Sømarken Beach

Sømarken runs along Bornholm's south coast, continuing the long sandy beaches around Dueodde further west. The beach stretches from Slusegård in the east to Boderne in the west, fronting extensive holiday-home settlements tucked into the pine forest behind the dunes. Unlike the powder-fine sand at Dueodde Beach, the sand here is somewhat coarser, and the water gets deep fairly quickly — good for swimmers, less so for the smallest paddlers.

Beach character and swimming

Sømarken's trademark feature is the many boulders scattered along the shore and in the shallows. These granite rocks didn't originate on Bornholm at all — they were carried here from Sweden by glaciers during the last Ice Age. Older children love jumping off the rocks into the water, which makes the beach popular with families.

Anyone planning to swim here should know that Sømarken has no lifeguards. The island's only staffed lifeguard towers are at the beaches of Balka and Sandvig, from mid-June to mid-August. Since the water deepens quickly, it's worth keeping a close eye on children.

Østre and Vestre Sømarken

The beach divides into two stretches with quite different characters. Østre Sømarken (Eastern Sømarken) is a small, picturesque fishing village whose historic atmosphere survives to this day. At its heart is a tiny harbour lined with characterful fishing huts — an authentic spot that invites a wander.

Vestre Sømarken (Western Sømarken), by contrast, is made up almost entirely of holiday homes set into the pine forest. Narrow paths lead from the houses through the dunes down to the beach. To the west, it runs seamlessly into Boderne Beach with its small boat harbour.

Smokehouse and Michelin-starred dining

Sømarken offers two very different dining experiences right on the beach. Bakkarøgeriet is a traditional smokehouse at the small harbour, founded in 1938 and still working with classic smoking methods today. In summer it turns into a lively evening spot with live music — Icelandic entertainer Siggi Björns has performed here regularly for years, with 2025 marking his 25th season at Bakkarøgeriet. Opening hours follow the summer season; it's best to check current times by phone on +45 5093 7809. For more on the island's smoked specialities, see our guide to smokehouses on Bornholm.

The second highlight is Restaurant Kadeau on Baunevej 18, set in a secluded strip of dunes with sea views. Kadeau became the first restaurant on Bornholm to earn a Michelin star, in 2016, and it still holds that star in the 2026 guide. The Nordic cuisine is built on regional Bornholm ingredients, many grown in the restaurant's own herb garden. It opens only seasonally, from May to early/mid-October, evenings from 18:00 (Thursday–Sunday from May to September, Wednesday–Sunday in peak season); winter is its "preservation season". Booking well ahead through Kadeau's website is strongly recommended. For more addresses, see our guide to food and drink on Bornholm.

Slusegård and the geographical crossing point

At the eastern end of the beach near Slusegård lies a geographical curiosity: a granite marker in the dunes shows where the 55th parallel north crosses the 15th meridian east — the reference meridian for Danish standard time. The area is a beach meadow with low dunes that served as a large burial ground in the Iron Age.

Also worth seeing is the watermill at Slusegård, dating from around 1800. Café Slusegård (Strandvejen 10) serves coffee, home-baked pastries and local ingredients — though it isn't open throughout the summer season, focusing instead on the run-up to Christmas. It's worth checking current opening times before planning a stop.

Getting there and practicalities

There's a car park and toilets on Baunevej near the beach, where Kadeau is also located. No official figures are available on parking charges or the number of spaces, so check the signage on site if in doubt. In summer (roughly early June to late September), the seasonal circular routes of bus lines 7 and 8 serve the Sømarken stop; outside the season, the beach is best reached by car or bicycle.

Sømarken makes a good base for exploring the south coast. Heading east, the sandy arc continues for around eight kilometres to Dueodde Beach with its lighthouse and fine sand. Inland lies Aakirkeby with the NaturBornholm visitor centre, and to the east the harbour town of Nexø. For an overview of all the island's swimming spots, see our hub on beaches on Bornholm.