twist and modernize the old classic into a new one, simply by enlarging the flowers. The design is now a bestseller. The dinnerware collectives cost from $45-675. The cup and saucer on the photo come at the price of $130. The design also comes in black and is, of course, called Black Fluted Mega.
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.
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.
Where to find it:
Royal Copenhagen Flagship StoreAmagertorv 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
Buy It on Amazon:
Offline reading and travel directions:
With GPSmyCity App you can read this article offline on your mobile device, use the embedded offline city map and GPS navigation, as well as create a self-guided walk to visit the venues featured in the article.
2. Georg Jensen Jewelry
One of the most famous and popular Danish jewelry designs is the Georg Jensen Daisy collection. From the flower’s origins, as a national icon during World War 2, the first Daisy was created to commemorate the birth of the present Danish Queen Margrethe II, who was born 16 April 1940. Ever since then it has been associated with the Danish royal family and the Queen herself, of course. Nowadays, the Daisy collection comes in various shapes, colors and styles, and most girls and women in Denmark own a little piece of this beautiful and elegant jewelry collection. The collection comes in various and affordable prices, ranging from $180 to $1,620. Georg Jensen, the silver smith and sculptor, established his business in 1904. The man himself died in 1935, but left behind some of the finest Scandinavian designs ever created in gold, silver and platinum - jewelry, cutlery, watches and home articles. Today, the Georg Jensen brand is synonymous with unique design, excellent craftsmanship and quality.
Where to find it:
Georg Jensen 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
Offline reading and travel directions:
With GPSmyCity App you can read this article offline on your mobile device, use the embedded offline city map and GPS navigation, as well as create a self-guided walk to visit the venues featured in the article.
3. Sømods Bolcher Bonbons
The Danes have a peculiar love of salty liquorice, the flavor you will find in abundance at Sømods Bolchers’ small bonbon shop. Bolcher is "bonbons" in English. Try for instance Dameskrå and Hostebolcher. You can choose from a total of 74 kinds of bonbons there available. A special royal sort and old classic is the red, sweet and fruity Kongen af Danmark (King of Denmark). Another classic bestseller is the rhubarb-flavored Rabarber. If you cannot decide on a flavor, just get a mixed bag. If you have diabetes or, for any other reason, do not want sugar, Sømods Bolcher also has an entire collection of sugar-free bonbons. Prices start at $6 for 100 kilos.
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.
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.
Where to find it:
Sømods BolcherNørregade 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
Offline reading and travel directions:
With GPSmyCity App you can read this article offline on your mobile device, use the embedded offline city map and GPS navigation, as well as create a self-guided walk to visit the venues featured in the article.
4. Ole Henriksen Skin Products
Treat your skin to some products by Denmark’s very own skin guru Ole Henriksen. For a real spa feeling at home, try Loofah body scrub, a cooling aromatic scrub with mentholated jojoba beads, which will leave your skin feeling like that of a new born baby. Ole’s products are simple and natural, with many of them created in his kitchen! In Copenhagen, you can visit Helle Thorup Spa inside Hotel Kong Arthur for an Ole Henriksen treatment, or just buy his products. Prices range between $21 and $95 and are worth every cent. Ole is originally from the small Danish town of Nibe and is known for his down-to-earth positive attitude and catchy phrase “I love it” just about everything. He went to Indonesia at a young age where his interest in skin care got sparkled. He then went to London to study and, later, moved to Los Angeles, where he established his Hollywood Face/Body Spa several decades ago, which is now frequented by beauty editors and celebrities alike.
Where to find it:
Magasin department storeKongens Nytorv 13
DK-1095 Copenhagen K
www.magasin.dk
Business hours:
Daily 10:00 – 20:00
For more information about Ole Henriksen products: www.olehenriksen.com
Buy It on Amazon:
5. Kähler Ceramics
Kähler Ceramics are famous for their classic design and excellent craftsmanship; the Omaggio collection of bowls and vases is no exception. The Omaggio vases are a new interpretation of the Kähler tradition by designers Ditte Reckweg and Jelena Schou Nordentoft, who are both graduates of The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts and own the small designer shop Stilleben in Copenhagen. Ditte Reckweg and Jelena Schou Nordentoft have given the Kähler classic raw stripes a modern shape with soft brush strokes. The vases, which are widely popular, come in a variety of sizes and colors, fit for practically any home. Prices range between $25-365. The Kähler ceramic tradition has been in existence since 1839, sustained by such remarkable artists as Svend Hammershøi, Thorkild Bindesbøll, Louise Campbell and Cecilie Manz. Kähler’s own flagship store is located in the Danish city of Aarhus.
Where to find it:
StillebenFrederiksborggade 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
Buy It on Amazon:
6. PH Lamps
The most famous lamp ever created in Denmark is probably the Poul Henningsen lamp PH5, which first came on the market in 1958, and remains a classic to this day. The PH lamps come in many sizes, as table lamps, floor lamps and pendant lamps. Prices range from $525 to $10,545.
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.
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.
Where to find it:
Louis PoulsenKuglegårdsvej 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
Buy It on Amazon:
7. LEGO Toys
Who hasn't, at some point, played with LEGO toy building bricks as a child? The popular Danish plastic construction game was introduced in 1947 by its founder Ole Kirk Christiansen. The name LEGO comes from the Danish words leg godt, which means "play well". The original toy building bricks were just the start. Later, in 1969, came Duplo building bricks, a series of simple blocks twice as big as the original and aimed at young children. LEGO also produces plastic figures, merchandise and themed sets often with a macho theme, like Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Toy Story, Batman, Cars, Pirates of the Caribbean, Avatar, Spider Man and so on. The brand has a massive following and subculture of movies, games, magazines, clothing line and, of course, theme parks. The original LEGOLAND is located in the town of Billund in Denmark. LEGO toys come in many variations from only $5 apiece. In Copenhagen, you can enter the world of LEGO in their brand new flagship store.
Where to find it:
LEGO Flagship StoreVimmelskaftet 37 (Strøget)
DK-1161 Copenhagen K
Business hours:
Monday - Saturday 10:00 – 18:00
Sunday 11:00 - 17:00
Buy It on Amazon:
8. Hay Toys and Accessories
The collection of Hay toys does not include regular plastic toys. Instead, they are high-quality toys made of wood, such as play shapes, a dumper truck, a flute, cutting circles, and shape makers, inspired by the 1950s-60s theme, which will surely make one nostalgic. You can also find knitted teddy bears, knitted cupcakes and doughnuts, owl purses for a little girl, and wooden colt and rifle for a little "cow"boy, as well as a little backpack and finger puppets. And why not invest in a curiosity box, to keep it all in, while you are at it? Prices range from $15 to 145.
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.
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.
Where to find it:
Hay HouseØstergade 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
Normann Copenhagen’s Mormor (Danish for "grandma") Blue collection of dinnerware is much loved by the Danes. Inspired by traditional kitchen cloths and tea towels, designer Gry Fager has created ceramic cups, sugar bowl, milk jug, plates, larger bowls and carafe that are ideally suited for a Danish lunch, morning or afternoon coffee and cake – just the way one's grandma would have made it. Prices range from $17.75 to $72.50 per item.
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.
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.
Where to find it:
Normann CopenhagenNiels Hemmingsens Gade 12
DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø
For more information about the Mormor Blue collection: www.shop.normann-copenhagen.com/eu/products/mormor.aspx
Buy It on Amazon:
10. The Little Mermaid
The statue of Little Mermaid sitting by the sea in the harbor of Copenhagen is for many synonymous with Copenhagen. A miniature figurine of the statue is a popular souvenir to be taken home from a trip to the Danish capital. There are many different kinds of it available in plastic or porcelain. At Copenhagen Souvenir Shop you can find a nice bronze-colored plastic figurine, costing $22, or a porcelain one at $46. The original statue was donated to the City by brewer Carl Jacobsen, son of the founder of Carlsberg beer. The author, sculptor Edvard Eriksen, was inspired by The Little Mermaid fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, and used his wife, ballerina Eline Eriksen, as a model.
Where to find it:
Copenhagen Souvenir ShopØstergade 11 (Strøget)
DK-1100 København K
www.copenhagensouvenir.com
Business hours:
Monday – Thursday, Sunday 10:00 – 18:00
Friday, Saturday 10:00 - 19:00
Buy It on Amazon:
11. Greengate Copenhagen
In Denmark, you can often hear the word "hygge", which literally means "cozy". But in reality, it's more than that. Hygge denotes a unique atmosphere created in Danish homes, often involving candle lights, dimmed electric lights, snuggling up in quilts, drinking hot cocoa, tea or coffee and eating cookies. Danes love to hygge, and maybe that is why they love the old-fashioned latte and tea cups, milk jugs, teapots, plates, cushions and quilts from Greengate Copenhagen. The cute ceramic dotted, striped or flowery patterns may remind you of being back in a country cottage or grandma’s kitchen. Whether it's a warm summer day or cold winter evening, Greengate designs help create that special feeling of Danish hygge even if you're far away from Denmark. Prices range within $20-70. Greengate Copenhagen does not have their own store, but you can find their items at many home interior shops around the city and capital region.
Where to find it:
GrønlykkeLæderstræde 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
If you are looking for something very traditional and Danish, but at the same time contemporary, a good option may come in the form of Ole Lynggaard Copenhagen’s Lotus Nostalgia collection of rings and pendants. Goldsmith Charlotte Lynggaard honors the traditions of Scandinavian amber craftsmanship in a whole new way. It is simply nostalgia with a modern twist captured in a piece of jewelry. The prices range from $290 to $17,230. The Lotus ring with diamonds costs $5,130. Despite the elegant and luxurious design, Ole and, especially, Charlotte Lynggaard believe that jewelry should be worn on a glamorous night out as well as in everyday life. Their designs are often inspired by Scandinavian nature and landscapes and are classical, yet timeless.
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.
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.
Where to find it:
Ole Lynggard Copenhagen Flagship StoreNy 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
Knitwear is an ongoing element in a lot of Danish fashion collections. And like so many other branches in Copenhagen, the fashion industry likes to mix old and new. Home to Copenhagen Fashion Week twice a year, the Danish capital has bred a lot of Danish fashion designers. Clothing designers, like Mads Nørgaard, Denmark’s rebel designer Henrik Vibskov, as well as Malene Birger and Vigga Svensson, have earned an international reputation. Each designer has his or her unique trademark and style, but in general, fashion on the streets of Copenhagen tends to be a little bit bohemian and rock-and-roll chic during the day, while classic and elegant at night.
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.
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.
Where to find it:
Mads Nørgaard CopenhagenAmagertorv 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
Accessorize your outfit with a colorful eel skin bag or purse by Danish designers BeckSöndergaard. The bags and purses are extremely popular and have become, for many Copenhageners, the very trademark of BeckSöndergaard. The eel skin purses cost $60. Bags are a little more expensive, but still affordable. The eel skin comes from Alaskan deep sea eels, harvested for food, and their skin is a by-product of the industry. Eel skin leather is very soft and strong at the same time, and has unique bites and scratches. Also, it is said to bring good luck.
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.
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.
Where to find it:
Magasin department storeKongens 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
Selecting amber for jewelry production is a skill that requires technical knowledge and experience. House of Amber, located in a historic building in Nyhavn, Copenhagen’s New Harbor (together with Copenhagen Amber Museum), has 78 years of it and guarantees the quality of each piece of jewelry they sell. Prices usually start at $60 for a small amber stone and rise up to $1,000, depending on the piece of jewelry. “Designed by nature - Refined by us” is the company motto. Despite modern designs available, many young Copenhageners still reckon that amber jewelry is old-fashioned. And, in a way, they are right. The history of amber goes back as far as 20–50 million years, when resin from large prehistoric pine trees was swept into the ocean and the fluid hardened to become what we know today as amber or “Nordic gold”. In fact, it is one of the first materials ever used by man to make jewelry. The first discovery of amber jewelry dates back to 10,000 BC.
Where to find it:
House of AmberKongens Nytorv 2 (by Nyhavn)
DK-1050 Copenhagen K
www.houseofamber.com
Business hours:
Monday – Friday 10:00 – 17:00
16. Toms’ Chocolate
If you bring Danish chocolate home, it is most likely to be Toms’. Their chocolate and sweets can be bought at any supermarket and kiosk around the country. The most famous and popular of them are Guld Barre (gold bar), pålægschokolade, a Danish phenomenon consisting of thin slices of chocolate meant to be eaten on a slice of bread, Skildpadder (turtles) and the Yankie Bar. Prices start at $1. Anton Berg is the quality end of the Toms’ empire. Their prices are a bit higher, but so is the quality and creativity.
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.
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.
1. Bing & Grondahl Porcelain - Bing & Grondahl blue classic porcelain figurines, dinnerware, and other collectibles have been an inseparable part of at least one tenth of all the Danish households since the 1950s. Among the most popular items produced by Bing & Grondahl are their signature design Seagull created in 1892, Christmas plates adorned with a traditional winter scene in cobalt blue and white, and the tea sets designed by Gertrud Vasegaard in 1956 (included in the Danish Culture Canon as a masterpiece of Danish design).
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.
Get GPSmyCity App for IOS or Android
You can read offline thousands of travel articles like this one in the "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" app on Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The apps also offer city offline maps and GPS navigation to guide you to the places featured in the articles.
Walking Tours in Copenhagen, Denmark
Create Your Own Walk in Copenhagen
Creating your own self-guided walk in Copenhagen is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Latin Quarter Walking Tour
One of the most interesting, young-spirited neighborhoods of Denmark's capital, the Latin Quarter is well known for its hangout spots, alternative shopping, and 18th-century architecture.
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
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
Above the numerous plays, novels, and poems, the 19th-century Danish author Hans Christian Andersen is primarily renowned internationally as the man who wrote "The Little Mermaid," "The Emperor's New Clothes," "The Ugly Duckling" and many other fairy tales we know since childhood.
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
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
Back in the 18th century, Denmark was in the throes of an economic boom. Constructed during the reign of King Frederick V (hence the name), the district of Frederiksstaden attests to that with its beautiful architecture, measuring up to the projects from the same period in Berlin, Paris, and Vienna. This tour will guide you through the area's broad streets lined by bourgeois houses, mansions,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles