The best things to do this summer in Bornholm bring you to the island’s gorgeous beaches, traditional fishing towns, and unique rock formations. The southern coast is where you can enjoy fine white-sand beaches fronting the crystal-clear Baltic Sea, while the northern coast boasts steep cliffs and sea caves with a unique history.
Lush forests in the middle of the island offer hours of outdoor fun, from spotting wildlife to swimming in tranquil lakes. Bornholm has several quaint towns with 14th-century landmarks, round churches, and half-timbered houses – excellent for those interested in the local lifestyle. Make the most of your summer in Bornholm by checking out our guide to the island’s most popular landmarks, both natural and manmade.
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Dueodde Beach
Over 50 km of fine sand along Bornholm’s southern tip
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Dueodde Beach is a 50-km-long sandy expanse on both sides of Bornholm’s southern tip. It’s between the towns of Hasle and Balka, attracting local and international crowds during the summer. You’ll find very fine sand and dunes backed by the Baltic Sea, as well as a campground right on the edge of the beach.
Dueodde Beach is one of Europe’s most beautiful beaches. You can climb to the top of the 18th-century Dueodde Lighthouse for sweeping vistas of the surroundings. There’s also a boardwalk that extends some distance along the beach.
Location: Skrokkegårdsvejen 19, 3730 Nexø, Denmark
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Ekkodalen
Denmark's longest rift
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Ekkodalen (Echo Valley) is a rift valley in Almindingen Forest. Known as the longest rift in Denmark, it stretches for around 15 km through the 3,800-hectare forest along Bornholm's northeast coast. Along the way, there are memorials for Marie Kofoed, a Bornholm philanthropist, and Hans Rømer, a forester who gave the valley its name.
Testing the echo is one of the most popular things to do in Ekkodalen. From the entrance, follow a path for about 20 metres towards Hans Christian Ørsted's spring – this is the best point to shout towards the cliffside and hear your echo.
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Gudhjem
A traditional port town on Bornholm
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Gudhjem lies on the northern coast of Bornholm, with a population of around 750. This port town is known for its quaint streets, steep hills, and friendly atmosphere. Must-sees include the ruins of the 14th-century St Anne's Chapel, Oluf Høst Museum, and Gudhjem Mølle, the largest windmill in Denmark.
The Melstedgård Agricultural Museum is around 3 km south of Gudhjem. This open-air museum occupies a half-timbered farmhouse built in 1801. Visit in May or June, when the annual Balticum Film & TV Festival takes place in the village. Smoked herrings are believed to have originated from Gudhjem, so make sure to visit a traditional smokehouse for a bite.
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Brændesgårdshaven
Family-friendly waterslides and thrill rides
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Brændesgårdshaven houses a waterpark, zoo, and amusement park on Bornholm, about 3.3 km west of Svaneke town. Great for families looking to enjoy thrilling water rides, the complex has a 6,000-square-metre heated water sports section with numerous slides, chutes, and pools. Kids can also enjoy a spacious climbing area, Denmark’s oldest hand-driven carousel, bouncy castles, and minigolf.
Brændesgårdshaven was originally a farm dating back to the 16th century. Today, it has beautiful gardens with scenic walkways for those who want to unwind after enjoying the amusement rides. There’s also a zoo with a petting section housing goats, donkeys, and llamas. Among the many unique species on display include kangaroos, ring-tailed lemurs, and emus.
Location: Højevejen 4, 3740 Svaneke, Denmark
Phone: +45 (0)56 49 60 76
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Opalsøen (Opal Lake)
See the entire lake from the zip-line circuit
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Opalsøen (Opal Lake) is an impressive rock quarry on the northernmost tip of Bornholm. This recreational area is popular with swimmers, with only the bravest diving into the water from the steep cliffs. Note that the lake is very deep, so stay close to the edge if you’re not a strong swimmer.
There’s also a 290-metre-long zip-line that gives you spectacular views of the entire lake, Baltic Sea and Hammershus Castle Ruins. Those who prefer to stay on solid ground can enjoy several hiking trails surrounding Opalsøen.
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Almindingen
Outdoor adventures in Denmark’s third-largest forest
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Almindingen covers 3,800 hectares in the centre of Bornholm, making it one of the largest forests in Denmark. It consists of valleys (including a large rift valley called Ekkodalen), rocky cliffs, marshy areas, lakes, and woodland. The island’s highest point, Rytterknægten, is within this forest.
Hiking and biking around Almindingen are popular things to do in summer in Bornholm. You’ll find 4 designated walks leading to prominent sights like Echo Valley and Lilleborg Castle. The forest is home to various bird species, though many come here to see a herd of 14 European bison at the Bison Bornholm.
Mapphoto by 7alaskan (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified
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Jons Kapel (Jon’s Chapel)
A 40-metre-tall rock bluff in Hasle
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Jons Kapel (Jon’s Chapel) is a natural rock formation in Hasle, on the north-western side of Bornholm. It has several hiking trails, including a 108-step staircase along the cliff edge that leads to a pulpit. It’s believed that a monk settled here to teach the islanders about Christianity. The bluff has several caves that served as his bedroom, dining room, and basement.
Jons Kapel is popular among rock climbers as there are climbing routes mapped out on the 41-metre-tall bluff. Come here for the spectacular vistas of the Baltic Sea and high cliffs.
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Svaneke
Half-timbered houses on Bornholm’s eastern coast
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Svaneke is a quaint town on Bornholm’s eastern coast with a population of 1,000. Among its many highlights are the largest smokehouse in Bornholm, a 14th-century market square, Svaneke Kirke, and half-timbered houses. Many of these structures are backed by rocky cliffs as well as mulberry and fig trees.
Svaneke Torv is the town’s well-preserved market square, where you can find quaint shops, pubs, and smokehouses specialising in smoked herring. If you want to spend the day at a beach, Hullehavn is around 1.2 km southeast of the town centre.
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Rytterknægten
Bornholm’s highest point with an observation tower
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A hike to Rytterknægten takes you to the highest point on Bornholm. The 162-metre-high hill is in the middle of Almindingen Forest, close to Echo Valley, Jons Kapel, and Dueodde Beach. There’s a designated walkway that leads to Rytterknægten from the main entrance.
A must-visit is Kongemindet, a royal memorial tower built in 1856. Climb to the top for panoramic views of Bornholm and the Baltic Sea. Visits to the tower are free of charge year-round, with experts often using it to observe birds in spring. Rytterknægten is about 7.5 miles northwest of Aakirkeby.
Mapphoto by Hubertus (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified
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Helligdomsklipperne (Sanctuary Cliffs)
Coastal cliffs between Gudhjem and Tejn
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Helligdomsklipperne (Sanctuary Cliffs) is a series of spectacular rock formations on Bornholm’s north-eastern coast. The granite cliffs are around 22 metres high and some of them have caves and channels with varying depths. Sorte Gryde (Black Pot) is a particularly popular cave, stretching around 60 metres into the rock.
Helligdomsklipperne is just 5 km west of Gudjem. During summer, a historic passenger boat called M/S Thor departs from Gudjem to the cliffs. After exploring the rock formation, you can return to the village via the Bornholm coastal trail.
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