The Scandinavian Art of 'Hygge’
As a born and bred Norwegian, my personal definition of 'hygge' is the art of enjoying quality time by yourself or with family and friends.
Hygge is one of those Scandinavian words that doesn't have a perfect English translation. ‘Cosiness’ comes close, but it doesn't quite capture it. For me, hygge is about enjoying where you are and who you're with, without feeling that you need to be somewhere else.
Growing up in Norway, I’ve always associated hygge with fairly ordinary things. Curling up under a blanket with a good book on a rainy Sunday. Peeling (and eating!) fresh prawns on a pier during a bright summer evening by the coast with family. Sitting around a friend's kitchen table over coffee and homemade waffles, with the conversation going on long after everyone has finished eating.
None of these things are particularly complicated. That is part of the appeal.
Hygge is a Danish and Norwegian word, although the idea has become closely associated with Scandinavian life more broadly. It can describe the atmosphere of a place, the feeling of being comfortable with other people, or simply the pleasure of taking time to enjoy something. It can happen at home, in a café, at a cabin or outside in nature.
For me, it is less about creating the perfect cosy setting and more about being present enough to enjoy it.
Hygge, the Norwegian way
Some of my favourite examples of hygge are connected to being outdoors. In Norway, we tend to make the most of the seasons rather than waiting for perfect weather.
A winter day might mean skiing, walking through the snow or spending time outdoors with family before returning to a warm cabin. There is something particularly satisfying about taking off your boots, making a hot drink and settling in after being outside in the cold.
In summer, hygge moves outdoors. Along the coast, it might be fresh seafood on a pier, a barbecue with friends or simply sitting outside late into the evening. In northern Norway, the Midnight Sun changes the rhythm of the day altogether. When it is still light late at night, there is little reason to hurry home.
The same goes for a cabin stay. A cabin doesn't need to be luxurious to be hyggelig. Often, the best part is the simplicity: cooking together, playing cards, reading, talking or looking out at the landscape.
This combination of time outdoors followed by time to relax is something I particularly associate with Norwegian life.
Food is part of the experience
For me, hygge often goes hand in hand with something good to eat.
Nordic food tends to make the most of local produce and whatever is in season. Waffles are a good example. In Norway, they are often served with sour cream and jam, brown cheese or fresh berries. They are equally welcome after a walk, at a café or around a friend's kitchen table.
Then there are prawns in summer. Buy them fresh, find somewhere by the water, add some bread and mayonnaise and sit down with family or friends. There is no need to make it complicated.
You'll find plenty of other Nordic favourites too, from open sandwiches to smoked and pickled fish. What I enjoy most is the social side of it. A coffee can easily turn into a long conversation, and a meal can last much longer than expected.
Perhaps that is why food and hygge seem to go together so naturally.
'Hygge' during a Nordic Christmas
We can't talk about hygge without Christmas. For many people across Scandinavia, it is one of the cosiest times of the year.
Christmas is about family, catching up with friends, good food and taking a break from the usual routine. Homes are decorated with candles and warm lights, meals are shared around the table and there is usually more time for the people you don't see as often during the year.
For many Norwegians, Christmas also means heading to the family cabin in the forest or mountains. A day outside in the snow followed by a warm meal and an evening by the fire is difficult to beat.
But the nicest thing about Christmas hygge is that it isn't really about the decorations or having the perfect home. It is about having nowhere else you need to be.
Finding hygge while travelling
You don't need to be Norwegian to appreciate hygge, and you certainly don't need to recreate a Scandinavian living room to experience it.
When travelling through Scandinavia, some of the nicest moments can be the unplanned ones. Stop for coffee because a café looks inviting. Stay a little longer over lunch. Spend an afternoon enjoying your accommodation rather than rushing off to the next sight. If you're staying somewhere surrounded by nature, go outside and enjoy it, then come back in and get comfortable.
That is one of the reasons I enjoy travelling in the Nordic countries. There is usually plenty to see and do, but there is also room to take your time.
Our journeys to Scandinavia and Finland offer plenty of opportunities to experience the region this way, whether you're enjoying Nordic food, spending time in nature or simply settling into the rhythm of a new place.
For me, that is what hygge really means: enjoying the simple things, and giving yourself enough time to notice them.
About the author
Selma Tøgersen is Norwegian and works in marketing at 50 Degrees North. She grew up in Norway and has lived in several countries, including the U.S., Switzerland, Brazil, Singapore and the UK. She writes about the Nordic region for 50 Degrees North, drawing on her local roots and international travel experience to create content that is both authentic and practical for readers planning their own journeys. Read more about Selma.