Nexø is Bornholm’s second-largest town and is home to Bornholm’s largest old fishing harbour. Harbour construction, town history and a variety of activities offer several starting points for planning your trip: from indoor activities in town to a route with audio stories, as well as beaches and hiking landscapes nearby.
Harbour and sandstone
The harbour defines Nexø not only as a historical subject, but also through its distinctive construction. Together with the old dry dock, the three northernmost harbour basins make up Denmark’s only larger harbour built from sandstone. The harbour was blasted into the sandstone bedrock. These features make the harbour a tangible starting point for exploring the town’s construction history.
There are also traces of the history of sandstone north of Nexø. The reddish Nexø sandstone was quarried at Frederiks Stenbrud; the quarry was established in 1754 during the reign of Frederik V. Stenbrudsgården is also located north of the town: the building was constructed in 1759 and is now listed. In addition to sandstone quarries, the Nexø Museum focuses on seafaring, the occupation, bombings and reconstruction.
Town history and activities in town
If you are interested in transport history, De Bornholmske Jernbaner displays old railway carriages, photographs and objects relating to the history of railway transport on Bornholm. The exhibition is close to Nexø harbour. Together with the Nexø Museum, it offers different ways to explore the past: railway history here, and subjects ranging from sandstone quarrying and seafaring to the occupation and reconstruction there.
For activity and entertainment, Værftet offers something different: it is Bornholm’s only indoor play and skate centre, and is open to locals and tourists alike. The centre is open all year round, with extended opening hours during school holidays. Check the latest visitor information before your visit. Nexø Minigolf & Biergarten offers indoor blacklight mini golf with UV light, neon colours and various obstacles. Check the latest operating information before your visit.
Another way to discover the town’s history is the 6.6-kilometre Martin Andersen Nexø Poet’s Route. It brings the town’s history and old anecdotes to life through audio stories. Nexø also hosts a week of jazz every summer. If you would like to include the event in your trip, check the dates for your travel period.
Beach and landscape nearby
Balka Beach is a short bike ride south of Nexø. It has fine, chalk-white sand and very shallow, calm water. Northwest of Nexø, the Paradisbakkerne hills stretch across a hilly rift-valley landscape, ideal for hiking beneath trees and between rocky walls. The options are quite different: Balka is for a beach visit, while the Paradisbakkerne offer trails through a rocky landscape.
When choosing your outings, you can start by distinguishing between activities in town and destinations nearby. The harbour, museums and indoor activities are all in Nexø, while beaches and hiking landscapes add options outside town. The experiences also vary: the Poet’s Route presents the town’s history through audio stories, while the Nexø Museum brings historical subjects together in an exhibition. This makes it easy to combine the harbour and culture with a trip to the water or countryside, while keeping the different places and activities distinct.
Discover more destinations: Hasle, Balka, Sandkås, Rønne Sogn, Listed, Knudsker, Vang, Allinge-Sandvig.
For the overall travel guide: Bornholm.
