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: Find healing moments in the museum
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 meditation sessions are also offered regularly.
If you are looking for more places of tranquillity, then take a look at the website of the Berlin State Museums. There you will find mindfulness exercises and meditation sessions that will help you find peace during a visit to the sculpture collection of the beautiful Bode Museum.
Tip 2: Pure deep relaxation on a wellness day
Want to escape everyday life for a few hours? Then immerse yourself in the Far Eastern world of tranquillity at Liquidrom or vabali Spa Berlin. Just a few minutes from the main railway station, a Balinese wellness paradise awaits you with saunas, steam baths, pools and relaxation rooms – nestled in 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 countryside: you are guaranteed to find peace here. A short break in the middle of Berlin.
There are also many beautiful natural thermal baths around the capital, most of which are only a short train ride away:
Thermal baths
Tip 3: Enjoy a hygge feeling at the Lulu Guldsmeden Hotel
If you're 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 wood furniture, hammocks in the rooms and lots of lovely details will inspire you to create your very own boho style.
The loft rooms feature swings hanging from the ceiling, and there is a green garden in the backyard. Children and pets 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 4: Take a deep breath and go for a walk
Right in the heart of the city lies an oasis that enchants visitors in every season: the Großer Tiergarten. Here you can stroll for hours among old trees, enchanted waterways and peaceful meadows. A real insider tip in the Tiergarten is Luiseninsel – an enchanting little place with winding paths and fragrant flower beds surrounding the monument to Queen Luise. Surrounded by old trees and birdsong, the island seems almost timeless. Pack a thermos flask with tea, linger a while and let the tranquillity work its magic.
Tip: In our Berlin Unboxed podcast, we take you on a discovery tour of the Tiergarten together with Berlin wildlife officer Dirk Ehlert. Have a listen and come along!
When: daily, all day
Where: Near Großer Stern, Tiergarten, Mitte
Tip 5: Visit a museum café
From the breathtaking view from the windows of the Baret restaurant on the roof of the Humboldt Forum to the beautiful café in the Bode Museum, the cosy café in Fotografiska or the new Café W66 in the Museum for Communication: Berlin's museum cafés are perfect for a few cosy hours. Over coffee, tea and delicious snacks, you can reflect on the exhibition you've just seen or simply take time for your own thoughts and ideas.
Top 11 museum cafés
Tip 6: Relax with a yoga class under the stars
Escape the hustle and bustle of the big city and find your balance with a yoga session in one of Berlin's beautiful studios, all of which offer drop-in classes for visitors. In addition, Berlin offers a variety of extraordinary yoga experiences in special locations, such as the Musical Instrument Museum. Or how about a deeply relaxing Savasana under the starry sky at the Zeiss Großplanetarium?
A special highlight for art and sound lovers is the Gong Bath in the exclusive Feuerle Collection – including a visit to the impressive art collection.
When: Yoga under the stars on Fridays at 2 p.m. and 3.30 p.m., once a month
Where: Prenzlauer Allee 80, Pankow
Tip 7: Find peace at the Royal Garden Academy
A real garden paradise in the middle of Dahlem: even in wintery Berlin, you can enjoy a cosy cup of coffee surrounded by greenery in the historic greenhouse at the Royal Garden Academy. The charming café serves homemade cakes, small snacks and a large portion of tranquillity. Particularly beautiful: the view of the wonderful gardens and the feeling of escaping everyday life for a moment. Ideal for a summer outing for two or with friends.
Tip 8: 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 where you can browse and shop online. Be inspired and turn your home into a real feel-good place for a cosy winter.
Everything else you need to beautify your cosy home according to the Danish hygge concept can be found in the following Berlin shops:
- Hygge Interiør, Grolmanstraße 44-45, Charlottenburg
- Nordliebe Berlin, Goltzstraße 18, Schöneberg
- Hartog nordisches Design, Knesebeckstraße 68, Charlottenburg
Tip 9: Sweeten the moment with chocolate
What would life be without chocolate? Perfect for sweetening even the less pleasant moments – or making the pleasant ones even sweeter. Although you can't currently sip hot chocolate on site or create your own chocolate bar flavour, many chocolate shops will deliver this sweet temptation directly to your door. Be inspired by our ultimate chocolate tips.
Tip 10: Working together in a beautiful atmosphere – coworking in Berlin
Coworking focuses on exchange and community: if you want to do something good for your work ethic, motivation and general well-being on your laptop, then find a place in one of the numerous coworking spaces and coworking cafés in Berlin. This will bring a little hygge into your everyday working life!
Tip 11: Watch the sun slowly set behind Tempelhofer Feld
Hardly any other place in Berlin conveys as much space and freedom as Tempelhofer Feld – especially when the sun slowly sets. Whether you go for a walk, rent cross-country skis or kites, or cycle towards the horizon, the winter 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.
When: daily, especially atmospheric from around 5 p.m. (depending on the season)
Where: entrances, e.g. Columbiadamm, Tempelhof
