Karl WP Beyer Denmark's sunny island of Bornholm lies in the slipstream of the Swedish county of Skåne in the western part of the Baltic Sea. Bornholm's island capital Rønne is 90 kilometers as the crow flies from Sassnitz on Rügen and 150 kilometers as the crow flies from the Danish metropolis of Copenhagen. With an area of 588 square kilometers, Bornholm is almost six times the size of the German North Sea island of Sylt. In the north, high, rugged cliffs shape the landscape of the granite island. In contrast, Bornholm presents itself on the southern tip near Dueodde with an extensive and steadily growing dune landscape. Around 40.000 people currently live on Bornholm.
Bornholm - Helligdomsklipperne
Bornholm, the island with a favorable climate
Bornholm is favored by the climate. With an average of 1.580 hours of sunshine a year, the island is spoiled with more sunshine than the rest of Denmark. In addition, the Baltic Sea acts as a natural heat store, and Bornholm has less precipitation than the mainland. Last but not least, the fact that wine is successfully grown and pressed at Aakirkeby speaks for the special maritime climate of the island.
Bornholm - Lille Gadegård winery
Bornholm's story in brief
Historians conclude from finds that hunters first reached the island around 10.000 years ago. Images of ships and sun wheels as well as passage graves carved into the rock prove a constant history of settlement before the beginning of the Christian era. Written sources from around 890 AD describe the island as a kingdom. Bornholm fell to Denmark for the first time in the tenth century. In the period that followed, the economic and political development was influenced by the Danes, Germans and Swedes, and the rulers changed several times.
Bornholm - Hammershus castle ruins
Bornholm - Hammershus castle ruins
Bornholm's economy
Agriculture and fishing were originally Bornholm's main sources of income. From the 17th century on, the island was also a naval base and port for trading ships operating in the Baltic Sea region. There were quarries and for a time lignite was mined.
Bornholm - Kultippen - reminiscence of lignite mining
In the present, Bornholm lives mainly from active tourism. This term stands for the living out of activities in a natural environment. Water sports, hiking, cycling and golf are very popular with tourists. The island has an extensive network of cycle paths; and casual beach life is practiced in the south of the island. Bornholm is known and valued for its lively artisan scene. Above all, ceramists and glassblowers pursue their occupation on the island.
Bornholm - beach at Dueodde
Rønne / Bornholm - ceramics shop in the center
Bornholm, destination of cruise ships
Bornholm is not only a preferred destination for international holidaymakers, but also a destination for cruise ships. The destination of cruise ships such as deep sea ferries is the port of Rønne in the west of the island. For the pre-Corona year 2019, the port's statistics show 46 visits by cruise ships with around 20.000 passengers. 2020 ship calls were originally planned for 52. The corona pandemic destroyed these ideas. The cruise business has been up and running again since 2021.
Rønne / Bornholm - VASCO DA GAMA at the cruise quay
Overall, the conditions for the cruise destination Bornholm are good. After an expansion, the simple terminal can accommodate cruise ships up to 375 meters in length. The shipping companies organize island tours and excursions to the island's sights. Car rental companies have offices at and near the port, and bicycles are also available for hire. In the months between May and September, bus line 7 runs from the port every two hours around the island. Individual tours of Rønne also ensure that you pass the time. Ship guests are offered free shuttle buses to the center to get to know the lovable small town.
Under Bornholm sights let's introduce the top attractions on the island that we consider important.
