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What is a 'hytte' and how does it differ from a holiday home?

The term hytte comes from the German word hütte , meaning "a simple wooden house", making it a fitting description for the tiny cabins Norwegians have traditionally built near the sea or in the mountain areas. The first hytter began appearing in the early 20th century. They offered only basic amenities: a fireplace, but no electricity or running water, and were intended as simple starting points for outdoor adventures like skiing and hiking. These cabins reflect Norwegians' deep love for nature and outdoor life. Today, there are nearly 450,000 hytter in Norway—roughly one for every ten people. On average, each is used about 50 days per year, primarily on weekends and during holidays. While both a hytte and a holiday home serve as escapes from everyday life, they differ significantly in culture and function. Hytter are often passed down through generations and typically undergo little modernization. Advertisement Originally, hytter had no running water or electricity. Some older cabins now feature solar panels for electricity and portable toilets, but their interiors often remain simple. A common decorative feature is the klokkestreng —an elongated wool tapestry with traditional Norwegian motifs. Moreover, hytter are often located away from populated areas, which means owners arrive with enough food and supplies to last the entire stay. Modern hytter can be quite flashy, architect-designed buildings. Photo: T Kleiven/Visit Norway However, more modern hytter built over the last years sometimes resemble two-story villas, complete with flat-screen TVs, jacuzzis, and fully equipped bathrooms. These are often large enough to host extended families, especially for holidays like Christmas or New Year's. The cost of building or buying a new hytte has become prohibitively high. As a result, many young couples looking for a retreat in nature are starting to co-own these cabins with other families or couples, rotating usage time among themselves. Even if you do not own a hytte there are different ways you can access them and experience life in touch with nature. Some hytte owners rent their cabins on the website for when they do not plan to access them. The Norwegian Trekking Association (Den Norske Turistforening) manages 600 hytter across the country, making them accessible to anyone for affordable prices. If you're fortunate, your employer might have a company hytte which is available for employees to book for weekend getaways or vacations.