Melsted Beach

Location and character

Melsted Beach lies in the small fishing hamlet of Melsted on Bornholm's north-east coast, just a few minutes' walk south of Gudhjem. Unlike the wide, powdery-sand beaches in the south of the island, Melsted is a quiet bathing cove framed by the island's typical rocky coastline and the village's pretty houses.

The beach starts as a strip of sand that soon gives way to stones. The water deepens gradually, reaching around two metres roughly 100 metres from shore. Midway along the beach, the Melsted Å stream flows into the sea — a favourite spot for children to build dams and paddle in the shallow water. GPS coordinates are 55.2014, 14.9835.

Swimming and water quality

Bathing water quality here is rated good. In warm spells, localised algae can build up; this is harmless for healthy adults but worth watching for with young children and dogs. Current bathing water reports are published on the official Danish site badevandet.dk.

A bathing jetty makes it easier to get in without walking over the round stones on the seabed, though whether it's in place year-round or only over summer isn't officially documented. There's a rescue post with lifesaving equipment on the beach, but continuous lifeguard cover isn't confirmed, so anyone swimming with children should bear that in mind. The warmest time to swim is midsummer: in early June the Baltic Sea here is often still around 14°C, warming up noticeably by July and August.

Melsted Badehotel

Right on the beach stands the historic Melsted Badehotel (Melstedvej 27), founded in 1932 and, with 21 rooms, one of the island's best-known seaside hotels. In 2026 it was named "Denmark's Best Beach Hotel". The terrace looks straight out over the beach and the Baltic Sea.

The restaurant is worth a stop even for day visitors, and booking a table is recommended (tel. +45 5648 5100). Service hours change seasonally and are worth checking in advance.

Melstedgård and Baltic Sea Glass

Right next to the beach is Melstedgård (also known as Gaarden), a historic farmstead and agricultural museum that's part of Bornholm's Museum. It brings the island's traditional farming life to life. Admission costs 100 DKK for adults, is free under 18, and a combined ticket covering four museums costs 175 DKK. It's open from May to October (mostly Wednesday to Sunday, Tuesday to Sunday at the height of summer, 10:00 to 16:00) plus a handful of December dates.

Along the same road, a little south-east of Gudhjem, is the Baltic Sea Glass glassblowing workshop (Melstedvej 47). In the workshop and gallery you can watch the glass artists at work, and entry is free. In season it opens Monday to Saturday 10:00–17:00, Sunday 10:00–14:00. For more on Bornholm's glass art, see our glass art guide.

Getting there and practicalities

Several small public car parks sit near the beach, both on the coast road and towards Melsted harbour, along with public toilets. The nicest approach is on foot from Gudhjem along the coastal path — the walk along the cliffs takes only a few minutes.

Gudhjem itself is worth the detour for its harbour, red-tiled roofs and traditional smokehouses. If you're after more sand and space, head to the south coast, for example the family-friendly Balka Beach near Nexø. For an overview of all the island's swimming spots, see our beaches guide.