Discover Bornholm
Bornholm (39,000 inhabitants, 588 km²) is Denmark's easternmost island — closer to Sweden and Poland than to Copenhagen. This is an advantage: Bornholm has maintained its independence and feels like a country of its own. The island has everything you expect from Denmark — beaches, hygge, fishing villages — plus some things you don't expect: granite cliffs, medieval fortresses, its own microclimate, and the most sunshine hours in Denmark.
Places on Bornholm
- Rønne — The "capital" (13,000 inhabitants) and ferry port. Colorful half-timbered houses, Bornholm's Museum, ceramic workshops, and the starting point for island tours. Nice city center with cafés and restaurants.
- Gudhjem — The postcard idyll par excellence: a steep fishing village with red half-timbered houses that stretches down a granite ridge to the harbor. Here, the famous Sol over Gudhjem (Sun over Gudhjem) was invented — a smørrebrød with smoked herring, raw egg yolk, chives, and radishes. The name says it all: Gudhjem has the most sunshine hours in Denmark.
- Svaneke — Denmark's best-preserved small town (European Urban Planning Award 1975): colorful half-timbered houses, cobblestones, and the award-winning Svaneke Bryghus (brewery with pub). Glassblowing workshops, ceramic workshops, and a charming harbor.
- Allinge-Sandvig — In the north of the island, gateway to the Hammershus castle ruins and the Helligdomsklipperne (Sanctuary Cliffs). Lively summer resort with restaurants and galleries.
- Nexø — Bornholm's second-largest town, fishing harbor, and home of Bornholm art ceramics. More down-to-earth than Svaneke, with an authentic fishing flair.
Getting There
Ferry: Bornholmerfærgen from Ystad (Sweden, 80 min.) or Køge near Copenhagen (5.5 hrs. night ferry). From Ystad: several times daily, from 249 DKK/person one-way. Flight: DAT flies from Copenhagen (35 min., from 500 DKK one-way). Additional connections in summer. Most visitors take the train to Ystad (from Copenhagen 90 min., combined ticket with ferry available) and cross over there.