Hygge (hue-guh) is a Danish word that has taken the world by storm meaning to acknowledge the charming or special feeling whether you’re alone or with friends, at home or not. Doesn’t that sound so cosy? Why not go straight to the source of hygge and have a trip that’s centred on it?
Denmark is a wonderful country to visit any time of the year. We highly recommend visiting Denmark during spring and summer when the snow melts and the flowers come out in full bloom. July is usually the hottest month with temperatures of between 12.9° Celcius and 21.2° Celsius.
Copenhagen
Located in Copenhagen, Tivoli Gardens is one of the most visited attractions and with good reason. This is a great destination especially if you are on a trip with your whole family. There is a beautiful and relaxing garden full to bursting with beautiful flowers and perennials, perfect for a stroll. For the kids, there’s the theme park to delight them and if your children are still little, check out Petzi’s World which has 40 activities for them.
For the classic view of Denmark, Old Nyhavn port is the best place to end your day especially if you’re there on a honeymoon. See the sunset with your sweetheart and stroll hand in hand while checking out the renovated old houses and restaurants that populate the old port. The relaxed atmosphere is coupled with jazz music and amazing food. If you’re a fan of fairy tales, the great Danish writer, Hans Christian Andersen used to live at number 20 right here!
Foodie find: Rød pølse (red sausage) resembles a hot dog where the rød pølse is served inside a fresh bun with ketchup and mustard.
Aarhus
This is Denmark’s second-largest city and is bursting with galleries, restaurants and cafes. Check out ARoS Aarhus Art museum (www.aros.dk/en) and Kunsthal Aarhus (kunsthalaarhus.dk/en/Front) for an extra cultural trip. These museums showcase contemporary art which could provide a different perspective or even change your mind about art.
Foodie find: Frikadeller are Danish meatballs which are typically fried with butter. Pair them with boiled potatoes.
The Old Town museum (www.dengamleby.dk/en/den-gamle-by) is also a must-visit because it’s an open-air museum made up of 75 historic houses relocated from all around Denmark. Discover how Denmark was like when the streets were still cobblestone in the 1900s and while making your way through the museum, you’ll see the scenery change when it ‘enters’ the 1920s and also the 1970s.
If you’d like to wind down, walk around the Latin quarter and sip on some amazing coffee at Great Coffee (stillerscoffee.dk) or perhaps have a naughty glass of wine at Vindanmark (www.vindanmark.com) in the city centre which has more places to chill and experience hygge.
Odense
Odense is a picture perfect city that’s around 90 minutes west of Copenhagen. This is where Hans Christian Andersen was born and you can even go on a tour of his childhood home. Charge up your camera and make sure you have spare memory cards because this is where you can get great shots with their pretty alleyways. Remember to stop by Restaurant Under Lindetræet (www.facebook.com/Underlindetraet) to try Scandinavian delicacies too!
Aalborg
Did you know that the Sydney Opera House was designed by a Dane? The Utzon Centre is where Jørn Utzon’s works and exhibitions of Nordic architecture and design are proudly displayed. The centre also overlooks the Limfjord on the waterfront!
Foodie find: Head to The Lighthouse (www.facebook.com/aalborgstreetfoodmarked), which used to be a furniture factory now Aalborg’s first permanent street food market.
If hygge is what you’re hunting for, look no further than staying at a Danish holiday cottage. Reset yourself among the dunes and go back to nature. Depending on your travel style, make your way to North Jutland which is an island, separated from mainland Denmark by Limfjord. Bike your way here with your backpack and soak up as much of the Danish lifestyle as you can. Eat Danish food and enjoy simple Danish design while having the space and freedom to rest and relax. Check out websites such as Novasol (www.novasol.dk), DanCenter (www.dancenter.com) or Airbnb (www.airbnb.com) to book your next Danish cottage holiday.
References: Culture Trip; Visit Copenhagen; Visit Denmark.
