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NaturBornholm

Nature centre covering 1.7 billion years of Earth history

NaturBornholm in Aakirkeby takes you on a journey through 1.7 billion years of Earth history – with a time machine, dinosaurs, live crocodiles and Henning Larsen architecture.

By bornholm.de editorial team · Travel editors · Last updated: June 2026

Aerial view of the NaturBornholm museum near Aakirkeby — a modern stone building with a gabion facade set among green fields, dedicated to the island's nature and geology.
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On the southern edge of Aakirkeby stands Bornholm's most unusual museum: NaturBornholm, a nature centre that makes the island's Earth history tangible. It opened in May 2000 in a building by Henning Larsen, the architect behind the Copenhagen Opera House – granite and glass, its facade of gabions packed with Vang granite, a nod to Bornholm's ancient bedrock.

A time machine back to the Precambrian

The centrepiece is a "time machine" that takes visitors back 1.7 billion years – to Rønne granite, Denmark's oldest rock. From there the journey moves forward through Bornholm's geological history: through the age of the dinosaurs, whose traces have been found on the island, up to the ice age that carved the landscape into its present shape. Live animals bridge the gap to prehistoric times – crocodiles above all – alongside fossils, a Baltic Sea aquarium with fish feeding, and outdoor grounds. The location is no accident: at Aakirkeby, the ancient bedrock meets younger sedimentary rock, so Bornholm's geology lies right on the doorstep.

Summer family programme

Throughout the summer holidays a daily activity programme runs: dinosaur days, fossil hunts, rock-pool safaris and an insect safari in nearby Ekkodalen, the echo valley by Almindingen Forest. With a visit of two to four hours, NaturBornholm is the island's most reliable rainy-day option – so it fills up accordingly whenever it rains.

Getting there and practicalities

  • Grønningen 30, on the southern edge of Aakirkeby; free parking, with accessible spaces right by the entrance.
  • BAT bus line 5 (Rønne–Aakirkeby–Nexø) stops in town; general planning tips are in the Getting there guide.
  • The wristband trick: paying 20 DKK extra turns a day ticket into unlimited re-entry for the whole holiday – it pays off quickly if the weather turns changeable.

Is it worth the visit?

With children, NaturBornholm is close to essential, but it also gives anyone curious about geology the best introduction to what sets Bornholm apart from the rest of Denmark: the island is the country's only stretch of solid rock. It combines well with Nylars Round Church on the same route towards Rønne – more family ideas are gathered under Activities.

Frequently asked questions

How much does NaturBornholm cost?+
150 DKK for adults, 75 DKK for children aged 3 to 11, under 3s free. For an extra 20 DKK you get a wristband with free re-entry for the rest of your holiday. As of 2026 – check before your visit.
When is it open?+
In season, roughly April to October, daily 10 to 17:00, with the ticket office closing at 16:00. Note that in off-season weeks the museum sometimes opens Tuesday to Thursday only; the opening calendar on naturbornholm.dk is the reference to check.
Is it worth visiting with children?+
NaturBornholm is one of the island's best family attractions – a time machine, dinosaurs, live crocodiles, a Baltic Sea aquarium, and daily hands-on activities during the summer holidays, from fossil hunting to insect safaris. Allow 2 to 4 hours.
How do you get there and where do you park?+
The centre sits on the southern edge of Aakirkeby (Grønningen 30) with free parking, including accessible spaces right by the entrance. BAT bus line 5 between Rønne and Nexø stops in Aakirkeby.
Why is the centre in Aakirkeby of all places?+
This is where Bornholm's geological fault line runs – the 1.7-billion-year-old bedrock meets younger sedimentary rock. That is exactly the story the museum tells, and outside the door it lies right on the doorstep.

Nearby

Green dune grass grows in pale sand on a quiet beach on Bornholm's south coast under a cloudy summer sky.

Boderne Beach

Sheltered sandy beach between Dueodde and Rønne with a small harbour, café and the Stærmose outlet. This is where the Læså, Bornholm's longest river, meets the Baltic.

The 12th-century Nylars Kirke - one of Bornholm's four medieval round churches - surrounded by a neat churchyard garden under a cloudy autumn sky.

Nylars Round Church

Built in 1165, Nylars is Bornholm's best-preserved round church, with Creation frescoes from around 1275 and free admission, just 8 km from Rønne.

The sandy beach at Sømarken on a sunny summer day, with turquoise water, swimmers and a holiday home flying a Danish flag behind the dune.

Sømarken Beach

Sandy south-coast beach on Bornholm with boulders to jump from, the fishing hamlet Østre Sømarken, Bakkarøgeriet smokehouse and Michelin restaurant Kadeau.

The whitewashed Østerlars Church — Bornholm's largest round church — with its distinctive conical roof and adjoining nave on a sunny summer day.

Østerlars Round Church

Østerlars Round Church, built around 1150, is the largest of Bornholm's four round churches – fortress church and landmark with murals from around 1350 on its hollow central pillar.

Wide sandy beach at Balka with dune grass in the foreground and the calm blue water of the Baltic Sea under a bright summer sky.

Balka Beach

Shallow crescent bay south of Nexø with fine sand, step-free access and a watersports centre. Arguably Bornholm's most family-friendly beach.

The whitewashed Nyker Church — smallest of Bornholm's four round churches — with its pointed slate spire and tidy churchyard on a sunny summer's day.

Nyker Round Church

The Nyker Round Church (Ny Kirke) is the smallest and youngest of Bornholm's four round churches – with a limewash-fresco frieze of the Passion story and the famous 1618 plague tablet.