Gudhjem
Town & Museum
A vibrant cultural centre and meeting place where magnificent nature, contemporary and historic Bornholm art, and the history of the place come together. Here you can discover the stories of Gudhjem through exhibitions and events.
When is Gudhjem Museum open?
Gudhjem – Art, History and Nature in the Coastal Town
Gudhjem is one of Bornholm’s iconic coastal towns, known for its distinctive light, steep streets and characteristic rocky coastline. Here, nature, culture and history come together in a vibrant townscape, where you can explore small paths and hidden passages between shops, cafés, galleries and the town’s many smokehouse chimneys.
The town is best experienced on foot. We recommend parking in one of the free car parks at the top of the town and enjoying the walk down through the winding streets, with views across the Baltic Sea. Along the way, you will get a sense of the town’s distinctive terraced layout, which makes Gudhjem so unique.
The history of the area goes back to ancient times, and in the Middle Ages Gudhjem was an important trading town. Fishing flourished during the 19th and 20th centuries, and you can still see Bornholm’s first herring smokehouse in the town. Later, Gudhjem became a gathering place for artists, who flocked to Bokul with their easels.
At the top of Gudhjem you will find Gudhjem Museum, housed in the former railway station building and a modern exhibition wing. Every year, the museum presents changing exhibitions of art and craft, as well as local history exhibitions and the Gudhjem local archive.
The museum is owned and run by the Gudhjem By- og Museumsforening, which also organises lectures, public meetings and cultural events. Experience Gudhjem’s art, history and vibrant town life – and let the view accompany you all the way. Welcome!
Nature, Art and History meet in the Museum Park
The large, open area in front of Gudhjem Museum is situated in an exceptionally beautiful setting. The views across Svaneke Bay and over land and sea are magnificent, and the site slopes towards the south, allowing the sun to warm it from early spring until late autumn. It is therefore an ideal setting for both art and nature.
Follow the small winding paths between impressive sculptures through an area managed as a living nature project. Wildflowers, shrubs and trees provide habitats for butterflies and other insects. Throughout the year, the colours, species and details change, so every visit offers something new to discover.
Discover the History of Gudhjem
The museum’s historical exhibitions offer a rich insight into everyday life in Gudhjem and Melsted.
Our digital archive contains thousands of photographs, documents and audio recordings from Gudhjem and Melsted throughout the years. It preserves stories of everyday life, fishing, buildings and local people.