They are everywhere: the incredibly great travel destinations. One of them is definitely the Swedish island of Gotland! The history of the island is very historical and you can already see this when you arrive in the city of Visby – the only city on Gotland and at the same time capital of the province Gotlands län. In addition to its exciting past, Gotland has much more to offer and as a holiday island is in no way inferior to the others! Here you´ll find some nice impressions of our trip to Gotland this summer:
In coperation with Destination Gotland
- Here you can read about our first Sweden trip to Smaland.
Holidays on the swedish island GOTLAND
Gotland and holidays? Absolutly correct: On Gotland you can indeed spend your holidays very well. The convinced Swedish people can confirm that themselves! Great beaches for relaxing and sunbathing, super beautiful landscapes to enjoy (also perfect as photo locations for bloggers), lots of cultural offers and culinary experiences await explorers, hikers and curious tourists. The island is an attractive tourist destination all year round. However, as many travellers prefer the sunny months, the best time to visit the island is between June and September. In these months with the mild climate sun worshippers certainly get their money’s worth.
VISBY – discover Gotland´s MEDIEVAL CITY
Our journey starts in Visby. Already at the arrival with the ferry in the harbour of the small and pretty city you can hear stunning Ahs and Ohs. From here you can already see parts of the almost complete city wall from the Middle Ages. A walk along the city wall is worthwhile in any case. It is in very good condition and you can even walk up the watchtowers and have a view over the sea on one side and over Visby’s large Botanical Garden on the other. Thanks to the climate, a variety of plants and unusual tree species grow here.
The harbour of Visby
Visby is rich in historical sites. Inside the city there are imposing ruins of church walls. These remind of the attacks and destruction of the town by Danes in the 16th century. The whole history of Gotland can be seen in the Gotland Museum in Visby. Make sure stopping by there!
local fact
Most of Gotland’s churches date from the Middle Ages. The oldest churches are in Stenkyrka, Atlingbo and Fardhem (the first church on Gotland is said to have been built here). At least the predecessor building.)
In the centre of Visby you will find the very imposing ruin of St. Katrin church.
The beautiful Cathedral of the West. From here you can also have a great overview of the whole Visby. Just walk up a few steps and let you surprise by the stunning view!
Use the opportunity and the time to explore Visby by walking around! The peace and quiet in the small alleys of the city is incredibly peaceful and the loving design of the exterior facades is simply delightful. Visby literally smells like roses! No wonder: The city dwellers decorate their houses and fences with countless types of roses in the most beautiful colours, which underlines the flair of the charming city even more.
local fact
On the island of Gotland, about 150 old fishing villages (Gotlänska fiskelägen) still exist today. Eleven of them are listed. By the way, the “Hanseatic City of Visby” with its magnificent medieval buildings has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995!
COSY GLAMPING in Surflogiet Gotland
Oh, yeah, Gotland’s chic. In its own special way. The hip glamping in the SURFLOGIET GOTLAND was at the top of our itinerary! “Glamping” is a glamorous camping style with many amenities such as a very comfortably equipped tent, washing rooms and other extras that you wouldn’t expect from camping in the open air. For example, sleeping on beds worth several thousand of euros or relax in the sauna at the end of the day and admire the Baltic Sea through the glass front of the sauna cottage. Extravagant? Perhaps. But more likely cosy glamorous and in the SURFLOGIET GOTLAND with a stylish bohemean touch. Here you can organize celebrations of any kind. Very popular are weddings. You can sit comfortably and stylishly on the beach during or after your wedding. Gladly with champagne and oysters. Or beer and delicious burgers! We loved it.
You can also have this delicious burger in vegan!
The SURFLOGIET GOTLAND also offers sports activities: Stand-up paddling, surfing, skating, beach volleyball, arranged bike tours – the choice is really exciting! Jogging on the beach or practicing yoga is of course a must do.
Get in touch with STELOR HOTEL – unique hotel design
A little tip for all those who have a preference for small, smart hotel designs: The STELOR Hotel is located less than 30 minutes south of Visby. A converted farmer property to fall in love with. The atmosphere here is so incredibly clean, homelike and wonderful that you’d love to move in here. The hotel offers seven unique rooms to sleep in, a great restaurant with bar and garden, where really delicious dishes are served! Many things are cultivated in the hotel’s own garden. The rest is bought by the owners from local producers. Just to please the palate, it is worth staying or stopping at the STELOR Hotel! Despite the few rooms the hotel offers, the property is large enough to be able to retreat to the hotel garden undisturbed at any time. A truly small paradise to come down. From here you can reach the beach in 20 minutes on foot. If you want to go faster, you can rent e-bikes at the hotel and explore the area.
Where to go to EAT in VISBY – some tips
- BAKFICKAN: Modern, international, but also typical local and island specialities can be found everywhere on the Swedish island of Gotland. The typical dishes of the island are prepared with a lot of fish and seafood. And they taste excellent! A really good tip in the middle of Visby is the small but really fine restaurant BAKFICKAN. The interior is super inviting, free places are in great demand and the owner of the shop is an incredibly cordial person. A real sightseeing hot spot is right next door: the impressive ruins of St. Katrin’s Church.
- VINÄGER: Another popular meeting place of the city is VINÄGER. A stylish restaurant with bar and beautiful terrace where great events take place in summer. Not only the cuisine surprises with Mediterranean specialities and special creations – the interior really gives the guest the feeling of being somewhere on the Mediterranean area. Pure holiday feeling!
- Beer fans watch out: In the middle of Visby you will find the beer brewery Gotlands Bryggery! Here you can take part in a small guided tour through the brewery and taste delicious beers.
DID YOU KNOW?
Some grape varieties are cultivated – and very successfully – on Gotland. This is why the wine-growing regions here are among the most northerly in Europe. Nothing stands in the way of a small but fine wine tour, is there?
How to reach GOTLAND?
The island can be reached quickly by plane via Stockholm, the Swedish capital. But those who want to go by sea can choose to take the ferry to Gotland. It is highly recommended to explore the island of Gotland by car. Most places are small and can be explored quickly. With your own or at best rented car you are flexible and can easily get to know the whole island! For short excursions please rent bicycles e.g. at Cykeluthyring! Let´s go!
This beautiful flowers are called Blue Fire. You can find them everywhere on Gotland.