With its medieval towns, sandy beaches, dramatic sea stacks and laid-back summer atmosphere, Gotland is one of Sweden’s most popular holiday destinations. Located in the Baltic Sea between mainland Sweden and Latvia, the island attracts everyone from families and cyclists to history buffs and beach lovers.
Whether you’re exploring the cobbled streets of UNESCO-listed Visby, swimming in crystal-clear lagoons or discovering hidden corners of the countryside by bike, Gotland offers a very different side of Sweden from the forests and lakes of the mainland.
It’s summer and that means many Swedes will head off to the country’s largest island and one of its most popular holiday destinations, the island of Gotland in the Batic Sea.
Is Gotland worth visiting?
Yes, it most certainly is. Swedes flock here in the summer – and for good reason. Its main settlement is the medieval UNESCO-protected town of Visby, with its fascinating Viking-era history, and some great cafés and restaurants.
The rest of the island has plenty to explore too, from underground caves to sandy beaches, pretty countryside and forests to freshwater lagoons for swimming.
What does Gotland mean?
Gotland means literally Homeland of the Goths, who settled here and in several neighbouring islands as far back as the Stone Age.
The island became a major trading centre in the sixth century under the Vikings, then became wealthier still in the twelth century when Visby became one of the most important citites of the Hanseatic League.
How big is Gotland?
At 180km long and 52km wide, Gotland is Sweden’s largest island.
It’s pretty flat, so a great way to explore it is by bike. Once out of Visby, there are plenty of small winding rural roads and tracks that are perfect for cycling – and if you’re feeling particularly energetic, you can tackle the Gotslandleden, a 500km cycle path that circumnavigates the entire island from Fårö in the north to the southern tip.
What should I visit in Gotland?
The picturesque town of Visby is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in northern Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its warren of cobbled alleyways, timbered buildings and pastel cottages make it one of Sweden’s most charming places to explore. If you’re short on time, this private walking tour of Visby is an excellent introduction to the old town, taking in the cathedral, botanical gardens and medieval town wall with a knowledgeable local guide.
It’s well worth doing the 3.5km walk around the Ringmuren, the impressive thirteenth-century town walls and ramparts that surround the historic centre. And to really get an idea of the island’s wealth in Viking times, drop in to the Gotlands Museum (Fornsalen) and marvel at the world’s largest hoard of Viking silver (Spillingskatten), discovered in a field in Gotland in 1999. To discover another side of the island, this culinary tour of Visby and Gotland combines a guided walk through the medieval town with local food tastings, a visit to Stafva Gård and a traditional Swedish fika.
Away from Visby, natural highlights include the vast Lummelundagrottan cave, famous for its stalactites and stalagmites, and the dramatic limestone sea stacks (raukar) at Långhammars on the island of Fårö. To learn more about the cave’s fascinating geology, we recommend this guided tour of Lummelunda Cave, which takes you deep underground past ancient fossils, stalactites and stalagmites. The island itself is worth exploring for its wild landscapes, beautiful beaches and strong connection to filmmaker Ingmar Bergman, who lived here for many years. Also worth visiting is Den Blå Lagunen (the Blue Lagoon), a former limestone quarry with crystal-clear water that has become one of Gotland’s most popular swimming spots in summer, though it can get busy on warm days.
Located just outside Visby on the island of Gotland, Kneippbyn is one of Sweden’s most popular destinations for families. The resort combines an amusement park, water park and on-site accommodation, making it easy to turn a day trip into a longer family holiday. Visitors can enjoy everything from water slides and pools to rides and family-friendly attractions, while younger guests can visit the original Villa Villekulla from the Pippi Longstocking movies. Beyond the park itself, families can easily combine their visit with exploring Gotland’s beaches, nature and the medieval town of Visby.
How many days do I need in Gotland?
You can easily see Gotland’s sights in three days – one day for Visby; one for the caves and the northern island of Fårö; and one to explore the south of island.
But, part of the joy of visiting Gotland is to take things slowly, meander around the country lanes by bike, chill out on the beaches and stroll through orchards and woods – so if you can spare a week, you’ll really appreciate the relaxed vibe of the island.
Recommended experiences
• Explore medieval Visby on a private walking tour.
• Discover Gotland’s food culture on a guided culinary tour.
• Venture underground on a guided tour of Lummelunda Cave.
What is the best time to visit Gotland?
Summer, of course, has the best weather and the warmest water for swimming, but it’s also the busiest time of the year.
This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as the influx of young Swedes gives the island a youthful, buzzing vibe and makes it a fun place to hang out.
You may want to avoid week 29 (late July) though, known as “Stockholm Week”, when Visby is overrun by wealthy kids from the capital who party hard all week.
The beach clubs Kallis and the Tofta Resort are the epicentre of the action, with rich kids overspending and even pouring champagne onto the floor (yes, really).
The second week of August is busy too, when Medieval Week brings music, street stalls, dancing, jousting, fire-juggling, processions and plenty of dressing up in Medieval clothing to the island.
If you’d rather see the island at a quieter time, May and September can still see decent weather and are altogether more peaceful; accommodation is cheaper then too.
How do I get to Gotland?
There are two ways of getting to Gotland: by plane or by ferry. It’s a 30–40 minute flight from Stockholm to the island’s airport, 4km south of Visby: both SAS and Norwegian fly the route.
However, most people arrive by ferry, which docks in the centre of Visby and is operated year-round by Destination Gotland. There are two ferry routes, both of which take 3–3hr 30min: one leaves from Nynäshamn, south of Stockholm, and one from Oskarshamn, in Småland on the east coast.
Where can I stay on Gotland?
There are plenty of accommodation options on Gotland, from converted manors in the country to beachside cabins and town-centre hostels.
Camping is hugely popular – on the outskirts of Visby, but right by the beach, the Visby Strandby campsite has glamorous glamping tents, sea-view cabins and cottages to rent, plus grassy pitches for tents and camper vans.
Or try the Liste Gård guest house, a converted barn in the middle of the countryside surrounded by beautiful gardens with a huge hot tub and bikes to rent.
If you want to be in the heart of the action, the Boende Visby has comfortable apartments with their own cooking facilities above a restaurant on a cobbled street in the old town.
Alternatively, you might find it cheaper to book a package (paketresa) with Destination Gotland, which includes accommodation (from camping to cottages or luxury hotels) plus ferry.
Ready to visit Gotland?
With its medieval streets, Viking history, sandy beaches and dramatic coastal scenery, Gotland offers a side of Sweden that feels quite different from the mainland. Whether you’re exploring Visby’s UNESCO-listed old town, cycling through the countryside, swimming in crystal-clear lagoons or enjoying family attractions like Kneippbyn, it’s easy to see why so many Swedes return here summer after summer.
Planning a trip? Aim to spend at least three or four days on the island – though if you have a week to spare, you’ll have plenty of time to discover Gotland’s relaxed pace of life and hidden corners.
See also:
The best Swedish islands: our top 12
Camping in Sweden: the ultimate guide
The best places to visit in Sweden
