Gotland: A Medieval Island Getaway

Visby World Heritage Site

Old Visby is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Within the old city walls is a compact, enjoyably walkable medieval town that is filled with architectural delights, gift shops, and coffee shops. Go get lost in the old town.

Gotland Museum

The Gotland Museum is a good place to learn about Gotland’s history. It is filled with locally sourced artifacts, including Viking jewelry and medieval picture stones.

Sta Katarina/St. Catherine’s Ruin

A former open-air Franciscan church that was never fully restored. Today, you can get a sense of the high, vaulted ceilings as you stand in the middle.

Sta Maria Domkyrka/St. Mary's Cathedral

This is the only medieval church in Visby that is still in use. It was built in the 12th century.

Visby Town Wall

Visby has northern Europe’s best preserved town walls—they are unique in Sweden. Visby became Gotland’s regional center in the late 12th century. Most of the city’s walls are preserved, and walking around them could be an entire day’s adventure.

The Botanical Gardens

This park forms a green oasis in the old town. Sweet chestnut, walnut, almond, black mulberry, and plane trees mingle with exotic conifers like the Chilean monkey puzzle tree. Perfect for a walk after dinner to watch the sunset.

St. Peter's & St. John's

Today, you can walk among the ruins of two 13th-century churches. The former cloister is the perfect place to sit and eat a piece of Gotland’s famous saffranspannkaka, or saffron pancake, from a nearby bakery.

Stora Torget/Main Square

The center of activity and energy in the old towns, surrounded by restaurants and shops. St. Catherine’s Ruin is on one side. Make sure to eat one meal at an open-air restaurant overlooking the square.

Road trips

Road trip around the island to see sights such as Roma Abbey, a ruined Cistercian abbey that is now used as a theater; Viking-era runic picture stones; beautiful Gotland horses; Fårö Island off the northern tip, where Ingmar Bergman had a house; and Hoburgen Lighthouse at the southern tip of the island.

Crêperie & Logi

A laid-back restaurant in the old town on the hill. The back deck is lovely on a sunny evening.

Lilla Huset

White linen tablecloths in the back courtyard. Behind the Ruins of Saint Lars.

Vardshuset Lindgarden

Lovely backyard garden. Global cuisine with locally sourced ingredients.

Strandhäxan

A quirky bar on the lower plaza with views of the water. Great place for people-watching.

Black Sheep Arms

A Yorkshire-style pub that is filled with Visby locals. The back courtyard is a lovely place to spend a summer evening.