It's the small moments of happiness that often make a huge difference. That special tea, that extra chat with your girlfriend or a relaxing wellness day, just like that. The Scandinavian countries have led the way and brought the trend to Germany.
But what exactly is hygge? From a walk to an afternoon of crafting to a cosy visit to a café, it really can be anything you enjoy. Enjoy the moment, do something good for yourself and your loved ones. 11 Berlin inspirations for your own personal little happiness.
Tip 1: Enjoy the hygge feeling at the Lulu Guldsmeden Hotel
If you are longing for a little break in the middle of the city, the Lulu Guldsmeden Hotel is just the right retreat for you. Berlin's first hygge hotel from the Danish hotel group Guldsmeden combines Danish hygge with sustainable design: light-coloured wooden furniture, hammocks in the rooms and lots of lovely details will inspire you to create your very own boho style. Swings swing from the ceiling in the loft rooms and a green garden beckons in the backyard. And children and front doors are also welcome. For a relaxed start to the day, enjoy a delicious breakfast with mostly certified organic and local products.
When: daily, depending on availability
Where: Potsdamer Straße 67, Tiergarten
Tip 2: Come to rest in the Royal Garden Academy
A real garden paradise in the middle of Dahlem: At the Königliche Gartenakademie, you can relax among roses, fruit trees and flowering perennials, you can not only shop for lots of greenery for your hygge feeling at home, but also enjoy a cosy coffee. The charming café is idyllically located in the historic greenhouse and serves homemade cakes, small snacks and a large portion of peace and quiet. Of course, you can also sit in the beautiful garden. Especially nice: the view of the greenery and the feeling of escaping everyday life for a moment. Ideal for a summer getaway for two or with a friend.
Tip 3: Take a deep breath and go for a walk
In the heart of the city lies a green oasis that is enchanting at any time of year: the Großer Tiergarten. Here you can stroll for hours between old trees, enchanted waterways and tranquil meadows. A real insider tip in the Tiergarten is the Luiseninsel - an enchanted little place with winding paths and fragrant flowerbeds around the monument to Queen Luise. Surrounded by old trees and birdsong, the island almost seems to have fallen out of time. Pack a book or simply sit down on the nearest bench - and let the tranquillity take effect.
When: daily, all day
Where: Near Großer Stern, Tiergarten, Mitte
Audio walks are also particularly good for switching off and relaxing. So you can listen to some exciting stories while strolling through Berlin.
Tip 4: Pure deep relaxation - treat yourself to a wellness day
Want to escape from everyday life for a few hours? Then immerse yourself in the Far Eastern world of tranquillity at the vabali Spa Berlin. A Balinese wellness paradise with saunas, steam baths, pools and relaxation rooms awaits you just a few minutes from the main railway station - surrounded by lots of wood, natural stone and tropical greenery. Whether with a massage, in the warm water or on the sun terrace with a view of the greenery: you are guaranteed to relax here. A short holiday in the middle of Berlin.
You can also find many wonderful natural thermal baths around the capital, most of which are just a short train journey away:
Thermen
Tip 5: Find beautiful things for your home
Hygge is considered a Danish concept of happiness in this country. And Scandinavian design is naturally part of that. We have selected a few Berlin shops for you to browse and shop online. Let yourself be inspired and turn your home into a real feel-good place for a cosy winter.
You can find everything else you need to decorate your home according to the Danish hygge concept in the following Berlin shops:
- Hygge Interiør, Grolmanstraße 44-45, Charlottenburg
- Nordliebe Berlin, Goltzstraße 18, Schöneberg: Here you can shop online or on Instagram .
- Hartog nordisches Design, Knesebeckstraße 68, Charlottenburg
Tip 6: Visit a museum café
From the breathtaking view from the windows of the Restaurant Baret on the roof of the Humboldt Forum to the beautiful Café in the Bode Museum or the new Café W66 in the Museum of Communication: Berlin's museum cafés are perfect for a few cosy hours. With coffee, tea and delicious snacks, you can reflect on the exhibition you've just seen or simply take some time for your own thoughts and ideas.
Top 11 museum cafés
Tip 7: Relax during a yoga class in unusual places
Escape the hustle and bustle of the big city and find your balance during a yoga session above the rooftops of Berlin - for example on the roof of the Lobe Block in Wedding or on the spectacular viewing terrace of the THF Tower at the former Tempelhof Airport. But that's just the beginning: Berlin offers a variety of extraordinary yoga experiences in special places. How about yoga with sheep in an idyllic meadow? Or a deeply relaxing Savasana under the stars in the Zeiss Planetarium?
A special highlight for art and sound lovers:Inside is the Gong Bath in the exclusive Feuerle Collection - including a visit to the impressive art collection. You can also harmonise body, mind and art experience at the Kulturforum: Once a month, an inspiring Jivamukti yoga class takes place in the open air in the garden of the Neue Nationalgalerie.
When: Monday to Saturday, 10am - 8pm
Where: Prinzenstraße 85, Kreuzberg
Tip 8: Visit the Buddhist House in Berlin
You will find pure tranquillity when you visit the Buddhist House in Berlin. The house is considered the most important site of Buddhism in Western Europe. Everyone is welcome to visit the house and garden. Mindfulness seminars and meditations are also offered regularly.
If you are looking for other places of tranquillity, why not take a look at our page on sustainable Berlin. Here you will find tips for excursions to sustainable places as well as tips for vegan and sustainable restaurants and sustainable shopping options in Berlin.
Tip 9: Sweeten the moment with chocolate
What would life be without chocolate? Perfect for sweetening even the less pleasant moments - or making the nice ones a little sweeter. Although you can't currently sip hot chocolate on the spot or create the flavour of your own bar, many chocolate shops will deliver the sweet temptation directly to your home. Get inspired by our ultimate chocolate tips.
Tip 10: Working together in a nice atmosphere - coworking in Berlin
Coworking is all about sharing and community: If you want to do something good for your work ethic, motivation and general well-being on your laptop, then find a space in one of the many coworking spaces and coworking cafés in Berlin. Bring a little hygge into your working day!
Tip 11: Slowly watch the sun go down behind Tempelhofer Feld
There are few places in Berlin that convey as much space and freedom as Tempelhofer Feld - especially when the sun is slowly setting. Whether you're skating on the runway, picnicking in the grass or simply cycling towards the horizon, the golden evening sun bathes the huge area in magical light. The view across the open field, the sky in pink and orange - a perfect moment to take a deep breath. It's best to bring snacks and a blanket and stay until the stars come out.
Tip: Find out more about the Natur- und Freiraum Tempelhofer Feld listen to our podcast Berlin Unboxed.
When: daily, particularly atmospheric from around 8 pm (depending on the time of year)
Where: entrances e.g. Columbiadamm, Tempelhof
