Regardless of whether you are away with the family or alone, a wealth of experiences await you on Bornholm. The island offers a holiday experience that can compare with the popular destinations in Europe.
We have compiled a guide to the many free experiences that Bornholm has to offer.
© visualbornholm
Experience Northern Europe's largest castle ruin
Hammershus is Northern Europe's largest castle ruin and one of Bornholm's most visited attractions. Built at the end of the 13th century by Archbishop Jens Grand, the castle has a rich history.
Take guided tours throughout the season or let the kids take part in a treasure hunt to catch the master thief Heidenreich. From the Hammershus Visitor Center you get a fantastic panoramic view and learn about the castle ruins.
ATTENTION: Climbing the walls is not permitted.
Address: Langebjergvej 26, 3770 Allinge
An impressive castle ruin
Gamleborg is an impressive castle ruin located on a difficult-to-access cliff at the edge of Ekkodalen in Almindingen. The castle plateau is surrounded by strong earth ramparts, and around the year 1100 the castle was reinforced with a massive granite stone wall.
The oldest finds from Gamleborg date from the 9th century, but most finds are from around the year 1100. In the middle of the 12th century, Gamleborg was abandoned in favor of Lilleborg, which lies approximately 700 meters to the northwest.
Gamleborg offers a fascinating mix of history and scenic surroundings, making it an exciting destination for the whole family.
Address: Ekkodalsvejen 6, 3720 Aakirkeby
© 367tours
Take a trip to Ekkodalen and experience one of the three rock stones
Ekkodalen in Almindingen is one of Bornholm's most scenic crevasse valleys, which is known for its vertical rock walls and lush vegetation. Explore the many paths, enjoy the view and experience the magical Witches' Dance Ground.
Also visit one of Bornholm's three rock rocks that can move if you find the right place to grab hold of. These large stone blocks, left by the ice age, are an exciting feature of your tour.
This wonderful nature experience in Ekkodalen with the mysterious power of the rock stones makes for a memorable day on Bornholm.
Go on an adventure in Almindingen and experience European bison
Experience the European bison in Almindingen, which is Bornholm's largest forest. The bison on Bornholm originate from Poland and live as wild animals.
The European bison was extinct in the wild in 1919, but was saved through breeding work. Now around 2000 wild bison live in Europe, and the project on Bornholm helps to preserve this endangered species.
ATTENTION: Remember to keep a distance of 80-100 metres, especially if young animals are present. Stick to roads and paths, and follow the Nature Agency's rules for traffic in the forest.
Address for parking: Christians X's vej, 3720 Aakirkeby
© The Norwegian Nature Agency
© 367tours
Natural history experience for the whole family
The coal tip area was created by the coal industry in the 1940s, which consists of sand, gravel, clay and coal dust. It is open all year round and offers a beautiful starry sky thanks to minimal light pollution.
Kultippen is on the coast, and a path leads down to the beach. Here you can enjoy the beautiful sunsets over the Baltic Sea. The area resembles a barren desert landscape, which gives you the feeling of being on the moon.
Address: Glasværksvej, 3790 Hasle
To visit Kultippen, follow the signs for Sorthat-Muleby from Rønne or Hasle and park at "P-Kultippen". Parking is free and Kultippen is easily accessible on foot from the car park.
Experience Denmark's third highest waterfall
Døndalen is a scenic valley with Denmark's third highest waterfall. The trip to the waterfall is an easy 2 km route that takes about an hour. More experienced hikers can continue to Røvejen, a 4 km walk with views over the valley.
Døndalen is wider than other rift valleys on Bornholm due to its geological origin as a grave depression. The area covers 37 hectares, a third of which is virgin forest, which ensures a rich wildlife.
The valley is beautiful all year round, especially in spring with flowering anemones and fragrant rams' onions. Put on rubber boots in winter and spring to experience the cascading waterfall after the thaw. Døndalen was protected in 1975 and is today owned by Denmark's Nature Foundation.
© 367tours
Explore and experience the quarrying industry of the past
The stonecutter trail on Hammerknuden reveals traces of the quarrying industry of the past and the effects of the Ice Age. This 5.5 km round trip is marked with red dots and arrows, and takes you through the dramatic landscapes of Hammerknuden.
Along the way, you walk on paths that the stone workers used to transport granite from the workers' housing in Sandvig to the mountain and on to Hammerhavn. The path gives access to old quarries, crevasse valleys and rock walls.
To get on the Stonecutters' Path, follow the markings anti-clockwise. The path connects Osandbugten in the east and Hammerhavn in the west and includes two loops up the mountain.
Address: Hammershusvej 43-29, 3770 Allinge
A unique hike in beautiful nature
The hiking route Finnens Fodspor offers one of Bornholm's most beautiful walks. Walk down into the valley between the ruin and the Visitor Centre. The path then goes through the forest and up a steep path filled with roots and rock fragments before opening up to a moorland with scattered boulders.
Experience Finnens Top, which is 81 meters above sea level and offers an incomparable view all year round. The route continues north via Kyststien, and you end at Hammershus, where you can see the Løvehovederne rock formations and the northern coastline.
Follow the purple markings the last few hundred meters around the castle ruins back to the car park. This hiking route gives you a unique experience of Bornholm's nature and historical sites.
Address: 
Hammershus or at Finnedalshytten at Finnedalsvej 7
© Photo: 
Gitte Holtze
Take a dip in a beautiful lake
The Opal Lake is surrounded by steep cliff sides, and is a former granite quarry, which has now been converted into a beautiful swimming lake. Located at Hammerknuden, the area offers both swimming and scenic walks. You can jump into the water from the 7 meter high edge of the rocks, or try the exciting cable car, which in the summer lets you float over the lake and finish with a jump into the water. For the adventurous, climbing and rappelling are also possible.
Opal Lake, created after granite mining ceased in 1971, is close to Bornholm's largest lake, Hammer Lake. The area offers plenty of parking, making it easily accessible for a day trip.
The perfect place to cool off in the heat
Hasle Havnebad was inaugurated in 2013, and is located in the old fishing harbour, which offers a modern oasis for both locals and tourists. The harbor bath includes a city beach, a harbor square and a sauna, which brings new life to the area.
Here you can enjoy a swim in the safe harbor area or relax on the city beach. Use the sauna, which is ideal for a break after a refreshing dip. Havnetorvet functions as a meeting point with space for events and pleasant moments.
The place is perfect for spending a day with family and friends, where you can experience the combination of modern facilities and authentic harbor environment.
Address: Havnen 25 b, 3790 Hasle
© Photo: danskeark.dk
© Photo: Morten Faber
German gun emplacements from WWII
In Dueodde's pine forest, you can explore old bunkers from the wartime. These bunkers were part of the Germans' plan to place 17 meter long guns that could fire 42 kilometers to protect shipping south of Bornholm. Four gun emplacements were planned, two of which were built.
Take the children along and hear the exciting story about the bunkers, told by former radio and TV host Morten Resen from GoLittle. This visit provides a unique insight into Bornholm's history and the effects of wartime.
Address: To visit the bunkers, turn off at Skrokkegårdsvej towards Dueodde Familiecamping and Hostel. Park at the end of the road and walk 200-300 meters to the gun emplacements. Cannon position G3 on the eastern side of HC Møllersvej is the easiest to access.
A creative center
Visit Baltic Sea Glass at Melsted and experience impressive glass art. Since 1981, guests have been able to watch glassblowers at work in their open workshop. The studio functions as a creative center for some of the Nordic region's best glassblowers, where they create works inspired by Bornholm's nature.
Get an exciting experience and see the secrets of glass art and take part in special events.
Address: Melstedvej 47, 3760 Gudhjem
© Photo: Baltic Sea Glass
© Photo: Hammeren Fyr
Go-to places for fresh air and relaxation
The Hammerknuden, also known as the Hammer, is a unique natural area created by the action of the ice ages on Nordbornholm. Here you will find exposed bedrock, scrub, heather and low-growing bushes that characterize the landscape.
The area is rich in hiking trails and historical sights. You can see traces of the granite adventure in the 19th and 20th centuries, when Bornholm granite was exported for construction projects around the world. Opal lake and Krystal lake are significant places that used to be granite quarries.
At Hammerknuden there are two lighthouses: Hammeren Fyr and Hammerodde Fyr. Hammeren Fyr, built in 1872, is located on the 82 meter high Ørnebjerget and was taken out of operation in 1990, but lights up again at night since 2011. Hammerodde Fyr, built in 1895, still functions as an auxiliary lighthouse.
A medieval chapel
Solomon's Chapel is a medieval chapel built in the 13th century. It was erected to bless the many herring fishermen who came to the area. The herrings were so numerous that one could hardly row through them. Later, the area became an important herring market.
The chapel is located along the coastline of Hammerknuden and can be reached via a hike. North-west of the chapel was Solomon's Spring, whose water is said to have had healing properties. People made pilgrimages to the source, especially to St. Hans, but this practice ceased around the Reformation.
Salomon's Chapel and the spring are fascinating historical places that give an insight into Bornholm's rich medieval history.
Address: 3770 Allinge
© Photo: Scandinavian Archer
© Photo: Peter Bromley
Experience the special light of the valley
Blåskinsdalen, located on Bornholm's west coast, is one of the island's most beautiful crevasse valleys. The name comes from the blue anemones that bloom in spring. The nature of the valley is also characterized by evergreen ivy, ferns and orchids such as cuckoo. In May and June you can often hear the song of the nightingale here.
The special light in the Blåskinsdalen has inspired many artists over time, although it is said that it cannot be captured on a canvas.
The road to the valley: Follow the road Rønne/Allinge north and take the exit at the sign for Jons Kapel. Park at Jons Kapel and follow the footpath for approximately 400 meters until you find the sign for Blåskinsdalen.
The terrain may be hilly.
Exciting sculpture park by Nexø
Skulpturpark Bornholm was established as an association in 2009 on the initiative of Per Sommer. After a few years of standstill, the park was revived in 2020 in collaboration with Gallerie Lorien.
Today, the park presents works from 15-25 international artists, including Jun-Ichi Inue, Richard Brixl, Joseph Salamon, Pernille Clausen and Jens-Flemming Sørensen. Per Sommer also contributes with his large steel and glass constructions.
The park is open all year round and offers a unique experience with modern sculptures in beautiful surroundings.
Address: Bjergegårdsvejen 3, 3730 Nexø
© Photo: 367 tours
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