This calm harbor town on Bornholm island has 13th-century St. Nicholas Church, traditional half-timbered buildings, and Denmark's oldest working theater from 1823.
Rønne, home to 13,759 residents, is the main town of Bornholm island. As you walk through its medieval street layout, you'll find cobblestone streets lined with red-tiled half-timbered houses from the 1800s. Stop at St. Nicolas' Church, watch potters work at Hjorths Fabrik, or catch a performance at Denmark's oldest working theater from 1823. The town extends to sandy beaches both north and south, where you can swim in summer months.
Getting to Rønne
You can reach Rønne by ferry from several ports - Køge in Denmark, Ystad in Sweden, Sassnitz in Germany, and Świnoujście in Poland. The town also has an airport with 35-minute flights from Copenhagen.
Walking Through the Old Town
Along Laksegade and Storegade streets, you'll find merchant houses and workshops from the 1800s. The narrow cobblestone streets maintain their medieval layout, with small gardens and courtyards tucked behind the buildings. The houses wear traditional yellow and orange paint colors common to this region.
Museums and Cultural Sites
At the Bornholm Museum, you can examine artifacts from the island's Bronze Age and Iron Age periods. Visit Hjorths Fabrik, operating since 1859, to watch craftspeople make ceramics and try your hand at pottery. The Defence Museum sits inside a historic citadel with four-meter-thick walls, containing military equipment dating back 500 years.
Swedish Houses from 1945
After World War II bombing damage, Sweden donated 175 red timber houses to Rønne. These houses create a distinct residential area, telling the story of post-war reconstruction through their architecture and red color scheme.
Beaches and Nature Trails
Swim at Antoinette Beach, which extends several hundred meters north of town with its fine sand and clear water. Walk or cycle Den Grønne Ring trail, which circles Rønne from Galløkken in the south to Nordskoven in the north, passing through woods, meadows, and coastal areas.
Cultural Venues
Watch performances at Rønne Theater from 1823, Denmark's oldest operating provincial theater. Visit Musikhuzet on Store Torv square for concerts - it's the island's largest indoor music venue. The theater schedules include both classical and contemporary shows.
Getting Around
You can walk everywhere in the compact town center. Rent bikes for longer trips, and use the local bus network to reach other parts of Bornholm.
