Gourministeriet's Guide to Bornholm

Our recommendations for a wonderful holiday on Bornholm

Bornholm offered wonderful food, big nature experiences and room to unwind

Bornholm had been on our wish list for a long time. An island we had heard so many good things about, but had never experienced for ourselves. We put that right with a long weekend in May – and it certainly won’t be the last time.

We based ourselves at Nordlandet in Allinge. Here we stayed in a lovely apartment with plenty of space, a kitchen and a terrace. Calm, stylish and close to the sea, the countryside and several of the island’s best restaurants. It was good to land somewhere that had everything we needed – and somewhere you actually want to come back to after a day full of experiences.

4 days on Bornholm

In just four days we managed an impressive amount. Helligdomsklipperne, Ekkodalen, Døndalen, Hammershus and Opalsøen – plus a good handful of truly delicious meals. From giant tarteletter (Danish puff pastry cases) to fine dining with a sea view, from lunch at the smokehouse in Nexø to a dinner at Nordlandet that was the clear culinary high point of the trip.

This guide is the first part of our Bornholm story. We have split it into three sections: Places to eat, Things to do and Where to stay – and we are already looking forward to adding more recommendations the next time we visit the island.

Do you have tips for our next trip? Please share them in the comments.

Things to do on Bornholm

– cliffs, valleys and views we won't soon forget

In just a few days we got round to some of Bornholm’s most iconic and scenic spots – and every single stop made an impression. We walked along the cliffs at Helligdomsklipperne, stood by the ruins of Hammershus looking out over the sea, and were stopped in our tracks by the peace and lushness we found in Døndalen.

Ekkodalen impressed with its depth and open expanses, Opalsøen lay there like a hidden gem, and we soaked up the atmosphere in Gudhjem and had one last ice cream at Dueodde before heading home. Bornholm is nature and experiences at child height – but with big impressions for children and adults alike.

Restaurants

We ate our way across Bornholm with great pleasure. Even though it was only a long weekend, we managed to try several very different places – and every one of them had something special to offer. Classics, smørrebrød (open-faced rye bread sandwiches), giant tarteletter and fine dining with a sea view. Here are our experiences, place by place.

Nordlandet

Nordic gourmet

Melsted

Gourmet in seaside-hotel style

Falcon

Lovely food & safari

Le Port

Smørrebrød with a view

Giant tartelet

Ikke bare stor for sjov – kæmpetartelet fra Ekkodalen. Sprød, cremet og fuld af smag – præcis som den skal være.

Nexø Røgeri

On Sunday we rounded off the trip with lunch at Nexø Røgeri – a classic, informal spot with a sea view and everything you hope for when you think of a Bornholm smokehouse. We had delicious smoked specialities and warm dishes, served quickly and without any fuss. Perfect as the last stop before the ferry – filling, honest and with a lovely atmosphere.

Hammershus

Bornholm’s historic highlight

Ruins, views and wind in your hair. A must-see with both grandeur and stillness.

Døndalen

Nature’s quiet drama

A green oasis with a trickling waterfall and calm for little legs and big ones alike.

Do you have a Bornholm tip we mustn't miss?

We are already planning our next trip – and we would love to hear your best recommendations. What should we experience, taste or see the next time we visit the island?

Recipes

Inspiration

Travel & reviews