Inspire Me, Bornholm!
Denmark's sunny island of Bornholm lies around 35 kilometers (22mi.) off the southern coast of Sweden. On its own in the middle of the Baltic Sea, visitors coming off the ferry will instantly feel a sense of decompression – they're on island time now. Its 158 kilometers (98mi.) of coastline, white sandy beaches, and sunny yellow fields of canola plants make for an amazingly diverse landscape. It's got fantastic food to boot, including Michelin-starred restaurants. Enchant your clients with Denmark's Baltic pearl!
Inspire Me, Bornholm!
Denmark's sunny island of Bornholm lies around 35 kilometers (22mi.) off the southern coast of Sweden. On its own in the middle of the Baltic Sea, visitors coming off the ferry will instantly feel a sense of decompression – they're on island time now. Its 158 kilometers (98mi.) of coastline, white sandy beaches, and sunny yellow fields of canola plants make for an amazingly diverse landscape. It's got fantastic food to boot, including Michelin-starred restaurants. Enchant your clients with Denmark's Baltic pearl!
Life usually takes place at the harbor in the small fishing villages on Bornholm's east coast, such as Snogebæk (pictured). There are plenty of restaurants, sightseeing, and – something quite treasured on the island – good ice cream parlors. Some potent notables for a fresh scoop: Krølle Bølle Is, Gudhjem Is, or Chris & Mario. Pro tip: if you're planning a lovers' getaway, let them gaze into each other's eyes on the Arnager pier on the south side of the island as the sun dips into the sea in countless shades of red.
Life usually takes place at the harbor in the small fishing villages on Bornholm's east coast, such as Snogebæk (pictured). There are plenty of restaurants, sightseeing, and – something quite treasured on the island – good ice cream parlors. Some potent notables for a fresh scoop: Krølle Bølle Is, Gudhjem Is, or Chris & Mario. Pro tip: if you're planning a lovers' getaway, let them gaze into each other's eyes on the Arnager pier on the south side of the island as the sun dips into the sea in countless shades of red.
The four round churches on Bornholm are a very special feature of the island and offer unique Insta possibilities. They can be found in Olsker (pictured), Nyker, Nylars, and Øster Lars. The last one is even more instagrammable in April or May, when the fields of brilliant yellow canola flowers in front of the church are in full bloom. Fun fact: The churches date back to the 12th and 13th centuries and are absolutely worth seeing from the inside.
The four round churches on Bornholm are a very special feature of the island and offer a unique photo motif. They can be found in Olsker (pictured), Nyker, Nylars, and Øster Lars. The last one is even more Instagrammable in April or May, when the fields of brilliant yellow canola blossoms in front of the church are in full bloom. Fun fact: The churches date back to the 12th and 13th centuries and are absolutely worth seeing from the inside.
The Robber's Castle towers over the Baltic Sea near Gudhjem like an enchanted corner of the world. Even if it's a misnomer and there was never a castle here, the walk up the stone steps is definitely worthwhile – ideally from the Kyststi coastal hiking trail that surrounds the island. Adventurers who reach the rocky plateau have a 360-degree photo op, including the red roofs of Gudhjem about a kilometer (0.6mi.) away. Very instagrammable!
The Robber's Castle towers over the Baltic Sea near Gudhjem like an enchanted corner of the world. Even if it's a misnomer and there was never a castle here, the walk up the stone steps is definitely worthwhile – ideally from the Kyststi coastal hiking trail that surrounds the island. Adventurers who reach the rocky plateau have a 360-degree photo op, including the red roofs of Gudhjem about a kilometer (0.6mi.) away. Very instagrammable!
The Svaneke Watertower, built in 1952, has a very famous "cousin": the Sydney Opera House, as both buildings were designed by Jørn Utzon. While the opera house has achieved worldwide fame, the water tower is a protected building and is even on the backside of the Danish 20-cent Kroner coin. It no longer holds water these day, but it can be climbed as an observation tower. Afterward two must-dos are a visit to the Svaneke Bolcheriet, where sweets are made by hand, and to Pernille Bülow's glass-blowing workshop. Fun fact: Bülow fine licorice also has its origins here in Svaneke.
The Svaneke Watertower, built in 1952, has a very famous "cousin": the Sydney Opera House, as both buildings were designed by Jørn Utzon. While the opera house has achieved worldwide fame, the water tower is a protected building and is even on the backside of the Danish 20-cent Kroner coin. It no longer holds water these day, but it can be climbed as an observation tower. Afterward two must-dos are a visit to the Svaneke Bolcheriet, where sweets are made by hand, and to Pernille Bülow's glass-blowing workshop. Fun fact: Bülow fine licorice also has its origins here in Svaneke.
Who needs the Bahamas, Bora Bora, or the Balearics? It's arguable that the finest sand in the world can be found in Dueodde on Bornholm's south coast. For a long time this sand was used to fill hourglasses, partly due to its light color. The beach stretches long and wide down the coast and is a dream for fun in the sun. A 400-meter-long (1,312ft.) wooden path leads sand lovers through the middle of the dune landscape. If you want to see Bornholm's coast from above, you can climb Bornholms Fyr, the highest lighthouse in Northern Europe at 47 meters (154ft.).
Who needs the Bahamas, Bora Bora, or the Balearics? It's arguable that the finest sand in the world can be found in Dueodde on Bornholm's south coast. For a long time this sand was used to fill hourglasses, partly due to its light color. The beach stretches long and wide down the coast and is a dream for fun in the sun. A 400-meter-long (1,312ft.) wooden path leads sand lovers through the middle of the dune landscape. If you want to see Bornholm's coast from above, you can climb Bornholms Fyr, the highest lighthouse in Northern Europe at 47 meters (154ft.).
Fishing is a big deal on Bornholm. No wonder there are so many smokehouses with delicious fish dishes in almost every coastal town. Many of these smoked fish establishments – such as in Svaneke or Gudhjem – are actually quite full of visitors especially in the summer months. The Bakka Røgeriet in Øster Sømarken is less well-known, but no less delicious or rustic. If your clients sit outside, they'll get a free view of the Baltic Sea. The finest fish buffet can be found at Nordbornholm Røgeri in Allinge.
Fishing is a big deal on Bornholm. No wonder there are so many smokehouses with delicious fish dishes in almost every coastal town. Many of these smoked fish establishments – such as in Svaneke or Gudhjem – are actually quite full of visitors especially in the summer months. The Bakka Røgeriet in Øster Sømarken is less well-known, but no less delicious or rustic. If your clients sit outside, they'll get a free view of the Baltic Sea. The finest fish buffet can be found at Nordbornholm Røgeri in Allinge.
You might be asking yourself, "Seriously?!" But indeed there is a herd of bison, specifically European bison, that have called Bornholm's huge Almindingen forest area home since 2012. Their arrival was the first time in 2,500 years that the heaviest land-living mammal in Europe set foot in Denmark. The animals are shy, but if your clients hit the trailhead early in the large, fenced-in area, they might be lucky enough to capture them on camera. The starting point for a hike is the parking lot at a point called "Chr. X Vej."
You might be asking yourself, "Seriously?!" But indeed there is a herd of bison, specifically European bison, that have called Bornholm's huge Almindingen forest area home since 2012. Their arrival was the first time in 2,500 years that the heaviest land-living mammal in Europe set foot in Denmark. The animals are shy, but if your clients hit the trailhead early in the large, fenced-in area, they might be lucky enough to capture them on camera. The starting point for a hike is the parking lot at a point called "Chr. X Vej."
This street in Bornholm's main town of Rønne exemplifies the character of the island: colorful and surprisingly diverse. On top of its beaches, it also features rift valleys such as the echoing Ekkodalen. It also sports 13 waterfalls, including Døndalen and Pissebækken (yes, you can smile here), cliffs, the smallest chariot-racing track in the world, and Hammershus – Northern Europe's largest castle ruins. Foodies will enjoy the Michelin-star restaurant, Kadeau, and its view of the Baltic Sea. Perhaps work in an extra hike in the itinerary, lest your clients enjoy Bornholm's delicacies a little too much!
This street in Bornholm's main town of Rønne exemplifies the character of the island: colorful and surprisingly diverse. On top of its beaches, it also features rift valleys such as the echoing Ekkodalen. It also sports 13 waterfalls, including Døndalen and Pissebækken (yes, you can smile here), cliffs, the smallest chariot-racing track in the world, and Hammershus – Northern Europe's largest castle ruins. Foodies will enjoy the Michelin-star restaurant, Kadeau, and its view of the Baltic Sea. Perhaps work in an extra hike in the itinerary, lest your clients enjoy Bornholm's delicacies a little too much!
Now! Wasn't that inspiring?!
Destination Bornholm provides information about the island on its website, and is also active on social media:
Facebook: @destinationbornholm
Instagram: @destinationbornholm
YouTube: @Bornholminfo
Now! Wasn't that inspiring?!
Destination Bornholm provides information about the island on its website, and is also active on social media:
Facebook: @destinationbornholm
Instagram: @destinationbornholm
YouTube: @Bornholminfo