Discovering Denmark: What You Need to Know about Ronne
Ronne, the largest town on the island of Bornholm in Denmark, is a notable stop on many Baltic cruise itineraries. American cruise lines such as Celebrity, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean often include Ronne in their routes. I visited here on a Holland America Line sailing aboard Zuiderdam. It was our third port of call in Denmark, after visiting the country’s much more populated cities of Copehagen and Aarhus.
Related: Check out my video review of Zuiderdam.
The town features a modern cruise terminal at the Port of Røenne, which provides easy access to local attractions, and the city provides cruisers with a free shuttle from the cruise port area to a location just down the hill from St. Nicolas’ Church (more on that in a moment). After walking up the hill, and exploring the church, cruisers can walk just a few more scenic blocks to get to the city center of Bornholm.
Known for its half-timbered houses and cobblestone streets, Ronne offers a quaint and relaxing experience. With a population of about 13,000, it maintains a small-town feel while offering various cultural and historical sites.
From Ronne Cruise Port to the City Center
The cruise port is located about one mile from Ronne’s city center. It makes it easily accessible on foot, although as noted above, the city provides a free shuttle for cruisers. If you prefer to walk, however, a leisurely walk will take you about 20 minutes. For those with mobility limitations or preferring quicker transport, taxis are available, with fares typically ranging from $10-15 USD. Ride-sharing services like Uber are not currently available in Ronne.
Top Things to do in Rönne
European cruise excursions tend to be quite expensive and somewhat limited. If you’re looking for things to do in Ronne, here are some of the top choices. You’ll likely find some of these offered as official cruise line excursions, or you can venture out and explore them on your own. Just make sure you’re aware first of the pros and cons (and risks) of independent excursions.
If you plan to stay in Ronne, my recommendation is to save money on transportation and excursions and just walk around and enjoy all that this area has to offer on foot. While I really enjoyed Ronne, and found it a relaxing port of call and great one to walk around leisurely and explore, there isn’t as much to do here as there are at many other Baltic cruise ports.
St. Nicolas’ Church
The church of St. Nicolas, also known as Sankt Nicolai Kirke, is a historical and religious site in Rönne. It is located about 1 mile from the cruise port. It is a 20-minute walk, but I strongly encourage cruisers to take advantage of the free shuttle from the cruise terminal, which drops off right at the foot of a hill that leads up to the church. The church dates back to the 13th century and showcases beautiful architecture and historical artifacts. There is no entrance fee to visit the church.
The interior of the church is equally impressive, with intricate woodwork, stained glass windows, and a peaceful atmosphere. Visitors can explore the church, attend services, and learn about its history through informational plaques and exhibits.
Erichsens Gåard
Erichsens Gåard is a well-preserved 19th-century merchant’s house that offers a glimpse into the past. Located about 2 miles from the cruise terminal, it’s a bit too far to walk, but it’s just a short 9-minute walk from the city’s shuttle drop-off point near St. Nicolas’ Church. The entrance fee is around $6 USD. The museum showcases traditional interiors. You will see a beautiful garden, and exhibits about the daily life of a middle-class family in the 1800s.
Visitors can explore the house and garden, learning about the historical context and cultural significance of the era. Guided tours provide deeper insights into the lifestyle and customs of the time, making it a fascinating stop for history enthusiasts.
Bornholm Museum
The Bornholm Museum, located in the heart of Ronne, is about one mile from the cruise port, or just blocks from the cruise shuttle drop-off point. The museum offers comprehensive exhibits on the island’s history, culture, and art including artifacts from prehistoric times, Viking artifacts, and interactive displays. Admission costs around $10 USD. It’s a great place to learn about Bornholm’s unique heritage.
Ronne Theater
Ronne Theater is remarkable for standing as Denmark’s oldest theater. It’s a cultural landmark located about one mile from the cruise port, or just a short walk from the cruise shuttle drop-off point. The theater is known for its classical architecture. It stands in the midst of the city center, which is a great location to grab coffee at a cafe, or lunch at one of the many nearby restaurants, many of which have outdoor seating.
Hjorth’s Factory
Hjorths Fabrik, or Hjorth’s Factory, is a working ceramics museum where visitors can see pottery being made. It is located about a mile from the port, or blocks from the shuttle drop point, and admission costs around $8 USD. The museum offers an in-depth look at the ceramic production process and showcases a variety of pottery pieces. Visitors can participate in workshops, watch live demonstrations, and shop for unique handmade ceramics as souvenirs.
Language and Currency
The official language of Ronne and the entire country of Denmark is Danish, although many residents also speak English, especially in tourist areas. During our visit, all of the vendors we interacted with were fluent in English.
The official currency in Ronne and throughout Denmark is the Danish Krone (DKK). Most vendors do not accept US currency. Credit cards are widely accepted, and in most European locations, tap-to-pay or contactless payment is becoming very common and quite convenient. A tap-to-pay credit card, also known as a contactless card, allows users to make payments quickly and securely. One may simply tap the card against a contactless-enabled payment terminal. It eliminates the need to swipe or insert the card and enter a PIN.
Ronne Cruise Port Ship Schedule
The Ronne, Denmark cruise ship schedule can be found on Cruisemapper.
Ronne Time Zone
Keeping track of time zones can get complicated when cruising, especially for Americans on European cruises with substantial time zone differences, and itineraries may result in time changes during the cruise. Your captain will make announcements during the cruise to update you on these changes, but it’s good to be aware of these differences ahead of time when planning your stop at the port, especially for excursions.
Ronne follows Central European Time (CET), which is UTC+1 during standard time, and Central European Summer Time (CEST), which is UTC+2 during daylight saving time. However, please note that time zones and daylight saving time rules may change, so it’s always a good idea to double-check the current local time when planning travel or activities.
Many cruise lines operate on “ship time” corresponding with the embarkation point, so if your cruise sails from Amsterdam or Ijmuiden, which follows Central European Time (CET) zone.
