Denmark / What to See

An Introduction to Denmark

What To See in Denmark:

Selected Regions:

COPENHAGEN and NORTH SEALAND
FUNEN and the ISLANDS | BORNHOLM

Bornholm

The 587 square kilometre island of Bornholm lies about 150 kilometres east of peninsular Denmark. The most densely forested of the nation's counties, this idyllic island is among Denmark's best-loved holiday retreats. Its picturesque landscape, including dramatic coastal vistas and rich farmland as well as peaceful and serene woodland, is criss-crossed with bicycle routes--more than 200 kilometres of them in all. On the island's southern shore, long, white sandy beaches extend kilometre after kilometre.

To the north, the coastline becomes more rugged, with lovely sandy coves nestled like small oases amid dramatic rock formations.

All along this coast lie Bornholm's many small communities--small fishing villages and coastal towns that slumber peacefully for most of the year, only to come alive with festivities during the summer months. In addition to the local harbour and summer fêtes, a variety of establishments around the island offer live music, including jazz, rock, pop, and other entertainments as well as traditional church concerts. The numerous beautiful old churches of Bornholm are themselves of great interest, and along with smoked herring and the Hammershus castle ruins Bornholm's "four round" churches are an integral part of the island's image.

To the east end of Bornholm lies Ertholmene, Denmark's easternmost island cluster. More than 300 years ago a fortress was built on the two main islands of Frederiksø and Christiansø, though it was rarely a scene of battle. The Ertholmene fortress was abandoned in the 1860s, and ever since the two islands have served as home to fishermen and to artists drawn to the island's unique atmosphere and beautiful surroundings.

The natural diversity and the beautiful towns and buildings of Bornholm have been inspiring artists for even longer. For more than 150 years the island's extraordinary light--a consequence of Bornholm's situation in the middle of the Baltic Sea--has captivated the painterly eye. The island's Art Museum exhibits works from many of the artists of the Bornholm school of art.

Among the diverse activities offered on the island, fishing and golfing have become particularly popular. Bornholm has three good, well-kept, and vastly different 18-hole golf courses, all located within 25 kilometres of each other. For many of the island's guests, the highlight of a visit is a long anticipated and highly dramatic struggle with a wild Bornholm salmon or sea trout. With more than 100 kilometres of coastline, an undisturbed spot to cast your line is always available.

Bornholm offers accommodations suited to every taste and pocketbook, from camp sites, youth hostels, and bed & breakfasts to hotels, holiday villages, and holiday cottages. It is even possible to stay on one of the island's picturesque farms.