Bornholm is a Danish island in the Baltic Sea, southeast of the Danish mainland and closer in some ways to southern Sweden, known for its rocky coastline, round churches and smoked-fish traditions, and a rental car is the most flexible way to see how varied the island's small towns and countryside really are. Bornholm Airport (RNN), near the main town of Ronne on the island's west coast, handles a modest schedule of flights, mainly connecting to Copenhagen, and car rental desks there are run by international and local operators serving arriving passengers directly. Many visitors instead reach Bornholm by ferry, most commonly from Ystad in southern Sweden, a crossing of a couple of hours that lands in Ronne harbor, close to the same rental options available near the airport.
Once on the island, distances are modest by mainland standards; Ronne to the dramatic cliffs and lighthouse near Hammeren in the north takes roughly forty-five minutes, while the medieval town of Svaneke on the east coast is a similar distance in the other direction. The island's network of two-lane roads is well maintained and easy to navigate, winding through farmland, forest and small fishing villages rather than anything resembling a highway.
Driving is on the right throughout Denmark, and Bornholm has no toll roads itself, though any bridges used on a mainland approach toward Ystad may involve tolls or ferry fares outside the island. Fuel stations are spread across the island's main towns, and cycling infrastructure is extensive, so sharing narrower roads with bikes is routine, especially near coastal paths and round-church villages. Bornholm's compact size and quiet roads make it a relaxed island to explore by rental car over a long weekend, whether arriving by the small airport at Ronne or by ferry from Ystad. Summer brings the busiest visitor season, so booking ahead is worth doing if you plan to arrive during peak weeks, when demand on this small island can outpace the local supply of vehicles.