Bornholm
3
Day Itinerary •
Denmark
Three days on Bornholm covers the essential experience of Denmark's extraordinary Baltic island. The remarkable Hammershus castle ruins, the largest medieval fortress in Scandinavia, the unique round churches found only on this island, the extraordinary smoked herring culture of Gudhjem and the finest beach in the Baltic at Dueodde make three days of remarkable Danish island life. This route concentrates on Bornholm's three finest experiences: the extraordinary northwest with Hammershus and the Hammeren headland, the remarkable north coast village of Gudhjem with its harbour smokehouse, and the outstanding south of the island with Dueodde beach and the beautiful town of Svaneke.
Best Time To Visit
May to September
Getting There
Fly to Ronne (RNN) or overnight ferry from Copenhagen
Getting Around
Rental car or cycling on the 230km cycle network
Budget Per Day
Approx 900 to 1,600 DKK per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, cliff walking and beach cycling
DAY 1
HAMMERSHUS AND THE NORTHWEST
MORNING
HAMMERSHUS, LARGEST MEDIEVAL CASTLE IN SCANDINAVIA
Hammershus, built around 1255 on a dramatic granite cliff above the Baltic, is the largest medieval fortress in Scandinavia and the most extraordinary ruin in Denmark. The remarkable great tower, the outstanding outer walls and the extraordinary Manteltarnet standing above the cliff give the finest castle ruin experience in the Danish kingdom. The view from the castle over the Hammeren headland, the Baltic and the distant Swedish coast is outstanding. Entry free. Drive: 30 min drive from Ronne
MIDDAY
HAMMEREN GRANITE HEADLAND
The Hammeren headland immediately north of Hammershus is the most extraordinary natural landscape on Bornholm. The remarkable ancient granite boulders, the extraordinary Hammersort lake beside the sea, the outstanding views of the Ertholmene islands and the remarkable walking paths through the heather and granite of the headland are all outstanding. The combination of Hammershus above and the extraordinary headland below is the finest experience in northwest Bornholm. Free. Drive: 15 min walk
AFTERNOON
JONS KAPEL CLIFF WALK
Jons Kapel on the northwest coast is the finest cliff walk on Bornholm, its remarkable granite path above the Baltic passing extraordinary sea stacks and rock formations. The extraordinary cave of Jons Kapel, where a monk is said to have preached to the fishermen below, gives the finest coastal view on the west coast. The walk from the car park takes about 45 minutes each way through the most remarkable coastal scenery on the island. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Madsebakke rock carvings near Allinge, the largest Bronze Age rock art site in Denmark with remarkable ship and footprint carvings from 1500 BC, are the finest prehistoric rock art on Bornholm. Entry free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Ronne hotel or bakery Good breakfast before the Hammershus drive. | Lunch: Hammershus cafe or Sandvig harbour Simple lunch after the extraordinary castle. | Dinner: Allinge harbour restaurant Excellent Bornholm seafood in the finest north coast village.
DAY 2
ROUND CHURCH, GUDHJEM AND THE NORTH COAST
MORNING
OSTERLARS ROUND CHURCH
Osterlars Church, the largest and finest of Bornholm's four extraordinary round churches found nowhere else in Denmark, is the most remarkable medieval building on the island. The extraordinary whitewashed circular tower from around 1150, the remarkable interior with its central stone pillar, the outstanding medieval frescoes and the defensive upper storey used as a refuge against pirates give the best understanding of these unique buildings. Entry approx 20 DKK. Drive: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
GUDHJEM HARBOUR AND SMOKEHOUSE
Gudhjem, the most beautiful village on Bornholm, climbs a remarkable rocky promontory above the finest harbour on the island. The extraordinary Gudhjem Rogeri smokehouse produces the finest smoked herring in Denmark, its remarkable alder wood smoking process creating the outstanding Sol over Gudhjem, the traditional dish of smoked herring on rye with raw egg yolk. Eating it on the harbour with the Baltic below is the finest Bornholm experience. Smokehouse free. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
HELLIGDOMSKLIPPERNE CLIFF BOAT TRIP
The Helligdomsklipperne, the Holy Domain Rocks north of Gudhjem, are the finest cliff formation on the Bornholm north coast. The remarkable boat trip from Gudhjem harbour passes the extraordinary cliff faces, the remarkable sea caves and overhangs and the outstanding rock formations of the north coast that are inaccessible on foot. The extraordinary Baltic light on the granite cliffs in the afternoon is outstanding. Boat approx 100 DKK.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Bornholm Art Museum above Allinge, purpose-built overlooking the Baltic and the Ertholmene islands, has the finest collection of Bornholm painters and ceramics in a remarkable modern building. Entry approx 100 DKK.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Gudhjem or north coast hotel Morning breakfast in the most beautiful village on Bornholm. | Lunch: Gudhjem Rogeri Sol over Gudhjem smoked herring on the most beautiful harbour. | Dinner: Restaurant Ladeloft, Gudhjem The finest modern Bornholm cuisine on the north coast.
DAY 3
DUEODDE BEACH AND SVANEKE
MORNING
DUEODDE, THE FINEST BEACH IN THE BALTIC
Dueodde at the southern tip of Bornholm has the finest beach in the Baltic Sea, its extraordinary white sand so fine it was historically used in hourglasses. The remarkable beach stretches for kilometres backed by ancient pine forest with the open Baltic ahead. The Dueodde lighthouse, the tallest in Denmark at 47 metres, gives the finest panoramic view of the southern Baltic and the Bornholm coastline from the top. Lighthouse entry approx 10 DKK. Drive: 45 min drive
MIDDAY
SVANEKE, THE MOST BEAUTIFUL TOWN ON BORNHOLM
Svaneke on the northeast coast is one of the finest small towns in Denmark, its extraordinary collection of half-timbered merchants' houses from the 18th and 19th centuries, the remarkable harbour with its traditional boats, the outstanding Svaneke Bryghus craft brewery and the extraordinary Svaneke Rogeri smokehouse all outstanding. Walking the remarkable cobbled streets of Svaneke is the finest town experience on Bornholm. Free. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
EAST COAST AND ISLAND FAREWELL
The east coast road from Svaneke south through the extraordinary Baltic landscape passes the remarkable Balka Bay beach, the fine Nexo harbour and the outstanding Snogebaek fishing village with its extraordinary half-timbered fishermen's houses. The final drive back to Ronne for the ferry or flight passes through the remarkable Almindingen forest interior, the finest farewell to the extraordinary Sunshine Island of Denmark. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Hammershus at the golden hour before sunset, when the castle walls glow in the low Baltic light and the sea below turns golden, is the most extraordinary sight on Bornholm. Return via Hammershus for a final farewell view. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Gudhjem hotel Good breakfast before the south Bornholm drive. | Lunch: Svaneke Rogeri The finest smoked herring in the most beautiful town on Bornholm. | Dinner: Final dinner, Ronne or Svaneke Farewell to the finest island in the Danish kingdom.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Ronne, Night 1 Island capital, best for arrival. Approx 700 to 1,200 DKK per night. Gudhjem or Sandvig, Nights 2 to 3 Most beautiful north coast villages. Approx 700 to 1,300 DKK. Summer booking Book at least 6 weeks ahead. Bornholm fills completely in July.
Top Tips
1. Eat smoked herring at Gudhjem Rogeri. The finest in Denmark and the essential Bornholm experience.
2. Hammershus at sunset is the most extraordinary castle ruin experience in Scandinavia.
3. Dueodde beach has the finest white sand in the Baltic. The sand is so fine it was used in hourglasses.
4. The round churches of Bornholm are found nowhere else in Denmark. Visit Osterlars as the finest.
5. Bornholm has 230km of cycle paths. Cycling the north coast is the finest way to see the island.
6. Book accommodation 6 weeks ahead in summer. The island fills completely in July.
Total Budget
1,200 to 2,200 DKK/day