Bornholm
Bornholm is a unique and diverse island with a wealth of experiences; whether you like to hike, cycle, swim, eat, or experience the culture or nature. Bornholm is a treasure trove within a manageable area at all times of the year, but nothing beats a good cup of coffee in Villa Sonja's courtyard under the fig tree on a beautiful spring day.
Below you see a selection of our local Bornholm recommendations.
At the foot of Hammerknuden on the northern tip of Bornholm you will find Sandvig Beach, which is North Bornholm's most popular beach. Næs Strand is a small, lovely beach; here you have the opportunity to either lie on the sand or swim from the bathing jetty. We swim from the bridge all year round. For people who enjoy swimming during winter with a desire for sauna, Sandvig Sauna and Winter Bathing Association in Sandvig Harbour are HIGHLY recommended.
We love the small local ports. Port of Sandvig is a gem, but so is Hammerhavn with its small boat service along the coast. We highly recommend the harbor kiosk, which has great sandwiches and cakes – all homemade. From Hammerhavn you will also find the most beautiful sunset.
You are allowed to fish from the shores if you have a valid fishing license. Alternatively, you may fish in Hammersøen with a fishing license together with another special fishing license, which is purchased at www.fiskekort.dk. We highly recommend salmon trolling in the Baltic Sea with fishing guide Per Sjøstrøm, mobile 23249841, from Verona Sport Fishing. He offers charter sailing and fishing trips with Verona, a fully equipped boat with 2 × 250 kWh engines. Verona sails almost all year round from Hammerhavn and Port of Tejn, which are close to Allinge-Sandvig. We have fished a lot with Per with great success
The Danish Nature Agency has identified 18 different sights in Bornholm, ranging from the famous Hammershus and its Visitor Centre, via the Opal Lake and to the more unknown "Pissebækken" in the southernmost part of Slotslyngen. You may study them in details here (in Danish).
In addition, the Danish Nature Agency has established five different hiking trails that lead through the area's beautiful and rough nature.
We recommend a few more beautiful hiking trails in Bornholm. Højlyngsstien is a 67 km long hike across Bornholm, starting in the Bay of Sandvig. The trail meets the 120 km long hike Bornholm Rundt.
We love the three km beautiful walk along the coast that starts right outside Villa Sonja's door. From Næs beach in Allinge, the path leads to Sandkås. Bring swimwear.
On the west side of Hammeren you may find Denmark's only bird cliff and the spring's best spot for watching spring migration.
All over Bornholm you will find dazzling ceramics, glass art and other handicrafts. In Villa Sonja there is ceramics from all over Bornholm, including Bornholms Keramikfabrik, Oh Oak, Cassius Clay and Lov i Listed.
Just opposite the entrance to Villa Sonja is Gallery Klejn, which is the nicest little exhibition space where Kirsten Klejn exhibits her own ceramic works and other artists’ pieces.
We also love ceramist Maja Frendrup. She has her own workshop and shop in Sandvig, and she is also part of the shop Håndværket in Kirkegade 6, Allinge. It is the Arts and Crafts Association Bornholm's beautiful shop with a large selection of the island's best handicrafts.
The Technical Collection of Bornholm is located at Østre Borregård in Allinge. It is a fascinating museum with several thousand square meters, housing an old printing house, a hair salon, and a KZ-3 sports airplane, just to name a few.
Moseløkken Quarry Museum in Allinge is well worth a visit. The quarry's 150-year history is an exciting industry to dive into. Among other things, the Carlsberg elephants (in Copenhagen) are carved in granite from this quarry.
Most people probably know Kadeau south of Aakirkeby or Torvehallerne in Rønne with delicacies from all over Bornholm. We like to visit Bornholm's farm shops, but we also enjoy eating at the island's good restaurants such as 1B and Siemens Gård in Svaneke, Det Røde Pakhus in Rønne and Melsted Badehotel.
In the Northern part of Bornholm we recommend Nordlandet, which has a small bar called Underbar. We eat a lot of hash in Ølstauan in Allinge, which also has a great selection of local beer on tap. The Restaurant Kokkenberg in Sandvig serves great, homemade food.
At Strandpromenaden in Sandvig you get the best ice cream at Sandvig IS Kalas, which produces ice cream daily from Bornholm organic milk and with fruits from the island's gardens.
The next generation has taken over Nordbornholms Røgeri in Allinge, and you may treat yourself to delicious smoked herrings to take home.
We buy our bread for breakfast at Brødre in Tejn. In Tejn, there is also a small cozy wine bar, Kanten, at the port.
Fabers in Kirkestræde 1 in Allinge is a small summer café and cocktail bar with a passion for good coffee and art on the walls.
Gæsten in Theaterstræde 2 in Allinge is a legendary music venue that plays live music throughout the summer. You may stay at the inn, eat wonderful food and hear the best of the Danish artists.