Aakirkeby
Old island capital Aakirkeby
Aakirkeby is located in the far south of the Baltic island of Bornholm. The name Aakirkeby comes from Bornholm’s oldest church, located there and dating back to the 12th century. Aakirkeby is the only town on Bornholm that is not on the coast—it lies halfway between Rønne and Nexø . However, it is one of the oldest settlements on Bornholm. In the Middle Ages, Aakirkeby was the principal town on the island of Bornholm and the seat of ecclesiastical government. The town then lost its importance by the 19th century.
Museum NaturBornholm in Aakirkeby
Photo: © Rainer Höll
Holiday destination Aakirkeby
Today, Aakirkeby, with a population of 1,600, is a lively shopping centre for the southern part of Bornholm. The abundance of flowers adorning its houses has earned it the nickname “Flower Town.” Another defining feature is its location. Aakirkeby also promotes itself with the motto “The town at the heart of the island.” At least, this holds true for the southern part of the Baltic island of Bornholm. Its welcoming, pedestrian-friendly town centre is a paradise for Bornholm holidaymakers looking to enjoy a relaxing stroll in pleasant surroundings. Numerous welcoming restaurants, boutiques and other charming little “corners” of the town make a holiday in Aakirkeby an unforgettable experience. At every turn, visitors can sense their hosts’ commitment to offering the highest quality. While Aakirkeby has only a few guesthouse-style accommodations, as in almost all Danish holiday destinations, the town is dominated by holiday homes, holiday-home complexes and holiday apartments. There is also a campsite among Aakirkeby’s holiday accommodation options.
Aakirkeby as a place to visit
The twin tower of Aa Church, which gave the town its name, still defines the townscape today. Like the well-known round churches of Bornholm, the tower was designed as a defensive structure, with massive walls. The church’s greatest treasure, however, comes from its predecessor: a baptismal font made of local sandstone and featuring 11 arches. Aa Church in Aakirkeby is not only the oldest surviving church, but also the largest on the island of Bornholm.
Two very different museums have made their home in Aakirkeby. Bornholm’s Automobile Museum, just south of the town itself, displays numerous exceptionally well-preserved vintage cars. The unique exhibition is complemented by a workshop furnished true to the period in which the cars on display were made. A special kind of museum has been established in the north of the town: NaturBornholm, which we describe in detail elsewhere.
North of the town lies the largest forest on the island of Bornholm, and the third-largest of its kind in all of Denmark: Almindingen. For nature lovers, Almindingen offers a unique variety of wildlife and plant life, set amid impressive geological formations. Rocky valleys, the remains of ancient structures, observation towers for birdwatching, and the island’s highest “mountain,” at 162 metres, are just some of the attractions that make a trip to this forest a truly memorable experience for the whole family.
You can book your holiday home in Aakirkeby directly
Attractions on Bornholm
