About the Port
Gudhjem tumbles down a rocky hillside on Bornholm's northern shore, its cluster of half-timbered, brightly painted houses framing a small harbor still active with fishing boats. The town's name means "God's Home," and its steep lanes, red-tiled roofs, and views over the Baltic Sea have long drawn painters to the island's distinctive quality of light. Smokehouses along the waterfront continue a tradition of preparing herring and other local fish, a specialty closely tied to the town's identity.
The old town sits within easy walking distance of the harbor, making it simple to explore on foot without arranged transport. Nearby, the island's rolling farmland and rocky coastline invite further exploration, including the medieval round church at Østerlars a short distance inland. Gudhjem offers a compact, atmospheric introduction to Bornholm's blend of maritime heritage, artisanal food traditions, and quiet natural scenery.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in Gudhjem.
Sample Smoked Herring at a Røgeri
Visit one of the harborside smokehouses to try warm-smoked herring straight from the kiln, best eaten outdoors with rye bread and a raw egg yolk, Bornholm-style.
Visit Østerlars Round Church
This whitewashed medieval fortress-church, the largest of Bornholm's four round churches, sits about a 15-minute drive or taxi ride inland and rewards with frescoes and thick defensive walls.
Wander the Painted Old Town
Climb the steep, cobbled lanes above the harbor to see the half-timbered houses that drew generations of Bornholm artists, many now home to small galleries and craft shops.
Cruise Lines That Call Here
Cruises That Visit Gudhjem
| Departs | Cruise Line | Ship | Itinerary | Nights | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 3, 2026 | Ponant Cruises | Le Champlain | 7 | $12,360 | |
| Aug 10, 2026 | Ponant Cruises | Le Champlain | 8 | $11,860 | |
| May 13, 2027 | Ponant Cruises | Le Champlain | 8 | $8,470 | |
| Jun 11, 2027 | Ponant Cruises | Le Champlain | 7 | $10,810 | |
| Aug 5, 2027 | Ponant Cruises | Le Champlain | 7 | $10,740 | |
| May 8, 2028 | Silversea | Silver Endeavour | 26 | $25,500 | |
| May 20, 2028 | Silversea | Silver Endeavour | 14 | $15,920 | |
| Jun 3, 2028 | Silversea | Silver Endeavour | 28 | $39,100 | |
| Jun 3, 2028 | Silversea | Silver Endeavour | 14 | $17,520 | |
| Jun 22, 2028 | Ponant Cruises | Le Laperouse | 8 | $12,190 | |
| Jun 30, 2028 | Ponant Cruises | Le Laperouse | 12 | $13,060 | |
| Jul 12, 2028 | Ponant Cruises | Le Laperouse | 8 | $11,960 |