Nyker Round Church and local celebrations give Nyker a distinctive cultural profile. On Bornholm, the church is the smallest and youngest of the four round churches.

Round Church, Halloween and St John’s Eve

Nyker Round Church was built in the 11th or 12th century. Its construction therefore dates to a period spanning two centuries; compared with Bornholm’s three other round churches, it is also the youngest and smallest. The church thus combines a precise historical context with a distinct place among Bornholm’s round churches.

Every year on 31 October, Nyker hosts a Halloween event for all ages. Morten Svendsens Have usually serves as the meeting point and starting place for activities that spark the imagination and create a spooky atmosphere. If you plan your trip around this date, check the event details for the relevant year.

St John’s Eve is also celebrated in Nyker: the event takes place on the green lawn by Præstegårdsmosen. Halloween has a fixed date, 31 October; St John’s Eve is another of Nyker’s local celebrations.

Green space by the former railway path

Near Nyker is the former Blykobbe Trinbræt, now a small green space by the former railway path between Rønne and Nyker. The site connects a former railway stop with the landscape along the old railway line. It is a small but distinct feature of the landscape around Nyker.

Bornholm: nature, history and smoking traditions

Beyond Nyker, Bornholm offers a range of themes to consider when planning your trip. At the NaturBornholm experience centre, you can see dinosaurs, live crocodiles, an aquarium and a bison exhibition. As exhibitions may change, check what is currently on display before your visit.

Bornholm’s landscape can also be experienced from different viewpoints. Ekkodalen in Almindingen is Bornholm’s largest rift valley. From the cliffs above Opal Lake, you can look out over the surrounding area, the Baltic Sea and the Hammershus castle ruins. The Hammershus visitor centre also offers a panoramic view of Hammershus: from here, the view focuses on the castle ruins, while the cliffs additionally offer views of the Baltic Sea and the surrounding area.

Bornholm’s Medieval Centre is a 15-hectare open-air museum that presents Bornholm in the 14th century in an engaging, interactive way. It therefore offers a distinct cultural-history focus, unlike nature and landscape destinations: the emphasis is on a specific period in the island’s history.

Bornholm’s smoking tradition can be seen in two different places. Bornholm’s first smokehouse opened in Gudhjem in 1866, and herring has been smoked there ever since. Hasle Smokehouse is the last smokehouse on Bornholm where fish is smoked using the traditional method of open chimneys and alder wood. Gudhjem represents the historic beginnings of this tradition, while Hasle is known for its distinctive smoking method.

When no church service is taking place, paid admission to Østerlars Round Church includes a climb up to the roof beams. Check the current conditions before your visit.

Getting to Bornholm

Bornholm can be reached by ferry, plane, bus or train. The ferry crossing from Ystad in Sweden to Bornholm takes one hour and 20 minutes. Check current connections and timetables before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Balka, Ertholmene, Gudhjem, Snogebæk, Hasle, Svaneke, Klemensker, Østerlars.

Back to the main travel guide: Bornholm.