Balka: Beach, Coastal Trail and Water Sports

Balka brings together a beach, coastal hiking and activities on the water. Balka Beach lies along the fifth stage of the Kyststien; a water sports centre is also located right on the beach. In the southern part of Balka, there is a natural stretch of coast with dunes and small, quiet coves.

Coastal hiking on the Kyststien

The fifth stage of the Kyststien is an approximately 16-kilometre coastal hike from Svaneke to Snogebæk. It passes Årsdale, Nexø and Balka Beach. The approximate length provides a concrete reference for your planning; the places mentioned also indicate the route of this stage. Balka is therefore part of a longer coastal hike whose endpoints are Svaneke and Snogebæk.

If you enjoy getting around on foot, you can make this stage a focus of your trip. The beach is one of the stops explicitly mentioned. The approximate distance helps you factor the hike into your plans without equating it with a specific time requirement.

Beach, swimming and water sports

In summer, you can rent kayaks, SUP boards and small dinghies in Balka. A water sports centre is located right on Balka Beach, offering equipment rentals and short introductory courses, including sea kayaking, SUP and sailing small boats. Both rentals and short courses are therefore part of the local water sports offering. For seasonal rentals and the availability of activities, check locally before your trip.

When the weather is suitable, Balka Beach is a great place for a swim. Weather conditions are part of the planning: whether swimming is an option during your visit depends on local conditions. The beach offers different possibilities, from swimming in suitable weather to a range of water sports.

Dunes and small coves in the south

In the southern part of Balka, there is a natural stretch of coast with dunes and small, quiet coves. This coastal landscape complements the activities around Balka Beach with a different kind of scenery. When planning your trip, you can therefore decide whether to focus mainly on the water sports available at the beach or on the natural stretch of coast with its dunes and coves.

More experiences on Bornholm

The wider destination of Bornholm offers other nature and exhibition experiences. At the NaturBornholm experience centre, you’ll find dinosaurs, live crocodiles, an aquarium and a bison exhibition. As exhibitions can change, it’s worth checking what’s currently on offer before visiting. Ekkodalen in Almindingen is Bornholm’s largest rift valley. These two examples offer different experiences: an experience centre with several exhibition themes, and a distinctive natural landscape.

Two viewpoints on Bornholm also offer different perspectives. From the Hammershus visitor centre, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Hammershus. From the cliffs above Opal Lake, the view extends across the surrounding area, the Baltic Sea and the Hammershus castle ruins. If you like to include landscapes and viewpoints in your travel plans, these offer two clearly described perspectives within the wider destination.

History and regional traditions

Bornholms Middelaldercenter is a 15-hectare open-air museum that brings 14th-century Bornholm to life in an engaging, interactive way. The smoking tradition offers another historical connection: 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 in the traditional way, using open chimneys and alder wood. These offer different experiences for a range of interests: an open-air museum and two distinct points of connection with the history of smoking on Bornholm.

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. If you’re planning to take the ferry, factor this duration into your travel plans and check the latest timetable before departure. Routes and connections may change.

Discover more destinations: Arnager, Pedersker, Aakirkeby, Arsballe, Nyker, Klemensker, Rø, Tejn.

Back to the main travel overview: Bornholm.