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Det Gamle Apotek Copenhagen

Step off bustling Vimmelskaftet into a nostalgic world of Danish Christmas sparkle, romantic décor and gift-worthy treasures at Det Gamle Apotek Copenhagen.

4.3

Det Gamle Apotek Copenhagen is a whimsical gift and decoration shop on busy Vimmelskaftet in the heart of Copenhagen’s old town. Step inside and you enter a nostalgic world of Christmas ornaments, seasonal décor, candles, and pretty homeware, all arranged in richly styled corners that feel part fairy tale, part old-time general store. It’s an easy, atmospheric stop for finding distinctive Danish gifts just a few minutes from the city’s main sights.

A brief summary to Det Gamle Apotek Copenhagen

  • Vimmelskaftet 46, København K, København K, 1161, DK
  • +4551161818
  • Visit website
  • Duration: 0.5 to 1.5 hours
  • Mid ranged
  • Environment icon Indoor
  • Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
  • Monday 10 am-6 pm
  • Tuesday 10 am-6 pm
  • Wednesday 10 am-6 pm
  • Thursday 10 am-6 pm
  • Friday 10 am-6 pm
  • Saturday 10 am-6 pm
  • Sunday 10 am-4 pm

Local tips

  • Visit outside December if you prefer a quieter browse; in the weeks before Christmas the aisles can become very busy and space is tight.
  • Many items are delicate glass or ceramic, so ask staff for extra wrapping if you plan to carry purchases in hand luggage or continue travelling.
  • If you are hunting for seasonal pieces, check both ground-level displays and higher shelves; themed collections are often spread across several corners.
  • Combine a visit with a stroll along Strøget and nearby historic streets to balance atmospheric shopping with classic Copenhagen sightseeing.
  • Aim for mid-morning on weekdays for the best chance of browsing freely without the tighter crowds of late afternoon.
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Det Gamle Apotek Copenhagen location weather suitability

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A fairy-tale shop in Copenhagen’s old town

Det Gamle Apotek Copenhagen sits on pedestrian Vimmelskaftet, one of the central spines of the inner city, yet the atmosphere inside feels far removed from the bustle outside. The name means “The Old Pharmacy”, a nod to the brand’s original store in the southern Danish town of Tønder, where an old building was transformed into a nostalgic wonderland of decorations and curiosities. Here in Copenhagen, the same sense of storybook charm has been condensed into a compact but densely stocked shop right in the historic core. Once you step through the door, the light shifts and the sound of the street fades, replaced by soft music and the quiet clink of ornaments and glassware. Shelves rise almost to the ceiling, filled with decorative objects that make the room feel like a cross between an old apothecary and an attic full of heirlooms.

From Christmas dreams to year-round inspiration

The Det Gamle Apotek universe began in 1989 with a passion for Christmas, old buildings and furniture, and an urge to create a shop that felt like an adventure to visit. That festive DNA is still very much present in the Copenhagen branch. Even outside the winter season, you are likely to find baubles, garlands and figurines that look ready to adorn a Christmas tree in a Scandinavian living room. Over time, the range has grown beyond purely festive items. Today the shelves also carry candles, lanterns, vases, textiles, and small pieces of interior décor. Many pieces lean toward a romantic, slightly vintage aesthetic: muted pastels, antique-inspired finishes, and materials like glass, metal and wood that pick up the warm indoor light.

Wandering through a world of details

The Copenhagen store is not as vast as the original in Tønder, but it uses its space to maximum effect. Displays are grouped by colour or theme, so a corner might be dedicated to deep greens and golds, while another glows with whites and silvers. It invites slow browsing rather than quick in-and-out shopping. Even if you are not looking for anything specific, it is easy to linger, picking up small objects and discovering details you missed at first glance. Because of the central location, the shop naturally attracts many visitors who are exploring the nearby streets and landmarks. Yet the interior retains an intimate feel: narrow aisles, stacked shelves, and the occasional creak of the floorboards all add to the sense of entering a slightly secret space hidden inside a busy shopping street.

Souvenirs with a distinctly Danish flavour

For travellers, Det Gamle Apotek offers an alternative to mass-produced souvenirs. Instead of generic city trinkets, you are more likely to find candleholders, decorative objects and seasonal pieces that would not look out of place in a Danish home. Many designs reflect Nordic tastes for cosy lighting, soft colours and simple motifs drawn from nature, making them easy to integrate into your own interior once you return home. Prices range from small, affordable items such as ornaments and candles to more elaborate centrepieces and sets, so it is possible to pick up both modest gifts and more substantial decorative pieces. Because items are often delicate, it is worth taking a moment to ask for extra wrapping if you are travelling onwards with fragile finds.

Timing your visit and making it part of your day

The Copenhagen store usually follows straightforward hours, opening every day of the week with slightly shorter hours on Sundays. Being on a main pedestrian artery means you can easily combine a visit with other stops in the old town, whether you are heading toward the nearby historic squares or simply drifting along the shopping streets. Many people pause here between other sights, using the calm, warmly lit interior as a short visual break from the urban pace outside. At peak times during the run-up to Christmas, the shop can feel pleasantly crowded, with the aisles full of people searching for ornaments and gifts. Outside the festive season, it tends to be calmer, making it a comfortable place to stroll through at your own pace, notice the textures and colours, and perhaps find a piece that brings a little of Copenhagen’s cosy atmosphere back home with you.

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