Finding Hygge in Copenhagen

Sweater season, leaf peeping, and pumpkin spice everything.

There are two types of people in the world: those who love fall and those who, well, don’t. For most of my life, I have fallen squarely into the latter camp. The shorter days felt dreary. The chill in the air added to that feeling. The constant reminder that winter was just around the corner intensified it. But then, we experienced Denmark and finding hygge changed my feelings about the fall months.

Finding Hygge in Denmark

I went to Copenhagen last year with Payton, and while there we discovered hygge.

What is Hygge?

Before my trip, I’d heard the term, of course. It’s a word that has made its way into English, often described as a cozy feeling or a Danish concept of contentment. Hygge isn’t just a trend; it’s a deeply ingrained way of life that has evolved over centuries.

The Danes, being practical people, have long had to contend with long, dark winters, not unlike Canadians to be honest. The concept of hygge was born out of a necessity to create comfort and well-being in the face of harsh conditions. It’s about more than just lighting a candle and putting on a sweater. It’s about creating a safe, warm space—both physically and mentally—where you can connect with loved ones and find joy in the simple things.

About Warmth and Slowing Down

In its earliest forms, hygge was about gathering around a fireplace with a simple meal after a day of hard work. It was about shared warmth and conversation, a moment of respite from the cold. As Danish society evolved, so did hygge. It moved from a basic need for warmth to a conscious practice of creating a pleasant atmosphere. The Industrial Revolution brought more structured work schedules and a greater separation between work and home life. Hygge became a way to cherish that home time, to create a sanctuary where the stresses of the day could melt away.

And that’s exactly what I experienced in Copenhagen. I arrived in October, ready to brace myself for the autumnal gloom. But what I found was anything but gloomy. The city was aglow, with the gentle reflection of streetlights on the water. Even the air seemed to hum with a certain kind of warmth. People were bundled in stylish knitwear, walking along the docks and laughing.

Everywhere you look, there’s an invitation to stop, sit a bit, wrap yourself in a blanket and huddle on a patio near a heat lamp. Patio season seems never-ending and not deterred by the weather. Nowhere was that more apparent than in the marina area of Nyhavn.

On a damp windy afternoon while exploring and getting in all of our steps, we took refuge outside on the patios lining the water in Nyhavvn. Here despite the weather there are more people dining outside that in, and if you know me at all then you know how much that appeals to me.

Danish Food

With open faced sandwiches to sample and blankets for both of us, we curled up and enjoyed as a busker played music near the water. It was a simple moment, but it was profoundly hyggelig.

Finding hygge was for me more about finding comfort and a way to enjoy the outdoors in any weather, either with or without company. Hygge isn’t about being extravagant. It’s about finding comfort in the small things. It’s about being present, about appreciating the moment. Maybe that’s a latte and a Danish pastry in a quiet cafe. Or savouring the sounds of buskers playing music as you enjoy an open faced sandwich. It’s about slowing down.

I came back from my trip with a bit of a new perspective on fall. I still don’t love the shorter days, but now I know how to find the warmth within them. Lighting candles, putting on a warm drink of tea, or a latte to and a soft sweater helps me to get through the season I used to truly hate. Now, I enjoy the quiet moments. Hygge taught me fall doesn’t have to be a season to be endured; it can be a season to relish.

The idea of hygge is comforting in itself. Even when the world outside feels cold and dark, you can find ways to adapt and enjoy the world right where you are.