Crafts
Eva Brandt
Welcome to Rønne – Bornholm’s largest town and the main gateway to the island for many visitors. With its historic charm, cobblestone streets, half-timbered houses and lively harbour, Rønne is a little gem offering a wonderful mix of culture, history, shopping and nature experiences.
Only in Rønne for one day? We’ve put together the perfect day plan so you can experience the best of the town – whether you’re arriving by cruise ship, on a short getaway or just have a few hours to explore. The town is small and easy to walk around, so you’re always close to your next experience.
On this walk, you will:
√ explore Rønne’s historic quarters and their unique highlights
√ discover museums, local crafts and striking architecture
√ enjoy a tasty lunch at one of the town’s cosy cafés or restaurants
√ end the day with a relaxing stroll by the beach or dive into even more culture
Let’s go exploring!
Rønne is best explored on foot. Our route starts at the tourist information by the harbour and takes you through both the northern and southern parts of town, finishing at the coast.
Start your day at Bornholm’s Tourist Information – the heart of the harbour – where you’ll be met with friendly, personal service, a city map and great tips from locals who know the town inside out.
Right next to the tourist office, you’ll also find Bornholm’s Bike Rental, in case you want to rent bikes to get around town or explore the nature on the outskirts.
If you’re in need of a coffee or a bite to eat before heading into town, Bornholm’s largest shopping centre is located just across from the tourist information. There’s a small bakery inside where you can grab a snack or some provisions. Or head a little further north to the cosy marina at Nørrekås, where you’ll find Café Kaas.
Just a few minutes’ walk from the tourist information is Hjorths Fabrik – a working museum celebrating Bornholm’s famous ceramic tradition. Watch skilled craftsmen at work and discover why the island’s ceramics are known around the world.
From Hjorths Fabrik, continue to Erichsens Gård, a beautifully preserved merchant’s house from the 1800s. In summer, you can step inside and experience life in a Bornholm market town. From May to October, Monday to Thursday, the charming garden is open to visitors free of charge.
Continue along Laksegade – one of Rønne’s oldest streets.
Rønne’s pedestrian street is the perfect place to pause, browse the shops and maybe pick up a souvenir. You’ll find everything from local delicacies to handmade crafts.
After a morning filled with culture and history, it’s time for a well-deserved lunch. At Store Torv and Lille Torv, you’ll find several restaurants and cafés serving both local specialities and classic lunch dishes.
Our recommendations:
Bonus tip:
If you love local produce and quality ingredients, don’t miss a visit to Torvehal Bornholm.
It’s located a bit further north – about a 10-minute walk from Laksetorvet. Just follow Store Torvegade until you reach the roundabout. Take the first road on your right, called Gartnervangen. Torvehal Bornholm is just ahead on the right, at number 6.
Here you can buy wonderful Bornholm products from some of the island’s talented producers – or sit down for tasty tapas and excellent coffee.
Before heading to the southern part of the old town, a visit to Bornholms Museum is a must for anyone interested in history. Located on Sankt Mortens Gade, the museum houses an impressive collection of objects from Bornholm’s prehistoric times, the Viking Age and more recent history – including gripping stories about the island’s role during World War II.
You can also explore the fascinating exhibition Energy Island – all about Bornholm’s ambition to become the world’s first energy island and a hub for smart green energy.
If you want a deeper understanding of Bornholm, this is the perfect place to start.
From historic merchant houses, we now head to the southern part of Rønne, where culture, military history and striking buildings tell new chapters of the town’s fascinating past.
This majestic church marks the entrance to the southern old town. Step inside to admire its beautiful architecture – or enjoy the view over the harbour from the church square.
After the Soviet bombings in 1945, large parts of Rønne were destroyed. In the southern part of the church square, you’ll find a group of houses known as the bomb houses. They are marked with reliefs that depict the bombing and the city’s reconstruction.
Just below the church, by the harbour, you’ll find a vibrant creative quarter where some of Bornholm’s most talented artists and designers have set up shop. Here, small studios and stores offer quality and handmade craftsmanship:
This creative corner of Rønne highlights why Bornholm has been recognised as a UNESCO World Craft Region – and you just might find that perfect piece to bring home with you.
One of Denmark’s oldest theatres is right here in Rønne! Even if you’re not visiting during performance hours, the building itself is worth a look – its historic charm is hard to miss.
On the narrow street Vimmelskaftet, you’ll find Rønne’s tiniest house – just a few square metres of pure charm. It’s a fun little landmark that adds character to the town.
Not far from Vimmelskaftet, at Larsegade 23, you’ll find ceramicist Eva Brandt – one of Bornholm’s most talented. Her studio is open all year on Mondays and Fridays.
Rønne’s old citadel may look like one of Bornholm’s famous round churches, but it was originally part of the town’s defensive fortifications.
Today, it houses the Bornholm Defence Museum, where you can dive into the island’s rich military history.
In addition to its many cultural and historical landmarks, Rønne and its surroundings offer several nature experiences that beautifully combine city life with peaceful green spaces.
Within the town limits, you’ll find Galløkken. Once the site of the town’s gallows (hence the name “Galgeløkken”), it’s now a popular recreational area for both locals and visitors. With rich plant life and a lovely beach, it’s the perfect spot for a day of relaxation and swimming.
If you’re up for a little adventure, rent a mountain bike from Bornholms Bike Rent – it’s located just next to the tourist information on the harbour, and head just outside town to explore Den grønne Ring (“The Green Ring”) – a local trail where you can truly experience Rønne’s beautiful natural surroundings.
Finish the day with a peaceful walk along the waterfront. Nørrekås Beach, located near the harbour, offers a small sandy stretch and a café where you can enjoy a cup of coffee. Also Galløkken Beach, surrounded by greenery, gives you stunning views over the Baltic Sea.
If you’re travelling with children, consider these fun activities:
Getting around: Rønne is easy to explore on foot, but bikes are also available for rent.
Cruise guests: A free shuttle bus runs between the Cruise Pier, the Tourist Information, and Sct. Nicolai Church.
Opening hours: Be sure to check opening times for museums – especially outside the summer season.
Even if you’ve only had one day in Rønne, we hope you’ve felt the charm, history and unique culture of the town. But Bornholm has so much more to offer!
Next time you visit the island, don’t miss:
Whether you return to dive deeper into Bornholm’s history, to relax in nature or simply enjoy the island’s special atmosphere – we look forward to welcoming you back!
