Known as the “island of arts and crafts”, Bornholm is a secluded paradise in the middle of the Baltic Sea, with a population of only 40,000. Here, life is simple, with streets full of glass blowing studios, yarn shops, and homemade candy stores. Every person seems to have a hobby, and you can find different handmade items everywhere you turn. One week is the perfect amount of time to visit the beaches, walk the cliffs, and do plenty of shopping!
1. Walk the beaches of Duodde
There is no better way to spend a sunny day than to relax on a beautiful beach with fine white sand as far as the eye can see. There is a good chance the water will be freezing, but that doesn’t stop the locals from jumping in! The island of Bornholm is sloped, with high cliffs in the north and flat beaches in the south. There are many beaches to choose from, but Duodde is the most popular.
2. Search for handmade treasures a second hand store
If you expect the second hand stores on Bornholm to be anything like a normal thrift store, prepare to be surprised! Due to the artistic nature of the island’s inhabitants, these stores are overflowing with handmade specialties. You can find wool sweaters, ceramic mugs, intricate paintings, and more! And what’s great about any second hand store is that the prices will be only a fraction of what the item would normally cost. This is especially appreciated for tourists, considering Denmark is one of the most expensive countries in the world. So, treat yourself to a low-cost souvenir while simultaneously supporting local artisans and businesses!
3. Indulge in some seafood at a traditional røgeri
As assumed of any land mass surrounded by water, the seafood on Bornholm is plentiful (and delicious). For an authentic experience, consider dining at a røgeri, or ‘smokehouse’. restaurant that offers a seafood buffet. Gudhjem Røgeri is great, with a seemingly endless array of marinated herring and smoked fish. Make sure you leave some room for ice cream afterwards from Gudhjem Is!
4. Hike to the Stavehøl waterfall
Although the beaches and cliffs of Bornholm are heavily explored and appreciated by tourists, many people forget about the beautiful nature and wildlife that exists inland. To access the hike to Stavehøl, enter the trail at Kobbeådalen and walk along the river towards Østerlars Kirke, one of the famous round churches. Along the way you will pass a beautiful waterfall, before walking on a flat path along a field. This short hike is the perfect way to spend a morning enjoying the island’s nature!
5. Explore “the most beautiful town in Denmark” – Svaneke
Svaneke is one of the most popular towns on the island, and for good reason. The colorful houses and cobblestone streets make it the perfect place to spend a day exploring the shops. This is the place to grab a gift for someone back home (if you didn’t already find one at the secondhand store). Some must-see shops include the candy store, handmade ceramic store, and
6. Visit the Sanctuary Cliffs
The legend says that many years ago, people visited the Sanctuary Cliffs in hopes of being healed from their illnesses. The cliffs tower 20 meters above the Baltic Sea, offering panoramic views and plenty of caves to explore below.
7. Cycle around the island
The small size of Bornholm paired with the long roads and few cars makes it the ideal place to rent a bike and cycle the island. You can find bike shops in most of the big towns, and rental prices begin at 85,000 kr per day ($12 USD). Check out the Destination Bornholm website for more information and a full list of prices.
8. Experience glass-blowing up close
While exploring the various towns on Bornholm, you are likely to encounter craftsmen working on ceramics, painting, or other crafts. Glass-blowing is a popular profession, and there are several workshops you can check out during your visit. Some of my favorites included Baltic Sea Glass on the northern coast and House of Craft in Nexø.
9. Visit Echo Valley to see the previous site of a glacier
Ekkodalen can be found in the forest of Almindingen in the center of Bornholm, and it is the longest rift valley on the island. The best place to hear the echo is approximately 20 meters to the left of the trail entrance, so don’t forget to try it out!
10. Climb to the viewpoint above Gudhejm
Gudhejm is one of the most touristic towns on the island, and you could spend a few hours walking from store to store and enjoying the views of the water. If you walk through the town with the water on your left hand side, you’ll be able to climb up above the town to see the colorful rooftops and the sea in the distance.
Bornholm is the perfect getaway to escape the crowds of the city and live a simpler life for a few days. We hope this guide gave you a few ideas of how to spend a day on the island!
Traveling to Europe? Check out our other articles on The Best Cities in Andalucía or The Cutest Small Towns in The Netherlands