Here is a comprehensive list of the best things to do when visiting Bornholm.
Bornholm has the sunniest climate in Denmark, making it a perfect getaway for a tropical feel. It’s known for its laid-back atmosphere, mild climate, and sandy beaches that will make visitors feel like they are in Southeast Asia or somewhere in the Caribbean Islands.
The town lies some 150 kilometers from Copenhagen and 47 kilometers off the coast of Sweden. Besides the pristine beaches, Denmark also has numerous trails for biking and hiking, leading to unspoiled natural destinations. The path to the northern part and visitors will glimpse stunning, cliffs, and breathtaking sea stacks. Check out the interior, and one finds fascinating landscapes of heathlands and forests.
Fishing is another popular activity in the area, and visitors can join to immerse in the local life fully. Among the common species caught here are salmon, sea trout, and cod.
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Top 10 Best Things to Do in Bornholm, Denmark
Trace History at Hammershus Castle Ruins
The Hammershus Castle was built in 1250 as protection against marauding Danish kings, and it strategically lies on a rocky plateau. Several parties fought for the fortress on many occasions, but then it was converted into a quarry.
The government later decided to preserve the structures in 1822. Tourists visiting the ruins can also check out many other nearby sites such as the Slotslyngen woodland, one of Denmark‘s most dramatic and beautiful ecosystems. Then, there is the iconic Vade Ovn, a mystic cave measuring 55 meters long.
Visit the Bornholm’s Museum of Art
Considered one of the best in Denmark, Bornholm’s Museum of Art opened in 1993, with its cutting-edge architecture. It stands on an idyllic spot overlooking the vast ocean.
The museum contains priceless artworks of various artists such as Olaf Rude, Edvard Weie, Kraesten Iversen, Karl Isakson, Oluf Host, and Niels Lergaard.
Most of the displays here show the fine features of decorative arts and modern Danish painting. Visitors can also find Denmark’s largest craft and art collections outside Copenhagen here, including sculptures. When done checking out the displays, there’s a café where visitors can have a soothing taste while enjoying the view.
Check out Bornholm Museum
The Bornholm Museum is another place of interest for those with cultural and historical leaning. It showcases various materials covering the natural history of Bornholm and Ronne and their maritime history. Expect to see kaolin, limestone, coal, and granite specimens.
There are also Viking pieces as well as examples of decorative art. A section of the museum features works by local Bornholm painters. Other interesting artifacts here are items of gold, old clocks, and wartime memorials.
Are you planning your travels? Here’re my top travel resources!
I’m a serial planner both in life and in travel – I have bucket lists, things to do, see, and everything. So, I always love when my life is sorted easily using tools and resources that would make my general planning a little smoother and easier. Therefore, in my many years of traveling the world, I’ve seen myself returning to these travel resources repeatedly. And here I am, sharing my tips to make your life easy and breezy so you can stress less, travel heaps, and focus on the fun part of travel!
- Booking.com – I book all my hotels through this website and don’t honestly use anything else. They always have the best prices, in my opinion.
- Airbnb – If I’m traveling long-term to one destination, I book my flats through Airbnb.
- Skyscanner – The best place to find cheap flights on flexible dates. I use this a lot to score cheap flights within Europe!
- SafetyWing – Always travel insured! Never leave your home country without one. It is worth the extra money, I promise you!
- GetYourGuide – Hands-down, the best place to find cool and unique tours if you don’t feel like winging it, and go straight to a local expert. I use this a lot in new destinations to get acquainted with the area!
- My Pretty Wild World Travel Diary (coming soon) – A book you can write down your travel plans, create itineraries, track down your budget, and dot down memories along the way! A handy book you can keep and read later to revisit memory lane.
- Pretty Wild World Travel Planning Printables (coming soon) – Are you a nut like me when it comes to planning? Yes? Good. My travel planning resource in one zip file is an easy-to-use printable planner that comes with tips that helps you plan your travels during the planning stage, a pre-flight checklist, an itinerary planner, and so on.
Explore the Ertholmene Pea Islands
A group of islands known as Pea Islands or Ertholemene lies in the northeast of Bornholm. Visitors can reach these islands via boat from Svaneke, Gudhjem, and Allinge.
The main island called Christianso features fortifications built in 1684 by Christian V. It became a popular getaway for artists and poets because of its idyllic location, although it served as a naval base in the 19th century.
Near the main island is Frederikso island, which hosts the Lille Tarn (Little Tower), a prominent building. It now serves as a museum containing various materials such as utensils, rifles, old furniture, and cannons.
Hike to the Hills of Paradise
Also known as Paradisbakkerne, the Hills of Paradise is a privately-owned property located some three kilometers from Nexo, a busy port. It’s a perfect escape, especially for ardent hikers and extreme adventurers with its lush forests, rocky soaring landscapes, and narrow valleys.
There are also ideal trails for mountain bikers, and even newbie hikers can explore some parts of the hills because of the easy paths.
Relax at Allinge-Sandvig
Allinge-Sandvig is a twin resort that is considered among the best holiday getaways in town and in Denmark. These island resorts also host a number of charming half-timbered houses, a local museum, a historic town hall, and many old churches with Gothic architecture.
There is also an obelisk dedicated to Russian soldiers who perished during World War II. Visitors can find different quaint old farms in and around the area.
Hold up! Have you thought about the importance of travel insurance?
Remember this: anything can happen. Travel is fun, but your health is more important; thus, I always, always, always recommend getting insured during the duration of your trip. I have benefitted from having one multiple times, and it has been covered for thousands of euros!
The latest one is not necessarily “health” related – it was during the peak of the unspeakable terrible C that consumed the world. I was living in Vietnam when I received an email from SafetyWing (my travel insurance) that if I want they’ll fly be back home to Finland as the world goes through a global emergency alert. I flew back fully covered, and dealing with SafetyWing was a breeze despite the roar of people in contact with them trying to get back home.
I can’t highly recommend them enough. Otherwise, I rarely get sick; hence I don’t always need to head to a hospital, but knowing that I have travel insurance makes me feel safe at the very least.
Read my post about why you should get travel insurance for more information. Otherwise, you can get a free quote from SafetyWing – they’re the best, in my opinion.
Meditate at Nylars Round Church
One of the most recent and best-preserved landmarks in Bornholm is the Nylars Round Church, which takes some ten minutes of drive from Ronne. The church is known for its beautiful paintings depicting the Fall of Man and Creation.
It also hosts a huge cross dating back to the Renaissance period. Since it was built in 1165, the church has become a central point in the locals’ spiritual lives.
Explore Hasle Village
Hasle is a small port that hosts a variety of interesting cultural and historical attractions. One of which is Nykirke, a stone church dating back to the 14th century. It featured a beautifully carved and the painted winged altar, which are works of a Lubeck artist.
Stroll south of the town, and one finds a sandy beach with nearby pine forests. In the north, visitors will find a stretch of steep granite coastline covering seven kilometers. The locals of Hasle Village hold an annual festival in mid-July featuring a food fair, parade, and a lot of singing and dancing.
These are just some of the best things to do when visiting Bornholm, Denmark. Make sure to try some or most of these for a fun-filled and meaningful experience.
What are my favorite travel must-haves?
As a frequent traveler, I’ve learned a lot throughout my years of travel, and there are five items that I always carry with me regardless of where I go and how long the trip is. Here are my five travel must-haves!
- Warm packable jacket – I always carry a light jacket, even when heading to warm countries. There hasn’t been a time I never used it, especially in airports and planes.
- Transparent toiletry bag – I often bring a carry-on if I’m only traveling within Europe for a few days. Life is so much easier to go through security checks with a transparent toiletry bag.
- Kindle Paperwhite – I love a good read and always take my Kindle everywhere. It keeps me entertained during long flights and waiting times.
- Powerbank – I don’t know how I could travel without one! Having a power bank saved me a ton since I carry a lot of electronic devices with me.
- Travel Adapter – I never leave my luggage without a travel adapter! I carry one with me all the time. It is just one of that travel-must haves that doesn’t hurt to have in your bag at all times.