Things You Can Only Buy in Denmark

Royal Copenhagen is renowned for creating delicate blue-and-white porcelain products – think plates, mugs, teapots and bowls – inspired by similar tableware exported from China during the Ming and Qing dynasties. While the Copenhagen factory was founded in 1775 by Queen Juliane Marie, it was not officially “royal” until King Christian VII became financially responsible for it in 1779.

As jewellery was a big part of Viking culture – either because it showed wealth or was used to fasten clothing – many Danish museums display original Viking jewellery. You can take a piece of Scandinavian history with you by buying replicas from museum shops and other stores around the country.

Renowned 20th-century designers such as Kaare Klint and Verner Panton made Denmark famous for interior design. Today, talented artists continue their legacy. You’ll discover many design stores with stylish items, such as sleek cutlery and ergonomic chairs, all over Denmark and especially in Copenhagen.

Due to low temperatures, scarves are an invaluable accessory in Denmark. But they’re not just practical, scarves are a fashion statement here. After Henrik Vibskov released his designs, colourful baggy scarves have become a must in Denmark. So keep your eyes peeled while window shopping, especially if you’re visiting during winter.

The autonomous district of Freetown Christiania, sits in Copenhagen and has become a certified tourist attraction. The Christiania logo (a red banner with three yellow dots) adorns pencils, ashtrays, umbrellas and T-shirts, making excellent souvenirs for the thousands of tourists who visit every year.

In Denmark, Nisse is a mischievous yet good-spirited elf causing trouble at Christmas. Some locals leave rice pudding or porridge for him on Christmas Eve, hoping he’ll be nicer to them. That little guy in the grey woollen clothes, the white clogs and the red bonnet and stockings has a shelf in every souvenir shop. So, if you like the story of Nisse, buy one of those elves as a cute memento.

You can find sweet and salty liquorice in Denmark, and it’s used in ice creams, beers, cocktails, sweets and many other products. In 2007, Johan Bülow thought of making delicious chocolate bites in different flavours but using liquorice as the main ingredient. Today, his company, Lakrids by Bülow, is a great success, and any of his products would make a perfect gift for liquorice-loving family and friends back home. You’ll find it in stores around the country.

About 167km (104mi) southwest of Copenhagen, you’ll find the HC Andersen Museum at the writer’s birthplace in Odense. Here, you’ll learn about Andersen’s journey, beginning with his childhood through to his life in the Copenhagen waterfront district of Nyhavn. The museum shop sells miniatures of the writer’s fairytale characters and replicas of items that he used during his life. He used to make paper cuttings to entertain his guests at festive gatherings, and in the museum shop, you can find various Christmas decorations by the Danish company Nordahl Andersen that are based on these paper cuttings.

Toms Skildpadde is one of the most popular chocolates in Denmark. It translates to Tom’s Turtle in English and is a chocolate turtle filled with rum, cream and caramel. Since appearing on the Danish market in 1948, Toms Skildpadde has become a Danish favourite. You can find it in every supermarket in the country – take a couple of them back home because you’re going to miss them.

You’re probably familiar with that blue tin that contains two layers of delicious Danish butter cookies. And while these cookies are available in other countries, they’re best sampled in their country of origin. Over the past 50 years, they have become part of Danish culture and are one of the best-loved Danish treats. Plus, in Denmark you’ll find the cookies for sale in a wider variety of blue tins, often decorated with paintings of famous Danish scenes, so once you’re done with the tasty delicacies, you can use the tin as a decorative item.