Bornholm isDenmarks pearl – a small sunny island in the Baltic Sea, where especially Danish, German and Swedish tourists flock in the summer.
This is perhaps due to the fact that it is the Danish municipality where there are the most hours of sunshine, but also because it is high up to the sky, magnificent nature, delicious beaches and tasty fish.
Goes the trip toBornholmit's more about choosing than finding experiences; because there is plenty to take in, considering the size of the island – and many attractions on Bornholm are completely free.
In this guide, I have collected the 10 Bornholm experiences that you absolutely must not miss when you go to Sunshine Island.
Table of Contents
- 1. Hammershus Castle ruins
- 2. Echo Valley
- 3. The Døndalen
- 4. Dueodde beach
- 5. The Sanctuary Rocks and Black Pot
- 6. The rock stone in Paradise Hills
- 7. The round church in Østerlars
- 8. Restaurant The Red Warehouse
- 9. Bisonskoven
- 10. The cable car at Lake Opal
- Make the most of your holiday on Bornholm
- Extra tips for experiences on Bornholm
1. Hammershus Castle ruins
Definitely not to be missedHammerhouse, when the trip goes to Bornholm!
It is not only Bornholm's most visited attraction, but also one of Denmark's most visited with over 400,000 visitors every year.
Despite the large crowd, the medieval castle is definitely worth a visit; it is Northern Europe's largest castle ruin. In addition to the fact that it is exciting to walk around looking at the castle, the view is also good, and it is an attraction for both children and adults.
- Price: Free entry
- Location: North-west corner of Bornholm
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2. Echo Valley
Bornholm is also home to Denmark's longest rift valley at 12 kilometres. The steep cliffs and the flamboyant nature are a great experience. It is really beautiful, and it is possible to walk different routes in the area.
And then this is where you should go to make a really good echo in the valley - in true "What do windmills drink?" style - to the delight of both children and adults!
- Price: Free entry
- Location: from Vallensgård Mose to Saltuna
3. The Døndalen
Denmark's largest waterfall of 20 meters is also located in Døndalen on beautiful Bornholm! The waterfall starts from the viewpoint Amtmandsstenen at the top - and here there is an amazingly good view over the whole valley!
An old legend says that the Amtmandsstenen was used for sacrifices in ancient times, where both animals and people were sacrificed to the gods by being thrown over the cliff! So macabre it is no longer, but the story is exciting, and the waterfall is definitely worth a visit.
- Price: Free entry
- Location: West of Gudhjem
4. Dueodde beach
Bornholm has the "best" of many, and of course that also applies to beaches. Dueodde Strand is not only among Denmark's - but also among Europe's - very best beaches!
The sand is extremely fine – so fine that it has actually been used in the production of hourglasses! In addition, the water typically has a pleasant temperature in the summer season, and the beach is child-friendly with its shallow water and fine wooden ramps.
- Price: Free entry
- Location: Bornholm's southern tip
5. The Sanctuary Rocks and Black Pot
Over thousands of years, the water has eroded the coast and created dramatic canyons in the mountains. Seeing the Holy Rocks is in itself a great experience, but going for a walk into the Black Bowl, which is a 60 meter deep cave, between the rocks is truly a wild experience right here in little Denmark.
If you are not too fond of spiders, it is worth mentioning that a so-called cave spider lives here, which is in the family of bird spiders. However, it is very cloudy. On the other hand, you might be lucky enough to see the web of the cave spiders, which look confusingly like Chinese lanterns.
Many make pilgrimages to the rocks to collect healing water from the holy spring – especially on St. His night - so it's not called the Shrine Cliffs for fun.
- Price: Free entry (it is possible to buy a boat trip)
- Location: Between Gudhjem and Tejn
6. The rock stone in Paradise Hills
Bornholm is known for many things; especially for its rocks! Huge stones that are placed by nature so that they can move from side to side if you push them a few times.
On Bornholm there are as many as 3 rock stones, of which the largest and most impressive is located in the Paradisbakkerne and weighs a whopping 35 tons!
In the past, the big boulder rocked relatively easily, but today it takes a good team to make it rock just a little. Still, it is impressive to see the large stones lying in the middle of nature, where they do not immediately seem to belong.
- Price: Free entry
- Location: 3 km northwest of Nexø
7. The round church in Østerlars
Bornholm has as many as 4 round churches, which are known throughout the world for their very different round building style. Although there are many hypotheses and conjectures surrounding the round design, it is still a mystery why the churches are actually round. The largest and most magnificent of the four round churches is located in Østerlars and dates all the way back to the year 1150.
Many believe that the round churches have a relationship with the Knights Templar, and just as many believe that the Holy Grail or other treasures are buried in or near the churches. However, it is strictly forbidden to look for them - but it is still fun to think about.
- Price: DKK 20 for adults and DKK 10 for children
- Location: Vietsvej in Østerlars
8. Restaurant The Red Warehouse
In Rønne is Bornholm's most popular restaurant, which serves an exquisite selection of local seafood. Both food, wine and view are praised to the skies, and Det Røde Pakhus also gets 5 out of 5 stars on Tripadvisor.
Remember to book a table in high season, because the demand for the delicious dining experience is high. If it is fully booked, there are however a host of other good restaurants on Bornholm. Especially those in Gudhjem are also worth mentioning.
- Price: Depending on food and drink selection
- Location: Rønne
9. Bisonskoven
Experience a European bison in (more or less) natural habitat in the Bison Forest Almindingen. Here a herd of bison walk and graze peacefully as a natural science project to create more biodiversity in the area.
Put your binoculars around your neck and go on a bison safari to spot the impressive animals. It is both permitted to walk and drive in the area, but a good distance must be kept from the large animals for safety's sake.
- Price: Free entry
- Location: Almindingen
10. The cable car at Lake Opal
Lake Opal is a beautiful experience in itself, but if you need adrenaline in your blood, the cable car across the lake is a truly wild experience! The cable car is 290 meters long and has a total drop of 48 meters. The two things together give a speed of up to 70 km/h - so there is a good suction in the stomach.
Please note that the cable car is only open during the summer season. On the other hand, there is a discount if you take several trips in a row.
- Price: DKK 189 for one trip
- Location: Allinge (close to Hammershus)
Make the most of your holiday on Bornholm
When the trip goes to beautiful Bornholm, it's all about choosing. For most people, 10 experiences is too much for a week's holiday, where there must also be time to laze on the beach, look at shops and eat ice cream.
Prioritize the things you and the family would most like to see and experience - and make a plan. Bornholm is a relatively small island, and therefore it is often possible to combine several of the experiences. Hammershus and Opalsøen, for example, are close to each other, as are Bisonskoven and Ekkodalen.
What makes sense to experience on Bornholm naturally depends both on preferences, where you live and how you get around. A car gives you great freedom to see everything you want, but Bornholm is also an obvious island to cycle on – especially without or with older children.
Extra tips for experiences on Bornholm
Bornholm has all its sought-after attractions and magnificent nature, but is actually much more than that. There are smokehouses scattered all over the island, where you can buy tasty, local fish - and it is really worth recommending, because you can hardly get it better anywhere else.
And then Bornholm is known for their giant curled bully ice cream with the characteristic troll as a logo. Unfortunately, the original curled bully ice cream is no longer produced on Bornholm, but you can still find the troll everywhere, and the ice creams are still big and tasty!
If you are into art, Bornholm is a little mecca. The island is a meeting point for artists of all stripes, and there is plenty of opportunity to take home unique souvenirs from local potters or visual artists.
For those who are more into active holidays and outdoors, there are plenty of hiking routes of all degrees of difficulty, opportunities for water sports in the form of kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding, and mountain bike routes have not been neglected either. It is of course possible to rent equipment for all kinds of active holidays on the island, if you have not just brought it from home.
- Hotels.comis my favorite hotel-booking portal with good deals all over the world
- Get Your Guideis a portal where you can book tickets for attractions, excursions to destinations and various transport tickets
- Omiis the best site for finding cheap train and bus tickets throughout Europe.
- Rentalcars.comis the best place to get an overview of rental car prices
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FAQs
What is Bornholm known for? ›
Bornholm is widely known for its smoked herring, high quality arts and crafts and its beautiful nature.
What happened in Bornholm? ›Awarded to Sweden by the Treaty of Roskilde (1658), Bornholm was turned over to Denmark in 1660. It was occupied by the Germans during World War II and was bombed by the Russians in 1945 to hasten the German surrender.
How do you get around Bornholm? ›Once you arrive on Bornholm, there are a few options to get around the island. You can bike, rent a car, or use public transportation. The island is so beautiful that you could spend the whole day biking around, but beware that it is a bit hillier than biking around flat Copenhagen!
What is Ronne Denmark known for? ›Today, Rønne is one of the most important towns in Bornholm and an attractive tourist destination. It is worth visiting the old port smithy from 1735, the majestic lighthouse from 1880, and the smallest house in the town on Vimmelskaftet.
How many days do you need in Bornholm? ›It's located within the Baltic Sea and quite small at less than 600 square km. You can drive the entire perimeter in a day, however if you want to stop and enjoy the sites it's best to have at least 3-4 days here to explore.
Why did Russia leave Bornholm? ›Soviet forces left the island on 5 April 1946 as part of the post-war division of interests of the Soviet Union and the Western Allies. Denmark was to be Western aligned, and in return the Baltic states were to be kept in the Soviet sphere of influence.
What does Bornholm mean? ›Bornholm. / (Danish bɔrnˈhɔlm) / noun. an island in the Baltic Sea, south of Sweden: administratively part of Denmark.
Why go to Bornholm? ›This is a place where modernity meets tradition, and peace and relaxation are commonplace. Bornholm is a paradise for nature lovers and active leisure enthusiasts. Beautiful beaches, cliffs, charming fishing ports, and medieval castles are just the tip of the iceberg.
Who owns the island of Bornholm? ›Bornholm is now a province of Denmark, with about 40,000 people living on the island.
Can you walk around Bornholm? ›You can walk around Bornholm, along the old rescue path, which has now become the coastal path. If you choose to walk part of the total 120 km on the coastal path, you come through versatile and unique nature. You can walk across the island on the new Højlyngssti. The path is 67 km long.
How many people live in Bornholm? ›
The island is home to many of Denmark's round churches. Occupying an area of 584.59 square kilometres (225.71 sq mi), the island had a total population of 39,602 as of January 2023.
How far is Copenhagen from Bornholm? ›The distance between Copenhagen and Bornholm is 147 km. The most popular airlines for this route are DAT Danish Air Transport, Ryanair, SAS, Wizz Air Malta, and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.
What is the name of the most beautiful city in Denmark? ›Copenhagen is Denmark's most popular tourist destination and it offers a lot to its visitors. Many of its great attractions are within walking distance of the city center.
What is the most Danish city in America? ›Danish American communities. Two cities, Chicago and Racine, Wisconsin, claim to be the home to the largest group of Danish Americans in the United States. Racine, 25 miles south of Milwaukee has the largest concentration of city dwellers with Danish origin.
What is the most popular spot in Denmark? ›- LEGOLAND Billund. 5,959. ...
- Our Saviour's Church. 5,748. ...
- Rundetårn. 7,855. ...
- The National Museum of Denmark. 4,581. ...
- Den Gamle By. 3,028. Speciality Museums. ...
- Christiansborg Slot. 4,684. Historic Sites • Castles. ...
- Torvehallerne. 2,130. Flea & Street Markets. ...
- Louisiana Museum of Modern Art. 2,495. Art Museums.
Bornholm
The sandy beaches, dense forests, and unique rock formations mean that Bornholm provides a stunning backdrop for a Northern Lights adventure.
Rønne (Swedish: Rönne) is the largest town on the Danish island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea. It has a population of 13,807 (1 January 2022).
How big is Bornholm Island? › What is the most deserted place in Russia? ›| Norilsk Норильск | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates: 69°20′N 88°13′E | |
| Country | Russia |
| Federal subject | Krasnoyarsk Krai |
| Founded | 1935 |
Founded by Sweden in 1910 and sold to the Soviet Union in 1927, Pyramiden was closed in 1998 and has since remained largely abandoned with most of its infrastructure and buildings still in place, the cold climate preserving much of what has been left behind.
Did Sweden ever own Bornholm? ›
Denmark ceded Scania, Halland, Blekinge and Bornholm to Sweden as part of the peace agreement in 1658. In the spring of 1658 the swedes garrisoned Hammershus and Bornholm became a Swedish province.
Why is it called Devil's Grip? ›Pleurodynia has been coined the "devil's grip" due to the sensation it causes, as if someone has an iron grip around your chest. Though it may feel like the pain stems from the lungs, it is actually inflammation in the muscles that causes the symptoms.
What is the condition Devil's Grip? ›Bornholm disease is due to infection with Coxsackie B virus (1). It is an uncommon condition that is characterised by a severe immobilising pleuritic chest pain and sometimes abdominal pain. There may be variable symptoms of fever and sometimes sore throat.
What language is spoken in Bornholm? ›Bornholmsk is a language spoken on Bornholm, an island in the Baltic Sea, the easternmost land mass of Denmark. 1 Bornholmsk is an endan- gered language. Inhabitants of Bornholm have been changing to using standard Danish over the past century – a development that has escalated within the last 20 years or so; cf.
What is the highest point on Bornholm? ›Rytterknægten is the highest point on the Danish island of Bornholm at 162 metres (531 ft) above sea level. The bierg is situated on a wooded bedrock of gaiter formations in the middle of Almindingen forest.
What is the altitude of Bornholm? ›Rytterknægten, is the highest point of Bornholm at an altitude of 162 meters above sea level.
In which sea is Bornholm Island? ›Where exactly is Bornholm? Despite lying off the coast of Sweden in the Baltic Sea, Bornholm is actually not far from Copenhagen, Denmark's capital.
What is the origin of the people who live on the island of Bornholm? ›The Burgundians were Germanic people who moved west during the 3rd century and settled Burgundy in France. In May 1618 the plague was brought from Riga to Bornholm. 5,185 people died. Swedish forces conquered the island in 1645, but returned the island to Denmark in the following peace settlement.
Is Danish a Slavic language? ›Danish is a Germanic language of the North Germanic branch. Other names for this group are the Nordic or Scandinavian languages.
Where does the name Bornholm come from? ›Etymology. Derived from Danish Bornholm. Named after a former farmhouse which was named in turn after the Danish island.
How hard is the Devils Bathtub hike? ›
Difficulty Level:
Moderate because of the river crossings. You must pay close attention to the trail markers, which are yellow painted triangles on trees or rocks. It could be easy to get lost if not paying close enough attention. One of the many river crossings.
Generally considered a moderately challenging route. This is a popular trail for off-road driving, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day.
How hard is Devil's Bridge hike? ›Devil's Bridge is the largest natural sandstone arch in the Sedona area. Don't let its name fool you: it's one of the most heavenly sights in an area famous for them. From a trailhead elevation of 4,600 feet, there's a mere 400 foot climb in altitude during this moderately difficult, 1.8-mile roundtrip trek.
When was Bornholm liberated? ›In the spring of 1945, Soviet forces liberated the Danish island of Bornholm from German occupation and remained there for 11 months after the German surrender. Danish, British and US politicians all doubted that the Russians would withdraw from the island without considerable diplomatic and perhaps military pressure.
What is the geography of Bornholm? ›The island of Bornholm occupies an area of 588 km2, representing 1.4% of the total area of Denmark, and has 141 kilometres of coastline. Bornholm is only 100 km away from Poland. The island is situated almost in the centre of the Baltic Sea at 15 degrees east and 55 degrees north.
What is the island between Denmark and Sweden? ›Saltholm (Danish pronunciation: [sæltˈhʌlˀm]; Salt Islet) is a Danish island in the Øresund, the strait that separates Denmark and Sweden.
What is the most famous street in Copenhagen? ›Strøget is Copenhagen's main shopping street and one of Europe's longest pedestrian streets with a wealth of shops, from budget-friendly chains to some of the world's most expensive brands.
What is the lawless neighborhood in Copenhagen? ›Freetown Christiania, also known as Christiania (Danish: Fristaden Christiania or Staden), is an intentional community, commune and micronation in the Christianshavn neighbourhood of the Danish capital city of Copenhagen. It began in 1971 as a squatted military base.
Is 4 days in Copenhagen too much? ›4 days is more than enough for Copenhagen. With 4 days you can see the main attractions, explore the city for yourself, and even have enough time to take a day trip to Malmö in Sweden, a city only 40 minutes away from Copenhagen by train.
What is the most luxurious city in Denmark? ›Copenhagen in Denmark is the most expensive city in the European Union, according to Mercer's 2021 Cost of Living City Ranking.
What is the most walkable city in Denmark? ›
Copenhagen, Denmark
The heart of Copenhagen's walkability is its iconic shopping street, Strøget. This impressive pedestrian area stretches over 3,500 feet and is lined with beautiful mediaeval buildings, designer boutiques, coffee shops, and restaurants.
While there are small wealthy neighborhoods in Odense and Aarhus, most of Denmark's rich live in the Whisky Belt, which is the area along the coast north of Copenhagen.
What US state is similar to Denmark? ›Most of Denmark could easily fit within the state of Colorado, but the country is smaller than many of even the lesser-populated states in the US. For example, Wyoming and Michigan are around six times bigger than Denmark.
Where do most Danish Americans live? ›Most settled around Wisconsin, Michigan, North and South Dakota and Iowa. It's estimated that today some 1.4 million Americans have direct Danish descendants, with the cities of Chicago and Racine, Wisconsin claiming the most Danish American citizens.
Where is the largest Danish population in the US? ›California with 207,030 inhabitants of Danish descent. Utah with 144,713 of Danish descent. Iowa with 66,954 people of Danish descent (corresponding to 2.3 % of the state's population.
What food is Denmark famous for? ›Denmark's national food dish: Stegt flæsk
And the winning dish, a classic pork recipe 'stegt flæsk med persillesovs', was no surprise. The crispy pork with parsley sauce and potatoes is a very old dish that has won the hearts, and tummies, of Danes for centuries.
The report showed that the top 1 percent accounted for 9.1 percent of all income in Denmark in 2021 – a level not seen for half a century … at least. “The report stretches from 1995 until now, as there is insufficient basis for collecting gross income data from previous years,” wrote AE.
What does the name Bornholm mean? ›"small island in a river; river meadow," late Old English, from Old Norse holmr "small island," especially in a river or bay, or cognate Old Danish hulm, from Proto-Germanic *hul-maz, from PIE root *kel- (2) "to be prominent; hill." Obsolete, but preserved in place names, where it has various senses derived from the ...
What is the biggest town in Bornholm? ›Rønne is the main capital of Bornholm and the largest town of Bornholm. If you come by ship to the rocky island Bornholm, you will arrive in Rønne Harbour at the foot of St Nicolai Church. The harbour is the biggest one of Bornholm and lively frequented by ferries, fishing boats and cargo vessels.
Is Bornholm Denmark or Sweden? ›Bornholm (Danish pronunciation: [pɒːnˈhʌlˀm]) is a Danish island in the Baltic Sea, to the east of the rest of Denmark, south of Sweden, northeast of Germany and north of Poland.
How many people live on Bornholm island? ›
Bornholm is a Danish island in the Baltic Sea, and a home to some 40,000 people.
What does Colston mean? ›It's derived from the Old Norse words kol, meaning “charcoal” and steinn, meaning “stone.” Together, they describe someone from a “coal town or settlement.” Interestingly, this vintage-sounding name has never been more popular and is one of many gorgeous picks that was originally a surname.
What does the name Ryōko mean? ›Meaning:Excellent child; Refreshing child; Helpful child. Ryoko is a feminine name of Japanese origin.