Image by Ingunn B. Haslekss / Moment Editorial

Gotland

Situated off Sweden's southeastern coast, Gotland is the largest island in the Baltic Sea (2994 sq km in diameter). It is also one of the country's most beautiful destinations, its tranquil, sparsely populated landscapes almost haunting in their beauty. Archaeological finds attest to a human history that predates the Christian tradition, stretching back some 8000 years.

The island's protagonist is its capital, Visby. A Unesco World Heritage Site, its old city walls remain almost completely intact, catapulting visitors back to the era of knights in shining armour. Not surprisingly, it's the perfect backdrop for the island's annual Medieval Week, during which both locals and visitors dress the part for some time-frozen revelry.

Beyond Visby, wheels are essential for exploring the island's diverse landscapes, which span sandy shores and secluded coves, to golden, grassy meadows and sleepy little hamlets.

Explore Gotland

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Gotland.

  • Cathedral

    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…

  • Museum

    Gotlands Museum

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

  • Arts Centre

    Bergmancenter

    The Bergmancenter, honouring Sweden's most famous film director, the late Ingmar Bergman, a Fårö local, was inaugurated in 2014 and hosts exhibits,…

  • Nature Reserve

    Stora Karlsö

    This remote island nature reserve is home to extensive bird life including thousands of guillemots and razorbills, as well as the maculinea arion (large…

  • Ruins

    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…

  • National Park

    Gotska Sandön

    Isolated Gotska Sandön, with an area of 37 sq km, is an unusual island with lighthouses at its three corners, 30km of beaches, sand dunes, pine forest and…

  • Landmark

    Norderport

    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…

  • Museum

    Bungemuseet

    Step back in time at the Bungemuseet, an open-air museum with 17th- to 19th-century houses, picture stones dating from AD800 and a historic playground. It…

  • Lagoon

    Blå Lagunen

    This remote, flooded, former quarry really does have that tropical azure water, but it has two drawbacks: it's steep, deep and not great for kids; and in…

  • Church

    Gothem Kyrka

    On the east coast, 34km from Visby, Gothem church is one of the most impressive in Gotland; the nave is decorated with friezes dating from 1300.

  • Area

    Bungenäs

    Formerly a military base (and part of the adjoining land still is used by the military), this bizarre and wonderful collection of unexpected buildings by…

  • Ruins

    Romakloster

    Heading southeast from Visby on Rte 143, 6km southwest of the town Dalhem on your way to Ljugarn, pull over to check out this 12th-century Cistercian…

  • Area

    Ljugarn

    Ljugarn is a small east-coast seaside resort. There are impressive raukar formations at Folhammar Nature Reserve, 2km north. Southwest of Ljugarn and the…

  • Gallery

    Museum Lars Jonsson

    Seven kilometres south of Burgsvik, in the old Vamlingbo prästgård (vicarage) on Rd 142, Museum Lars Jonsson showcases delicate paintings and watercolours…

  • Historic Site

    Tjelvars grav

    About 42km east of Visby you'll find this fascinating and definitely thought-provoking scene of Bronze Age standing stones arranged in the shape of a ship…

  • Museum

    Konstmuseet

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

  • Natural Feature

    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…

  • Church

    Bro Kyrka

    If you’re heading northeast, visit the remarkable Bro church, which has several 5th-century picture stones in the south wall of the oratory, beautiful…

  • Historic Site

    Helgumannens Fiskeläge

    It's worth making the trek to this isolated fishing village just to contemplate the remoteness of life out here and the beauty of real isolation.

  • Gallery

    Leonettes Konst & Keramik

    Around 20km north of Ljugarn on the island's eastern seabord, in the hamlet of Kräklingbo, Leonettes Konst & Keramik is home to Californian expat Dan…