⚠️ Timetables, opening hours, prices and access conditions may change without notice, for reasons beyond our control (season, weather, decisions by operators, venues or local authorities). Before every trip, check the information with the relevant authorities and service providers. Entry requirements and local rules (reserves, quotas) are subject to the same caveat.
Alone in the Baltic Sea, closer to Sweden than to Copenhagen, Bornholm packs the whole Nordic range into a small space: granite cliffs in the north, Almindingen forest in the middle, the white sand of Dueodde in the south. Visitors come for the round churches, the ruined fortress of Hammershus, the herring smokehouses and the colourful harbours of Gudhjem and Svaneke.
From northern granite to southern sand
Northern Bornholm is a granite coast. Around the Hammeren headland and the Helligdomsklipperne rocks, trails follow the cliffs between Sandvig, Allinge and Gudhjem. Small coves serve as bathing spots, with ladders and jetties. This is the wildest part of the island and best explored on foot or by bike.
In the middle, Almindingen forest covers the island's high ground, with lakes, valleys and forest tracks. The south looks quite different: dunes, pine woods and long beaches of very fine sand at Dueodde and Balka, with shallow water. A network of cycle paths links it all, and distances stay short.
Round churches and fortresses
Bornholm has four medieval round churches, built both for worship and as refuges. The largest and oldest, Østerlars, is thought to date from around 1150; its upper floors and wall paintings can be visited. The others stand at Nylars, Olsker and Nyker, and all are still parish churches.
In the north, the Hammershus ruins sit on a rock about 70 m above the sea: it is the largest castle ruin in Northern Europe, with a free visitor centre. From Gudhjem, a boat sails to the Christiansø archipelago, a 17th-century naval fortress that is still inhabited.
Smoked herring, local produce and workshops
The white chimneys of the smokehouses have marked the coast since the 19th century. Herring is smoked over alder wood and served warm or as « Sol over Gudhjem », on rye bread with a raw egg yolk and chives. Most smokehouses open from Easter to mid-October, with a shop and a harbourside terrace.
The island also has a seasonal cuisine built on its vegetables, lamb and fish, up to a Michelin-starred restaurant. Svaneke and Gudhjem are home to many ceramic and glass-blowing workshops open to visitors. The Bornholms Kunstmuseum shows the painters drawn here by the light.
Essentials & your questions
| Getting there | Fly to Copenhagen (CPH), then take a DAT flight to Rønne (RNN, about 40 min) or travel to Ystad (Sweden) for the Bornholmslinjen fast ferry (about 1 h 20). Other ferries: the overnight Køge–Rønne and Sassnitz (Germany)–Rønne. |
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| Best time to go | May to September for swimming, hiking and cycling. Many smokehouses, restaurants and sights open from Easter to mid-October; winter is very quiet. |
| Currency | Danish krone (DKK). Bank cards are accepted almost everywhere; a few small shops prefer the MobilePay app or cash. |
| Language | Danish, with a strong Bornholm accent. English is widely spoken, and German is often understood in tourism. |
| Entry requirements | Denmark is in the EU and the Schengen area: a valid ID card or passport is enough. Keep it with you if travelling via Sweden (Ystad), as spot checks are possible. |
How do I get to Bornholm from abroad?
The easiest way is to fly to Copenhagen, then take a DAT flight to Rønne or travel to Ystad for the fast ferry. From Germany, a ferry runs from Sassnitz.
Do I need a car on the island?
No. Buses link the towns and a large network of cycle paths covers the island. A car is still handy to combine the north, the forest and the southern beaches.
How many days should I plan?
Allow four to seven days: Hammershus and the north coast, the round churches, Gudhjem and Svaneke, Almindingen forest, Dueodde and a day trip to Christiansø.
Photo: Hans-Peter Balfanz, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons