Allinge

Northern harbour town with the Folkemøde

Harbour town on Bornholm's north coast, merged with Sandvig. Gateway to the rocky Hammeren headland and Hammershus castle ruin, and host of the Folkemøde.

The island's north

Allinge sits on Bornholm's north coast, forming the joint municipality of Allinge-Sandvig with neighbouring Sandvig right next door. The town has a small, lively harbour and is a good base for exploring the rocky north of the island. It's also home to a traditional Røgeri, a Bornholm smokehouse — smoked herring is a staple of the island's kitchen here just as it is everywhere else on Bornholm.

The Folkemøde

Beyond Bornholm, Allinge is best known as the venue for the Folkemøde, an annual "people's meeting" held every June. It's Denmark's largest political festival, bringing politicians, organisations, experts and members of the public together for open debate. For that one week, the otherwise quiet harbour town turns into a major meeting point of Danish democracy — worth knowing if you're planning a visit around that time, as accommodation books up fast.

Granite and a rocky coastline

The north of Bornholm is granite country. In the second half of the 19th century, granite was the island's most important export. One legacy of that boom is Opalsøen, a lake formed in a former granite quarry that is now a popular nature spot. Just to the north rises the dramatic rocky landscape of Hammeren, with coastal paths and sweeping views out to sea.

Quiet rocky cove with clear water and Danish flags on the north coast near Allinge

Nearby

From Allinge, you can reach the rocky Hammeren headland with its lighthouses and the Hammershus castle ruin in a short time. The beach at Sandvig is right next door too.

Around Allinge

Aerial view of the coastal village of Sandvig with its beach, settlement and coastal landscape.

Sandvig Beach

Bornholm's northernmost beach, sheltered below the cliffs of Hammerknuden. Sandy bay with a bathing jetty, step-free ramps and summer lifeguards.

Næs Beach

Small bathing spot among granite rocks near Allinge: sandy beach, concrete jetty and ladder, shallow water for children, and a coastal path to Sandkås.

Wide view of the rocky coastal cove near Tejn with turquoise Baltic water, a small strip of sand and a path along the vegetated cliffs.

Store og Lille Sandkås

Two sandy coves between Tejn and Allinge on Bornholm's north coast – a sheltered pool for children, a bathing jetty and the start of the cliff path to Allinge.

The decommissioned Hammeren lighthouse on the Hammeren headland with its characteristic keeper's cottage.

Hammerfyr

Hammerfyr, built in 1872, stands on Bornholm's granite headland Hammeren, 91m above the sea with views as far as Sweden - plus Hammerodde Fyr on the coastal path.

Hammershus

Hammershus is Northern Europe's largest castle ruin and Bornholm's most-visited attraction. Free access year-round, with a free visitor centre.

The whitewashed round church of Olsker Kirke with its distinctive conical roof stands amid a well-kept churchyard on a sunny spring day.

Olsker Round Church

Olsker Round Church (Sankt Ols Kirke), built around 1150, is the tallest and most elegant of Bornholm's four round churches at 28 metres — visible for miles on its hilltop near Allinge.

More about Allinge

Hand-blown glass art in vivid colours by a glass artist on Bornholm.

Glass Art on Bornholm – Workshops, Artists and Events

Bornholm has been a hub for hand-blown glass since the late 1970s. The island's key glassworks, 2026 opening hours and tips for visiting a workshop.

Sol over Gudhjem - a traditional Danish smoked fish speciality served with rye bread, smoked herring, salad and egg yolk.

The Smokehouses of Bornholm

Golden smoked herring is Bornholm's speciality. Around a dozen smokehouses welcome visitors, with seasonal hours, prices and tips at a glance.