Gudhjem: Harbour, Coast and Smokehouse Tradition

Gudhjem is considered Denmark’s only mountain town and has numerous smokehouse chimneys. An active smokehouse offers the opportunity to enjoy the Bornholm speciality Sol over Gudhjem. Bornholm’s first smokehouse opened in Gudhjem in 1866; herring has been smoked there ever since. Before visiting, check whether it is currently open.

Smokehouses and Railway History

The grounds in front of the Gudhjem Museum are maintained as a living nature project. Wildflowers, shrubs and trees provide a habitat for butterflies and other insects. The museum also features an exhibition and the film “Tracing the Track” about the history of the Almindingen–Gudhjem railway. From 1916 to 1952, the former line from Christianshøj in Almindingen ended in Gudhjem. The museum thus brings together a nature project and a specific episode in transport history.

Harbour, Excursion Boat and Coastal Path

From Gudhjem harbour, the excursion boat Thor offers guided tours to the Helligdomsklipperne cliffs and the Bornholm Art Museum. If you plan a tour, check the current timetable. The coastal path section from Gudhjem to Svaneke offers a different perspective on the coast: it starts at the steps at the southern end of the harbour and follows the cliffs and coastline to the campsite in Melsted. This gives you two different ideas for planning your day: a guided boat trip and a coastal walk.

Summer Activities and Harbour Life

Nearby, Melstedgård offers daily activities and workshops during the summer holidays. These include cooking over an open fire, foraging trips and horse-drawn carriage rides. As these are seasonal activities, it is worth checking the latest dates and arrangements. Cooking classes and themed events are also held at Bornholms Madkulturhus: participants prepare dishes under the guidance of the centre’s experts and historians. Check the centre’s event calendar for available dates.

Two berths in Gudhjem’s eastern harbour are reserved for the Christiansø ferry service and the excursion boat Thor. There are bathing and toilet facilities along the waterfront; the laundry is reserved for guests with yachts. These harbour facilities add practical local details to the excursion and coastal themes.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Gudhjem, your plans can help guide your decision: the harbour, smokehouse tradition and museum are highlights if you are interested in local history and themes. The nearby coastal path and seasonal activities offer more to explore. Before you start looking, consider which of these ideas you would like to shape your stay.

A Broader Travel Perspective on Bornholm

Bornholm is also worth considering when planning your journey: the island can be reached by ferry, plane, bus or train. The ferry crossing from Ystad in Sweden to Bornholm takes one hour and 20 minutes. Check the latest timetables if you plan to take this route.

Bornholm offers more to explore beyond Gudhjem’s harbour and local life. Ekkodalen in Almindingen is Bornholm’s largest rift valley. Bornholms Middelaldercenter is a 15-hectare open-air museum that brings 14th-century Bornholm to life in an informative and interactive way. Both offer a complement to local culture and coastal themes, with the island’s landscape and medieval history.

Discover more destinations: Listed, Olsker, Aakirkeby, Sose, Sandkås, Muleby, Rønne Parish, Tejn.

For the broader travel overview: Bornholm.