Bornholm
5
Day Itinerary •
Denmark
Five days on Bornholm, Denmark's Baltic island, gives you time to explore the most extraordinary island in the Danish kingdom. Closer to Sweden and Poland than to Copenhagen, Bornholm has an entirely different character: its extraordinary granite cliffs on the north coast, the remarkable round churches unique to this island, the fine medieval Hammershus castle ruins and the outstanding smoked herring culture make it unlike anywhere else in Denmark. This route covers the complete Bornholm experience. The extraordinary Hammershus castle, the largest medieval fortress in Scandinavia, the remarkable Hammeren granite headland, the extraordinary north coast cliff walk, the fine half-timbered town of Ronne, the remarkable Almindingen forest and the outstanding Dueodde sand beach of southern Bornholm.
Best Time To Visit
May to September
Getting There
Fly to Ronne (RNN) or overnight ferry from Copenhagen
Getting Around
Rental car or cycling. Bornholm has excellent cycle paths
Budget Per Day
Approx 900 to 1,600 DKK per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate, cliff walking and cycling
DAY 1
RONNE, HASLE AND JONS KAPEL
MORNING
RONNE OLD TOWN AND HARBOUR
Ronne, the capital of Bornholm, has the most extraordinary well-preserved old town on the island, its remarkable network of cobbled streets lined with half-timbered yellow and red houses, the outstanding Ronne Museum in the old courthouse and the remarkable Kastellet fort from 1693 all outstanding. The extraordinary Ronne harbour, the busiest in Denmark after Copenhagen, and the remarkable view of the Baltic from the harbour mole are both outstanding. Entry museum approx 65 DKK. Drive: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
HASLE SMOKEHOUSE AND THE WEST COAST
Hasle on the west coast has the most extraordinary traditional herring smokehouse on Bornholm, its remarkable alder wood smokehouses producing the finest smoked herring in Denmark since the 19th century. Eating freshly smoked herring on rye bread beside the remarkable Hasle harbour is the finest lunch experience on the island. The extraordinary west coast road from Ronne to Hasle passes through the remarkable Baltic coastal landscape. Free. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
JONS KAPEL CLIFF WALK
Jons Kapel on the northwest Bornholm coast is the most extraordinary cliff walk on the island, its remarkable granite cliff path above the Baltic passing sea stacks and dramatic rock formations with the open sea below. The extraordinary cave of Jons Kapel, a natural amphitheatre where a monk is said to have preached, gives the finest coastal view on the west coast. The walk from the car park takes about 45 minutes each way on the finest coastal path on Bornholm. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Ronne Library, a remarkable 1950s building with the finest collection of Bornholm art and a remarkable reading room overlooking the Baltic, is one of the finest public buildings on the island. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Ronne bakery or hotel Good breakfast on arrival in the island capital. | Lunch: Hasle Rogeri smokehouse The finest smoked herring in Denmark at the extraordinary harbour smokehouse. | Dinner: Ronne harbour restaurant Excellent Baltic seafood on the island capital harbour.
DAY 2
HAMMERSHUS AND THE NORTHWEST
MORNING
HAMMERSHUS CASTLE
Hammershus, the largest medieval fortress in Scandinavia, stands on a dramatic granite cliff above the Baltic in the most extraordinary natural setting of any castle in Denmark. Built by the Archbishop of Lund around 1255, the remarkable ruins of the great tower, the extraordinary outer walls and the remarkable Manteltarnet tower are all outstanding. The view from the castle over the Baltic and the Hammeren headland is the finest in Bornholm. Entry free. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
HAMMEREN GRANITE HEADLAND
The Hammeren headland at the very northwest tip of Bornholm is the most extraordinary natural landscape on the island. The remarkable ancient granite, the extraordinary Hammersort lake right beside the sea, the outstanding views of the Ertholmene islands offshore and the remarkable walking paths through the heather and granite boulders of the headland all combine to make it the finest walking territory on Bornholm. Entry free. Drive: 15 min walk
AFTERNOON
SANDVIG AND ALLINGE VILLAGES
Sandvig and Allinge, the twin fishing villages below Hammershus, are the finest small villages on the north coast of Bornholm. The extraordinary Sandvig harbour with its remarkable traditional fishing boats, the outstanding half-timbered houses of Allinge and the fine Bornholm Art Museum just above Allinge are all remarkable. The Bornholm Art Museum has the finest collection of Bornholm painters in a remarkable purpose-built building above the sea. Entry approx 100 DKK.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Madsebakke rock carvings near Allinge, the largest Bronze Age rock carving site in Denmark with remarkable ship, footprint and cup-mark carvings from 1500 BC, are the finest prehistoric rock art on Bornholm. Entry free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Ronne hotel or cafe Good breakfast before the Hammershus drive northwest. | Lunch: Hammershus cafe or picnic Simple lunch at the most extraordinary castle ruin in Scandinavia. | Dinner: Allinge harbour restaurant Outstanding Bornholm seafood in the finest north coast village.
DAY 3
ROUND CHURCH, GUDHJEM AND EAST COAST
MORNING
OSTERLARS ROUND CHURCH
Osterlars Church is the finest of Bornholm's four extraordinary round churches, its remarkable whitewashed circular tower from around 1150 being the largest and best preserved of the unique round church form found only on this island. The remarkable interior with its extraordinary central pillar, the outstanding medieval frescoes and the remarkable defensive upper storey give the best understanding of these extraordinary 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 hill above the finest harbour on the island. The extraordinary half-timbered houses painted in warm colours, the remarkable Gudhjem smokehouse producing the finest smoked herring on the island and the outstanding Bornholm Museum with its extraordinary collection of island history make it the finest half day on the north coast. The harbour with its remarkable wooden boats and the Baltic below is outstanding. Smokehouse free. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
SLUSEGAARD AND THE EAST COAST ROAD
The east coast road from Gudhjem south through the extraordinary Baltic coastal landscape, the remarkable Slusegaard Bronze Age burial field and the outstanding sandy beach at Balka Bay give the finest drive on Bornholm. The extraordinary Slusegaard site with its remarkable 2,000-year-old burial mounds and the outstanding view of the Swedish coast on clear days are both remarkable. The east coast has the warmest swimming waters on the island. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary 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 to the extraordinary caves and overhangs gives the finest view of the rocky coastline. Boat approx 100 DKK.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Gudhjem or Sandvig hotel North coast breakfast in the finest village on Bornholm. | Lunch: Gudhjem Rogeri The finest smoked herring lunch in Bornholm's most beautiful harbour. | Dinner: Restaurant Ladeloft, Gudhjem Outstanding modern Bornholm cuisine in the finest harbour village.
DAY 4
ALMINDINGEN FOREST AND SOUTH COAST
MORNING
ALMINDINGEN FOREST AND EKKODALEN
Almindingen, the largest forest in Denmark outside Jutland covering one seventh of Bornholm, is the most extraordinary inland landscape on the island. The remarkable Ekkodalen valley, a long narrow gorge in the extraordinary Bornholm granite where sounds echo in a remarkable way, and the outstanding Rytterknagten tower giving the finest panoramic view of the entire island and the Baltic are both outstanding. Entry tower free. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
NEXO AND THE EAST COAST
Nexo on the southeast coast is the finest harbour town on the east side of Bornholm, its remarkable rebuilt post-war architecture giving it a distinctive character. The extraordinary Nexo Museum with its remarkable collection of local history and the outstanding Dueodde beach beginning just south of the town are both outstanding. The east coast from Nexo to Snogebaek has the warmest and most sheltered swimming waters on the island. Entry museum approx 40 DKK. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
SNOGEBAEK AND THE SOUTH COAST
Snogebaek on the south coast of Bornholm has the most extraordinary traditional half-timbered fishermen's houses on the island, its remarkable painted wooden houses in the extraordinary Baltic coastal setting being unlike anything else in Denmark. The outstanding fishing harbour and the remarkable collection of traditional boats make it the finest hidden gem on the south coast. The extraordinary Baltic light on the south coast in the afternoon is outstanding. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Paradisbakkerne, the Paradise Hills of central Bornholm, is the most remarkable heathland landscape on the island. The remarkable granite outcrops, the outstanding heather in late summer and the extraordinary Baltic views make it the finest walking territory in the island interior. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Gudhjem hotel Good breakfast before the inland Almindingen forest drive. | Lunch: Nexo harbour cafe Simple lunch in the east coast harbour town. | Dinner: Snogebaek restaurant Outstanding Baltic seafood in the most extraordinary south coast village.
DAY 5
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 expanse of white sand backed by ancient pine forest stretching for kilometres with the open Baltic ahead. The sand at Dueodde is so fine it was historically used in hourglasses. The remarkable Dueodde lighthouse, the tallest in Denmark at 47 metres, and the outstanding views from the top over the extraordinary Baltic coastline are remarkable. Lighthouse entry approx 10 DKK. Drive: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
SVANEKE, THE FINEST TOWN ON BORNHOLM
Svaneke on the northeast coast is the most beautifully preserved town on Bornholm and one of the finest small towns in Denmark, its extraordinary collection of half-timbered merchants' houses, the remarkable harbour with its traditional boats, the outstanding Svaneke Bryghus craft brewery and the extraordinary Svaneke Rogeri smokehouse making it the finest combination of architecture, food and atmosphere on the island. Entry brewery free. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
FINAL BALTIC WALK AND ISLAND FAREWELL
A final afternoon on Bornholm's extraordinary north coast before the ferry or flight home. Walk the remarkable cliff path above the Baltic or cycle through the extraordinary island landscape one last time. The Bornholm light on the Baltic in the late afternoon is one of the finest natural sights in Denmark. The extraordinary island, its remarkable food culture and the outstanding combination of granite, forest and Baltic sea make it the finest island in the Danish kingdom. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Hammershus at sunset with the Baltic behind it and the Hammeren granite headland glowing in the low evening light is the most extraordinary sight on Bornholm. Return via Hammershus on the final evening for the finest farewell view on the island. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: South coast hotel or cafe Final Bornholm breakfast before Dueodde. | Lunch: Svaneke Rogeri The finest smoked herring on Bornholm in the most beautiful harbour town. | Dinner: Farewell dinner, Svaneke or Ronne The finest farewell to the extraordinary Sunshine Island of Denmark.
Where To Stay
Ronne, Nights 1 to 2 The island capital. Approx 700 to 1,200 DKK per night. Gudhjem or Sandvig, Nights 3 to 5 The finest north coast villages. Approx 700 to 1,300 DKK. Summer booking Bornholm fills in July and August. Book at least 6 weeks ahead.
Top Tips
1. Bornholm's smoked herring is the finest in Denmark. Eat it fresh at Gudhjem or Svaneke smokehouse.
2. The island has 230km of marked cycle paths. Cycling Bornholm is the finest way to see it.
3. Hammershus at sunset is the most extraordinary castle ruin experience in Scandinavia.
4. The four round churches of Bornholm are unique to this island. Visit all four in one morning.
5. Dueodde beach has the finest white sand in the Baltic. The sand is so fine it was used in hourglasses.
6. Book accommodation at least 6 weeks ahead in summer. The island fills completely in July.
Total Budget
1,200 to 2,200 DKK/day