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Visby – a Swedish fairytale town on the island of Gotland

Ask any Swede about Visby and they’ll probably get a dreamy look on their face. It’s rare to find someone who isn’t fond of this enchanting medieval town, located on the island of Gotland, east of the Swedish mainland.

• Visby is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Saffron pancakes are a local speciality.
• Gotland is the largest island in Sweden.

Whether you’re looking for history, nature, culture, good food or just want to relax on the beach, the town of Visby , has it all. Located on the island of Gotland, in the Baltic Sea, this fairy-tale town is a national treasure. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, characterised as having “outstanding universal value.”

This well-preserved medieval Hanseatic town dates back to the 12th century and contains several remarkable church ruins from the period such as St Clemens, St Nicolai and Drotten’s ruins, and the St Karin church ruin with its high arches. Visby boasts several historic churches as well, including the Sankta Maria Cathedral built at the end of the 12th century.

Visby also has a well-preserved 3.5 kilometres long medieval ring wall (The Visby City Wall) with many of its original towers from the 1200s still intact. The wall encircles the centre of Visby and was initially built for protection against both foreign enemies and Swedish assailants from the countryside.

The Visby City Wall

'Ringmuren' (The Visby City Wall) stretches across 3.5 kilometres.

Photo : Patrick Hansson/Destination Gotland

The Gotland Museum

Photo : Gotlands Museum

Fiskargränd, Visby

Photo : Tina Axelsson/imagebank.sweden.se

Visby, Gotland

Photo : Rodrigo Rivas Ruiz/imagebank.sweden.se

Kneippbyn Resort, Gotland

Photo : Kneippbyn Resort

St Nicolai, Gotland

Photo : Sofia Cassis/Region Gotland

Drotten’s ruins, Gotland

Visby culture – from Vikings to Pippi Longstocking

Along the streets of Visby are more than 200 buildings and homes dating back to somewhere between the 12th and 14th centuries. The Gotland Museum’s Fornsalen (Hall of Antiquities) contains a number of archaeological finds dating back to Viking times and the museum’s Treasury boasts the largest silver treasure in Europe – 67 kilos of bangles, bracelets and 14,000 coins. A visit here will help put the town’s long and fascinating history into perspective. If you’re eager for more, a guided tour with the museum’s knowledgeable guides gives you a chance to visit some of the ruins usually closed to the public.

The beloved Pippi Longstocking movies were filmed along the narrow streets of Visby and the original Villa Villerkulla can be found just outside the town, at Kneippbyn Resort. Another address, appreciated by Pippi fans and Instagrammers alike, is Fiskargränd. The picturesque alley with its cobblestones and winding roses is probably the most photographed street in Visby today. If you wish to explore Visby in the footsteps of Pippi Longstocking even further, the local tourist office provides free maps listing all Pippi locations in town.

With its natural beauty and ancient history, Gotland is a mystical and inspiring place to live that attracts many artists. Their handicrafts are sold in the local Visby shops. Gotland is particularly known for its wonderful ceramics and woollen items. The grey, wool lambskins from local sheep, are warm and decorate many Scandinavian homes.

Södra Hällarna, Gotland

Gotland is Sweden's largest island and is a popular destination during summer.

Photo : Olof Segerberg/Destination Gotland

Högklint, Gotland

Tofta Beach, Gotland

Sailing outside Gotland

Photo : Tuukka Ervasti/imagebank.sweden.se

Garden blooms and day trips outdoors

In addition to its long history and fascinating ruins, Visby is also known for its gardens, particularly the profusion of roses that bloom in the sunny summer months. In addition to the roses and overflowing flower boxes on Visby’s winding, cobblestone lanes, there’s a collection of roses at the 2.5-hectare Botanical Garden , which dates back to 1855. It also has a large collection of exotic trees and plants that flourish in Gotland’s mild climate. There’s no entrance fee for the gardens, which also contain a herb garden and a Gazebo Garden (an open-sided pavilion).

There is a bathing jetty by the beach walk in central Visby, and four beaches within just five kilometres. If you feel like going a little further afield, head for the popular Tofta Beach, located 20 kilometres south of Visby. Although Gotland is the largest island in Sweden, the distances are short and the landscape mostly flat, making Visby a good starting point for day trips by bike.

A hike to Högklint, seven kilometres south of Visby, will give you not only magnificent views over the town but also a treat through Södra Hällarna nature reserve with steep cliffs and caves, an ivy forest and rocky beaches.

For more hiking, biking and bathing tips around the island, visit our Gotland destination page .

Major events in Visby

• Almedalen Week – 'Almedalsveckan': Swedish political parties, journalists, influential people and mere mortals gather in Visby to discuss politics and attend seminars, speeches and other political activities as well as some festive events. The Almedalen Week always takes place week 27.
• Medieval Week – 'Medeltidsveckan': Every summer in week 32, the Middle Ages return to Gotland and the once-powerful Hanseatic city of Visby. Up to 40.000 visitors dress up in costumes and recreate life in medieval days with theatre, markets, crafts, tower games and music. It’s the biggest medieval festival in northern Europe and a lively experience for visitors of all ages.
• Gotland Truffle Festival – ‘Gotlands Tryffelfestival’: A week-long dedication to the Gotlandic truffle and the finale of the Gotland Truffle Month which takes place from 13 October to 19 November. Visitors can expect seminars on truffles, a truffle market, truffle hunts, a truffle ceremony and special truffle menus at many restaurants in Visby.

The taste of Visby – from saffron pancakes to truffles

While Visby is at its liveliest in the spring and summer months, there is plenty to do at any time of the year, not least visiting its many excellent restaurants, bars and cosy cafés. As in the rest of Sweden, “fika” is a popular pastime. Gotland has its own brews of coffee and tea that are served with delicious homemade goods, such as the island’s traditional saffron pancake with berries and cream.

4 notable cafés in Visby:

• Själsö bageri , a craft bakery a few kilometres outside Visby with stone-baked sourdough bread and mouth-watering cinnamon buns. They also have a bred truck at Östercentrum in central Visby.
• Café Amalia , a cute café and long-standing favourite among locals. Serves healthy and homemade breakfast all day, decorated with edible flowers.
• Ett rum för resande , a small and cosy café especially appreciated for the homemade pasta and generous opening times year-round.
• S:t Hans , a summertime gem as this garden café is idyllically situated in the S:t Hans Church ruins.

The lime-rich soil of Gotland and a favourable climate contribute to plenty of fresh, local produce. If you happen to be in Visby in the early spring, asparagus will be on the menu in all forms.

Truffles grow on the island as well and if you’re a fan, you won’t want to miss the late autumn months, when truffles appear on restaurant menus and in shops. If you happen to be here in November, there are also tastings, truffle hunts and lectures arranged by the island’s truffle academy.

An abundance of lamb on Gotland means you’ll find lamb dishes served in many restaurants, along with tasty local sausages, venison and more. Smoked salmon, flounder and herring are also popular thanks to the strong local fishing traditions.

You might want to wash the food down with beers like Wisby Pils and Sleepy Bulldog from the local Gotlands Bryggeri – one of many breweries on the island.

Gotlands Bryggeri, Visby

Gotlands Bryggeri was founded in 1995 and has since then brewed some of the most beloved craft beers in Sweden.

Photo : Gotlands Bryggeri

Värdshuset Lindgården, Visby

Photo : Lindgården

Crêperi & Logi, Visby

Surfers, Visby

Photo : Surfers Visby

Visby’s top restaurants

Visby is one of Sweden’s most restaurant-dense towns and many are open year-round.

For traditional Swedish dishes and local specialities like Gotlandic lamb, make a reservation at Värdshuset Lindgården . Their kitchen follows the farming calendar and serves up seasonal and local produce. After dinner, move upstairs to the Gin Room, where a large selection of Gotlandic, Swedish and international gin and tonic varieties are on the menu.

Freshly caught seafood is another Gotlandic speciality, best enjoyed at Bakfickan . This small and genuine restaurant has been serving fried herring and fish soup for over 25 years. Come for lunch or dinner but be early, during the busy summer weeks they only run drop-ins.

Most restaurants in Visby are scattered around or close by Stora torget (The Main Square). While some are spin-offs from Stockholm restaurants, highly appreciated restaurants like Surfers and Crêperi & Logi have done it the other way around – they started in Visby and now have branches on the mainland.

Visit our Gotland destination page for more breweries and top restaurant tips outside of Visby.

Most visitors come to Visby during the bustling summer months when the waters are warm and the island is in full bloom. However, the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn are equally beautiful, just without the crowds. If you come in winter, you can expect tranquil streets, Christmas markets and maybe even snow. No matter what season you choose to visit Visby, you’ll surely be enchanted by this fairy tale town.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION BEFORE YOUR TRIP TO VISBY

There are frequent ferry services with Destination Gotland . Ferries to Visby run throughout the year from Nynäshamn and Oskarshamn. The journey takes about three hours and should be booked in advance, especially for the busy summer months.

There are several direct flights to Visby Airport (located 4 kilometres from Visby town) from the Swedish mainland year-round, though the number of routes increases during the summer months.

The narrow streets of Visby are best explored on foot and it’s easy to get around in the city centre. There is also a public transport system consisting of Visby city lines as well as regional lines. You can purchase single tickets or 24- and 72-hour tickets. Bikes are another convenient way to move about and there are plenty of bike paths. There are two bike rentals in central Visby: Gotlands Cykeluthyrning and Visby Hyrcykel .

Kalk Hotel , located in the very centre of Visby, offers 21 uniquely designed rooms with Gotlandic limestone details in a 16th-century building.

Hotel St. Clemens , at the foot of the mighty St. Clemens ruin. The 30 rooms – all in different sizes and with individual decor – are spread out over five different buildings, connected by two gardens.

Villa Alma in Almedalen is a boutique hotel with 21 newly renovated rooms and lots of social spaces, like the terrace with sunset sea views.

Kneippbyn Resort , a few kilometres south of Visby, is the island’s only five-star campsite and water park, offering cottages, apartments, a hotel and camping spaces.

A mere 15-minute drive from central Visby, Three Pheasants Boutique B&B is a small hideaway with four colourful rooms in a lush surrounding.

Visby has plenty of activities for people of all ages. Among its main attractions are the medieval city wall ('ringmuren') and the many remarkable church ruins including St Clemens, St Nicolai, Drottens and St Karin. There’s also the Sankta Maria Cathedral built at the end of the 12th century.

Stroll through the Botanical Garden or go back to the Viking days at the Gotland Museum.

Bring something memorable from Gotland with you home – there are plenty of shops selling local crafts and delicacies. Kränku Te & Kaffe in central Visby sells tea, coffee and sweets in a charming, old-fashioned shop. Krusmyntagården , north of Visby, has all kinds of spices and herbs, and beautifully packaged gifts. Lilla Bjers , south of Visby, sells freshly harvested and ecologically grown farm goods as well as ecological products like olive oil and chocolate.

All ages will enjoy the Visby city wall and exploring the many towers and ruins of the city or spending time in parks and on beaches.

At The Gotland Museum , children can see treasures from the Viking Age including medieval armour and skeletons or let loose in the museum’s playroom, which includes child-sized boats and a lighthouse.

Fans of the Pippi Longstocking books and movies can travel a few kilometres south of Visby to Kneippbyn , a summer resort and water park with the original Villa Villekulla house.

Hotel S:t Clemens, Visby

Hotel S:t Clemens is a small family-owned hotel in Visby, with two beautiful gardens and a Medieval church ruin.

Photo : Hotel S:t Clemens

Kalk Hotel, Visby

Photo : Kalk Hotel

Three Pheasants B&B, Gotland

Photo : Three Pheasants

Krysmyntagården, Gotland

Photo : Gotlandspecialisten AB

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Welcome to Gotland.com! This webpage is mainly in Swedish, but can be translated through pressing ”Select Language” in the top menu.

However, below we present to you some of our guides and articles written in English. If you have questions please contact the Gotland Tourist Information Centre [email protected] , +46 498 20 17 00, [email protected]

Let us guide you to Gotland

Top 10 attractions

We have collected some of Gotland’s most popular sites, primarily for those who are new to Gotland and who wants to discover the places everyone’s talking about. These sites are in many ways the essence of Gotland.

In a hurry? It is actually possible to experience at least the main attractions in Visby in just a few hours. The city may have been a medieval metropolis, or Medieval Manhattan as it is sometimes called, but it’s still a relatively small city that is easy to grasp

Cycling on Gotland

From the saddle, you get significantly closer to nature. You can feel the smells, the wind sweeping through your hair and hear the sounds of waves crashing on the beach.

Senic Scenery on Gotland

Gotland has more than sun, sand and sightseeing to offer. Experience the vivid juxtaposition of barren landscapes and lush vegetation accompanied by the omnipresent sea.

More in English

Past and present

Silver Treasures, Vikings and medieval buildings. Gotland has a long and fascinating history and is the natural link between the past and the present

Gotland - The island of a hundred churches

It’s difficult not to notice the churches when you are on Gotland, whether you’re in Visby or the countryside.

Pilgrims on Gotland - hiking for body and soul

Gotland is beautiful. And life more so. People who go on pilgrimages explore both of these truths. You pass this gorgeous landscape under your feet. Step by step.

Getting to Gotland

Travelling to and from Gotland is easy and there are many companies who are ready to make your trip a comfortable and memorable moment.

The medieval week on Gotland 2024

Experience one of Sweden’s biggest historic festivals, with medieval music, theatre, markets, crafts, tournaments, lectures and courses.Over 300 events with a mixture of history and legend, in earnest or for fun.

August 4-11 2024

Guided tours in English

Free Tours - Guidad tur på engelska

Guidad tur på engelska

Kiki’s Tour Visby

This is a walking tour that will guide you directly to the places in Visby that inspired Hayao Miyazaki to make the animation film "Kiki’s Delivery Service". We will visit spots that are shown in the movie and talk about the scenes (appr. 2 hours). In Japanese, English, German or Swedish.

Visby Hop On-Hop Off Buss

Dubbeldäckare till bland annat Kneippbyn, Visby och Lummelunda. Åk obegränsat under 24 eller 72 timmar, du kan hoppa på och av så mycket du vill.

Ta en tur med Visbytåget

Guidade rundturer med tåg runt Visby ringmur. Vill du få ut ännu mer av din vistelse i Visby? Ta en tur med Visbytåget i samarbete med Gotlands Museum! Det tar dig på en fantastisk historisk resa runt Visby ringmur som tar ca 25 minuter.

Blå-Gula Tåget

Guidad tur med minitåg runt ringmuren

Gotland Tourist Information Centre

World class service – always! As our guest we will keep you up to date and guide you to the highlights around the island. Here you will find maps, brochures, souvenirs and lots of inspiration. Visit us at Donners plats in Visby.

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Contact the Tourist Information Centre, open all year round! We speak English, Spanish, German and French.

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Getty Images/Johner RF

Visby is Scandinavia's best-preserved medieval town. It's also one of Sweden's most photogenic destinations, its tangle of cobbled lanes, pastel cottages and colourful wildflowers seemingly pulled from the pages of a well-worn storybook. With hauntingly beautiful ruined Gothic churches and mostly intact 12th-century ramparts, it's a place where history is written large.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Visby Sankta Maria Domkyrka

Visby's church ruins contrast with the stoic and utterly awe-inspiring Sankta Maria kyrka. Built in the late 12th and early 13th centuries and heavily…

Gotlands Museum

Gotlands Museum is one of the mightiest regional museums in Sweden. While highlights include amazing 8th-century, pre-Viking picture stones, human…

St Karins Kyrka

One of the most stunning of Visby's medieval churches, it's often used for performances. In winter, local children skate on an artificial ice rink within…

The northern gate of Visby's city wall is a good entry point if you're short on time. Follow the wall in a southwesterly direction until you find the…

Konstmuseet

The Konstmuseet has a small permanent collection that primarily focuses on Gotland-inspired, 19th- and 20th-century art. More exciting are the temporary…

Södra Hällarna

Formerly a military station, the southern cliffs are a wonderful spot to gaze out over the Baltic towards the mainland, or look back at the walled city…

St Nicolai Kyrka

The once magnificant St Nicolai Kyrka, now in ruins, was built in 1230 by Dominican monks.

Fenomenalen

Appropriate for Gotland, Visby's quaint and informative science museum focuses more on the origins of science through hands-on historical artifacts and…

Latest stories from Visby

Mar 30, 2017 • 5 min read

Steal away to the Baltic Sea island of Gotland, off Sweden’s southeastern shores, and you'll soon discover why it's a much-loved getaway for the Swedes…

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Get to the heart of Visby with one of our in-depth, award-winning guidebooks, covering maps, itineraries, and expert guidance.

• 1.1 Climate
• 1.2 Tourist office
• 2.1 By plane
• 2.2.1 Visby Marina
• 3.1 By foot
• 3.2 By bicycle
• 3.5 By taxi
• 3.6 By sightseeing train
• 4.1 Old Town
• 4.2 Church ruins in the Old Town
• 4.3 Museums
• 5.1 Annual events
• 6.1 Main shopping areas

Visby is one of the most remarkable towns in the Nordic countries . It is on the west coast of Sweden 's largest island Gotland in the Baltic Sea with about 23,000 citizens. Visby is known for the city wall, the Cathedral and many church ruins. In 1995 the old city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site .

During the Swedish summer, from mid-June to mid-August, Visby is crowded. It is one of the best party cities in Sweden in the summer. Many Visby residents leave during these hectic months and let their apartments to visitors. During the rest of the year, the atmosphere is quite different.

Understand [ edit ]

Visby is on the western shore of Gotland, and is the only city on the island. The old city centre is encircled by a medieval city wall. The old city has an oblong shape along the shore, measuring some 2 km in length and half a km in breadth. It is often called "the city of roses and ruins": roses thrive on the limestone island, and the city is filled with medieval ruins.

Around 900 AD, Visby became a hub for trading in the Baltic Sea, and it eventually became a member of the Hanseatic League . During the 12th, 13th and 14th centuries the city prospered, and several churches as well as a major defensive wall were constructed. Visby's long period of decline began in 1361, when the Danish king Valdemar IV conquered Gotland and held Visby for ransom, threatening to pillage the city if he did not get three beer barrels filled with gold and silver. In the latter part of the 14th century Visby became a nest of a pirate organization called "The Victual Brothers". The Danes regained control over the island in 1409 and construction of the major fortification Wisborg started two years later. In 1525 the city was burnt by occupying Hanseatic troops. Much of the city was never re-built after this, and many of Visby's ruins stem from this event. In the 17th century, Gotland became a part of Sweden rather than Denmark. In order to prevent Wisborg from falling into Swedish hands the castle was destroyed by Danish troops. In the latter part of the 19th century the city started growing due to industrialization and an emerging tourist industry, and eventually came to develop beyond the old city walls.

As the Pippi Longstocking movies were shot in Visby, and the original Villa Villekulla can be visited in Kneippbyn in the city outskirts, it is a great destination for Astrid Lindgren tourism . The city was also the model for the fictional setting of the Japanese movie "Kiki's Delivery Service".

Climate [ edit ]

Visby has an oceanic climate, with cooler summers and milder winters compared to most of mainland Sweden. Nevertheless, the climate is strongly influenced by continental air flows. Precipitation is relatively constant throughout the year, and fairly low for an oceanic climate.

Tourist office [ edit ]

• 57.63916 18.290907 1 Gotlands Turistbyrå , Donnerska Huset, Donners Plats 1 , ☏ +46 498-20 17 00 , [email protected] . M–F 09:00–17:00, Sa 10:00–16:00, works on Sunday in summer as well but check time . ( updated Aug 2017 )

Get in [ edit ]

By plane [ edit ], by boat [ edit ].

From the Swedish mainland, Destination Gotland runs ferries from Nynäshamn and Oskarshamn to Visby. You can bring your car. Hansa Destinations operates a once-weekly ferry from Rostock . In the summer some Baltic Sea cruises also include Visby.

Visby Marina [ edit ]

There is a lively marina in Visby centre.

• Visby Marina , ☏ +46 498-215-190 , [email protected] . Reception 08:00–21:00 . 170–460 kr for normal yachts depending on length and width, 300 kr for yachts 11–14m (36–46 ft) < 4m; electricity 54 kr for 10A . ( updated Oct 2017 )

Visby is some 35 nautical miles from Öland or the Swedish coast, some 60 from the Stockholm archipelago (Landsort), so a full day of sailing. There is little shelter except from the mainland and Gotland itself. The coast of Gotland is exposed, with only some harbours.

The port of Visby is tight and busy in the summer. Check the ferry timetables, listen on VHF 16, and adjust arrival and departure accordingly. Be alert and apply good seamanship.

The 250 berths are distributed between the inner harbour, the north breakwater and the fishing harbour to the right of the entrance. There is often a boat meeting visitors to assist in finding a berth. There are quays also for big vessels. A few berths can be booked, but mostly you just show up and will find or be showed a berth. At the big events, check the situation beforehand.

Get around [ edit ]

The inner city ( Old Town ), which is located within the city walls, is small enough to be covered by foot. The rest of the city is easy to get around by bike and has plenty of good bike paths.

By foot [ edit ]

Visby is best enjoyed by foot, especially the Old Town, located within the city wall.

By bicycle [ edit ]

During the summer there are usually plenty of bike rentals, but they can be expensive, if you're staying for a longer period purchasing a used bike might be a cheaper option.

By bus [ edit ]

There are several bus lines going out to the rest of the island, check the timetable before heading out though.

By car [ edit ]

During the summer cars are not allowed within the city walls. There are parking options free of charge, though a small parking fee is usually required in the city center.

By taxi [ edit ]

Like the rest of Sweden, taxis can be expensive, and are best for short trips when you are unable to get around otherwise.

• Taxi Gotland , ☏ +46 498-200 200 .  
• Taxi Kurir Gotland , ☏ +46 498-50 000 .  
• Din Taxi Gotland , ☏ +46 498-20 70 70 .  

By sightseeing train [ edit ]

There are a few sightseeing "trains" - practically a couple of trailers with seats and roofs pulled by a vehicle making tours around the old town with an audio guide playing through the speakers. Tours take about 30 minutes and tickets typically cost 65 kr/person.

See [ edit ]

Note that many of the town's attractions are only open during the summer months, usually until Aug 30th.

Old Town [ edit ]

• City wall ( Visby stadsmur, Ringmuren ). Built during the 13th and 14th centuries, Visby's city wall stretches almost 3.5 km and stands 11 m high. Today, 36 towers and three main gates remain.  
• 57.643773 18.293916 1 DBW's Botanical Gardens . Enter through the "Door of Love" to this picturesque garden of trees and ruins.  
• 57.639893 18.298677 2 Klinten . Once the workers' quarter and now a popular spot to take in the view over the lower town, Klinten is an attractive maze of small, rose covered, homes.  
• 57.635417 18.286111 3 Visborg Castle Ruins , Södra Slottsgränd 4 . A major fortress built in the early 15th century. It was demolished by Danish forces in 1679 in when it became clear that Gotland would fall into Swedish hands.  

Church ruins in the Old Town [ edit ]

Visby once had many more churches, but most of them were destroyed in a major fire in 1525. Today the ruins of these remain as attractions.

• 57.642799 18.295534 5 St. Clemens ruins , Smedjegatan 3 .  
• 57.643689 18.29875 6 St. Gerturde ruins , S:ta Gertruds gränd 6 .  
• 57.637778 18.292778 7 St. Hans & St. Per ruins . The ruins of two connected churches  
• 57.640278 18.295556 8 St.Katarina ruins ( St. Karin ruins ), Stora Torget 2 .  
• 57.64412 18.298082 9 St. Nicolaus ruins , Smedjegatan 19 .  
• 57.642994 18.293842 10 St. Olof ruins ( located in the Botanical Gardens ).  

Museums [ edit ]

• 57.639598 18.292479 11 Gotlands Museum , Strandgatan 14 , ☏ +46 498 29 27 00 . Summer: 10.00–18.00 daily. Off season: Tu–Su 11.00–16.00 . Museum of local history (Fornsalen), plus a science museum for children (Fenomenalen). June–Aug: 150 kr, Sep–May: 100 kr. A combined ticket with the Art Museum is 160 kr . ( updated Jun 2019 )
• 57.639409 18.293558 12 Gotlands Konstmuseum ( Gotland Art Museum ), Strandgatan 14 , ☏ +46 498 29 27 00 . Summer: Daily 10.00-18.00, Off season: Tu-Su 12:00-16:00 . An art museum, mostly exhibiting contemporary art but also some applied art and design. They also offer a child-friendly Creative Art Workshop. 80 kr, a combined ticket with the Historical Museum is 160 kr . ( updated Jun 2019 )

Do [ edit ]

• 57.636875 18.287027 1 Fenomenalen Science Centre , Skeppsbron 4-6 , ☏ +46 498-26 34 71 . Th F 12:00-16:00, Sa Su 11:00-16:00 . A children oriented theme park teaching natural sciences, technology and mathematics. 70 kr per person . ( updated Oct 2017 )
• 57.615517 18.283867 2 Kotteland , Langs väg 2 , ☏ +46 498-29 96 96 . 10:00-18:00 daily . A children's play land with ball pools, inflatables, trampolines, slides and laser tag. 100 kr per child . ( updated Oct 2017 )
• 57.609827 18.24394 3 Kneippbyn , Kneippbyn 11 ( 3 km south of central Visby ). 12:00-17:00 during summer . A summer resort village containing a water park and an amusement park with some 40 attractions, including the original "Villa Villekulla"-building from the "Pippi Longstocking" movies. 200-250 kr (Varies over the season) .  
• 57.638635 18.290723 4 Selma City Spa , Strandgatan 6 , ☏ +46 498-25 75 69 . M Su 11:00-18:00, Tu-Th 11:00-19:00, F Sa 11:00-20:00 . A spa and massage centre. A day pass to the spa is 400 kr. A 50-minute treatment is 800 kr . ( updated Oct 2017 )

Annual events [ edit ]

• Almedalsveckan , ( The politicians' week ) takes place in the Almedalen park in Visby, first week of July. All political parties and organizations meet for debates and seminars, most of it open to the public; mostly in Swedish, but some in English. Big media coverage.
• Stockholm week , ( Stockholmsveckan ) is a week of clubbing and partying in mid July when Visby is filled with youths, many of which come from the Swedish capital Stockholm .
• Medieval Week ( Medeltidsveckan ), a large feast during a whole week in the beginning of August every year. Visitors dress in medieval clothes while visiting the medieval market or the jousting tournament. The feast is concentrated to Visby, but arrangements are held on all of Gotland. 2018 is the 35th anniversary. Visby is crowded during this week, and venues and connections are heavily booked.

Buy [ edit ]

There are only three ATMs in the old town and port area: one at Donners Plats just as you come up from the water front, one on Adelsgatan, and one on Stora Torget. The one on Stora Torget in the wall of the small grocery store with the hand-painted text saying "Uttagsautomat" is a minor sight in itself. Along the Östercentrum there are several others.

Most shops close at 17:00 on weekdays, 15:00 on Saturdays and are closed on Sundays.

Main shopping areas [ edit ]

• Adelsgatan This is the major shopping street, and by far the most touristy. Don't be discouraged though, it has plenty of interesting shops selling small trinkets and local handicraft. If you venture off this street you'll get to see the beautiful alleys and the smaller streets, which are less crowded, and there are smaller shops hidden here and there.
• Sankt Hans Quarter (Sankt Hansgatan) - some clothes and design shops
• Östercentrum ( exit the old city through the Österport gate ) Modern pedestrian shopping district with most of the usual European retail outlets, as well as banks, pharmacies, and fast food joints. In this area you can find Systembolaget to buy some good local beer, and records shop to buy home some nice Swedish music.

Stores [ edit ]

• 57.638638 18.293374 1 Akantus , S:t Hansplan , ☏ +46 498-21 28 88 . Sells locally made handicrafts and antiques. ( updated Oct 2017 )
• 57.64044 18.29447 2 Antikvariat Drotten , S:t Hansgatan 29 , ☏ +46 498-21 38 30 , [email protected] . Off season: F 13:00-17:00, Sa 11:00-14:00; During season: M-F 11:00-17:00, Sa-Su 11:00-15:00 . A cosy second hand book shop with a stock of some 40,000 books. While most books are in Swedish there is also a considerable English language section. ( updated Aug 2018 )
• 57.641474 18.292756 3 Gotlandssmycken , Strandgatan 32 , ☏ +46 70-615 88 85 . A jewelry store selling locally made wares, many of which are created from fossils. ( updated Oct 2017 )
• 57.638355 18.293869 4 Gute Art & Design , Hästgatan 10 , ☏ +46 498-24 82 30 . Sells locally produced furniture and carpentry. ( updated Oct 2017 )
• 57.641755 18.294313 5 Visby Glasblåseri , Mellangatan 56 , ☏ +46 498-24 78 50 . A glass studio selling hand made art glass and glassware. ( updated Oct 2017 )
• 57.639973 18.291802 6 Ödins Garveri , Tage Cervinsgata 3 , ☏ +46 498-21 00 54 . A tannery store specializing in products from the national symbol of Gotland - the lamb. ( updated Oct 2017 )

Eat [ edit ]

There are countless restaurants in Visby, especially during the summer, though the best cooked food is usually served at the year-round-establishments.

• 57.640722 18.295362 1 Bakfickan , Stora Torget 1 , ☏ +46 498-271807 . M-F 11:00-22:00, Sa Su 12:00-22:00 . Seafood. Mains 150-265 kr .  
• 57.640611 18.296827 2 Bolaget , Stora Torget 6 , ☏ +46 498-215080 . Off season: Tu-F 11:30-02:00, Sa Su 13:00-02:00: Summer 13:00-02:00 daily . At the sunniest place of the main square you find Bolaget . Try the great French food, or have a steak from the barbeque. Or, just enjoy a drink in the sun. Mains 200-310 kr .  
• 57.640067 18.296588 3 Gamla Masters , Södra kyrkogatan 10 , ☏ +46 498 - 21 66 55 . 18:00-02:00 daily . Traditional Swedish cuisine and bar menu classics. Open every night with a great "living room atmosphere". Mains are 200-310 kr .  
• 57.641158 18.297039 4 Isola Bella , Södra Kyrkogatan 20 , ☏ +46 498-21 87 87 . M-F 11:30-15:00 17:00-23:00, Sa Su 17:00-23:00 . An Italian restaurant. Pizzas are 100-180 kr, other mains are 160-280 kr . ( updated Oct 2017 )
• 57.642003 18.295729 5 Kapitelhusgården , S:t Drottensgatan 8 , ☏ +46 498-24 76 37 . Late June to Mid Aug 17:00-01:00 . Serves medieval cuisine in a medieval setting. Mains 160-230 kr. A "Taffel", i.e. a full medieval feast meal is 860-1000 kr . ( updated Oct 2017 )
• 57.638922 18.295767 6 Köpmannen II , Wallérs Plats 7 , ☏ +46 498-27 18 51 . 11:00-15:00 16:00-23:00 daily . Tasty pasta. Mains 180-280 kr .  
• 57.638704 18.295721 7 Strykjärnet Visby Crêperie & Logi , Wallérs Plats 3 , ☏ +46 498-28 46 22 . 11:00-00:00 daily . Nice crêperie with world music on the stereo. Mains 90-245 kr .  
• 57.639257 18.295959 8 Surfers , Södra kyrkogatan 1 , ☏ +46 498 - 21 18 00 . W-Su 18:00-23:00 . Sichuan cuisine, with several smaller tapas-like dishes. It is also a great place to lounge and enjoy a few drinks. 90 kr per dish, you are likely to need at least two dishes to get a full meal .  

Drink [ edit ]

Gotlandsdricke is a local type of beer. It is no longer legal to sell, but it's still legal to make it yourself so if you ask around you might be able to find someone who makes it. Back in the day, every farm had their own recipe. Saffranspannkaka is a local form of dessert pastry, or fika . It is made from rice, milk, egg, almonds and saffron, and is usually served with whipped cream and dewberry jam.

57.63853 18.29324 1 Kränku Te & Kaffe , S:t Hansplan 4 , ☏ +46 498-217481 , [email protected] . During season: 10:00-22:00 daily; Off season: M-F 10:00-18:00, Sa 10:00-16:00, Su 12:00-16:00 . A classical tea store offering some 100 different blends of tea and coffee in their store, out of which some 30 are their own produces. They also sell mugs, kettles, and other tea related products. Kränku's own blends of tea can also be found in many grocery stores around the island. ( updated Aug 2018 )

Pubs [ edit ]

• 57.640951 18.295897 2 Bageriet , Stora Torget 7 , ☏ +46 498-21 28 04 . 11:00-02:00 daily . A day-time tapasbar and a night-time pub. During summer it has a nice outdoor seating area on the main square. As it is one of few Visby pubs which stay open throughout the year it is a favorite among locals. They are located next to Nunnan and have the same owner, but attract a younger clientele.  
• 57.642096 18.295007 3 Black sheep arms , St Hansgatan 51 , ☏ +46 498-21 56 00 . M-Th 17:00-23:00, F Sa 17:00-01:00, Su 17:00-22:00 . Traditional British pub.  
• 57.640826 18.294835 4 Munkkällaren , Sankt Hansgatan 40 , ☏ +46 498-27 14 00 . W Th 18:00-01:00, F 17:00-03:00, Sa 18:00-03:00 . They also have club nights.  
• 57.64064 18.29594 5 Nunnan , Stora Torget 9 , ☏ +46 498-21 28 94 , [email protected] . From 11:30 daily during summer; Sa Su 18:00-24:00 during winter . A restaurant and pub which offer Greek and Gutnish cuisine. They have a nice outdoor seating area on the main square and often hosts live music concerts. They are located next to Bageriet and have the same owner, but attract a more mature clientele. ( updated Mar 2018 )

Cafés [ edit ]

• 57.638379 18.298403 6 Fiket Österport , Österväg 2 , ☏ +46 498-21 73 46 . M Tu 11:00-17:00, W-F 11:00-19:00, Sa 11:00-16:00 . A cozy café. ( updated Oct 2017 )
• 57.637226 18.287264 7 Glassmagasinet , Skeppsbron 12 , ☏ +46 498-27 84 55 . The largest ice cream parlour in Sweden with over 300 flavors. 30 kr for a 1-scoop cone, 10 kr per additional scoop .  
• 57.639545 18.296392 8 [formerly dead link] Hedbergs Bok & Musikkafé , Södra Kyrkogatan 4B , ☏ +46 498-27 65 00 . M-Th 10:30-19:00, F Sa 10:30-17:00 . Hedberg's Book & Music café is a cozy cafe which often hosts events such as poetry nights or jazz concerts. ( updated Oct 2017 )
• 57.638899 18.292002 9 [dead link] Josbaren Visby , Hästgatan 4 . Jun-Aug 08:00-17:00 daily . A smoothie and juice bar. ( updated Oct 2017 )
• 57.637905 18.300165 10 Siesta Konditori & Café , Österväg 5 ( Exit the old town through the eastern gate, walk 100 m along the pedestrian street ), ☏ +46 498-21 07 15 . M-F 09:00-18:00, Sa 10:00-16:00 . A typical Swedish bakery-cafe with fresh made cakes, sandwiches and beverages. In the summer you can enjoy your coffee in the backyard of the cafe as well, just watch out for the ubiquitous jackdaws that will grab a piece of any unattended food and drink. Coffee and sandwich 50 kr .  

Sleep [ edit ]

• 57.638629 18.290912 1 Clarion Hotel Wisby , Strandgatan 6 , ☏ +46 498-25 75 00 . 1170 kr per night for a double bed room .  
• 57.638685 18.2915 2 Donners Hotell , Donners Plats 6 , ☏ +46 498-25 98 90 . 850 kr per night for a double bed room .  
• 57.610159 18.245835 3 Kneippbyn Resort , Kneippbyn 15 ( 3 km South of the town wall ), ☏ +46 498-29 61 50 . Check-in: From 15:00 , check-out: Until 11:00 . A resort village containing a B&B, hotel, camping sites and cabins. The area is 150 m from the shore and also has a "Summer & Waterland" theme park. For a double per night B&B is 700 kr, camping 350 kr, cottage 1000 kr and hotel 1800 kr . ( updated Oct 2017 )
• 57.641829 18.292009 4 Mullbärsgårdens Bed & Breakfast , Strandgatan 27 , ☏ +46 70-5134107 . 720 kr for a double bed room . ( updated Oct 2017 )
• 57.638262 18.28948 5 Hotell Stenugnen , Korsgatan 4 , ☏ +46 498-21 02 11 . 900 kr per night for a double bed room . ( updated Oct 2017 )
• 57.636216 18.293142 6 Hotell Villa Borgen , Adelsgatan 9-11 , ☏ +46 498-20 33 00 . Nice rooms, breakfast and location. Good Wi-Fi. 990 kr per night for a double bed room .  
• 57.635936 18.285571 7 Visby Fängelse Vandrarhem , Skeppsbron 1 , ☏ +46 498-20 60 50 . A former prison turned into a hostel. A two-bed "cell" is 400 kr off season, 900 kr during summer and 1500 kr during the politicians week .  
• 57.654929 18.307844 8 Visby Strandby & Norderstrand , Snäckgärdsvägen 32 ( 800m north of the town wall ), ☏ +46 498-21 21 57 . Check-in: From 15:00 , check-out: Until 11:00 . One camping lot is about 300 kr, one two person cabin is about 700 kr . ( updated Oct 2017 )

If you come to Visby late by ferry and are on a bike, it's probably easiest to wild-camp somewhere south of the city.

Connect [ edit ]

• 57.639729 18.289292 2 Almedalsbiblioteket , Cramérgatan 5 . Free Wi-Fi at the public library.  
• 57.638838 18.292493 3 Café Amalia , Hästgatan 3 . Free Wi-Fi for the cafe's customers.  
• 57.638485 18.294392 4 Tidsfördriv , Hästgatan 12 . Free Wi-Fi for the cafe's customers.  

Go next [ edit ]

• Ferries connect Visby with Oskarshamn on the coast of Småland .
• The bigger cities Stockholm and Uppsala are reachable from here without too much effort.
• Fårö , is a smaller island just north of Gotland, known for its barren climate.
• Karlsöarna , is the second oldest natural reserve in the world, famous for its rich birdlife.

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Explore Visby

Plan your trip to visby: best of visby tourism.

Essential Visby

Visby Is Great For

Eat & drink.

The great outdoors

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• Hotel St. Clemens
• Clarion Hotel Wisby
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WHATSINPORT.COM: YOUR CRUISE GUIDE TO 1200 PORTS OF CALL

Interactive world cruise map, home | cruise ships | port expenses | hints and tips, visby gotland sweden cruise port guide.

This used to be a tender port.

From 2018 you will be berthing at a brand new cruise pier, which has been developed to handle the biggest vessels and can host two mega ships at once.

Ships Shuttle to the center of town is $12usd roundtrip. Walking distance to Old town is 1.2 km on a marked path.

There is a Citysightseeing Hop on Hop off bus for about $28usd.

They rent bikes at the port.

Every year in week 32, the Middle Ages return to Gotland and the once-powerful Hanseatic city of Visby. Up to 40.000 visitors celebrate the festival Medeltidsveckan with theatre, markets, crafts, tower games, music performances, lectures and other events.

Printable map to take along

Cruise calendar for this port.

Watch a destination video .

Live Nautical Chart with Wikipedia Markers

Port Location on Google Maps

Monthly Climate Averages for Visby Gotland Sweden

Sightseeing:

The first thing that catches the eye when arriving at Port of Visby , is the impressive cathedral and all the rooftops of the stone buildings in the town, surrounded by the mighty medieval town wall with its towers. Centrally placed, Visby was for a long time the natural meeting point for sailors and merchants from all over the Baltic region. Still today, you can enjoy the majestic merchants houses from 17th and 18th century along with almost 200 stone buildings – some of them dating back from the 12th century. Still, the town is not a museum. More than 2,000 people inhabit the old town that offers a great variety of shops, cafés and restaurants. Here you can enjoy a promenade among picturesque ruins and charming rose gardens in some of the most idyllic streets imaginable. Visby, The Hanseatic Town with its Town wall The town has been on UNESCO's World Heritage List since 1995. The 3.4 km long, well preserved stonewall is surrounding the old town with almost 200 stone buildings that have survived since the 12th and 13th centuries. There are also many church ruins in the town, as well as majestic merchants' houses from the 17th and 18th century. Still, the town is not a museum, because 2,000 people live inside the Town Wall, and there are also many shops, restaurants and offices.

Botanical Gardens The famous Botanical Gardens of Visby, dating from 1855, are just a 5 minutes walk from the Pier area.

Gotlands Fornsal Museum Gives you an overview of Gotland's 8,000-year history.

The Sancta Maria Cathedral Dominating the townscape since the late 12th century, the only surviving church from that time inside the town wall. All the others are ruins, some of them housing concerts or exhibitions in the summer in an exciting surrounding

Tours Excursions Transportation:

The town is very walkable. Be aware that it is somewhat hilly and might be difficult for people with a handicap. As streets (alleys) are very narrow an organized tour is not recommended, as most will not be able to hear the guide.

It pays to compare your cruise line tours here

Nearby Places:

The rest of Gotland has also a great deal to offer. It is famous for its mild climate and the exotic landscape and has because become one of Sweden's most popular summer holiday destinations.

Shopping and Food

Most shops, at least downtown, are open all week, even on Sundays.

The national currency is the Swedish krona (SEK, plural kronor). 1 USD is about 5.91 SEK, 1 EUR is about 9.43 SEK and 1 GBP is about 12.28 SEK.

Automatic teller machines take major credit cards. Most stores, restaurants and bars accept all major credit cards, although in some cases there is a SEK 5 fee or a lowest purchase limit (between 50 - 100 SEK).

Currency Converter

Communication:

Swedish is the national language of Sweden, but you will find that people, especially those below the age of 70, also speak English very well - an estimated 89% of Swedes can speak English.

112 is the phone number to dial in case of fire, medical or criminal emergency.

There is an internet terminal in the tourist office.

Opening Hours and Holidays:

Holidays in Sweden

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Tourist’s guide to Visby – a city of ruins and roses in Sweden

Sweden is located not only on the mainland, but partially on the islands. The leading position in relation to tourism is occupied by the island of Gotland, located in the Baltic Sea, 100 km east of the mainland. The city of Visby is the administrative center of the island of Gotland, the entire area of ​​which is linen with the same name.

The area of ​​Visby slightly exceeds 12 km², and the population as of December 2017 totals more than 24,000 people.

Related entries:

• Tourist’s guide to Jonkoping, an active city in Sweden
• Tourist’s guide to Karlstad – a small town by the largest lake in Sweden
• Tourist’s guide to Umea, student town in northern Sweden
• Tourist’s guide to Lund, a small forest town in Sweden

The most interesting sights of Visby

Visby, the most preserved medieval city in Sweden and Scandinavia, is recognized as a World Heritage Site and is protected by UNESCO.

Paved with cobblestone neat streets, fabulous houses made of wood and stone, an infinite number of ancient ruins and many roses in the ubiquitous flower beds – this can be described as Visby, which is sometimes called the city of roses and ruins.

Flows of tourists come here to see the most interesting sights, considered the pride of all of Sweden. The main city of the island of Gotland has quite a few interesting places, but several of them are included in the list of the most significant.

The first attraction is the fortress wall, built in the XIII century. It surrounds almost the entire old center, so it turns out the city in the city.

This ancient wall was perfectly preserved, and now you can still see its former greatness. The length of the structure is 3.5 km, and its structure includes 44 watchtowers up to 20 m high. If you look at the wall from the sea side, you can see the Powder Tower that has grown into the ground, and from the north side – the Maiden Tower with grass sprouted among the stones. An old legend tells that in the Maiden’s Tower the daughter of the city jeweler was walled up alive, betraying her fellow countrymen because of her love for the King of Denmark, Voldemar IV.

Some towers have viewing platforms from which you can enjoy panoramic views of the island of Gotland and the city of Visby.

The second attraction on the list of Visby is the Cathedral of St. Mary. This magnificent building is located at Vastra Kyrkogatan.

The building of the cathedral was rebuilt many times, therefore, its architecture contains elements from different eras: a 17th-century ebony chair, a 13th-century marble baptismal font, and an exterior decoration of the 19th century. The cathedral is striking with beautiful domes made of smoked black wood.

The Church of St. Mary is a truly unique attraction in Sweden. This is the only active church in Visby and the only active medieval church on the island of Gotland. Organ concerts are often held here, the choir performs.

Entrance to the cathedral is free; photographing is allowed inside.

Behind the cathedral there is a staircase leading to the hill – you can climb it and admire the breathtaking view of the sea, the red roofs of houses, the city wall. This is also a great opportunity to take original photos of Visby, especially a photo of the cathedral against the sea.

A small compact botanical park is located in the old part of the city of Visby, near the promenade. The park is bounded on two sides by a fortified wall, it has several entrances and exits, and the address is as follows : Tranhusgatan 21, Visby, Sweden.

The founder of the garden is Karl Linney, who has a monument here. In fact, this monument in itself is a unique attraction of Visby: it is made of a whole elm trunk and looks very original and unusual.

In the garden there are many plants from all the continents of our planet – both simpler and exotic. Tulip tree, magnolia, mulberry, Chilean araucaria, numerous varieties of roses harmoniously coexist here.

Visby Botanical Garden is a great place for walks and picnics. Old stone benches and tables are installed here, there is a Chinese gazebo, and there are also lawns where you can lie down.

The park offers a beautiful view of the castle towers, and on its territory there is another attraction – the romantic ruins of the church, entwined with ivy!

Entrance to the park is free , you can visit it any day until 22:00 hours.

The next attraction of Visby is one of the best museums in Sweden (according to the Swedes themselves), the Gotlands Museum. In Visby, it is located at Strandgatan 14.

Here are silver and gold treasures from found Viking treasures, runestones of the 5th-11th centuries, mummies, products of East German tribes, ancient Roman coins, evidence of a large-scale battle near Visby, paintings by the artist Ellen Ruusval von Hallville, household items of the inhabitants of Gotland.

You can see all these expositions on any day of the week from 10:00 to 18:00.

Ticket price: for adults 400 kr, family – 500 kr.

For more information about all the information about the museum and the exhibits presented in it, visit www.gotlandsmuseum.se/en/.

Another attraction, known not only in Visby, but throughout Switzerland, is located at Lummelundsbruk, Visby, Sweden.

A visit to the cave is possible only with a guide. Admission for adults costs 150 CZK, for children from 4 to 12 years old – 75 CZK.

Before the tour begins directly through the cave, visitors are shown a film about the history of its discovery.

Stalactites hanging from the ceiling are absent, but the sound of the water of underground rivers is perfectly audible and springs beating from under the stones are visible. It will be especially interesting to visit this attraction for those who have not yet seen more impressive underground passages and grottoes.

Excursions are carried out according to the following schedule:

• Friday from 10:00 to 14:00;
• from Saturday to Thursday – from 10:00 to 16:00.

By the way, the temperature inside the cave is +8 ° C, and the duration of the excursion is about 30 minutes. That is, in order not to dream only about how to get out to the sun as soon as possible, it is advisable to take a warm sweater with you.

Visby: possible accommodation

Sweden is the most expensive country in Europe, and the prices on resort islands are even higher. With accommodation on the island of Gotland, in particular, in Visby, there will be no difficulties – there are a rather large number of offers, but in the summer it is impossible to find housing for less than 100 €.

In general, for the money you can only settle in a double room of the hostel. For example, Uncle Joe’s and Visby Logi & Vandrarhem Hästgatan are popular among booking.com users.

For 120 € you can rent a campsite outside the city, for example, Visby Strandby – there can accommodate 6 adults. At the 4 * Best Western Strand Hotel, which occupies a UNESCO World Heritage building, you can rent a double room for 160 – 180 €. For the day at the aparthotel you have to pay from 175 € – this price is requested at Volontärgatans Lägenhetshotell, located 1.5 km from the main square of Visby.

How to get to Visby

It is best to get to Visby from Stockholm – the distance of 200 km existing between these cities can be covered by ferry or plane.

From the capital of Sweden to Visby there are 10-20 flights per day, and you can fly from Arlanda and Bromma airports. The flight lasts 45 minutes.

The flight schedule is constantly changing, and some truckers serve this direction only in the summer season.

Ticket prices start at 70 €, but such numbers are very rare. As a rule, you have to pay 90-100 € for a flight.

There are several ports from which ferries go to Gotland, rich in many attractions. But the port closest to the capital of Sweden, from which the ferry to Visby departs, is Nynashamn.

Ferries in this direction go 2-4 times a day, travel time is 3 hours 20 minutes. The schedule needs to be found out before the trip, as it often changes. It should also be borne in mind that there are ferries that exclusively transport passengers with a car and vice versa – only pedestrian passengers. You can find out this information at www.destinationgotland.se/.

It is also possible to buy tickets on the same site, and in the summer season this must be done in advance. Travel from the capital of Sweden to the island of Gotland to the city of Visby will cost 10-40 € – the price depends on the chosen place (in the cabin or in the common room). For children, students and senior citizens discounts are provided.

Nynashamn is located 57 km from the capital of Sweden, and from there it can be reached by train or bus. The train and bus station in Stockholm are located nearby. Both the bus and the train stop near the pier. Travel time is almost the same – 1 hour. Even the cost of tickets is comparable – about 20-25 €. So you can choose a transport, focusing only on personal preferences.

Buses from Stockholm leave from Cityterminalen and arrive directly to the pier at the port of Nynashamn. There are about 5 flights a day, in time you can come with a margin to any ferry. The timetable can be found at www.flygbussarna.se/en.

You can buy a bus ticket at the ticket office of the bus station.

Trains from the Central Railway Station of the capital of Sweden go to Nynashamn from 5:00 to 24:00 with a frequency of 30 minutes. Tickets can be bought in advance on the railway website www.sj.se/ or right at the station in the terminal.

Visby Weather Conditions

The city of Visby, however, like all of Gotland, is located in a zone of temperate marine climate. In summer, the air warms up to a temperature of +25 ° C, in winter – up to +7 ° C. As for precipitation, it falls about 500 mm per year (this is mainly rain and fog).

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Visby on Gotland - things to do and see

Tips, attractions and map.

There's so much to experience in Visby town, located on the island Gotland in Sweden. There’s something for everyone to discover, regardless of age and interests. It’s easy to fall in love with this picturesque harbour town. Enjoy the laid-back feel of strolling along its cobbled streets and squares. Sit down at a café and simply watch the passers-by. Here are our top tips on highlights for those of you who want to see more and find enjoyable activities. Further down this page, you'll find a map where we've highlighted our top tips.

Attractions inside Visby's ring wall

The medieval part of the town Visby is encircled by a ring wall. The city wall and church ruins in Scandinavia's best-preserved medieval city are well worth a visit. They also explain why Visby is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For the best view, we recommend that you visit St Mary's Cathedral. The cathedral is on a beautiful site, and you can climb the steps above it to a vantage point with a wonderful view over the city and the sea. If you'd like to learn more about the history of the island and the city, you should head to The Gotland Museum on Strandgatan.

Almedalen and the Botanical Garden

You should definitely visit the famous and very pretty Almedalen Park and enjoy the sunset on an evening stroll along the boardwalk. The picture above was taken on an early morning walk in Almedalen. Are you a lover of flowers and unusual plants? If so, we recommend a visit to The Botanical Garden, which has a stunning waterside location, just north of Almedalen.

Discovering Visby with children

There are lots of fun activities for the whole family in the inner city. You could visit the Kajsar Prison Tower in the ring wall, eat lots of ice cream, and enjoy Gotland's famous saffron pancakes with dewberry jam. At the harbour, you'll also find the popular Fenomenalen Science Centre, with a focus on technology and fun experiments.

Most young people would tell you that the best thing about Visby is how close it is to Kneippbyn. This resort – a favourite with children and families – is only three miles south of the city. Here you can visit Pippi Longstocking's Villa Villekulla and splash around at the big Summerland & Waterland. Open May to August.

Shopping, restaurants and entertainment

There are plenty of small shops, boutiques and handicraft workshops along the narrow alleyways inside the city wall. You'll also find a wide choice of restaurants and pleasant little cafés here. If you visit Visby during the summer, you mustn't miss the Main Square. There's a busy market here during the daytime and as evening falls, it transforms into the natural hub for the city’s nightlife, with all the restaurants, bars and nightclubs around the square.

Explore Visby by sightseeing bus

Go with a Hop On-Hop Off buse to discover Visby and the surrounding area. The bus stops at many popular places, and you can hop on and off as often as you like. Read more and book your Visby Hop On-Hop Off Bus ticket here .

Multi Destination Ticket - the perfect option for cruise guests

Are you visiting Visby and planning shore excursions at multiple Nordic cities? Then you should choose our affordable Multi Destination Ticket – you will save both time and money. It is an unique ticket that gives you unlimited rides for 12 days with Stromma Hop On-Hop Off products in all our destinations in Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland.

View map of Visby

Stromma is working to reduce use of fuel and energy as well as switching to renewable fuels and clean energy sources.

Stromma has ambitious goals for our sustainability work – one of them is to reduce CO2-emissions by 50% by 2030.

At Stromma we are continuously working to reduce our use of plastic. Our efforts reduced our plastic consumption by 1 097 kg in one year.

Save the Baltic Sea - Stromma and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) have entered into a partnership where we work together for a cleaner Baltic Sea.

In Sweden and Denmark Stromma together with WWF and local partners have placed out Seabins to improve the environment in/of the Baltic Sea.

Visby Hop On - Hop Off buses

Read more and buy ticket, vacation in sweden | top 6 popular sightseeing tours, tips & inspiration - blog post.

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Top Things to Do in Visby, Sweden - Visby Must-See Attractions

Things to do in visby, explore popular experiences, tours & sightseeing.

Cultural & Theme Tours

Top Attractions in Visby

Other Top Attractions around Visby

Private & Custom Tours

Walking & biking tours, what travellers are saying.

• Visby City Wall
• St. Karin Cathedral Ruins
• Gotlands Museum
• Botaniska Tradgarden
• Högklint Naturreservat
• Lummelundagrottan
• SwedenTrotAcademy
• Almedalen Park
• St. Mary's Cathedral

• Port of Visby
• About the pier
• Sustainability
• For the crew
• Statistics and facts
• Map/Distances

Cruise Terminal facilities

• Useful information

Coming soon!

Tourist Information

› Mon—Fri 9am—5pm › Sat 10am—4pm › Sun 10am—2pm

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Other Services

• › Official Visitors Guide
• › Region Gotland (local government)