Overview
Since Viking times, the Island of Gotland has been the meeting point for travellers, and with its medieval walled town of Visby it is a hidden treasure in the midst of the Baltic Sea. Enjoy some of Sweden’s best restaurants, interesting design and breathtaking natural experiences.
Visby is one of the more popular cruise destinations in the Baltic, as it is a genuine medieval city with an interesting history and the docking quay is right in the heart of the town centre.

Kings and Tsars
>Everyone has their own special way of describing Gotland: the island of roses, myths, legends, the Vikings and nature in all its glory. Each is accurate, and it’s all here on Gotland for you to discover and enjoy. The first settlement in Visby dates back more than 4,000 years to the Stone Age.
Primarily through their contacts with the east, the Gotlanders were among the leading traders by the mid 12th century. Inns and churches were built as people from other nations began to settle in Visby, such as the Danes, Germans and Russians. Warehouses were built up along the harbour, many of which are still standing now, creating a strong image of the past. Take a walk along the promenade on the best-preserved city walls in Northern Europe for a great excursion.
Beyond the city walls are over 90 medieval churches and countless ancient remains, strange limestone formations and rare plants – a dream for enthusiasts of botany, geology and history! To see more of the island, join one of the guided tours available.

Modern Architecture & Design
Home or summer residence to more than one hundred professional artists and artisans, Gotland offers a wide diversity of galleries, art exhibits and shopping. It is well worth paying a visit to the many art studios scattered around the island, or go and explore the Baltic Art Centre in Visby harbour which offers a permanent exhibition of Gotlandic art through history, as well as other interesting exhibitions.
When visiting northern Gotland a stop at Fabriken Furillen, one of Sweden’s premium designer hotels, or Fårösund fortress, a brand new designer hotel and restaurant, is a must.

City Life and Outdoor Activities
Visby is a living history that continues to fascinate, and you should enjoy it by taking a stroll through the many narrow streets that are full of character and charm. You will never be bored here as a new surprise awaits you round every corner, with the beautiful old buildings and the medieval walls.
Raukar – high, natural limestone formations found along the coastline of Gotland – are one of the main symbols of the island. The largest are seen on the tiny island of Fårö, today the home of legendary film director Ingmar Bergman. The geology and climate of Gotland are unique for Sweden. Fossil finds are everywhere on the islands many sandy beaches. Biking is also popular on Gotland so why not rent a bike and explore Gotland by yourself, or join one of the hiking & biking guided tours.

Great Shopping and Fine Food
You can lose yourself in the streets of Visby with the various shops tempting you with their unique charm and specialty goods, ranging from home furniture and glass art works to fashionable clothing and designer items.
Need a break? Visby has more restaurants per square mile than any other city in Sweden, and they all within easy access. Try the local specialties such as locally grown Bourgogne truffles and rum made of sugar beet. Whether your preference is for al fresco dining, sea views or idyllic rural settings, it should be easy to find a special favourite.
Ancient and Modern
Home to 57,000 people, Gotland has an impressive array of cultural events to offer. Sweden’s largest historical festival – Medieval Week – takes place in Visby for a week in August every year. The festival takes you back to 1361 and the invasion of Gotland by Denmark’s King Valdemar. Thousands of visitors join in open-air theatre performances in the streets and squares, many of them dressed in medieval clothes. Brave Knights fight for honour in jousting tournaments and history is present everywhere.
Modern Visby is a vibrant town where cobblestone alleyways wind up to shopping streets full of charming shops and tempting cafés. In this city of roses and ruins, ancient history and modern life rub elbows at every turn. Culinary delights, artistic creativity and exotic natural surroundings make this a destination rich in contrast. Take a guided tour or wander on your own in this unique Hanseatic town, which since 1995 has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Top 10 attractions
Visby Top 10 – don’t miss
• Visby walled town - listed as a UNESCO World heritage Site.
• Historical Museum
• Baltic Art Centre
• St. Maria cathedral - Dominating the townscape since the late 12th century, the only surviving church from that time inside the town wall.
• The heights of Klinten and the magnificent views looking over the old town
• Botanical Gardens - The famous Botanical Gardens of Visby, dating from 1855, are just a 5 minutes walk from the Pier area.
• Culinary Gotland restaurants
• “Raukar” limestone formations – Limestone formations as seen in Ingmar Bergman’s films.
• At least one of the more than 90 medieval churches found throughout Gotland
• Gotland’s resident artists and craftspeople, many of whom have open studios