Nexø: Sandstone Harbor, Town History and Island Experiences
Accommodation in Nexø
As Bornholm’s second-largest town, Nexø combines an old fishing harbor with a rich history and a variety of activities. The harbor is Bornholm’s largest old fishing harbor, and sandstone is a prominent part of the town’s history.
Harbor and Town History
Together with the old dry dock, the three northernmost harbor basins form Denmark’s only major harbor built from sandstone. The harbor was blasted out of the sandstone bedrock. This distinctive construction gives it a unique historical character.
The Nexø Museum presents the town’s history through a range of themes: sandstone quarries, seafaring, the occupation, bombings and reconstruction. De Bornholmske Jernbaner, near Nexø harbor, offers another perspective on the island’s history. The exhibition features old railway carriages, photographs and objects relating to the history of rail transport on Bornholm.
Martin Andersen Nexø’s 6.6-kilometer poet’s trail also brings local history to life, with old anecdotes told through audio stories. This way, you can encounter these stories not only in a museum but also along a dedicated route.
Activities and Events in Nexø
Værftet, at Kystvej 2, 3730 Nexø, is Bornholm’s only indoor play and skate center and is open to both residents and tourists. It is open year-round, with extended opening hours during school holidays. Check the latest visitor information before your visit. Another indoor activity is offered by Nexø Minigolf & Biergarten, with its blacklight mini golf: UV light, neon colors and various obstacles are all part of the experience. Check the latest operating information before your trip.
Music also has a seasonal place in the town’s events calendar: Nexø hosts a week of jazz every summer. For your planning, it’s a good idea to check the exact event dates.
Beaches, Walking Country and Historic Sites Nearby
Balka Beach is a short bike ride south of Nexø. The beach is known for its fine, chalk-white sand and very shallow, calm water. Northwest of Nexø are the Paradisbakkerne, a hilly landscape of rift valleys where you can hike under trees and between rock walls. The two landscapes offer contrasting experiences: coastline and calm water at Balka, and rocks and tree-lined trails in the Paradisbakkerne.
Two historic sites north of Nexø also offer insight into the history of sandstone and the region. Frederiks Stenbrud was established in 1754, during the reign of Frederik V, and was where the reddish Nexø sandstone was quarried. Stenbrudsgården is also located north of Nexø. The building was constructed in 1759 and is now listed as a historic building.
Bornholm as a Wider Travel Destination
If you’d like to explore other aspects of Bornholm as well as Nexø, the NaturBornholm experience center features dinosaurs, live crocodiles, an aquarium and a bison exhibition. As exhibitions may change, check the latest visitor information before your visit. Bornholms Middelaldercenter is a 15-hectare open-air museum that brings 14th-century Bornholm to life in an engaging, interactive way. Ekkodalen in Almindingen is Bornholm’s largest rift valley. These examples showcase different aspects of the island: nature and wildlife exhibits, medieval history and rift-valley landscapes.
Bornholm is accessible 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 when planning your trip.
When choosing your holiday apartment, your preferred activities can help guide your decision: harbor and town history in Nexø, the beach to the south at Balka Beach, or hikes northwest in the Paradisbakkerne. This lets you compare specific interests and landscapes without treating the different places as if they were the same.
Discover more destinations: Nyker, Arsballe, Rø, Pedersker, Boderne, Tejn, Vester Sømarken, Sandkås.
View the full travel guide: Bornholm.
