Visby Sweden offers everything you could want in an vacation destination—and then some! The quaint island city has been continuously inhabited since the year 980, and you can still visit the medieval walled city of the 13th century today. Whether you’re looking to get away from it all or wanting to experience one of the world’s best cities, Visby Sweden should be at the top of your list! And if you’re looking for reasons why it should be, here are a few!
Fårö Island
Fårö Island is a small island off the southeast coast of Gotland and is where filmmaker Ingmar Bergman lived most of his life. It’s worth it to visit Fårö just for a bite at one of its restaurants—the seafood here is some of Gotland’s best. (To get here from Visby proper, catch a bus.)
Visby Medieval Castles
Medieval castles dotting its landscape are a main attraction for tourists. The largest and best-preserved is called Hanseatic Castle in Fiskebäck on Gotland Island. Built around 1360 and once used as a defense against pirates, today it’s a museum showcasing scenes from life during medieval times.
Marstrand Town
Although it’s small (pop. 2,400), Marstrand is home to great sights like Stenshuvud National Park and an impressive castle that you can explore on a three-hour guided tour for about $10. You can also stop by Rörö restaurant for lunch or grab sandwiches at Skärgårdsbageriet.
Gotland National Park
From hiking trails that lead up into lush forests and over waterfalls to beaches perfect for windsurfing or sailing in warm summer months, Gotland National Park is a place that should be high on your list of European destinations. But what really sets it apart from other parks is its stunning old city—Visby.
Matsalen Restaurant
Matsalen is a wonderful restaurant with a trendy atmosphere and large terrace overlooking Rosenlunds Beach. It also has great views of St Lars Church and its hilltop location means it has an exceptional view over a very quaint Old Town. There are plenty of good restaurants in Visby but Matsalen really stands out as one of our favourites so if you’re going on holiday make sure to check it out.
Visby UNESCO Sites
UNESCO listed three sites in Visby that are some of the oldest medieval archaeological sites in all of Europe. From humble beginnings as a fishing village to its heyday as a 13th-century Hanseatic League stronghold, Visby has played an important role in Swedish history for nearly 1,000 years.
Lots of Artwork and History to Explore
If you’re a fan of art and history, there are few places better than Visby. The Swedish city is home to several world-class museums that showcase priceless pieces of artwork and medieval architecture. If you’re interested in these two things, you’ll want to plan your vacation around one or both: Kastelholm Castle (complete with exhibits) and St.
Framlingham Castle and Gardens
Framlingham Castle is located on a small island in a lake. The castle grounds are surrounded by beautiful gardens and feature an impressive maze. Framlingham has been occupied since 869 AD; it’s an exciting place for history lovers.
Viking Museums and Burial Sites
If you are interested in Scandinavian history and heritage, there is no better place to be than Visby. The island has a rich Viking history that can be found in its burial sites. You can also see many artifacts on display at museums around town.
Grundläggande Turism Information Center
The region of Ostrobothnia is easily accessible via planes or car; Gotland itself has two airports and is approximately a two-hour drive from Stockholm. One way to get around once you’re there is by bike—the city’s tourist office offers bicycle rentals with unlimited mileage.
