As the country that gave us ABBA, IKEA, and Knackebrod, it’s a shame that Gotland Island isn’t better known around the world.
This beautiful island is in the Baltic Sea, off the east coast of Sweden. It looks like time has stopped here. With walls and streets made of cobblestones from the Middle Ages, this city takes guests back in time.
Its beautiful scenery includes rocky coastlines, clean beaches, and lush meadows that make for endless chances to explore and rest. At the same time, Gotland is a great place to eat, with fresh seafood, locally grown ingredients, and a booming craft beer scene.
Gotland is Sweden’s biggest island and is surrounded by the Baltic Sea on all sides. It is a beautiful place that is full of nature and tourist attractions and has a classic charm. You should plan to stay here for at least two or three days to see everything Gotland has to offer during your trip to Sweden.
Top 8 Places to Visit in Gotland
1. St. Nicolai Ruin
The St. Nicolai Ruin is one of the most famous sights on Gotland Island. When it comes to Gothic buildings, this medieval church ruin from the early 1300s is truly amazing.
For hundreds of years, the church has been a major place of worship and an important part of the spiritual lives of the people who live on Gotland. Sadly, a lot of it was destroyed or damaged in wars from the 16th century to World War II and slowly fell apart. The St. Nicolai Ruin, with its intricate stone carvings and tall arches, shows off the haunting beauty of its Gothic architecture today. It is a moving memory of the island’s historical importance.
The old church is still used, and it’s often the site of weddings, christenings, music, and cultural events.
2. Jungfrun
You should visit nearby Jungfrun Island, which is a small and strange island off the northeastern coast of Gotland, even though you are already on an island.
This granite rock, which is sometimes called “Blue Maiden,” is one kilometer long and rises majestically above the clear water of the Kalmar Strait.
Its natural beauty is unmatched, and its lush vegetation and rocky terrain make it a paradise for nature fans who come to hike and watch birds.
A ferry is the best way to get here if you don’t have a boat or blimp. In the summer, the local company M/S Solkust runs trips that give you 3.5 hours to explore the area.
Folklore and old myths say that this island was where witches met with the devil every Maundy Thursday. If you take a stone off the island, you’re said to be cursed for life. So, take that as a warning.
3. Botanical Garden, Visby
One of the most relaxing things to do in Gotland is to walk around the Botanical Garden, which has beautiful views and is very quiet.
The gardens, which are on Strandgatan, opened in the 1850s as a live museum of plants. It has several themed gardens, such as rock, herb, and mountain gardens, which have all been carefully designed to show off the island’s unique plants.
As you walk along the winding paths, you’ll come across fragrant herbs, bright flowers, and an interesting mix of trees and bushes. A number of bird and butterfly species also live in the yard.
Overall, the gardens’ peaceful atmosphere makes them a great place for a stroll, a lunch, or to enjoy the variety of plants that grow on the island. If you’re tired of touring, this is a great place to take a break.
4. Blue Lagoon
The Bla Lagunen, also known as the Blue Lagoon, is a great place to swim when it’s warm enough.
The pond is in the Bastetrask Nature Reserve. It is in a place that used to be a limestone quarry but is now full of water. Some people might find it a little cold, but if you go in the middle of summer, you can enjoy a cool bath. Some of the most beautiful times to do this are at sunset when the area seems to float on air thanks to the bright colors of sunrise.
You can swim in the lake, but you can also take a stroll around its edges or have a picnic next to it.
5. Lummelunda Cave
This limestone cave is famous for its beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. It is one of the biggest holes in Sweden. To see them, you can take a guided walk that goes through narrow passageways and shows you a strange underground world lit by soft, creepy lights.
Over thousands of years, water has shaped the cave’s beautiful structures, making them look like works of art. You can be amazed by the huge columns, the delicate crystal formations, and the amazing Hall of Draperies, where shapes that look like curtains hang from the top of the cave.
When it’s open, Lummelunda Cave is a one-of-a-kind way to explore Gotland’s secret depths and enjoy the mysterious beauty of the underground world.
6. St. Mary’s Cathedral
German traders built it in the 1100s, and it is the only ancient church in Gotland that is still standing today. It has tall spires, detailed stonework, and beautiful stained glass windows that make it a great example of Gothic architecture.
In the Middle Ages, it was the main place of worship on the island for many years, showing how important Gotland was as a busy trading hub in the Baltic area.
The inside of the church is stunning, with a beautifully crafted altarpiece and many frescoes from the Middle Ages. It is still a place of worship and an important cultural heritage site. It also has a museum with religious and historical items on display.
7. Gotland Museum
The Gotland Museum is a cultural institution that has been around since 1875. It takes visitors on an interesting trip through the island’s history, archaeology, and heritage.
The museum has collections on archaeology, art, cultural history, and natural history, among other things. It is a must-see for anyone interested in the history of the island.
People can look at silver hoards from the Viking era, the famous Stone Age hedgehog girl, and medieval armor that was used in the Danish attack of 1361. They can also see statues, manuscripts, and picture stones in churches that they won’t be able to see anywhere else. The detailed carvings on these stones tell stories about the island’s past.
8. Visby City Wall
The Visby City Wall is a beautiful ancient wall that goes all the way around the town of Visby. The 13th century saw the building of this remarkably well-preserved limestone city wall, which was about 3.4 kilometers long.
This is still a strong reminder of Gotland’s history as a busy Hanseatic trade port, and it forms a wall around the town for safety.
The wall has many towers and gates, and each one is built in a different way. For example, the Love Gate and Visby Cathedral are two of the most famous buildings on the wall.
People can walk along the city wall’s battlements and climb its towers to get amazing views of the town and the Baltic Sea. Try to go at sunset, when the colors of the sky add something extra to the experience.
