Bornholm is a unique and varied island with a wealth of experiences.
You can hike, cycle, swim, enjoy good food and explore nature, culture and local craft. Northern Bornholm is particularly special, with its cliffs, harbours, beaches and a wide range of attractions within a relatively small area.
Here is a selection of our recommendations for Northern Bornholm.
At the foot of Hammerknuden on the northern tip of Bornholm lies Sandvig Beach, the most popular beach in Northern Bornholm.
In Allinge you will find a lovely small sandy beach, Næs Strand, with a bathing pier. Here you can take a swim all year round.
For winter swimmers with a taste for sauna, Sandvig Sauna and the Winter Bathing Association in Sandvig Harbour are well worth a visit.
The small harbours along the coast are worth exploring. Sandvig Harbour is a gem, and the same can be said of Hammerhavn, where small boats take visitors along the cliffs.
There is also a harbour kiosk here serving good sandwiches and cakes. From Hammerhavn you can experience some of the island’s most beautiful sunsets.
There are good opportunities for fishing along the coast with a valid Danish fishing licence. If you do not have one, fishing is also possible in Hammersø with a special permit, available at www.fiskekort.dk.
For those who wish to head out to sea, fishing guide Per Sjøstrøm from Verona Sportsfiskeri arranges salmon trolling trips in the Baltic Sea. The trips take place on the boat Verona, which is fully equipped and sails almost all year round from Hammerhavn and Tejn Harbour near Allinge-Sandvig.
Contact: Per Sjøstrøm, Verona
Sportsfiskeri – tel. +45 23 24 98 41
Northern Bornholm offers some of the island’s most scenic hiking routes.
The Danish Nature Agency has identified 18 points of interest in the area, ranging from the well-known Hammershus castle ruins and visitor centre to Opalsøen and the more hidden Pissebækken in the southern part of Slotslyngen. Many of these places are located along the area’s trails and make excellent stops on a hike.
TheNature Agency has also established 10 marked hiking routes that lead through the area’s distinctive landscapes and nature.
If you are looking for a longer hike, Højlyngsstien begins in Sandvig Bay. This 67 km route crosses Bornholm and takes you through rugged highlands, rift valleys, marshlands and forests. Along the way it connects with the 120 km Coastal Path, which circles the entire island.
A shorter but particularly beautiful walk follows the coastline from Næs Strand in Allinge to Sandkås. The route is about three kilometres long and passes cliffs, sea views and small bathing spots along the way. The walk begins just outside Villa Sonja’s front door. Remember to bring your swimwear.
On the western side of Hammeren you will also find Denmark’s only bird cliff and one of te best places in the country to observe the spring migration.
On the other side of Storegade you will find Villa Sonja’s sister space, Galleri Sonja, which is part of Sonja House.
The gallery curates art and craft by both emerging and established artists. Here you can discover works in ceramics, glass, textiles and wood, all shaped with great respect for materials and craftsmanship.
The gallery also has a small café serving good coffee and freshly baked pastries.
Bornholms Tekniske Samling is located at Østre Borregård in Allinge. It is a fascinating museum covering several thousand square metres and includes, among other things, an old printing workshop, a hairdresser’s salon and a KZ-3 sports aircraft.
Moseløkken Quarry Museum in Allinge is also worth a visit. Here you can explore the 150-year history of the quarry. The famous Carlsberg elephants in Copenhagen were carved from granite from this very quarry.
Northern Bornholm has many good places to eat.
In Allinge, Ølstauan serves classic Danish biksemad and a wide selection of local beers on tap. Nordbornholms Røgeri is known for its smoked herring, and in Kirkestræde you will find Fabers, a small restaurant and cocktail bar with good coffee and art on the walls.
Overlooking the sea in Sandvig lies the small bar Underbar. Here you will also find the restaurant Kokkenberg, which prepares dishes using good seasonal ingredients. On the promenade, Sandvig IS Kalas serves ice cream made from
organic Bornholm milk and fruit from the island’s gardens.
Gæsten in Theaterstræde in Allinge is a popular and atmospheric music venue with live concerts throughout the summer. Here you can enjoy dinner and listen to some of the best names on the Danish music scene.
Allinge-Sandvig also hosts the Wonderfestiwall music festival each summer, bringing Danish and international artists together for four days of concerts in late August or early September.
