Things to Do on Gotland – 20 attractions and experiences

Text: Peter Bergström

What to do on Gotland? Medieval urban environments, rauks, beaches, caves, dramatic coastal landscapes and some of Sweden's most classic summer excursions await you here. Gotland is Sweden's largest island and one of the country's most unique travel destinations, where you can combine Visby's historic alleys with Fårö, sea, nature and small roads through the open landscape. In this guide you will find 20 best tips and a ready-made itinerary for 3–5 days.

Quick guide – best things to do on Gotland

• Discover Visby and walk along the city wall
• Take a trip to Fårö
• See the raukars at Langhammar or Digerhuvud
• Swim at Sudersand or Tofta beach
• Go down into the Lummelunda Cave
• See the Hoburgsgubben on southern Gotland

1. Discover Visby – Gotland's medieval heart

Visby is the obvious main attraction of Gotland and one of Sweden's most unique destinations. Here, a well-preserved city center with a ring wall, cobblestone streets, roses, ruins and small alleys awaits you, making you want to stay longer than planned. For many, Visby is the natural start of a trip around Gotland.

2. Walk along the Visby ring wall

Visby Ringmur is one of Gotland's biggest attractions and a must-see on the island. The medieval wall is impressively well-preserved and gives the city its special character. A walk along parts of the wall is one of the best ways to experience Visby's history and get a feel for the place.

3. Stroll through Visby's old alleys and neighborhoods

It's not just the big sights that make Visby special, but also the feel of the city itself. Here you can stroll through small alleys, old stone houses, courtyards and roses climbing along the facades. This is one of the most atmospheric city walks you can do in Sweden.

4. See the church ruins in Visby, such as St. Karin and St. Nicolai

Visby is full of church ruins that make the city environment unusually special. Some of the most famous are Sankt Karin and Sankt Nicolai, both of which contribute to the strong medieval feel. For those who like history and unique urban environments, this is one of the most memorable features on Gotland.

5. Visit Gotland Museum in Visby

Gotland Museum is a great stop for those who want to understand more of the island's history. Here you will get a clearer picture of the Middle Ages, trade, life on the island and why Gotland looks the way it does today. It is a perfect complement to discovering Visby on foot.

6. See Visby Cathedral of Saint Mary

St. Mary's Cathedral is Visby's most important church and an obvious attraction in the city center. The church is beautiful both from the outside and inside, and it reinforces the feeling that Visby is truly one of Sweden's most historic cities. A natural stop when you are walking around the old town.

7. Take a trip to Fårö

Fårö is one of the most classic excursion destinations on Gotland and for many one of the highlights of the trip. Here you will find open landscapes, barren nature, sea, raukar and a very unique atmosphere. This is an obvious stop if you want to experience a different side of Gotland than Visby and the more well-known parts of the main island.

8. See the raukars at Langhamar or Digerhuvud

Gotland's raukar are among the island's most iconic natural experiences, and Langhammar or Digerhuvud are among the most famous areas. Here you get dramatic rock formations, sea views and that typical Gotland feel that many seek. This is one of the most classic stops on Fårö.

9. Swim at Sudersand – one of Gotland's most famous beaches

Sudersand on Fårö is often highlighted as one of Gotland's very best beaches. Here, you'll find light sand, open views and a summery feel that makes many people want to stay longer. If you're traveling during the warmer months, this is a perfect stop to combine with the raukan on Fårö.

10. Discover Bergman's Fårö and the rugged nature

Fårö is also strongly associated with Ingmar Bergman, who put the island on the map for many. Even without following a specific trail, it is noticeable that Fårö has a special character with its open landscape, light, wind and barren nature. This is a place that often remains in the memory.

11. Visit the Blue Lagoon in northern Gotland

The Blue Lagoon is one of the most famous swimming spots on Gotland and a popular summer stop. The turquoise water and special environment make the place stand out compared to many other swimming spots. During high season it can be crowded, but it is still one of Gotland's most talked-about excursion destinations.

12. Go down into the Lummelunda cave

Lummelunda Cave is one of Gotland's most classic destinations and a great place to visit if you want a change from beaches and coastal scenery. Here you will find cave environments, guided tours and a different nature experience. It is one of the stops that make Gotland a more complete destination.

13. See Högklint and enjoy the view of the sea

Högklint is one of the most classic viewpoints near Visby and a really nice place if you like the sea and views. Here you get high cliffs, open horizons and the feeling of Gotland's dramatic coast. It's a simple but very effective stop.

14. Swim at Tofta beach

Tofta beach is one of Gotland's most well-known beaches and an obvious name for many who plan a summer holiday on the island. Here you will find a long sandy beach, open spaces and a classic Gotland feel. It is a perfect stop if you want to combine sightseeing with a quiet day by the sea.

15. See Folhammar and the Raukar on eastern Gotland

Folhammar is one of Gotland's most famous rauk areas outside Fårö and a strong option if you want to see more of the island's dramatic nature. Here you will find rauks, sea and a landscape that feels very typical of Gotland. This is a good stop if you want to broaden your trip beyond the most classic places.

16. Discover the Hoburgsgubben in southern Gotland

Hoburgsgubben is one of Gotland's most famous rauks and a classic stop at the bottom of the southern part of the island. The rauk itself is famous, but just as strong is the feeling of standing by the sea in one of Gotland's most special places. This is perfect as part of a longer trip south.

17. Take a boat trip to the large Karlsö island

Stora Karlsö is one of the most exciting day trips from Gotland. Here you will find dramatic nature, birdlife, cliffs and a feeling of truly leaving the main island for something even more special. This is a strong tip for those who want to experience more than just the classic stops around Visby and Fårö.

18. See Gannarve ship setting

Gannarve shipwreck is one of Gotland's most famous ancient sites and a great stop for those who like history and open landscapes. Here, ancient times, coastal feeling and that special Gotland tranquility meet. It's a nice stop that adds a little extra depth to a trip around the island.

19. Discover Gotland's churches and the small roads on the island

Gotland is known for its many medieval churches, and even if you don't plan to see many of them, they are an important part of the island's character. Many of the finest experiences here involve driving down small roads, stopping at a church, an open landscape or an unexpected sea view. This is one of the things that makes Gotland so great for road trips.

20. Stop at a fishing village and enjoy the coastal feel of Gotland

Gotland is not just about the big sights, but also about the little stops along the way. A fishing village, a harbor, a smokehouse or a quiet bay can sometimes be just as memorable as the most famous places. It is this mix of big classics and small detours that makes Gotland extra easy to enjoy.

Where can you park your camper on Gotland?

Gotland is very suitable for both hotels, cottages, camping and motorhomes. Many people choose to have Visby as a base and then make day trips, while others prefer to move around the island and combine different parts of Gotland during the trip. Here are some good ideas to highlight in the guide.

• Visby if you want restaurants, city feel and a good starting pointStay close 
• Tofta if you want beach and west coast feelChoose 
• northern Gotland or Fårö if you want to focus on nature, raukar and a calmer paceLive further south if you want to be close to 
• The Hoburg guy and more open landscapes. For a motorhome, Gotland is a good fit if you want to combine a few nights in the same place with longer day trips.

FAQ – frequently asked questions about Gotland

WHAT IS GOTLAND FAMOUS FOR?

Gotland is known for Visby, the medieval city wall, church ruins, Fårö, raukar, beaches and a coastal landscape that is unlike anything else in Sweden. The island is also known for its special nature, its small roads, its many churches and its strong summer feeling. It is one of Sweden's most unique travel destinations.

WHAT CAN'T BE MISSED ON GOTLAND?

Some of the most famous sights on Gotland are Visby, Visby Ringmur, Fårö, the rocks at Langhammar or Digerhuvud, Sudersand, Lummelundagrottan, the Blue Lagoon and Hoburgsgubben. If you have more time, Stora Karlsö, Högklint and Tofta beach are also very nice stops. The best thing is to mix city, nature and coast.

HOW MANY DAYS DO YOU NEED ON GOTLAND?

Three days is enough to see Visby and some of the most famous sights, but four to five days is much better if you want to experience the island at a slower pace. That way you have time to combine Visby, Fårö, Raukar, beaches and excursions in a more natural way. Gotland is perfect for a long weekend or a summer week.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO TRAVEL TO GOTLAND?

Late spring, summer and early autumn are the best times to travel to Gotland. Summer is the most classic period, with swimming, boat trips and open attractions, while spring and early autumn often offer a calmer pace and beautiful nature. If you want to experience the island with the most life, July is the strongest, but then it is also the most crowded.

IS GOTLAND GOOD FOR A ROAD TRIP?

Yes, Gotland is very suitable for a road trip. The distances are just right, the roads are easy to drive and it is easy to combine Visby, Fårö, Raukar, beaches, churches and coastal stops during the same trip. It is precisely the mixture of clear sights and small spontaneous detours that makes the island extra grateful to discover by car or camper.

More landscape guides nearby

Want to discover more of Sweden? Here are more guides to nearby landscapes that are perfect for more excursions, road trips and holidays at home.

• Things to do in Öland
• Things to do in Sodermanland
• Things to do in Uppland
• Things to do in Blekinge
• Holidays in Sweden