This Baltic Sea island has a looong medieval wall with 44 towers, white sand beaches, and limestone sea stacks rising 30 meters high. Summer brings warm waters and Viking history comes alive.
Sweden's largest island, Gotland, rises from the Baltic Sea with its medieval city of Visby. Walk through the 3.5-kilometer stone wall with 44 towers, swim at Tofta's white sand beach, or kayak past 30-meter limestone sea stacks at Digerhuvud. The island gets more sun than mainland Sweden, making it warm enough for swimming from June through August when water temperatures reach 18°C.
Walking Through Medieval Visby
You can enter Visby through three main gates in its 13th-century wall. Inside, more than 200 warehouses and homes from the 12th to 14th centuries line the streets. The Sankta Maria Cathedral's octagonal towers dominate the skyline, and you can attend summer concerts in its Gothic interior. Walk the cobblestone streets between rose-covered cottages to reach Stora Torget, the main square, where local artisans sell ceramics, wool products, and regional foods.
Summer Events and Activities
The water temperature at Tofta beach reaches 16°C by June and peaks at 18°C in August. During Medieval Week in August, 300 events transform Visby - watch sword fighting tournaments, browse craft markets, and join guided walks in period costume. In early July, Almedalen Week brings Swedish politicians and journalists to public debates across the city. You can join sea kayaking tours along the limestone cliffs, with two-hour beginner routes or full-day trips for experienced paddlers.
Exploring Gotland's Natural Landmarks
The limestone sea stacks (raukar) create distinct shapes along several coastal sections. At Digerhuvud nature reserve, these stone formations extend for 3.5 kilometers, including the arch-shaped Lergravsporten and the face-like Hoburgsgubben. South of Visby at Högklint, descend a wooden staircase to see wave-carved caves in 48-meter cliffs. The flat terrain makes cycling easy - try the 40-kilometer western route from Djupvik's fishing harbor to Hammarudden's rocky shore.
Viking History and Artifacts
The Gotland Museum in Visby displays Viking silver treasures weighing 67 kilograms, including 14,000 coins found across the island. In Stenkyrka, walk through a 15-hectare Viking burial ground with 1,000 stone-marked graves. Watch blacksmiths work and taste Viking-era food at Stavgard Vikingagård, a reconstructed village where craftspeople demonstrate traditional skills from rope-making to bread baking.
Getting to Gotland
Ferries depart from Nynäshamn (near Stockholm) and Oskarshamn, taking three hours to reach Visby. SAS, Norwegian, and Ryanair fly to Visby Airport from Stockholm, with additional flights during summer. Rent bikes or cars in Visby to explore the island - driving from the northernmost to southernmost point takes about two hours on the 170-kilometer route.
