What to experience – exceptional craftsmanship, live music, dramatic coastlines, local food experiences, intimate galleries and places where nature and culture come together.
The Travel Edit is a summer series in The Journal, where inspiring profiles share their personal guide to places in Denmark that hold a special place in their hearts.
Birgit Lyngbye Pedersen is a design historian and cultural curator with a lifelong passion for art, design, architecture and craftsmanship. Through her work – from Brodie Sessions, an intimate live music concept often hosted in her own living room, to Galleri Sonja in Allinge, designed by Norm Architects, and the Villa Sonja holiday apartments, thoughtfully curated with art and beautiful objects – she creates meaningful encounters between people, art and storytelling.
For many years, Bornholm has been Birgit's constant source of inspiration. The island's dramatic landscapes, rich craft traditions and slower pace of life offer space for reflection and creativity.
In this Travel Edit, she shares her favourite places on Bornholm – destinations she returns to for nature, gastronomy, craftsmanship and soulful experiences.
Birgit Lyngbye Pedersen is a design historian and cultural curator with a lifelong passion for art, design, architecture and craftsmanship. Through her work – from Brodie Sessions, an intimate live music concept often hosted in her own living room, to Galleri Sonja in Allinge, designed by Norm Architects, and the Villa Sonja holiday apartments, thoughtfully curated with art and beautiful objects – she creates meaningful encounters between people, art and storytelling.
For many years, Bornholm has been Birgit's constant source of inspiration. The island's dramatic landscapes, rich craft traditions and slower pace of life offer space for reflection and creativity.
In this Travel Edit, she shares her favourite places on Bornholm – destinations she returns to for nature, gastronomy, craftsmanship and soulful experiences.
I first visited Bornholm as an adult in 2019 while working on an art project with the Japanese architect Tadao Ando, who designed an exhibition pavilion for the sculptures of Danish artist Sonja Ferlov Mancoba. During that time, I travelled around the island with Tadao Ando's closest collaborator and experienced Bornholm through his eyes.
Later that same year, I kayaked around the island with friends, and that was when I truly fell in love with it. I was completely captivated by the landscape and the extraordinary light.
When I met my husband later that year, and the pandemic soon afterwards limited international travel, Denmark – and especially Bornholm – naturally became our favourite destination. The island is beautiful in every season. It's wonderfully diverse and the perfect place for hiking, cycling, swimming, great food, and discovering both nature and culture.
The walk from Allinge to Sandkås, Højlyngsstien, Næs Beach and Olsker Church. Driving across the island and along the coastline throughout the year. The small harbours, the granite quarries, Hammershus and Hammer Lighthouse, the streets of Rønne, the chimneys of the smokehouses, live music at Gæsten and winter swimming in Sandvig. Bornholm reveals itself through all these places.
The walk from Allinge to Sandkås, Højlyngsstien, Næs Beach and Olsker Church. Driving across the island and along the coastline throughout the year. The small harbours, the granite quarries, Hammershus and Hammer Lighthouse, the streets of Rønne, the chimneys of the smokehouses, live music at Gæsten and winter swimming in Sandvig. Bornholm reveals itself through all these places.
Kadeau, Hjørnet in Svaneke (soon to become Siemsens Gård), Pension Langebjerg in Sandvig, Nordlandet and Christianshøjkroen in Almindingen.
Kadeau Bornholm: Baunevej 18, 3720 Aakirkeby
Hjørnet: Havnebryggen 9, 3740 Svaneke
Pension Langebjerg: Langebjergvej 7, 3770 Allinge-Sandvig
Hotel Nordlandet: Strandvejen 68, 3770 Allinge
Christianshøjkroen: Segenvej 48, 3720 Aakirkeby
Photo credit: Hjørnet
Kadeau, Hjørnet in Svaneke (soon to become Siemsens Gård), Pension Langebjerg in Sandvig, Nordlandet and Christianshøjkroen in Almindingen.
Kadeau Bornholm: Baunevej 18, 3720 Aakirkeby
Hjørnet: Havnebryggen 9, 3740 Svaneke
Pension Langebjerg: Langebjergvej 7, 3770 Allinge-Sandvig
Hotel Nordlandet: Strandvejen 68, 3770 Allinge
Christianshøjkroen: Segenvej 48, 3720 Aakirkeby
Photo credit: Hjørnet
It has to be our own breakfast whenever we stay somewhere on the island in our California camper van. We both love the outdoors, so we brew great coffee from BeanBuddy in Svaneke and cook breakfast on our Trangia stove – always with a beautiful view. Otherwise, breakfast at Hotel Nordlandet is also a wonderful experience, once again with spectacular views.
BeanBuddy: Storegade 13, 3740 Svaneke
Photo credit: Hotel Nordlandet
It has to be our own breakfast whenever we stay somewhere on the island in our California camper van. We both love the outdoors, so we brew great coffee from BeanBuddy in Svaneke and cook breakfast on our Trangia stove – always with a beautiful view. Otherwise, breakfast at Hotel Nordlandet is also a wonderful experience, once again with spectacular views.
BeanBuddy: Storegade 13, 3740 Svaneke
Photo credit: Hotel Nordlandet
A day at the world's smallest trotting track in Almindingen is a must. I own a small share in the racehorse Leroy, so it's always a special experience for me.
During the summer, I also return to the concerts at Gæsten, which presents an outstanding programme of Danish musicians in intimate surroundings. Folkemødet and Sol over Gudhjem are two events that showcase Bornholm at its very best, and the island's many museums – especially Hjorths Fabrik – are always worth a visit. And if you have an interest in craft and design, don't miss Bornholm Craft Weeks.
Gæsten: Havnegade 1, DK-3770 Allinge
Bornholms Brand Park: Travbanevej 1, DK-3720 Aakirkeby
Hjorths Fabrik: Krystalgade 5, DK-3700 Rønne
Photo credit: Hjorths Fabrik
A day at the world's smallest trotting track in Almindingen is a must. I own a small share in the racehorse Leroy, so it's always a special experience for me.
During the summer, I also return to the concerts at Gæsten, which presents an outstanding programme of Danish musicians in intimate surroundings. Folkemødet and Sol over Gudhjem are two events that showcase Bornholm at its very best, and the island's many museums – especially Hjorths Fabrik – are always worth a visit. And if you have an interest in craft and design, don't miss Bornholm Craft Weeks.
Gæsten: Havnegade 1, DK-3770 Allinge
Bornholms Brand Park: Travbanevej 1, DK-3720 Aakirkeby
Hjorths Fabrik: Krystalgade 5, DK-3700 Rønne
Photo credit: Hjorths Fabrik
Our own café, shop and gallery, Galleri Sonja, naturally comes first. I also love Maude, Flor and Norresan, which are all wonderful cafés. The many roadside stalls across the island are always worth stopping at. Pilegård Cideri is another favourite, as are the Danish speciality flødeboller, chocolate-coated marshmallow treats, from Beck in Gudhjem. And Matter is my go-to place for beautiful ceramics and glass.
Galleri Sonja: Havnegade 26, 3770 Allinge
Maude's Saloner & Café: Storegade 27, 3770 Allinge
Flor: Kirkegade 2, 3770 Allinge
NØRRESAN Café: Nørresan 30, 3770 Allinge
Pilegård Cideri: Pilegårdsvejen 4, Nyker, 3700 Rønne
Becks Chokolade (Gudhjem): Ejnar Mikkelsensvej 28, 3760 Gudhjem
Matter – House of Craft: Snellemark 39, 3700 Rønne
Our own café, shop and gallery, Galleri Sonja, naturally comes first. I also love Maude, Flor and Norresan, which are all wonderful cafés. The many roadside stalls across the island are always worth stopping at. Pilegård Cideri is another favourite, as are the Danish speciality flødeboller, chocolate-coated marshmallow treats, from Beck in Gudhjem. And Matter is my go-to place for beautiful ceramics and glass.
Galleri Sonja: Havnegade 26, 3770 Allinge
Maude's Saloner & Café: Storegade 27, 3770 Allinge
Flor: Kirkegade 2, 3770 Allinge
NØRRESAN Café: Nørresan 30, 3770 Allinge
Pilegård Cideri: Pilegårdsvejen 4, Nyker, 3700 Rønne
Becks Chokolade (Gudhjem): Ejnar Mikkelsensvej 28, 3760 Gudhjem
Matter – House of Craft: Snellemark 39, 3700 Rønne
Næs Beach and Sandkås Beach, Hammer Harbour, Rø Plantation, the west coast north of Hasle, Almindingen and Slotslyngen in Northern Bornholm are among my favourites. Nature Agency Denmark has also highlighted countless beautiful natural landmarks across the island, including Pissebækken in the southern part of Slotslyngen. Hammerknuden is another spectacular landscape. I've spent most of my time exploring the northern part of Bornholm, but there are also wonderful places in the south that I still look forward to discovering.
Næs Beach and Sandkås Beach, Hammer Harbour, Rø Plantation, the west coast north of Hasle, Almindingen and Slotslyngen in Northern Bornholm are among my favourites. Nature Agency Denmark has also highlighted countless beautiful natural landmarks across the island, including Pissebækken in the southern part of Slotslyngen. Hammerknuden is another spectacular landscape. I've spent most of my time exploring the northern part of Bornholm, but there are also wonderful places in the south that I still look forward to discovering.
That has to be Sandvig Is Kalas.
Sandvig Is Kalas: Strandpromenaden 14, 3770 Allinge-Sandvig
I'm spending part of the summer at festivals – Heartland, Roskilde Festival, Syd for Solen and concerts at Gæsten, where I'm looking forward to seeing Ulige Numre, School of X and Aphaca.
Roskilde has an exceptional music programme this year. Besides David Byrne, I'm excited to see A Good Year, Elias Rønnenfelt, Smerz, Nourished by Time, Yung Lean and many more.
At the moment, I'm mostly reading cookbooks, knitting patterns and books about growing my own kitchen garden, but Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer is next on my reading list.
– Gæsten (live music)
– Bornholms Brand Park
– Galleri Sonja
– Næs & Sandkås Beach
– Sandvig Is Kalas
Follow Birgit Lyngbye Pedersen her, and follow Galleri Sonia, Villa Sonia and Brodie Sessions
"Vor einiger Zeit erhielt ich einen Artikel, der auf wissenschaftlichen Studien basierte und meine Welt der Hautpflege auf den Kopf stellte. Jüngste wissenschaftliche Studien haben herausgefunden, warum gesunde Haut ein wesentlicher Bestandteil der Langlebigkeit ist."
