Port information & tips for Gudhjem (Bornholm)
Gudhjem on the Danish island of Bornholm is considered the country's only mountain town and enchants visitors as a picturesque jewel of the Baltic Sea. The village impresses with its terraced location on rocky slopes, red tiled roofs, blooming gardens, and the delicious scent of traditional herring smokehouses. Nearby, cultural highlights such as the Oluf Høst Museum, the famous Gudhjem Røgeri, and the spectacular coastal hiking trail to the Helligdomsklipperne beckon. As larger ships anchor offshore, guests reach the central landing stage in the harbor of Gudhjem comfortably by tender boat. Thanks to its prime location, the charming alleys, art galleries, and cafes of the picturesque town center are located directly at the landing pier.
Gudhjem on Bornholm, Denmark's charming "mountain town," welcomes cruise guests with picturesque flair, where arrival at the port usually involves a combination of ferry or air travel to the island followed by a transfer. As Gudhjem is a tender port, cruise ships will anchor offshore and smaller boats will bring guests comfortably ashore.
Arrival at Bornholm by Ferry and Car
For travelers from the DACH region, traveling by ferry is a popular option, often in combination with their own car. Direct ferries operate from Sassnitz (Rügen, Germany) to Rønne, the capital of Bornholm, with a crossing time of approximately 3.5 hours. Alternatively, arrival via Denmark and Sweden is possible: there is a night ferry connection from Køge (Denmark, south of Copenhagen) to Rønne (approx. 5.5 hours), or you can choose the high-speed ferry from Ystad (Sweden) to Rønne with a travel time of only about 80 minutes. On Bornholm, the scenic road No. 158 leads from Rønne to Gudhjem. In the town of Gudhjem, free parking is available above the harbor, for example on Helligdomsvej or Melstedvej, from where you can easily walk down to the harbor in about 500 meters.
Plane to Bornholm Airport (RNN)
The fastest way to reach Bornholm is by plane to Bornholm Airport (RNN) near Rønne. Direct flights are available from Copenhagen (CPH) and take only about 35 minutes. Rønne Airport (RNN) is located around 33.1 kilometers from Gudhjem. Upon arrival, a taxi allows for a quick transfer to the port of Gudhjem, with a travel time of around 17 minutes. For a relaxed journey, it is recommended to arrive a day before embarkation for longer flights and to plan an overnight stay on Bornholm.
Transfer and Mobility on Bornholm
From the Rønne ferry port or Bornholm Airport (RNN), you can easily reach Gudhjem using the well-developed public bus network (BAT buses). Buses run regularly between Rønne and Gudhjem, with the main bus stop in Gudhjem located in the upper part of the town, from where you can take a relaxed stroll to the harbor. The bus journey from Rønne to Gudhjem takes about 2 hours and 14 minutes depending on the connection. On-site, exploring Gudhjem and its steep alleys is best done on foot to enjoy the charming atmosphere.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that you will generally receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for the journey to the port accordingly and take into account that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination - is usually scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The same applies during the trip: for shore excursions, you should be back on board at least one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements as well as the notices on board, as mooring and departure times can change at short notice.
Gudhjem on Bornholm, Denmark's charming "mountain town," welcomes cruise guests with picturesque flair, where arrival at the port usually involves a combination of ferry or air travel to the island followed by a transfer. As Gudhjem is a tender port, cruise ships will anchor offshore and smaller boats will bring guests comfortably ashore.
Arrival at Bornholm by Ferry and Car
For travelers from the DACH region, traveling by ferry is a popular option, often in combination with their own car. Direct ferries operate from Sassnitz (Rügen, Germany) to Rønne, the capital of Bornholm, with a crossing time of approximately 3.5 hours. Alternatively, arrival via Denmark and Sweden is possible: there is a night ferry connection from Køge (Denmark, south of Copenhagen) to Rønne (approx. 5.5 hours), or you can choose the high-speed ferry from Ystad (Sweden) to Rønne with a travel time of only about 80 minutes. On Bornholm, the scenic road No. 158 leads from Rønne to Gudhjem. In the town of Gudhjem, free parking is available above the harbor, for example on Helligdomsvej or Melstedvej, from where you can easily walk down to the harbor in about 500 meters.
Plane to Bornholm Airport (RNN)
The fastest way to reach Bornholm is by plane to Bornholm Airport (RNN) near Rønne. Direct flights are available from Copenhagen (CPH) and take only about 35 minutes. Rønne Airport (RNN) is located around 33.1 kilometers from Gudhjem. Upon arrival, a taxi allows for a quick transfer to the port of Gudhjem, with a travel time of around 17 minutes. For a relaxed journey, it is recommended to arrive a day before embarkation for longer flights and to plan an overnight stay on Bornholm.
Transfer and Mobility on Bornholm
From the Rønne ferry port or Bornholm Airport (RNN), you can easily reach Gudhjem using the well-developed public bus network (BAT buses). Buses run regularly between Rønne and Gudhjem, with the main bus stop in Gudhjem located in the upper part of the town, from where you can take a relaxed stroll to the harbor. The bus journey from Rønne to Gudhjem takes about 2 hours and 14 minutes depending on the connection. On-site, exploring Gudhjem and its steep alleys is best done on foot to enjoy the charming atmosphere.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that you will generally receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for the journey to the port accordingly and take into account that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination - is usually scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The same applies during the trip: for shore excursions, you should be back on board at least one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements as well as the notices on board, as mooring and departure times can change at short notice.
In Gudhjem, you arrive by tender boat directly in the picturesque town center and benefit from the central location for your first explorations on Bornholm.
On Foot
The charming alleys, the famous smokehouses, and small art galleries of Gudhjem are located immediately at the harbor basin and can be reached within a few minutes. A relaxed walk also leads you directly onto the panoramic paths along the rocky coast and offers magnificent views of the Baltic Sea.
BAT Buses
The regional buses of the company BAT stop centrally at the station above the harbor and reliably connect Gudhjem with other places on the island. These yellow scheduled buses offer a convenient way to visit the round churches or the nearby art museum independently and enjoy the landscape of Bornholm.
Coastal Ferries and Excursion Boats
The ships to the fortress island of Christiansø as well as boats to the impressive Helligdomsklipperne depart directly from the quay. Thanks to the central docking point, transferring to the water is straightforward and allows you a new perspective on the steep northern coast of the island.
To make the most of your day in picturesque Gudhjem, we recommend a relaxed stroll through the terraced alleys of the harbor town combined with a trip to the historic landmarks in the surrounding area.
Gudhjem Harbor & Old Town
The heart of the town impresses with its steep alleys and the iconic chimneys of the traditional smokehouses; furthermore, the lively harbor promenade is the perfect place to try the local specialty Sol over Gudhjem right by the sea.
Melsted & the Sandy Beach
Just a short walk along the coast lies the idyllic fishing village of Melsted, which, with its fine sandy beach and the informative agricultural museum, is an ideal destination for families and guests seeking peace and quiet.
Østerlars Rundkirke
The largest and most famous of the four Bornholm round churches is quickly reachable thanks to the short driving time into the hinterland and offers an unforgettable cultural experience with its striking architecture and mysterious medieval frescoes.
Gudhjem Røgeri & Klippestien
The traditional Gudhjem Røgeri is located directly by the harbor basin and can be easily reached in just a few minutes on foot. It offers you the perfect opportunity to enjoy the famous Bornholm specialty "Sol over Gudhjem" in an authentic atmosphere with a view of the Baltic Sea. From here, the picturesque coastal path (Klippestien) also begins, leading you along the striking granite rocks and offering impressive panoramic views as well as access to the town's charming craft shops. Thanks to the excellent location, the culinary tradition can be ideally combined with a relaxed stroll through the winding alleys. It is best to visit the smokehouse directly at lunchtime to experience the fish oven in operation, and plan about fifteen minutes for the short walk back to the ship.
The way back to the port of Gudhjem is very relaxed and safe thanks to the town's compact size and good signage. Since Gudhjem is a tender port, please allow a small time buffer for the transfer back to the ship by tender boat.
Taxi
Taxis are available at the central Gudhjem Øvre bus stop and can also be easily requested through the receptions of local hotels such as the Melsted Badehotel. Thanks to the island-wide provider Dantaxi, you can reach the port punctually and reliably from destinations in the nearby area.
Regional Buses
The green BAT buses of the island of Bornholm connect the region's excursion destinations with Gudhjem and stop at the Gudhjem Havn station right in the center. From there, you can reach the pier in just a few steps and will always find the right connection for a timely return thanks to the clear timetables at the stops.
On Foot
A walk through the picturesque alleys leads you simply and directly back to the harbor basin, as the path from the town center runs steadily downhill. The prominent red roofs of the smokehouses and the church tower, visible from afar, serve as excellent landmarks and guide you safely to the meeting point for the tender boats at the quay.
