Bornholm by ferry: round churches and Hammershus
Across the Øresund Bridge to Ystad and by ferry to Bornholm, for white sand at Dueodde, round churches, smokehouse villages and Hammershus.
- Distance
- 287 km (178 mi)
- Driving
- 3 h 58 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 9
- Countries
- Denmark, Sweden
- Updated
- July 22, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 287 km (178 mi) with 9 stops, from Copenhagen to Allinge. About 3 h 58 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Denmark, Sweden · More road trips from Copenhagen
Route description
The fastest way to Bornholm from Copenhagen is over the Øresund Bridge, which has a toll, and along the E65 through Skåne to Ystad in Sweden, about an hour and a quarter. From Ystad the fast ferry crosses to Rønne in about 80 minutes. There is also an overnight car ferry from Køge. Book vehicle space ahead in July, as sailings fill up fast.
Rønne is Bornholm’s main town, with cobbled streets and low painted houses. Head south-east through farmland and forest to Dueodde, where the beach of fine white sand stretches for kilometres below dunes and pines. From the car park, boardwalks cross the dunes to the sea, and the lighthouse can be climbed in summer. Then follow the east coast north through Nexø.
Svaneke is a small harbour town of red-roofed houses and old merchants’ yards. Inland, Østerlars Church is the largest of the island’s four round churches, with thick walls built for defence. Gudhjem, on the north coast, climbs steeply up from its harbour; smoked herring is the local speciality, and boats run from here to the Ertholmene islands.
The coast road west from Gudhjem passes the cliffs at Helligdommen and runs through Allinge. Just beyond it, Hammershus stands high on the cliffs, often called the largest castle ruin in Northern Europe, with a visitor centre below it and paths out to the Hammeren headland. Distances on Bornholm are short, and the island is easy for motorhomes, although the roads into the harbours are steep and narrow.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Copenhagen
Denmark - 2104 km
Ystad
Sweden - 384 km
Rønne
Denmark - 433 km
Dueodde
NatureDueodde, DenmarkA wide beach of very fine white sand backed by dunes and pine forest at the southern tip of Bornholm, with a lighthouse you can climb. There is a pay car park at the end of the road, and boardwalks lead to the sand.
- 521 km
Svaneke
Denmark - 615 km
Østerlars Church
HistoryØsterlars, DenmarkThe largest of Bornholm’s four medieval round churches, a whitewashed fortified church with heavy buttresses and wall paintings inside. A small fee is charged in season; park beside the church.
- 77 km
Gudhjem
Denmark - 819 km
Hammershus
HistoryAllinge, DenmarkOften called the largest castle ruin in Northern Europe, spread along a cliff above the sea at the north-west tip of Bornholm. Access is free; a visitor centre and car park sit below the ruin, with coastal paths towards Hammeren.
- 94 km
Allinge
Denmark
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Copenhagen → Ystad · 104 km · 1 h 26 minOvernight nearby, for example: Ystad Camping (3 km); Solans Mack (19 km).
- Day 2: Ystad → Rønne · 84 km · 1 h 09 minOvernight nearby, for example: Hasle Camping (9 km); Lyngholt Familiecamping (18 km).
- Day 3: Rønne → Allinge · 99 km · 1 h 22 minOn the way: Dueodde, Svaneke, Østerlars Church, Gudhjem, Hammershus.Overnight nearby, for example: Lyngholt Familiecamping (4 km); Tejn Havn (4 km).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–August. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September. Cold, short days in December–March. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- Denmark: Tolls on some roads, bridges or tunnels. Tolls on the Great Belt and Øresund bridges. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
- Sweden: Tolls on some roads, bridges or tunnels. Congestion charges in Stockholm and Gothenburg; Øresund Bridge toll. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
- Copenhagen: Low-emission zone. Older vehicles may be banned, and foreign vehicles often have to register before entering.
- Ystad → Rønne. Ferry crossing needed
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
FAQs
How long is Bornholm by ferry: round churches and Hammershus?
3-day road trip of about 287 km (178 mi) with 9 stops, from Copenhagen to Allinge. About 3 h 58 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Bornholm by ferry: round churches and Hammershus?
We suggest 3 days: about 3 h 58 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Bornholm by ferry: round churches and Hammershus start and end?
It starts in Copenhagen and ends in Allinge.
Which countries does Bornholm by ferry: round churches and Hammershus pass through?
Denmark and Sweden.
Where can you camp along Bornholm by ferry: round churches and Hammershus?
OpenStreetMap lists 103 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Kastrup Lystbådehavn, Charlottenlund Fort Camping and DCU-Copenhagen Camp "Absalon".
When is the best time for Bornholm by ferry: round churches and Hammershus?
The most pleasant months are usually June–August. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
