Gothenburg over Stockholm - am I off base?

I don't know what kind of wow factor you're looking for but they are both great cities to visit. 2-3 days is nowhere enough to see any of them.

So the short answer is no, you are not mad.

Thanks! Essentially - the main things to do in Stockholm just don't seem to sync up well with our style, except for exploring the archipelago. Gamla Stan looks overly commercial and the museums aren't for us (the art museum in Gothenburg is a better fit). The Vasa would be nice to see but not a reason for us to go in itself.

With 7 days on the ground, would you suggest skipping Sweden entirely this time and concentrating on Denmark?

I've been to both, and your information is faulty. Not only does Stockholm have 'more to do', but it has a vast number of "wow" (what does that mean? Instagrammable? ... ) places. It might be cooler (did you check a climate website?) in October, but there is no contest in your competition. My top choices in Stockholm were the Wasa ship, the open-air museum, and (nice boat ride out of town) one of three intact (in all of Europe) 100%-original Baroque court theaters, Drottningholm Court Theater. But this is a tiny subset of the things to do.

My main target in Gothenburg was the unique (for Americans, anyway) "family style" amusement park. It might not be open for your unspecified exact dates, but they do have a "Halloween season." We would have gone to the city's famous symphony orchestra, but they weren't playing during the days we were in Gothenburg.

Our first trip to Scandinavia was more like two weeks, flying into Helsinki and out of Copenhagen. You're a bit pressed with only 6 ? nights there. Did you price a Multi-City/Open-Jaw plane ticket?

I feel the same as you do. I am not finding Stockholm to be as appealing. I am planning a trip for 2026, and I think I will stay in Denmark the entire time. Plus, I can get a nonstop flight to and from Copenhagen, but not Stockholm.

You could look at Aarhus as a second home base in Denmark.

For me, it’s not so much about things to do. I like places that I find visually appealing as my favorite thing to do is just walk around and explore. In general, big cities do not hold as much appeal to me. Others love them.

It’s your trip, so you can do and see what you want. :-) Trust your instincts.

Tim - it doesn't mean Instagrammable, it means captivating for our specific travel style and interests. Appreciating that you enjoyed Stockholm, the open-air museum and the Drottningholm Court Theater, among other things, wouldn't hold a ton of appeal for us. Nor would an amusement park - that wouldn't be our reason for visiting Gothenburg.

We've looked at flying open-jaw, but it's much more difficult from our home base.

Carrie, thanks for the info - the thought of staying in Denmark the whole time is tempting!

If someone told me they had seven days available, I wouldn't urge them to split the time between two countries, so I think exploring Denmark a little more fully--seeing things in addition to Copenhagen--is a very good idea.

That said, I suspect if you eventually get to Stockholm, you will be glad you changed your mind. There are lots of relatively quiet corners there. You haven't told us what you find so entrancing about Gothenburg (Stockholm has many art museums), so I can't provide specifics targeted to your interests, but I've enjoyed exploring Djurgarden, the quieter parts of Sodermalm and the Millesgarden museum and sculpture garden outside the center of the city.

I liked Gothenburg a lot (4 nights, I think, in 2022) and would have enjoyed an extra day or two there. I spent 12 nights in Stockholm on that same trip and felt the visit was so incomplete that I returned for 5 more nights in 2023. I haven't been to the amusement park or Skansen; they don't really interest me, either.

Art museums in Stockholm: https://www.visitstockholm.com/see-do/attractions/art-museums/

I have no idea what your style is, but if you tell us a bit more about we might be able to give you better advice. But I think you are a bit unfair to Stockholm. Gamla Stan is a bit commercial in some parts, but if you leave Västerlånggatan it's much less commercial. And while the art museum in Gothenburg is great, I can really recommend it, there are many good museums in Stockholm as well.

That being said, Gothenburg is a lovely city and I can really recommend it! And regarding archipelagos, the Gothenburg archipelago is a bit smaller than Stockholm's, but it's prettier in my opinion and I'm very fond of it.

And with seven days, Copenhagen and Gothenburg seems like a good combination.

Go to Gothenburg. You won't regret it. I hereby prophesy that Gothenburg will resonate with you in the way you predict. The capital has no real city center and lacks the warm and friendly vibe you get on the west coast. 2 to 3 days will leave you satisfied. Copenhagen and Gothenburg. They go together well. The train journey from one to the other is superior (on the express train).