William Dams Bookstore, Rønne
One of Denmark’s oldest family-run bookshops, blending 19th‑century heritage, live culture and 20,000+ books in the heart of Rønne’s main square.
Set on Rønne’s central square, William Dams Bookstore is one of Denmark’s oldest and most atmospheric bookshops. Founded in the 19th century and still family-run, it combines creaking floors and leather chairs with shelves of more than 20,000 mostly Danish titles, a smaller English selection, games, gifts and stationery. Live jazz on some Saturdays, regular author events and knowledgeable staff make it a cultural hub as much as a shop.
A brief summary to William Dams Bookstore
- Store Torv 7, Rønne, 3700, DK
- +4556950167
- Visit website
- Duration: 0.5 to 1.5 hours
- Budget
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Indoor
- Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
- Monday 10 am-5:30 pm
- Tuesday 10 am-5:30 pm
- Wednesday 10 am-5:30 pm
- Thursday 10 am-5:30 pm
- Friday 10 am-5:30 pm
- Saturday 9:30 am-1 pm
Local tips
- Aim for a weekday late morning for the calmest browsing; Saturdays can be livelier, especially when the square is busy or live jazz is scheduled.
- Ask staff for local recommendations if you want books about Bornholm, regional cookbooks or works by Danish authors in translation.
- If you need an English-language holiday read, head to the international section near the fiction shelves, where the foreign titles are grouped together.
- Combine your visit with a coffee or lunch on Store Torv; the bookstore’s central position makes it an easy cultural stop in between errands or sightseeing.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Drink Options
- Food Options
- Seating Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
William Dams Bookstore location weather suitability
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Any Weather
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Rain / Wet Weather
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Cold Weather
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Mild Temperatures
Discover more about William Dams Bookstore
A historic book haven on Rønne’s main square
William Dams Bookstore sits right on Store Torv, Rønne’s main square, facing the central fountain and anchoring the heart of town with a distinctly literary soul. Step through the door and you are entering one of Denmark’s oldest bookshops, with roots that reach back to 1857. The business took the name of William Dam in the 1930s and has remained in the same family for generations, quietly witnessing Bornholm’s changing fortunes while maintaining its own character. The location could hardly be more central: outside, the square buzzes with everyday island life, while inside, shelves and display tables create a slower, more reflective world. This contrast between lively public space and calm interior is part of the appeal, especially if you are pausing during a day of sightseeing in Rønne.Family legacy and evolving traditions
The story of the shop is closely tied to the Dam family, who have steered it through almost a century of literary trends. Each generation has left a mark, expanding sections, modernising interiors and embracing new formats while preserving the traditional feel of a classic bookshop. Today’s owners continue that balance: they curate contemporary bestsellers alongside regional history, local authors and practical guides to Bornholm. Events are central to the shop’s identity. Author evenings and talks turn the bookstore into a small cultural salon, where islanders and visitors can hear new voices and discover emerging writers. Between these occasions, the atmosphere remains personal and conversational; staff are happy to talk through reading tastes and suggest unexpected titles, which is especially helpful if you are exploring Nordic literature for the first time.What you’ll find on the shelves
Despite its intimate footprint, William Dams holds an impressive range of more than 20,000 Danish-language books. Rows of fiction sit alongside crime novels, children’s stories, comics, cookbooks, travel guides, art volumes and practical non-fiction. A more compact but carefully chosen selection of English-language titles caters to international travellers looking for a holiday read or an introduction to Danish authors in translation. Beyond books, the store branches into puzzles and board games, stationery, pens, office and school supplies, and a changing array of gift items. This makes it a useful stop if you are seeking presents to take home, from design-forward notebooks to literary-themed trinkets. Seasonal displays highlight new releases or island-related themes, giving repeat visitors something new to browse on each visit.Atmosphere, details and weekend jazz
Part of the charm lies in the sensory details. Wooden shelves, thoughtful lighting and comfortable leather chairs invite you to linger rather than rush. On some Saturdays, live jazz adds a gentle soundtrack, turning the rear of the shop into an impromptu lounge where you can leaf through a newly discovered book while the music drifts between the stacks. Even without music, the ambiance is unhurried and welcoming. The layout encourages browsing, with smaller corners for children’s books and quieter nooks suited to deeper concentration. It feels more like a local cultural living room than a purely commercial space, which makes dropping in rewarding even if you are not planning a major purchase.Planning your visit in Rønne
William Dams Bookstore keeps core daytime hours on weekdays, with slightly earlier closing on Saturdays and no Sunday opening, so it fits naturally into a morning or afternoon stroll around Rønne. Weekdays are ideal if you want quieter browsing; Saturdays can feel more animated, especially if an event or live music coincides with market activity outside on the square. Given its central location, combining a stop here with a coffee nearby or a walk through Rønne’s historic streets is straightforward. You can pick up a guidebook to Bornholm, choose a novel for lazy beach afternoons, or stock up on drawing pads, games and children’s stories before exploring the rest of the island, carrying a little of Rønne’s literary tradition with you.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Den russiske bjørn
0.3 km
Explore the enchanting Den russiske bjørn in Rønne, a unique tourist attraction steeped in local culture and history, perfect for memorable experiences.
Ronne Lighthouse
0.3 km
A slender white cast-iron lighthouse above Rønne’s harbour, once a vital guiding light and now a simple, elegant symbol of Bornholm’s maritime gateway.
Bornholms Ø-arkiv
0.5 km
Bornholm's premier archive preserving centuries of island genealogy and local history.
Destination Bornholm ApS
0.5 km
Discover the enchanting Danish island of Bornholm, where stunning landscapes meet rich cultural traditions and unforgettable experiences await.
Asylcenter Rønne & Segen
0.8 km
Experience community living at Asylcenter Rønne & Segen, a unique apartment-style accommodation in beautiful Bornholm, Denmark.
Slemmegrav
2.2 km
Explore the rich history and stunning architecture of Slemmegrav, a hidden gem in Rønne, Denmark, perfect for history lovers and nature enthusiasts.
Klintebakken
14.1 km
A billion-year geological journey where ancient granite meets younger sandstone at Bornholm's most scientifically significant fault line.
Vang Pier
16.1 km
Granite monument and sandy beach where Bornholm's industrial past meets modern recreation.
Domen
20.9 km
Geometric wooden dome on Allinge’s seafront, blending Baltic views, Folkemødet history and flexible cultural life in one striking, light-filled shell.
Melsted Havn
21.3 km
An authentic 1884 granite harbour preserving Bornholm's fishing heritage between protective skerries.
Geografisk knudepunkt
22.3 km
Where latitude and longitude meet: Denmark's geographic heart on the Bornholm coast.
Louisenlund
23.8 km
Over 50 ancient standing stones in a mystical woodland setting, revealing Bornholm's Neolithic ritual landscape.
Midterpilt
24.9 km
A modest stone cairn marking the highest point of Paradisbakkerne, Midterpilt is a quiet waypoint on Bornholm’s wildest woodland and heathland hiking routes.
Snogebæk Havn
28.1 km
Bornholm's easternmost harbor where fishing tradition, artisan culture, and pristine beaches converge.
Svaneke Havn
28.5 km
Experience the serene beauty and cultural charm of Svaneke Havn, a picturesque marina on the enchanting island of Bornholm, Denmark.
Unmissable attractions to see
Erichsens Gård
0.2 km
Step through a low timbered doorway into 19th‑century Bornholm life, where a merchant’s home and secret garden in Rønne quietly preserve stories of art, family and island culture.
Bornholms Museum
0.3 km
Bornholm’s cultural heart in Rønne, where gold hoards, island clocks, and wartime stories trace 10,000 years of Baltic island history under one roof.
St Nicholas Church
0.3 km
Historic hilltop parish church above Rønne’s harbour, blending 13th‑century roots, Bornholm granite craft and a living musical tradition in a serene Baltic setting.
Bornholm Airport
4.8 km
Denmark's state-operated island gateway connecting Bornholm to Copenhagen and beyond.
Bagågraven
5.6 km
A former coastal clay pit turned wild hollow, where Jurassic layers, dinosaur history and Baltic waves meet just north of Rønne on Bornholm.
New Church
6.1 km
Historic seafaring heritage and coastal resilience at an evocative museum on Nexø’s bustling harbor, revealing Bornholm’s maritime stories and post-war rebuilding.
Slaus Stene
6.1 km
A whimsical forest of granite faces and folklore near Rønne, where local craftsman Slaus carved myths, trolls and stories into the Bornholm woods.
Kultippen Hasle
7.6 km
A stark, moonlike coal tip above a soft Baltic beach, where Bornholm’s industrial past meets wild forest and wide, west-coast horizons.
Bornholms Rovfugleshow
7.8 km
Immersive birds-of-prey shows and evolution-themed encounters on Bornholm, where owls, falcons, reptiles and farm animals turn science into a full, family-friendly day out.
Nylars Church
8.0 km
Discover Bornholm’s dramatic maritime, wartime, and everyday history in a harborside museum filled with evocative exhibitions and authentic local stories.
Hasle Strand
8.1 km
Long west-coast sands, quiet dunes and pine-backed shoreline where Bornholm’s soft side meets big Baltic sunsets just south of the harbor town of Hasle.
Lundestenen Jættestue
8.5 km
Quietly resting in a Bornholm field, Lundestenen Jættestue invites you into one of Denmark’s largest Stone Age passage graves for a brief, evocative step back in time.
The Brogård stone
8.6 km
Bornholm’s largest Viking runestone, standing quietly by a country road near Hasle, where clear runes in granite still tell a thousand-year-old story.
Bornholms Center for Kunsthåndværk - Grønbechs Gård
9.1 km
A historic merchant’s house in Hasle transformed into Bornholm’s vibrant hub for contemporary ceramics, glass and design – with galleries, shop and café under one roof.
Kræmmerhuset Kunsthåndværk
9.7 km
A historic Bornholm schoolhouse where island ceramics, textiles and a 7,000 m² flower garden come together in a relaxed, countryside craft and garden escape.
Essential places to dine
Casa Mia Di Vincenzo Guastafierro
0.1 km
A cosy Italian pearl in the heart of Rønne, serving generous pizzas, pastas and island‑evening warmth under the glow of a neighbourhood trattoria.
Café-Munter
0.1 km
Lively all-day café on Rønne’s main square, serving hearty comfort food, great coffee and cakes with a front-row view of Bornholm’s everyday life.
Det Røde Pakhus
0.1 km
Modern Bornholm cuisine in a historic red warehouse, where harbour and forest ingredients meet thoughtful cooking in the heart of Rønne.
Hovedvagten
0.2 km
Historic 18th‑century guardhouse turned cozy Danish restaurant, serving Bornholm‑inspired comfort food in the atmospheric heart of Rønne’s old town.
Texas Bornholm
0.2 km
Hearty American comfort food, cold drinks and year‑round street‑side seating in the middle of Rønne’s bustling pedestrian heart on the island of Bornholm.
Snurra
0.2 km
Daytime patisserie-meets-brasserie in central Rønne, serving sourdough buns, cakes, coffee and casual Nordic plates in a cosy, modern café setting.
Râzapâz
0.3 km
Natural wine, seasonal plates and bohemian charm come together at this intimate Rønne spiseri, where Bornholm’s culinary energy is poured by the glass.
Hasle Smokehouse
8.7 km
Historic alderwood smokehouses on Bornholm’s west coast, where traditional smoked fish, casual dining and Baltic Sea views meet in one atmospheric seaside stop.
The Ranch
12.6 km
Western-inspired group dining and celebrations in a former community hall on Bornholm, blending hearty cooking with relaxed, village-saloon atmosphere.
Restaurant Bolsterbjerg v/Lola Mortensen
12.8 km
Countryside Danish cooking in a leafy Bornholm garden, where classic comfort dishes meet a tranquil event‑ready setting just outside Rønne.
Restaurant Ekkodalshuset
13.2 km
Hearty Danish lunches and giant tartlets served in a cozy forest inn beside Bornholm’s echo valley, perfectly paired with walks in Almindingen.
Christianshøjkroen
13.3 km
Historic yellow forest kro on Bornholm serving refined Danish smørrebrød and Skovfrokost in a cosy cottage and garden terrace deep among the trees.
Le Port i Vang på Bornholm
16.5 km
Clifftop gourmet dining on Bornholm’s wild northwest coast, where refined French‑Nordic cuisine meets sweeping Baltic Sea sunsets over Vang and Hammershus.
Stammershalle Badehotel
18.6 km
Historic 1911 seaside bathing hotel on Bornholm’s wild north coast, pairing Baltic Sea panoramas and rocky swims with refined Nordic dining and quiet coastal charm.
Kadeau Bornholm
20.3 km
Remote, refined and deeply Bornholm at heart, this seaside cottage restaurant turns island gardens, shorelines and smokehouses into an immersive New Nordic tasting journey.
Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
William Dams Bookstore
0.0 km
One of Denmark’s oldest family-run bookshops, blending 19th‑century heritage, live culture and 20,000+ books in the heart of Rønne’s main square.
Flying Tiger Copenhagen
0.1 km
A small, colorful universe of Scandinavian-designed gifts, gadgets and creative essentials in the heart of Rønne, perfect for playful souvenirs and practical finds.
Din Tøjmand by Jan & Nalle
0.1 km
Bornholm's trusted menswear specialist on the heart of Rønne's main shopping street.
People-Fashion.dk
0.2 km
Intimate Scandinavian womenswear boutique in central Rønne, blending slow fashion, natural fabrics and easy Nordic style with Bornholm’s relaxed island atmosphere.
Sct. Nicolai Genbrug
0.3 km
Volunteer-run thrift shop in central Rønne, where low-priced second-hand clothing and curios support local church social work and sustainable shopping on Bornholm.
sNoir
0.4 km
Cosy Bornholm lifestyle boutique for women, offering inclusive sizes, Scandinavian-inspired fashion, lingerie and accessories in the heart of Rønne’s Snellemark centre.
KiDS Coolshop Bornholm
0.4 km
Scandinavia's coolest toy destination where children explore, play, and discover their next favorite adventure.
Snellemark Centret
0.4 km
Bornholm's main shopping destination, conveniently located near the ferry terminal in charming Rønne.
Sport Dres Bornholm v/Jesper Schiøtt
0.9 km
Compact but expertly stocked fishing specialist in central Rønne, where Bornholm’s anglers gear up, swap tips and prepare for time on the island’s lakes and coasts.
Dansk
1.2 km
Relaxed, value-focused clothing outlet in Rønne offering practical Danish fashion and everyday basics for the whole family, with a cosy coffee corner on site.
Torvehal Bornholm
1.2 km
Compact Bornholm food hall and roastery café in Rønne, bringing local flavours, natural groceries and island coffee culture together under one relaxed roof.
The Bornholm Farm Shop
8.4 km
Cooperative countryside farm shop near Rønne, bringing Bornholm’s meats, oils, honey, lambskins and island delicacies together in a relaxed rural setting.
Bornholmsk Pileflet
12.9 km
A small rural workshop in Klemensker where traditional willow weaving becomes functional art and intimate encounters with Bornholm’s craft heritage unfold.
Bornholms Valsemølle A/S
14.3 km
Working island flour mill and cozy farm shop where Bornholm grain becomes characterful flour and local delicacies in the heart of Aakirkeby.
Sparloppan
14.5 km
Quirky flea market, art gallery and cosy café gathered on one floor above Aakirkeby’s town square, mixing retro treasures, local creativity and relaxed Bornholm hygge.
Essential bars & hidden hideouts
Krystal Bodega
0.1 km
No‑frills local pub in central Rønne, serving cold beers, bar games and late‑night Bornholm atmosphere in classic Danish bodega style.
Café 18
0.1 km
Casual bodega and cocktail bar where Rønne locals gather for coffee, conversation, and evening drinks.
O'Malley
0.1 km
Cosy Irish pub and sports bar in central Rønne, pouring stout and whiskies, screening live games and hosting lively evenings on Bornholm’s main town square.
Den Marinerede Sild
0.1 km
A snug, Bornholm-flavoured pub on Lille Torv in central Rønne, pouring local craft beers and cocktails in a warm, intimate setting with easy island charm.
Café Lille Per
0.2 km
Local bodega charm on Rønne’s central square, where simple drinks, easygoing vibes and everyday Bornholm life meet in one relaxed café-bar.
Pølse baren på Campus Bornholm
1.1 km
Casual sausage bar on Campus Bornholm serving traditional Danish pølser to students and visitors.
Ølhuzed ApS
9.1 km
Cosy craft beer bar in the heart of Hasle, pouring Bornholm brews and European favourites with simple tapas, nachos and an easygoing neighbourhood vibe.
Dagligstuen
14.5 km
Aakirkeby's unpretentious beer hall and community gathering space on the main square.
Buddha Bar
14.6 km
Relaxed, Asian‑tinged bar on Aakirkeby’s central square, ideal for casual drinks, simple bites and unhurried people‑watching at the heart of inland Bornholm.
Cabaret Bornholm
16.5 km
Intimate cocktail and tapas bar bringing a touch of cabaret flair and late‑night atmosphere to the quiet coastal town of Allinge on Bornholm.
Penyllan Brewery
18.5 km
Harbourfront craft brewery on Bornholm’s north coast, blending barrel-aged beer, Nordic flavours and Baltic sea views in a relaxed, intimate taproom.
Pilen bar & bodega
20.4 km
Unpretentious neighborhood bar in central Allinge, serving cold beers, hearty plates and laid‑back Bornholm nightlife from lunchtime until late.
Ølstauan
20.7 km
Harbourside Bornholm bar where local craft beers, hearty Danish comfort food and Baltic Sea views come together in a relaxed, grown‑up atmosphere.
Provianten
21.2 km
Cozy harbor-side wine bar and eatery in Gudhjem, blending thoughtful drinks, simple honest food and Bornholm’s relaxed coastal atmosphere.
Underbar
21.3 km
Intimate cliffside bar beneath Hotel Nordlandet, where Nordic cocktails, candlelight and big Baltic horizons turn Bornholm’s wild north coast into your living room.
For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Relaxing
- Tranquil
- Scenic
- Fun-filled
- Unique
- Casual
- Boutique
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Vintage Styles
- Modern Designs
- Rustic Designs
For the architecture buff
- Historic
- Landmarks
- Heritage Neighborhoods
For the social media creator & influencer
- Photo Spots
- Aesthetic Corners
- Architectural Shots
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Low Impact
- Public-Transport Accessible
- Locally Managed
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Day Trip
- Weekend Getaway
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Child Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Solo Female Friendly
- Business Friendly