Gotland is Sweden’s largest island, known for its distinctive wilderness and a coastline lined with beautiful sandy beaches. Visby, the island’s main town, is historically significant, dating back to the Viking Age, and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Everyone who has set foot on Gotland agrees that there is something magical about it. Gotland is a popular summer destination for Swedes as well as visitors from abroad. This unique island off Sweden’s southeastern coast has everything – nature, remarkable history and unique local flavours. Wander along the cobblestone streets of Visby and you’ll feel as though you’ve been transported back to the Middle Ages.

Visby’s historic cityscape is strongly defined by the Ring Wall, complete with towers and gates, built between 1250 and 1288. It stretches more than 3.5 kilometres around the centuries-old town centre. Gotland is well worth a visit at any time of year – each season has its own unique charm – but the island especially comes to life in summer, when temperatures hover around 20°C and the water is at its most inviting. Even if swimming isn’t on the agenda, Gotland’s dramatic coastline has plenty to offer. The sea stacks – or raukar, as they are called in Swedish – along the rocky east coast are an almost otherworldly sight.

Gotland boasts stunning nature, and because the landscape is mostly flat, it is a dream destination for cyclists. Ekstakusten is a popular cycling route with much to see. This coastal stretch lies within an idyllic nature reserve and runs along the island’s western side, from the fishing village of Djupvik to Hammarudden. Hop on a ferry to explore the neighbouring islands of Stora Karlsö and Lilla Karlsö, both known for their rich flora and fauna.

No trip to Gotland is complete without a visit to Fårö. Situated just northeast of the main island, this distinctive destination is reached by a free eight-minute ferry ride from Fårösund. It’s easy to understand why the world-famous Swedish director Ingmar Bergman fell in love with this island, where he spent much of his life from the 1960s until his death in 2007. Fårö is also home to impressive raukar (limestone stacks), forming magnificent natural sculpture fields along the shoreline.