Hammershus
Allinge, Denmark
Often called the largest castle ruin in Northern Europe, spread along a cliff above the sea at the north-west tip of Bornholm. Access is free; a visitor centre and car park sit below the ruin, with coastal paths towards Hammeren.
Hammershus, near Allinge at the north-western tip of the Danish Baltic island of Bornholm, is described as Scandinavia’s largest medieval fortification. The ruin stands on a rocky ridge some 70 to 74 m above the sea. It was built in the 13th century, or around 1300, probably under Archbishop Jens Grand. A 750 m perimeter wall encloses the site, and the Manteltårnet (mantle tower) is its most striking feature.
For centuries the Crown and the Church fought over the castle; later it served as a prison, among others from 1660 to 1661 for Corfitz Ulfeldt and his wife Leonora Christina. It was abandoned as a fortress in 1743, and many of its stones were reused elsewhere on the island. Since 1822 the ruin has been preserved as a monument. The visitor centre, with free entry, stands about 200 m east of the castle on the far side of a gorge and looks across to the ruin. The large car park charges a fee in season; free parking is available at Hammersholm or by Opalsøen.
- Nearest town
- Allinge, Denmark
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 55.2718, 14.7580
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–August. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September. Cold, short days in December–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Denmark: Tolls on some roads, bridges or tunnels. Tolls on the Great Belt and Øresund bridges. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Lejrplads SjøljanCampsite1 km from HammershusTentsDrinking waterToiletsFree
- Lejrplads EgeløkkeCampsite1 km from HammershusTentsDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Lyngholt FamiliecampingCampsite2 km from HammershusTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowers
- Finnedalen TeltpladsCampsite2 km from HammershusTentsDrinking waterToiletsFree
- Tejn HavnMotorhome stopover6 km from Hammershus · 6 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Hasle CampingCampsite11 km from HammershusTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
All campsites in Denmark · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Hammershus?
Hammershus is in Allinge, Denmark, at GPS 55.2718, 14.7580. It is about 10 km from Hasle.
Can you camp near Hammershus?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Teltplads Møllebakken, about 0 km away; within 25 km there are 25 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Hammershus?
Hammershus is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Bornholm by ferry: round churches and Hammershus and Granite cliffs, smokehouse chimneys and round churches – all the way around Bornholm by camper.
What is there to see near Hammershus?
Places worth a stop nearby: Østerlars Church (18 km), Dueodde (37 km), Glimmingehus (42 km) and Ale’s Stones (46 km).
When is the best time to visit Hammershus?
The most pleasant months are usually June–August. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)