Poland’s western shores are only 100 kilometers away from a cyclist’s dreamland. This place has a rich selection of cycle tracks, bicycle rentals, comfortable accommodation, tasty food and picturesque views. Welcome to the island of Bornholm.
The island truly is a beautiful place. Some might say that the pervasive calmness is dull, but that’s not true. This is a place where large sandy beaches reside next to severe rocky cliffs, meadows contrast with hillocks and colorful houses are located in the vicinity of historical monuments. All of this is surrounded by dark green forests, which are split by rivers and lakes.
One may think that the Bornholm inhabitants primarily make a living from tourism and craftsmanship. This is not entirely true. Of course, during the season, the island is full of tourists from all over Europe, as well as handicraft markets. Nevertheless, Bornholm’s economy is based on agriculture, fishing and mining.
I want to ride my bicycle
Bornholm is considered as the perfect place for cyclists. It’s not because the sum of cycle tracks on the island is twice as large as its shoreline (approximately 140 km), nor that there are several dozen bicycle rentals. It’s the friendly attitude of the inhabitants and a developed accommodation base that makes Bornholm so welcoming to those who love to ride two-wheels. This way of spending time attracts people of various ages. Families with toddlers can use oval mini-trailers that are available to rent.
A simple choice
Catamaran cruises to Bornholm are available daily. The destination is a shipyard in Nexo. The cruise starts in Kołobrzeg at 7.00 AM and lasts approximately four-and-a-half hours. A one-way ticket costs 140 PLN. However, there is an extra charge for bicycles (25 PLN) and additional luggage. You can return to Kołobrzeg the same day – a catamaran to Kołobrzeg leaves daily at 5.30 PM.
If a Polish tourist decides to reach Bornholm by car, there are two solutions. One is a ferry from Germany and the other is a much longer catamaran cruise with a stop in the Swedish town of Ystad.
Peaceful and tasty
Bornholm is famous for its picturesque landscapes and calming silence. The island is also very clean. Moreover, it offers you very unique flavors of fish from local smokehouses, Danish chocolate and a beer from a local brewery.
Routes are perfectly marked, so there’s no need to worry about getting lost. Because cycle routes are far away from roads, it’s also very safe. However, even if at some point they do cross, you can be sure that drivers will show their kindness and patience.
Of course, Bornholm is worth visiting even if you’re not a fan of cycling. This island has plenty more to offer, like beautiful beaches, windsurfing, hiking tracks, golf courses, horse riding, picturesque shipyard towns or cruises around adjacent islands.
Did you know that…?
Bornholm was inhabited by dinosaurs. Archaeologists discovered fragments of gigantic bones of twenty-meter herbivores, as well as carnivores that lived there more than 100 million years ago. However, the only animal you can meet in the Bornholm forests today is a fallow deer. Do be careful when on a cycle track, you may accidentally meet a hedgehog.
When the weather is good, you can see a hill with the ruins of an early-medieval stronghold known as Hammershus. This place lost its military significance when Denmark was fighting wars against Germany, as well as against Sweden. Eventually, Bornholm was reclaimed after being lost to the Germans. Moreover, in the eighteenth century, the stronghold lost its owner. After that, people of nearby villages built their houses with stones coming from Hammershus, which used to be one of the largest strongholds in northern Europe. In 1822, this place became a historic landmark.
Even though Bornholm’s size is unremarkable, the island has its own public transport. Bus drivers have nothing against passengers with bikes. Therefore, whenever you’re tired of pedaling, you can finish your journey by bus.
Accommodation prices
Camping sites are a common thing in Bornholm. They’re also very popular, because they’re cheap. Additionally, you can pitch a tent in somebody’s backyard. The Bornholm accommodation base also offers hostels, private quarters and four-star hotels. From the Polish perspective, Denmark seems to be a very expensive country. However, a place on a camping site costs approximately 100 Danish krone and a double room in a hotel costs approximately 400-500 krone.
How much is that in zloty? According to the exchange rates provided by Cinkciarz.pl, the Danish krone costs approximately 0.57 PLN. - The Danish krone mostly remains stable against the euro. However, this currency has lost approximately 2.5% against the zloty since December – explained Bartosz Grejner, Cinkciarz.pl analyst. Cinkciarz.pl enables you to exchange currencies online 24/7.
It’s easier to find an ATM on Bornholm, than a currency exchange office. However, you can easily pay by card.
