"A very relaxing place" Årsdale by Sjalen

The only reason we stayed in Aarsdale was that the hotels, campsites and hostels in Svaneke, 3 kilometres to the north, were all fully booked despite us trying well in advance. I can only say we are glad they were! Aarsdale turned out to be a village with almost no other tourists and we stopped in a pension where we could share the bar with locals and look out to sea whilst sipping Svaneke beer. All this whilst our daughter was happily playing with the local children. There are some tourists in Aarsdale too, since the village boasts no less than three fish smokeries. However, these all come in coaches which stop outside the main smokery for shopping, and then disappear again, leaving the locals to you. Amongst all Bornholm places we visited, Aarsdale felt the most genuine and it couldn't be easier to catch a bus or bike into Svaneke for more life. Staying in the village, you can walk along the seaside (even back to Svaneke through a nature reserve if you like) or just watch the sea birds. I have also never in my life seen as many swallows as here.

• Pros:relaxing, friendly
• Cons:quiet
• In a nutshell:The place for a burned out soul