Europe’s ‘sunshine island’ is one you won’t have heard of – with white sand coastline and Michelin-starred beach shack
DUBBED Sunshine Island, Bornholm in Denmark is home to white sand beaches, a Michelin-starred beach shack, quaint red timber buildings and an amusement park.
Located in the Baltic Sea, just off the coast of Sweden, Bornholm is a lesser-known Danish island.
It’s been dubbed Sunshine Island because it has more hours of sunshine than the rest of Denmark, with summer supposedly lasting longer on the island thanks to its sea and rocks.
It’s even been voted Denmark‘s best holiday destination in both 2022 and 2023 by the Danish Travel Awards.
And it’s easy to see why, from white sand beaches to a Michelin-starred seafront shack and quaint streets, there’s plenty to keep holidaymakers busy.
Despite its proximity to Sweden, Bornholm is well connected to the mainland via a direct flight from Copenhagen.
Danish Air Transport (DAT) runs the direct 35-minute service from Copenhagen to Rønne Bornholm Airport, with one-way fares starting from £70 in September.
Alternatively, a ferry service operates between Ystad on the mainland and Rønne, the island’s largest town.
Roughly around 40,000 people live on Denmark’s Sunshine Island, with this number increasing in the summer months when tourists flock to its shores.
Visitors will want to make a beeline for Dueodde Beach, known for its fine white sand.
Stretching for 10km (six miles), the white sand beach is home to Kadeau restaurant – a Michelin-starred beach shack.
The seafront beach shack turned coveted foodie destination earned its first star in 2016, and it’s been awarded a star every year since.
Prices are fairly reasonable with main courses starting from DKK 150 (£16.92).
Other beaches on the island include Sandvig Beach (also known for its white sand), Næs Beach and Balka Beach.
Most holidaymakers are likely to visit Rønne, the main town on Bornholm.
Badly destroyed during the Second World War, Sweden donated 175 red timber houses after the end of the conflict to help Rønne rebuild.
There are other places to visit on the island including Gudhjem – one of the island’s most popular spots in the summer.
Situated on Bornholm’s Baltic Sea shore, the small town is a maze of cosy alleyways that lead to a lively harbour.
Don’t skip Sol over Gudhjem, an open sandwich with smoked herring and chives – it’s also the town’s very own local delicacy.
Meanwhile, Svaneke is a pretty fishing village that’s home to half-timbered cottages and winding alleyways.
Other attractions on the island include Hammershus – the largest castle ruin in Northern Europe.
And there’s also Brændesgårdshaven – Bornholm’s very own amusement park complete with rides, bouncy castles and swimming pools.
There is a one-hour time difference, with the UK one hour behind.
The currency is Danish Krone with £10 currently worth around 87.27 Danish Krone.
Explore the Danish Riviera
Denmark is home to plenty of other lesser-known stretches of sand, including Hornbæk, which is located within the Danish Riviera in North Sealand.
The seaside town of Hornbæk is just under an hour away from Copenhagen (Denmark’s capital city), and it is also home to the largest beach on the Danish Riviera.
Hornbæk Beach is a Blue Flag beach with stretches of soft sand.
Visit Denmark's Happiest City
Last September, travel reporter Hope Brotherton visited Aarhus, the happiest city in Denmark.
She wrote: “It’s easy to see why it’s the world’s happiest. The city is home to quaint cobbled streets, winding waterways and cosy independent shops, which make it both easy-going and vibrant.
And it’s the city’s vibrant atmosphere, one where you can’t help but smile, that’s earned it the moniker of the “city of smiles”.
During my trip, I challenged myself to enjoy a two-night break in Aarhus for just £250, so I know how to explore the city on a budget.
Unfortunately, there are some things that just can’t be done on the cheap, like visiting the city’s top attractions.
Den Gamle By is the world’s oldest living museum, making it one of most unique attractions in the Danish city.
I spent around two hours exploring every nook and cranny of the re-constructed buildings, some of which date back to the 1800s.
There’s also ARoS Art Museum, which dominates the Aarhus Skyline thanks to its rainbow walkway that sits on top of the gallery.
There are plenty of free attractions in the city too, including a stroll along the Salling Rooftop — a network of wooden walkways and green spaces built on top of a department store.
The Cultural Production Center Godsbanen, Aarhus Cathedral and Aarhus Concert Hall are also all free to enter.
Meanwhile, this affordable city break destination has been tipped to be big this year.
And these cheap city break deals are on offer this year.