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Top 10 things to do on Gotland

Beaches on the island.

The Gotland coastal landscape offers all kinds of beach hangouts. Whether you are looking to relax on a soft and fine-grained sandy beach, swim from one of the island’s piers or enjoy throngs of people, you will find the right beach for you.

Visby City Wall

Visby City Wall was built in the second half of the 13th century and is considered northern Europe’s oldest preserved city wall. If you walk the 3.4 kilometres around the wall, you will discover the wedged slingstone in Sankt Göransporten and the “double face” in Söderport.

Rauk safari on Fårö

North-east of Gotland lies Fårö, a place where rauks tower out of the sea and on land at Digerhuvud, Langhammars and in Gamle Hamn. Go on a rauk safari and explore famous rauk formations, such as Kaffekannan and Langhammarsgubben.

The Botanical garden

Inside Visby City Wall, just a stone’s throw from the beach promenade, you will find the Botanical Garden. Here, you will find many plants that are uncommon in Sweden – including tulip, empress and handkerchief trees.

Visby city centre

Along the cobbled streets of Visby city centre you find yourself in the middle of the city’s history as you wander among church ruins and stepped gable buildings. Visby is also a vibrant city with a large selection of cafés, restaurants and shopping.

Road trip on Gotland

There is a lot to enjoy on Gotland and a road trip is a great way to explore local craft shops, culinary flavours and experiences in nature. Take the opportunity to stop at one of the island’s restaurants, for example at Katthammarsviks Rökeri or the restaurant at Djupvik Hotel.

Hike along the coast

On Gotland, you are never far from a coastal hike. There are many roads, trails and paths that take you along the sea or inward towards land, past natural areas and medieval churches.

Self-picking by season

Freshly picked sunflowers on your kitchen table in your summer cottage… The island’s farmland landscape offers a wide range of flowers, berries and vegetables for self-picking. Many farms also have shops at which they sell freshly harvested produce that is in season.

The “Ekstakusten” nature reserve

In the nature reserve along the Eksta coast you can hike on smooth pebbles among coniferous trees shaped by the harsh wind. Along the coast you pass sights such as Kronvald’s fishing hamlet and the coastal artillery’s old bunkers. There are also views of Stora and Lilla Karlsö islands. The coast also offers colourful sunsets.

Fornsalen (The Historical Museum)

On Strandgatan in Visby city centre you can visit Gotlands Fornsal – the island’s oldest cultural history museum. Here you can view historical objects such as Gotland’s picture stones and the Spillings Hoard. The museum’s knowledgeable guides will walk you through Gotland’s history. For the youngest visitors, there is the children’s exhibition Skepp & Skoj (Ship Ahoy).

10 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Gotland

Written by Andrew Birbeck and Shandley McMurray Updated Dec 27, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

It's easy to see why Gotland has become such a hot spot for summer vacationers. The largest of the Baltic Islands, this Swedish paradise is magical, tranquil, and wildly beautiful. Here, tourists will find plenty of interesting things to do, like visit the fairy-tale town of Visby, lounge on a pristine beach, and tour the Botanical Garden.

If seeing ruined churches is your thing, you're in luck. Visby is home to a former Dominican monastery. For even more ancient excitement, visit during Medieval Week , an annual celebration each August that includes jousting, live shows, and delicious treats.

Bring the kids along for a fun-filled getaway from Stockholm , which is a mere 35-minute flight away. They'll love swimming in the Blue Lagoon, walking on Visby's ancient walls, and soaring on rides at Kneippbyn Amusement Park.

Find more worthwhile places to visit on our list of the best things to do in Gotland.

See also: Where to Stay in Gotland

1. Visit Historic Visby

2. walk visby's town walls, 3. gotland museum, 4. dbw's botanical garden (botaniska trädgården), 5. explore the ruins of st. nicholas' church, 6. visby cathedral, 7. take a hike in högklint nature reserve, 8. take a ferry to fårö, 9. have family fun at kneippbyn amusement park, 10. take a dip in the blue lagoon, where to stay in gotland for sightseeing, map of attractions & things to do in gotland, more exciting destinations in sweden.

Visby is to Gotland as Nice is to Italy; an unmissable city filled with historic charm, tasty restaurants, and impressive tourist attractions. If arriving on the island by ferry, visitors will dock at this famed medieval town, so beautifully preserved that it's been deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Ringed by 13th-century walls , it's one of the most picturesque, postcard-perfect towns in Scandinavia and one of the most popular places to visit in Sweden .

Expect to be greeted by quaint cottages, old turrets and towers, and countless church spires. In summer, they'll be adorned with blooms, adding to their allure. Add to this the town's leafy bowers and its serpentine cobblestone streets and cute shops, and you will never want to leave.

Settle in at one of the many cafés and eateries and soak up the medieval surroundings. A speciality in Gotland is saffranspannkaka, a saffron pancake smothered with red berries and dollops of cream. It's utterly delicious.

Other popular things to do in Visby include strolling around town to see the many medieval sights and a walking tour along the 3.5-kilometer-long medieval city walls. See St. Mary's Cathedral (Visby Domkyrka) and St. Nicholas' Church to admire some architectural features from the 13th century, and visit the Gotlands Museum for a dose of island history.

There's something magical about walking along the 13th-century limestone walls of Visby. Stretching over 3.5 kilometers , these ancient walls transport guests back in time, while presenting them with remarkable views of the town and the sparkling Baltic Sea.

Dotting these formidable medieval walls are 44 towers standing 15 to 20 meters high. Near the north end stands the Maiden's Tower (Jungfrutornet), where legend has it that the daughter of a Visby goldsmith was walled up alive for betraying the town to the Danes out of love for the Danish King, Valdemar Atterdag.

From here, the walls run east to the line of cliffs, turn south at the town's main gate (Norderport), follow the edge of the cliffs to Söderport (South Gate), and finally veer west to end at the ruins of Visborg Castle overlooking the harbor.

Regular walking tours in English are available; check with the Tourist Office for details.

Attention history buffs — Gotland Museum is a must-see for those wishing to immerse themselves in the island's history and culture. Founded in 1875, this museum is filled with interesting exhibits that are packed with information on the town's storied past. Not surprisingly, it is one of the top attractions in Visby.

Permanent exhibitions include not only antiquities and artifacts dating back some 8,000 years from the Stone Age to Viking times, but also natural history and art. Highlights include fossils unique to the shores of the Baltic, the world's biggest hoard of Viking silver, and priceless runic stones.

Guided tours of the museum are available (in English), as are informative guided walks around the town.

Address: Strandgatan 14, Visby, Gotland

Even if you aren't a horticulturist, you'll want to spend time in the majestic DBW's Botanical Garden (Botaniska Trädgården) . Located a short stroll from the town walls, this beautiful 150-year-old attraction is both breathtaking and rejuvenating. Just inhaling the sweet scents and ogling the lush flora and fauna is enough to decrease stress levels.

History mingles with nature at the garden's south end, where the ivy-cloaked ruins of the Romanesque St. Olof's Church (ca. 1200) stand. The garden is full of rose beds for which Visby, known in Sweden as "the town of roses and ruins," is renowned (rose blooms adorn many of the town's buildings throughout the summer).

Apple, fig, walnut, mulberry, and magnolia trees thrive here in Visby's relatively mild climate, as well as magnificent giant redwoods and Chinese sequoia.

The garden's busy summer program includes outdoor jazz (a Swedish favorite), farmers markets, classical recitals, guided tours, and children's activities. Entry is free, and English-language guided tours are available.

Address: Strandgatan, 621 55, Visby

From Visby's Church of the Holy Ghost, a side street runs past the remains of the little 15th-century chapel of St. Gertrude to the ruins of St. Nicholas's Church (Sankt Nikolai) , the largest in Visby. Once part of a Dominican monastery, the church was built around 1230, and the Lübeckers destroyed it in 1525.

Two beautiful rose windows adorn the gable end. This hauntingly beautiful church now makes an evocative setting for music and theater performances. That said, the ruins are closed for tours, so tourists can only get a good look during pre-organized events.

Address:Smedjegatan 19, 621 55 Visby

To the west along St. Hansgatan you'll find St. Mary's Cathedral (Sankta Maria Domkyrka) . Also commonly referred to as Visby Cathedral, it's the only one of the town's old churches that's still in use. Built by German merchants and consecrated in 1225, it was much altered in later centuries (restored 1899-1907 and again in 1945).

Now one of Visby's most visited tourist attractions, its most notable features include the massive square tower on the west front and two smaller towers at the east end. The south chapel commemorates Burgomaster Swerting, who was executed in 1350. The church contains a fine carved pulpit of walnut and ebony from Lübeck (1684) and a 13th-century font of red Gotland marble.

Address: Västra Kyrkogatan, 621 56 Visby, Gotland

Located about 10 kilometers south of Visby, Högklint Nature Reserve (Hogklint Naturreservat) is a wonderful spot for a hike as you soak up breathtaking views of Visby, the beautiful blue Baltic Sea, and the rocky west coast from Gotland's highest sea cliffs. You can follow a short hike along the rugged cliffs to a path that winds down to some shallow sea caves and the pebbly beach below.

If you continue south, you'll end up at Ygne, a small fishing village. Climbers like to scale the knobby rock formations jutting along the coast. Sunset is a particularly beautiful time to visit, but take extra care walking along the steep cliffs as there are no guardrails. Many visitors like to rent a bike in Visby and cycle out here with a picnic, although biking up the hills can be a challenge.

The beautiful island of Farö boasts unique scenery that's different from the rest of Gotland, even though it only takes seven minutes by ferry to cross the strait. The landscape is more barren, and the sand on the beautiful bare beaches seems even finer.

While you're visiting, be sure to see the incredible Langhammars Sea Stacks and Helgumannen fishing village. Tiny fields and buildings dot the landscape, and many structures unique to the island are roofed with sedge, a tradition that has been abandoned elsewhere. Farö's most famous resident was Swedish Film Director Ingmar Bergman, who died at his home on the island in 2007.

A free ferry runs to Farö continuously during the summer and half-hourly at other times of the year.

If you're traveling with younger children this colorful amusement park is worth a visit, especially if the kids are fans of Pippi Longstocking. Among other attractions, Kneippbyn Amusement Park is home to a replica of Pippi's Villekulla Cottage ; a rollercoaster; go-karts; trampolines; and a gigantic water park suitable for all ages, with plenty of fun slides and pools.

You can also stay here at the Kneippbyn Resort Visby . Accommodation ranges from tents and hotel rooms to holiday cottages, and plenty of other facilities are on-site, including a café, restaurants, shops, tennis courts, and mini-golf. On summer evenings, concerts and activities are staged here for all ages. Regular shuttle buses take visitors to and from Visby several times daily during peak season.

Address: Kneippbyn 15, 622 61, Visby

Why is it that the most spectacular places to visit seem to boast a blue lagoon? For instance, one of Fiji's top attractions is a lagoon of this nature, the Bahamas has an island dedicated to its blue wonderland, and Iceland boasts a stunning resort at its Blue Lagoon.

Gotland's Blue Lagoon (Bla Lagunen) is just as impressive. Located on the island's north coast, this pretty place is a popular spot for a cool dip during the summer months. Fringed with white sand and filled with clear blue water that shimmers in hues of turquoise in the sunlight, the lagoon was once a limestone quarry.

It tends to trap the heat, so it's usually a pleasant temperature for a swim in the warmer months. You can also explore the area's walking paths. There are restrooms on-site.

We recommend these delightful hotels near the top attractions in Visby, Gotland's gateway town:

• Clarion Hotel Wisby : Featuring mid-range pricing, this popular hotel is just steps from the marina, and boasts a spa with a heated pool and sauna, and a mix of old and new décor.
• Hotel St. Clemens : This charming 3-star hotel is family-run and in an old town location, with two beautiful gardens and medieval church ruins.
• Scandic Visby : Offering affordable rates and located near the ferry terminal, this hotel comes with a wonderful free breakfast, an outdoor pool and Jacuzzi, plus complimentary use of bikes.
• Hotell Slottsbacken : This good-value boutique hotel features stylish décor, comfortable beds, and complimentary tea and cookies.

Sweden is full of exciting things to see and do. Less than a 40-minute flight from Gotland, you can see all the top sights in the country's capital, Stockholm , and explore the surrounding countryside on fun day trips . From Stockholm, the picturesque university city of Uppsala is only 70 kilometers away. On the western side of the country, laid-back Gothenburg has a more temperate climate than Stockholm and is a top spot for foodies, while to the south of Gothenburg, both Helsingborg and Malmo lie only a short hop from neighboring Denmark , across the Oresund strait.

More on Sweden

12 Things to Do in Gotland

Looking for things to do in Gotland? Gotland is one of Swedens most popular destinations during summer and attracts almost a million visitors each year.

Gotland is a beautiful island that’s popular among both nature lovers, photographers, families, couples, and party people. There’s everything from fun clubs and beautiful landscapes to cozy cafés and fun activities in Gotland. Here are my best tips of things to do in Gotland as a tourist:

Table of Contents

Explore Visby

Visby is a medieval town that’s been on the UNESCO world heritage list since 1995. It’s an incredibly beautiful town with an old city wall and well-preserved cobbled stone streets.

In Visby you can visit the old cathedral, ruins, the city wall, a botanical garden, Almedalen and much more. In addition to that you can also visit several cafés, restaurants, and shops.

Photo: Shutterstock

Go swimming at Sudersand

If you feel like going to the beach one day you should visit Sudersand. It’s one of the longest and most beautiful beaches in Sweden and is perfect for families. Here the sand is soft and the water is shallow, and there’s also a nice restaurant and café nearby.

Sudersand is located on Fårö northeast of Gotland. It’s an island that’s separated from Gotland’s mainland, but can be reached by ferry.

Take a guided tour in Lummelundagrottan

The Lummelunda Cave is a 400 million year old limestone cave located north of Visby.

It’s a beautiful place where you can go on guided tours to learn more about the cave and how it was discovered. It’s definitely one of the most interesting things to do in Gotland for those who like to be out in nature.

Shop pottery from Gotland

There are many locals on the island who have their own ceramic workshops where you can shop everything from beautiful bowls to colorful coffee mugs.

Some ceramic workshops worth visiting are; Charlotte Karlsson in Hablingbo, Ingela Karlsson at Fide Fajans and Jan Sandbloms in Burgsvik.

            View this post on Instagram                         A post shared by Fide Fajans (@fidefajans) on Mar 26, 2020 at 12:31pm PDT

Visit Närsholmen

The peninsula of Närsholmen offers a beautiful open landscape where you can see several unusual plants and a number of bird species. The landscape almost look like the savannah with its few bushes and trees.

This is one of the best things to do in Gotland for those who like to take photos, go hiking and spend time outdoors.

Spend a day in Langhammars

This is one of Gotland’s main attractions and is a place that you need to visit at least once during your stay. It’s a beautiful nature reserve located on Fårö where you can see cool stone formations.

These stone formations, also known as “raukar” in Swedish, are around 10 meters high and surrounded by a beautiful landscape of pebble beach and deep blue waters.

If you like to take photos, this is a place you need visit when you’re in Gotland.

Admire the medieval churches

There’s almost one medieval church in every parish on Gotland, so you’ll see plenty of beautiful historic buildings during your stay on the island.

Most churches are open between May 15 and September 15, but there are also those open all year-round.

Foto: Shutterstock

Go swimming in the blue lagoon

The limestone quarry in Gotland is a popular place among tourists since it offers beautiful turquoise waters to swim in during the hot summer months. 

The locals normally avoid this place as it gets very crowded during summer. But if you still want o visit I can recommend visiting from mid-August onwards – it’s much fewer tourists during that time of the year.

Go see Hoburgsgubben

At the southern tip of Gotland you’ll find Husrygg Nature Reserve where you can see the famous Hoburgsgubben. It’s a rauk (stone formation) that looks like an old man from a certain angle and it has been looking out over the sea for thousands of years.

In addition to this famous rauk, Husrygg is a beautiful place where you can go hiking and enjoy some of the best views of the Baltic Sea.

Besök Gotlands museum

In Gotlands museum you can see the world’s largest Viking silver treasure, Spillingsskatten. In addition to Spillingsskatten, you can also see picture stones and learn about the history of Gotland from the Stone Age to present time.

Gotlands museum is located in Visby and has been around since 1875.

Photo: Wolfgang Sauber

Stay at Pensionat Grå Gåsen

Pensionat Grå Gåsen has become famous in Sweden thanks to the Swedish television show “Så Mycket Bättre”. It’s a beautiful guest house where you can live and eat delicious food.

They have a pool where you can cool down during the hot summer months, and you can also rent bikes to explore the surrounding areas. 

If you want to stay like one of the Swedish stars for one or two nights, then it’s a must to stay at Pensionat Grå Gåsen.

            View this post on Instagram                         A post shared by Grå Gåsen / Pensionat & Ladan (@gasenslada) on Oct 18, 2019 at 12:22pm PDT

• Go shopping at flea markets

Around Gotland you’ll find flea markets where you can shop old gadgets and furniture. When driving or cycling along the roads in Gotland you can look out for flea market signs, and stop by when you feel like it.

I can recommend visiting the Kuriåsa store, which is located in a barn in Hemse, as well as “Fint och Fult” in Bunge.

Things to do in Gotland with children

Gotland is an excellent destination for those traveling with children. Here you’ll find everything from family-friendly beaches and scenic places to educational museums and fun activities for the whole family. Below you have some tips on things to do in Gotland with children:

• Explore the city walls of Visby
• Visit Gotlands museum
• Visit the playgrounds “Pannkaksträdet” and “Lekträdet”
• Stroll around in the botanical garden
• Visit När Lighthouse
• Explore Lummelundagrottan
• Go snorkeling in the blue lagoon

Things to do in Gotland when it rains

There are plenty of things to do in Gotland when it rains. Here you’ll find everything from educational museums and flea markets to beautiful churches and caves to explore.

• Visit Gotland museum
• Take shelter in the Lummelunda Cave
• Go to the cinema
• Visit Visby Cathedral
• Have a Swedish fika at a café
• Visit ceramic workshops
• Buy an umbrella and explore Visby in the rain

Photo: Roland Magnusson / Shutterstock.com

What are your favorite things to do in Gotland? Leave a comment below!

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Summer on Gotland

Are you heading to Gotland this summer? Summer visitors have long been drawn to this Baltic island for its long beaches and magical countryside, but it's also home to excellent restaurants, clubs, cafés and charming places to stay. Fly or take the ferry from Stockholm for a mini-break or spend the whole summer exploring Gotland's culinary gems and beautiful oases, in the capital Visby and beyond. In this guide we've shared our best Gotland tips, guiding you to some of Gotland's best restaurants, clubs and hotels - from the medieval alleyways of Visby to idyllic spots along the coast.

• Kasai – Three-floor dinner club
• Surfers – Hyped flavours from Sichuan
• Vår Fru – From sourdough waffles to natural wines
• Crêperie & Logi – French favourites
• Bolaget – Dependable wine bar
• Bakfickan – Fish and shellfish on the menu
• Café Gula Huset – Coffee in the garden
• Kallis – Party central
• Tofta Beach House – Beach restaurant deluxe
• Lilla Bjers – Farm restaurant with shop
• Majstre – Unbeatable views
• Gula Hönan – Local gastronomy
• Kapten Grogg – Beer and burgers
• Ljugarns Strandcafé – Summery beach hangout
• Bruna Dörren – Ice cream, food, rum and beer
• Lilla Trägårn – Streetfood and live music
• Grå Gåsen – Home from home
• Krakas – Fine dining in the countryside
• Katthammarsviks Rökeri – Smokery, restaurant and shop
• Bungenäs Matsal – Final outpost
• Graute Gård – One with nature
• Gothems Cantina y Casitas – SoCal streetfood
• Rute stenugnsbageri – Summer bakery and wood-fired pizza
• Blue Lagoon – Swimming tip!

Summer in Visby

Things to do in Visby during the summer

Three-floor dinner club

This Japanese dinner-club concept started in Stockholm and in July 2021 they opened a sister restaurant on Hästgatan in Visby. There are three floors with a restaurant, nightclub and lounge, as well as a roof terrace at the top of the building.

• Read more on Thatsup

Hyped flavours from Sichuan

This popular Chinese restaurant also has a Stockholm branch. In addition to gastronomic small dishes inspired by Sichuan cuisine, Surfers is also well known for their fruity, generous cocktails. A visit to Surfers can easily become a major night out. Don't forget to book a table in good time if you want to eat here.

• Website • 0498-21 18 00

Vår Fru

From sourdough waffles to natural wines.

Vår Fru is run by actress Lia Boysen and the founder of Fotografiska, Per Broman, who have converted an old framing workshop into a charming restaurant and bar. The menu includes everything from organic sourdough waffles, both sweet and savoury, to cocktails and natural wines. You can also eat in the beautiful old orangery in the garden.

• Website • 073-075 59 71

Crêperie & Logi

French favourites.

This cosy crêperie, housed in the distinctive Strykjärnshuset building among Visby's narrow alleyways, serves sweet crêpes and substantial savoury galettes. Toppings are creative and in the summer months you can enjoy your meal al fresco.

• Website • 0498-28 46 22

Dependable wine bar

In the mood for a glass of wine? Head to Stora torget and this reliable wine bar. Combine a glass of wine with French food and desserts, either indoors or outside on the sunny outdoor dining area.

• Website • 0498-21 50 80

Fish and shellfish on the menu

Bakfickan has been on Stora torget since the Nineties and they're seafood pros. Come by to eat classics such as Toast Skagen, fried herring, fish soup and smoked prawns - or to buy delicacies over the counter to take home with you.

• Website • 0498-27 18 07

Café Gula Huset

Coffee in the garden.

A charming little garden full of flowers and masses of homemade cakes and pastries make Gula Huset a favourite coffee stop among Gotlanders and summer guests alike. Try their saffron pancake with salmberry jam, a Gotlandic specialty.

• Website • 0498-24 96 90

Party central

During the summer months Kallis, or Kallbadhuset to give it its official name, draws in thousands of fun-seekers with its events, parties and concerts. The major party week on Gotland is in Week 29 (also known as Stockholm Week) and Kallis beach club is the place to be.

• Website • 0498-65 11 25

Just outside Visby

Things to do outside of Visby

Tofta Beach House

Beach restaurant deluxe.

If you want to enjoy a whole day at the beach, head to Tofta Beach House, a short drive from Visby on Gotland's west coast. This beach restaurant looks out over the sea, serving up magical sunsets and an international vibe. Take a seat in the dining room or relax on a sun lounger on the terrace and order in both food and drinks as you admire the views over the water.

Lilla Bjers

Farm restaurant with shop.

You'll find this certified organic farm with a restaurant and shop seven kilometres south of Visby. They make food from their own produce and organic meat from other local farms on the island. The year-round farmshop sells freshly harvested vegetables, crafts, deli produce and much more.

• Website • 0498-65 24 40

South and southeast Gotland

Things to do in southern Gotland

Unbeatable views

Right out at the most southerly tip of the island, this restaurant, bar and café boasts panoramic views over the sea and large alfresco dining areas. Majstre is open for both lunch and dinner and serves everything from classic dishes and cocktails to buns, ice cream and sandwiches.

• Website • 0498-49 74 42

Gula Hönan

Local gastronomy.

This much-lauded restaurant is housed in a charming yellow wooden villa in Ronehamn in southeast Gotland. Foodies make the detour here to enjoy excellent cooking based on produce grown in their own vegetable garden. If you want to stay the night, Gula Hönan ("The Yellow Hen") also has a cosy b&b.

• Website • 0498-48 29 40

Kapten Grogg

Beer and burgers.

Fancy a beer and a homemade burger? Head along to Kapten Grogg, Gula Hönan's popular sister restaurant in Ronehamn harbour. The walls are covered with the family's vinyl collection and there are live music performances and quizzes during the summer months.

Ljugarns Strandcafé

Summery beach hangout.

This friendly beach café in Ljugarn serves international dishes and homemade cakes. Cool off with a glass of rosé, eat ice cream and play minigolf or beach volleyball. Regular live music and DJ sets.

• Website • 0498-49 33 78

Bruna Dörren

Ice cream, food, rum and beer.

Bruna Dörren is a laid-back summer hangout by the beach with a surfy, rustic vibe. Cool off with ice cream, have something to eat from their potato-based menu and sample the wide selection of beers and rum-based drinks. There are games like ping pong and live music and evenings often end with dancing under the stars.

• Website • 070-775 21 23

Lilla Trägårn

Streetfood and live music.

If you're in the mood for streetfood and live music, head to Lilla Trägårn in Ljugarn. The little garden outside the old post office building serves up hamburgers and tacos, with popular artists performing live on the stage. Lilla Trägårn started out as a food truck, and the place still has this laid-back feel.

• Website • 0790-53 37 45

Grå Gåsen

Home from home.

Grå Gåsen in Burgsvik is housed in a charming villa which feels like a private home. Stop by for a coffee, cocktail, or something to eat, or stay the night in one of their individually-decorated rooms. Don't miss the barn restaurant, open during the summer months.

• Website • 0498-49 84 90

East, northeast and north Gotland

Things to do north of Visby

Fine dining in the countryside

In Kräklingbo, deep in the countryside, you'll find the award-winning Krakas Krog, which focuses on small-scale production, sustainability and good animal welfare. Innovative cooking combines with a passion for wine. Why not stay on after dinner and check in to one of the rooms above the restaurant?

• Website • 0498-530 62

Katthammarsviks Rökeri

Smokery, restaurant and shop.

Fish fanatics will adore Katthammarsviks Rökeri, beautifully situated on the waterfront and run by the same family for three generations. Eat classic fish dishes or put together a platter with various seafood delicacies. You can also buy smoked and fresh seafood to take home with you in the shop.

• Website • 0498-523 79

Bungenäs Matsal

Final outpost.

Bungenäs matsal is next to a former limestone quarry in northeast Gotland and the restaurant is housed in what used to be a workers' canteen from the Forties. Eat and drink in unique surroundings. You can't drive in the area so walk or borrow one of the bikes from the car park.

Graute Gård

One with nature.

Graute Gård sheep farm is beautifully situated in peaceful surroundings in northern Gotland. Buy meat and handmade lambskin products in the shop, or just stop by for a fika in the farm café, which serves coffee and homemade cakes and pastries. If you're lucky there may even be some cute kittens to cuddle in the garden.

• Website • 0498-320 48

Gothems Cantina y Casitas

Socal streetfood.

If you're in the mood for Mexican streetfood, head to this popular restaurant in little Gothem, owned by a couple with Swedish and southern California Mexican roots. They serve tacos, burritos and other authentic dishes, as well as kick-ass Margaritas.

• Website • 073-908 99 41

Rute stenugnsbageri

Summer bakery and wood-fired pizza.

Fabrique's Gotlandic sister bakery is open during the summer months in a former smithy in northeast Gotland. Drop by to buy stone oven-baked bread, have a coffee in the garden or eat pizza - in the evenings the bakery becomes a wood-fired pizzeria.

• Website • 070-276 11 23

Blue Lagoon

Swimming tip.

Take a break from sea swimming and restaurants for a while and head up to this flooded limestone quarry in northern Gotland, also known as the Blue Lagoon. Swim in beautful, azure-blue water and jump from the cliffs. It's extremely popular in high season so make sure you get there early.

Travel from Stockholm to Gotland

How to get to Gotland and Visby

Ferries to Gotland go between Nynäshamn and Visby and take around three hours. Prices vary depending on the kind of ticket and time of day.

• Destination Gotland

There are flights to Visby from both Arlanda and Bromma airports, taking around 40 minutes.

• Flyg till Gotland

Gotland Cykeluthyrning

The visby train, don't miss a guided tour with the visby train this summer.

Want more out of your stay in Visby? Then take a trip with Visbytåget in collaboration with Gotland’s Museeum! The train takes you on a fantastic historical journey around the Visby ring wall. The trip takes about 25 minutes.

We do daily tours 10:30 am – 5:30 pm between periods Week 25-33. The train departs about 2 times an hour from the inner harbour.

• 25 minutes roud trip
• The quickest way to see Visby
• Starting and stopping at Visby Gästhamn
• Interesting for both adults and children

3-13 years. Children under the age of 3 is charged no fee.

For you who’s a bit bigger.

Tickets are bought on site by the train, on the booking website or at the bicycle rental in Visby.

Book the Visby Train

Do you need to transport your wedding guests, or quickly move your employees from the conference to the booked dinner? Book the train and we will make sure that your guests arrive quickly and easily to where you need to be.

The train has a capacity of 54 people and has a wheelchair ramp with room for one wheelchair. Rain curtains are available on all sides in case of inclement weather.

Food and drinks are fine to bring with you as long as you take care of any waste after the tour is over. For an extra festive and personal experience, we recommend that you make your own Spotify playlist that we play during the journey).

You can also call us, or send an email. We’ll reply as soon as we can.

• +46 498-21 41 33
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Contact details.

Gotlands Cykeluthyrning AB

Opening hours

Our staffed opening hours: 1/5-14/5: Mon-Fri 09.00-12.00, Sat 9-10 15/5-4/6: All days 09.00-15.00 5/6 - 18/6: All days 09:00 - 16:00 19/6-20/8: All days 09.00-18.00 (23/6-25/6: 09.00-15.00) 21/8-17/9: All days 09.00-15.00 22/9-: Limited opening hours (email for info)

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Gotland Summer Break

Combine a visit to the Swedish capital Stockholm with some days on Sweden’s favorite holiday island; Gotland. The island offers wide stretches of beaches, historic monuments and exceptional beauty. The picturesque medieval town Visby is bustling with energy during the Swedish summer.

Transportation

Self guided

Itinerary - Day by day

Arrival in stockholm view details hide details, add extra nights in stockholm - arrival in stockholm from eur 78 per person per night, travel by bus and boat to visby on the island of gotland view details hide details, day at leisure on gotland view details hide details, travel by boat and bus to stockholm view details hide details, add extra nights in stockholm - travel by boat and bus to stockholm from eur 78 per person per night, departure from stockholm view details hide details, tour category.

Accommodation at good tourist class hotels equal to 3 stars according to Scandinavian standard.

Inside cabin included during overnight cruises.

See Silver accommodation

Accommodation at 4 star hotels or at unique properties, like historic hotels or manor houses, selected for their atmosphere.

Outside (seaside) cabin included during overnight cruises.

See Gold accommodation

Services included: 

• 4 nights hotel accommodation in a standard room with private shower/WC, including breakfast.
• Return bus between Stockholm Central Station and the quay at Nynäshamn.
• Return ferry between Nynäshamn and Visby on Gotland.
• Electronic travel documentation, including a detailed travel itinerary and travel vouchers.
• 24/7 emergency phone service while travelling.
• Additional services included for Tour Category GOLD only:
• Category GOLD hotels (accommodation in standard rooms)

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A Guide to Gotland, a Rural Paradise Off the Swedish Coast

By John Wogan

Surrounded by the Baltic Sea, about 60 miles off the southeastern coast of Sweden’s mainland, Gotland is the largest of the country’s bucolic islands (which number well over 200,000), and one that has a seemingly split personality. In the short summer season — primarily July and August, when temperatures hover in the balmy 70s — revelers descend on this mostly wild, windswept and sparsely populated province for all-night partying and the rambunctious weeklong electronic music festival Stockholmsveckan. Outside of high season, though — and anywhere outside of its largest town, Visby (population: 24,300) — Gotland remains a rural paradise, popular with outdoorsy Stockholm professionals looking to escape city life by hiking along the island’s craggy limestone cliffs and cycling past tiny clapboard fishing villages, crumbling medieval churches and 18th-century farmhouses. Several Stockholm-based architects have even chosen to build their own startlingly contemporary houses on the tradition-bound island.

Lately, Gotland has been attracting a growing stream of international visitors, too. Chalk it up to gloomy political and environmental forecasts if you will, but as travelers increasingly seek out pristine landscapes offering peace and quiet, the island presents the perfect retreat — just a 40-minute flight from Stockholm. Design-forward boutique hotels offer access to nature that doesn’t require pitching a tent in the wilderness, and a clutch of remarkably good restaurants — serving fresh-caught Baltic fish and all manner of organic locally grown vegetables — show off the bounty of the surrounding farmland. Throw in a few charming craft-oriented Nordic design shops and an impressively large collection of museums for an island with a population of just 60,000, and you have a compelling reason to skip the mainland entirely.

Hotel Stelor

Staying at this tiny, six-room hotel in rural Vastergarn village (about a 20-minute drive south of central Visby) feels like being a guest at a family friend’s country compound. The wood-beamed interiors of the 18th-century farmhouse are endlessly photogenic, decorated with pastel floral wallpaper, sheepskin throw rugs and jugs of freshly picked wildflowers. During the summer, there are live folk music performances in the property’s barn, and the traditionally Swedish restaurant — which uses produce from the hotel’s own two-acre garden — is considered one of the best on Gotland.

Fabriken Furillen

An imposing former factory building on the site of an old limestone quarry might not sound particularly inviting, but photographer Johan Hellstrom had a vision for what it could become, and he turned this industrial patch of land into a high-end escape (about an hour’s drive northeast of Visby) after purchasing the abandoned factory in 1999. The 19 guest rooms all have Hastens beds and a color scheme dominated by soothing grays and white, so there’s nothing to detract from the natural, forested surroundings. For those who really want to detach, there’s a “Hermit Cabin” on the grounds — an isolated outpost (a 20-minute bike ride from the main building) with no running water, no Wi-Fi and free-roaming cows and sheep as your only neighbors.

Revolver Hotel

Tucked into a quiet courtyard in central Visby, the three-year-old Revolver is an under-the-radar hotel option in Gotland’s main town — there’s no website and no outside signage, so word of mouth has been the main driver for bookings here. Quirky décor dominates — think sparkly golden bathroom tiles, vintage rotary phones as objets d’art, and Fornasetti wallpaper depicting hot air balloons — all of it the singular vision of its owner, the conceptual designer Ingela Tanaka Rohnstrom. There’s no restaurant, but the hotel is within walking distance of the main commercial blocks of Visby, and three of the nine guest rooms have a full kitchen and living room. 011-46-70-639-39-01

In central Visby, the island’s premier seafood restaurant is a no-frills rustic dining room, filled with mismatched wooden chairs and vintage fish prints, that’s usually packed — no reservations accepted. The day’s specials are written on a chalkboard at the entrance and often include baked perch with celeriac and truffle vinaigrette, lobster soup with black radish, and fried herring with spring onion butter and mashed potatoes. In warm weather, simple wooden tables are set up on the street outside — the ideal place to sip a glass of Chardonnay and watch the summer crowds pass by.

Krakas Krog

A 40-minute drive east across Gotland from Visby brings you to this hybrid restaurant and hotel in the middle of the Kräklingbo countryside. There’s a highly seasonal tasting menu of six to eight courses — regular ingredients include grilled beetroot, local lamb, and frogs’ legs sourced from the nearby pond — all presented by one of the cooks in the spare, minimalist dining room. And with only one seating a night, there’s a sense of special occasion that permeates dinners here. The three guest rooms are similarly simple and refined, all in varying shades of white, with wide-plank wood floors and fluffy down comforters.

Lilla Bjers

This 30-acre family-run farm on the outskirts of Visby is surrounded by vegetable fields and fruit orchards, from which it sources the ingredients for its organic, constantly changing menu. Everything from blueberries and currants to garlic and nine varieties of asparagus, as well as Christmas trees, are grown on the property. Dishes are a simple affair — think roasted lamb with pickled carrots and potatoes pulled straight from the earth — and a walk around the grounds before a meal is the best way to fully appreciate what you’re about to eat. You can even meet the chickens that supply the kitchen’s eggs. Dinner in the farm’s atmospheric greenhouse can also be arranged, where you’ll dine amid banana, fig and olive trees.

C. Jensen Keramik

The ubiquity of Nordic design extends to Gotland, where the ceramist Camilla Jensen occupies a studio-cum-store selling her delicate, artfully imperfect handmade stone and porcelain tableware, most in pristine shades of white or jet black. The space itself, in central Visby — all whitewashed walls and pale linen finishings — is reminiscent of an art gallery. On the building’s lower level, Jensen also sells a small selection of home items (textiles, rugs, woven baskets), primarily sourced from India, where she travels every year.

Toftalagret

In the medieval coastal town of Tofta, you’ll find an extension of Visby’s Revolver Hotel (which lies about 15 minutes to the north). Here, the hotel’s owner, Ingela Tanaka, and her partner Lena Herrmann, who runs the shop, have created another home for Tanaka’s vast assortment of design and fashion finds, collected over decades. There’s a whole room of vintage clothing (including original Levi’s and Lee denim, wedding dresses and unusual sneakers), bicycles from the 1960s, kitschy decorative items like porcelain parrots, vinyl records and an array of giftable local items (Swedish candy, homemade soaps, specialty loose-leaf teas and herbs). 011-07-63-94-24-44

Visby Botanical Garden

A verdant expanse of parkland near the shoreline, Visby’s 150-year-old botanical garden is the place to be on warm summer afternoons — for a picnic lunch or to stroll the garden’s 60 acres while taking a closer look at the magnolia, tulips, cedar and sequoia trees. Be sure to explore the ivy-shrouded ruins of St. Olaf, a former church from the 13th century, whose gray stone structure still stands on the southern edge of the park.

Gotland Fornsalen

The Gotland Museum comprises seven different structures scattered throughout Visby, but its main building , Fornsalen (housed in a former 18th-century distillery) is dedicated to the culture and history of the island, with a collection that spans roughly 8,000 years. Here, you’ll find everything from the mummified remains of Stone Age islanders to medieval armor from the Danish invasion of 1361. It’s a deep dive into Gotland’s rugged, seafaring culture and why the island holds such a special place in the Swedish imagination.

Related: A Low-Key Swedish Island’s Shockingly Modern Architecture

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Tales of good times on GOTLAND are rife. Wherever you are in Sweden, one mention of this ancient Baltic island 90km from the mainland will elicit a typical Swedish sigh, followed by an anecdote about what a great place it is. You’ll hear that the short summer season is an exciting time to visit; that the place is hot, fun and lively. These claims are largely true: the island has a distinctly youthful feel, with young, mobile Stockholmers deserting the capital in summer for a boisterous time on its beaches. The flower-power era still makes its presence felt with a smattering of elderly VW camper vans lurching off the ferries, but shiny Volvos outnumber them fifty to one. During summer, the bars, restaurants and campsites are packed, the streets swarm with revellers and the sands are awash with bodies. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea: to avoid the hectic summer altogether, travel in late May or September when, depending on your level of bravado, you might still manage to swim in the waters around the island. To experience the setting at its most frenetic, come in August during Medieval Week , when people put a huge effort into dressing the part.

Ingmar Bergman

Gotland’s best beaches, medieval week, brief history.

Visby , Gotland’s capital, has always been the scene of frenetic activity of some kind. Its temperate climate and position attracted the Vikings as early as the sixth century, and the lucrative trade routes they opened, from here through to Byzantium and western Asia, guaranteed the island its prosperity. With the ending of Viking domination, a “golden age” followed, with Gotland’s inhabitants maintaining trading posts abroad and signing treaties as equals with European and Asian leaders. However by the late twelfth century, their autonomy had been undermined by the growing power of the Hanseatic League . Under its influence, Visby became one of the great cities of medieval Europe, as important as London or Paris, famed for its wealth and strategic power. A contemporary ballad had it that “The Gotlanders weigh their gold with twenty-pound weights. The pigs eat out of silver troughs and the women spin with golden distaffs.”

Gotland today

Today, all the revelry which keeps Visby buzzing from late June to the end of August takes place against the spectacular backdrop of its medieval architecture; two hundred or so Hanseatic warehouses are dotted among stone and wooden houses, the whole lot nestled within its ancient walls.

There is a real charm to the rest of Gotland – rolling green countryside, forest-lined roads, fine beaches and small fishing villages. Everywhere the rural skyline is dominated by churches , the remnants of medieval settlements destroyed in the Danish invasion. Nowhere else in Scandinavia holds such a concentration of medieval churches, and 93 of them are still in use, displaying a unique Baltic Gothic style and providing the most permanent reminder of Gotland’s ancient wealth. Churches aside, however, very few people bother to explore the island, perhaps because of Visby’s magnetic pull; consequently, the main roads around Gotland are pleasingly free of traffic and minor roads positively deserted – cycling is a joy. As you travel, keep an eye out for the waymarkers erected in the 1780s to indicate the distance from Wisby (the old spelling of the town’s name), calculated in Swedish miles – one of which is equivalent to 10km.

From the mid-1960s until his death in 2007, Sweden’s best-known film director and screenwriter, Ingmar Bergman lived for much of the time on the island of Fårö, off northernmost Gotland. He was born in Uppsala in 1918, the son of a Lutheran pastor. The combination of his harsh upbringing, his interest in the religious art of old churches and the works of August Strindberg inspired Bergman to constantly consider the spiritual and psychological conflicts of life in his films. The results – he made forty feature films between 1946 and 1983 – are certainly dark, and for many, deeply distressing and/or depressing.

Bergman made his first breakthrough at the Cannes Film Festival in 1944, winning the Grand Prix for his film Hets (Persecution) , based on his school life. Among his best-known movies are The Seventh Seal (1957), starring Max von Sydow, and Wild Strawberries (also 1957). The two most prevalent themes in his films were marriage and the motives for marital infidelity, and the divide between sanity and madness. One of his finest films, Fanny and Alexander (1982), portrays bourgeois life in Scandinavia at the turn of the twentieth century; it’s actually based on the lives of his own maternal grandparents and is the last major film he made. Bergman married five times, divorcing all but the last of his wives, who died in 1995.

The lively and charming town of LJUGARN makes a good base for Sjaustrehammaren , Gotland’s best beach, and is the nearest thing the island has to a resort. You can get here from Roma by heading straight down Route 143 for around 30km. Ljugarn is famous for its raukar – tall limestone stacks rising up from the sea. From the main street, it’s only 100m to the town beach . Alternatively, a delightful cycle or stroll down Strandvägen follows the coastline northeast through woods and clearings carpeted in blåelden (viper’s bugloss), the electric-blue flowers for which the area is known. The raukar along the route stand like ancient hunched men, their feet lapped by the waves.

Gotland is renowned throughout Sweden for its fine sandy beaches, The coast between Sjaustrehammaren and Ljugarn on the east coast, backed by pine forest, is the best beach on the entire island, a vast, unsullied stretch of golden sand; the southern section in front of Mullvalds strandskog forest and nature reserve is popular with naturists . Get here on bus #41 to Gammelgarn from where it’s a fifteen-minute cycle ride along the road towards Ljugarn, and then follow one of the narrow forest tracks which lead off down left to the shore.

The best of the rest are detailed below.

is a 5km cycle ride north of Visby and popular with families who appreciate the gently sloping sands which make paddling particularly easy and safe for kids.

Tofta strand

(take bus #10 south from Visby) is also suited to families with children, since the water is relatively shallow and warm.

Sundersandsviken

on Fårö is a perfectly formed sandy bay; take bus #20 from Visby to the ferry at Fårösund, then a taxi to the beach itself; book on t 0498 20 20 00.

in the far south is surrounded by wild, unspoilt countryside and limestone raukar ; take bus #11 from Visby.

VISBY is a city made for wandering and lingering over coffees and slices of cake. Whether climbing the ramparts of the surrounding walls, or meandering up and down the warren of cobbled, sloping streets, there’s plenty to tease the eye. Strolling around the twisting streets and atmospheric walls is not something that palls quickly, but if you need a focus, aim for Norra Murgatan , above the cathedral, once one of Visby’s quietest areas. The end of the street nearest Norderport enjoys the best view of the walls and city rooftops.

Visby is much older than its medieval trappings suggest: its name comes from vi , “the sacred place”, and by , “the settlement”, a derivation that reflects its status as a Stone Age sacrificial site. After the Gotlanders had founded their trading houses in the eleventh and twelfth centuries, the Hansa or Hanseatic League was created, comprising a group of towns that formed a federation to assert their interests and protect their seaborne commerce. Following the foundation of Lübeck in the 1150s, German merchants began to expand into the eastern Baltic area in order to gain access to the coveted Russian market. A trading agreement between Gotlanders and the League in 1161 gave the islanders the right to trade freely throughout the whole Saxon area, while Germans were able to settle in Visby, which became the League’s principal centre and the place where all lines of Baltic trade met. As Visby metamorphosed from Gotlandic village to international city, it was the Germans who led the way in form and architecture, building warehouses up to six storeys high with hoists facing the street, still apparent today.

In 1350, the Black Death swept through Gotland, creating ghost towns of whole parishes and leaving more than eight thousand people dead. Eleven years later, during the power struggle between Denmark and Sweden, the Danish king Valdemar III took Gotland by force and advanced on Visby. The burghers and traders of the city, well aware of the wealth here, shut the gates and sat through the slaughter which was taking place outside, only surrendering when it was over. Hostilities and piracy were the hallmarks of the following two centuries. In 1525, an army from Lübeck stormed the much-weakened Visby, torching the northern parts of the town. With the arrival of the Reformation and the weakness of the local economy, the churches could no longer be maintained, and Visby’s era of greatness clanged to a close.

During the second week of August, Visby becomes the backdrop for a boisterous re-enactment of the conquest of the island by the Danes in 1361. Medieval Week ( w medeltidsveckan.se ) sees music in the streets, medieval food on sale in the restaurants (no potatoes – they hadn’t yet been brought to Europe) and on the Sunday a procession re-enacting Valdemar’s triumphant entry through Söderport to Storatorget. Here, people in the role of burghers are stripped of their wealth, and the procession then moves on to the Maiden’s Tower. Locals and visitors alike really get into the spirit of this festival, with a good fifty percent of people dressed up and on the streets. There are weekly jousting tournaments throughout July and early August.

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Fun and cheap things to do in Gotland, Sweden

Some 90km off the mainland in the Baltic Sea, the island of Gotland is Sweden’s holiday isle of choice.

In summer, its sandy beaches, pretty fishing villages and rolling countryside attract plenty of Swedes in the holiday mood who lend this otherwise sleepy island a lively, fun party vibe.

But whatever time of year you choose to visit, there’s plenty to see and do here from the medieval capital Visby to the sea stacks of Fårö and the farm shops, gastronomic restaurants and craft breweries dotted around the island.

So if you’re thinking of a visit to this scenic island, read on to find out the best things to do in Gotland.

Wander the cobbled streets and ramparts of Visby 

The capital of Gotland and a UNESCO World Heritage site, Visby is a pretty medieval walled town whose streets and ramparts are perfect for browsing around.

Founded by the Vikings originally, Visby has a rich and fascinating history – this guided walking tour will give you the full story behind the city from its heyday as one of Europe’s wealthiest and influential cities to the present day.

Feast at the farm shops

Gotland is known for its excellent quality local produce and there are plenty of farm shops on the island that make and sell their own produce, from cheese and eggs to organic vegetables, from artisan bakers to chocolate-makers.

General shops such as Paula’s Vegetable near När sell local everyday produce, while specialists such as Mästerby Honung near Tofta make their own honey, and Överstekvarn Chili grows its own chilies and makes them into sauces, dressing and oils.

Chill out at the beach

Gotland has no shortage of pretty sandy beaches, and in summer the water is warm enough for a dip.

The long sandy beach at Sjaustrehammaren on the east coast is a wild stretch backed by pine trees, with a naturist section at its southern end, while Tofta beach on the west coast is a shallow bay that’s good for children.

Visit Visby’s Viking Treasury 

More than two thirds of haul of Sweden’s Viking silver coins have been found in Gotland, along with Roman silver and gold, Bronze Age jewellery plus treasures from Visby’s days as an important trading port.

Check out the treasury at Visby’s Gotland’s Museum to see some of these amazing finds.

Get crafty on Gotland

Gotland is popular with artists and craftspeople, many of whom have set up their own workshops and craft centres on island.

The Cherry Garden has been an artists’ hang-out for years, with its art workshops, galleries, sculpture park and fab garden café.

Beautifully knitted products made from local lambswool are a speciality on Gotland – check out Ansarve Farm just outside Visby, which sells cosy lambswool jumpers and scarves plus lambskin boots, gloves and rugs.

Take the ferry to Fårö

It’s just a ten-minute ride on a free ferry to the island of Fårö, on Gotland’s northeastern coast.

The island was home to Swedish film director Ingmar Began for many years and film fans can visit Fårö’s Bergman museum here.

Fårö is also where you’ll find one of Gotland’s prettiest beaches, the Sundersandviken, and the impressive Laghammars sea stacks (see below).

Explore the limestone cave at Lummelundagrotten

Stretching back some 4.5 km, the Lummelundagrotten is one of Sweden’s longest caves, and you can explore its watery caverns filled with stalactites and stalagmites on foot or in small boats.

Above ground, the Lummelunda nature reserve is a pretty area for walking, cycling and picnicking.

See the sea stacks

Gotland is known for its amazing sea stacks (or rauker ), huge limestone columns and arches that are the remains of ancient reefs.

Once beneath the sea, they now dot the shoreline of Gotland. The most dramatic examples are the Jungfruklint on the west coast, Gotland’s highest rauker , and the Langhammars on Fårö.

Eat local 

Gotland has a great foodie scene, with many restaurants and cafes creating innovative dishes from local ingredients that are sustainably and ethically produced.

Check out the fine-dining Krakas Krog or the Lilla Bjers farm restaurant , where most of the ingredients are grown on the on-site farm, and you can dine in a greenhouse.

In summer Bruna Dörrens on the beach is the place to hang-out, with its casual party vibe, Caribbean bar and potato restaurant – yes, really! Who knew the humble potato could be so tasty?

Explore Gotland by bike

Although Gotland is Sweden’s largest island, it’s fairly flat with few hills and plenty of small quiet country roads, so cycling is a great way to get around. Gotlands Cykeluthyrning in Visby rents out bikes from around 120 SEK a day, and also organises guided cycle tours of the island. During summer, this place is open from 9am to 2pm only, but you can return bikes even when the hire center is closed.

Go green in Gotland

Take a vegan cooking course at the Sunderby Eco Village , a sustainable community that aims for minimal environmental impact and has its own organic farm.

First of all, you’ll be shown round the farm, then you’ll learn how to make a meal from ingredients you’ve picked yourself – before tucking in to eat a tasty three-course lunch.

Have a beer at a Gotland brewery

Gotland has more breweries per head of population than anywhere else in Sweden, so it’s a great place to visit a craft brewery and sample some of the local brews.

The Hop Shed Brewery near Visby is a cool place to sample its own home brews plus a selection from other Gotland microbreweries. 

See also: The Stockholm archipelago: the best islands to visit The best places to visit on Sweden’s west coast The best lakes in Sweden

The best kayak and canoe tours in Sweden

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6 Things to Love about Gotland

Located almost directly between the Scandinavian peninsula and Latvia is the island of Gotland. We’ll forgive you if you hadn’t heard of this little slice of heaven that is Sweden ’s largest island until now,  Stockholm  claims a lot of the limelight when it comes to Swedish travel. And for good reason – it’s great for a city break ! But we imagine you’ll be itching to visit Gotland once you see what the island is all about.

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To get a handle of what it is that makes Gotland such a magical destination, we spoke with Jennie in our Sweden office. Here’s her top 6 things to love about Gotland...

1. Fårö

This may be strange, but we’re starting off a list of things to love about Gotland with praise of another island that is  not Gotland. Bear with us, though, because Fårö is just a hop and skip off the Northern shore of Gotland and, on a map, appears at first glance to be just a continuation of Gotland.

Fårö is a popular summer resort island, probably on account of it lacking all those hum-drum aspects of daily life (e.g. banks and post offices). This simple little island even has its own dialect – an ancient language called Modern Gutnish – that isn’t really spoken anywhere else and is assumed to be one of the oldest languages in Sweden.

But don’t go to Fårö for the lack of bureaucracy and old languages, go for Sudersand, one of Sweden’s best beaches, and the gorgeous rock formations, called raukur . And the peace and quiet. Fårö has plenty of that.

Back to Gotland... its main town, Visby, is a former Viking settlement and a modern day UNESCO World Heritage site on account of it being a beautifully preserved example of a Hanseatic village dating to the 12th century.

Rent a bicycle to navigate within the medieval town wall – known as Ringmuren –  of this charming locale, stop for an ice cream and enjoy dinner in one of the many nice local restaurants. You’ll find many walking tours of the old town available, so you’re definitely not starved for fun ways of seeing this gem.

3. Lummelunda Cave

A short distance north of Visby you’ll find Gotland’s most popular attraction, Lummelunda Cave. One of Sweden’s longest caves, with the explored area measuring nearly 4.5 km long, the entrance to Lummelunda was known about for centuries but it was a trio of adventurous teenage boys in the 1940s that discovered just how deep the cave really went.

“The Three Boys” as they are known, explored the known part of the cave for seven years before a large boulder fell from a wall, exposing a passage (known as The Boys’ Passage) into a large cave hall. The boys continued to explore for years, venturing further into the cave system on foot and, when blocked by water, by inflatable boat.

Today Lummelunda is open to tours, both catering to those seeking the adventure and adrenaline rush of crawling through narrow passages, and those interested in an easy and family-friendly journey into the large halls to see the fascinating rock formations therein. As Jennie says: “I have been both on a cave adventure where you climb and crawling in the caves in my early twenties, and the sightseeing walk with the kids in my mid-thirties.”

For those interested in really taking it easy, look no further than Ljugarn. Located on the eastern coast of Gotland, Ljugarn is an old seaside resort town known for its beautiful long and flat sandy beach.

Ljugarn was once a fishing village and then became a popular summer destination for Swedish high society in the 1860s, leading to many extravagant summer villas being  built along the main beach road. Today you’ll find a wealth of seaside restaurants, shops and cafés to entertain you when not soaking up the sun, sand and sea.

5. Stavgard Iron Age Village

According to legend, a powerful Viking chief Stavar the Great was said to have lived in Stavgard in eastern Gotland. Though this area still remains largely unexcavated, there is evidence of intense trade from the Viking Age. Many silver artefacts, building foundations, boat rivets and a “shell house”, which functioned as boat house for Viking ships, have been found here.

Since the discovery of a silver treasure here in 1975, a complete replica Iron Age village has been built, with houses that are reconstructions from various periods of the era. From the village there is a 3 km (2 mi) footpath with several stations that show many of the relics found in the area.

6. Kneippbyn Amusement Park

Those travelling with children would be remiss not to visit Kneippbyn Amusement Park. Located just a few kilimeters south of Visby, this attraction contains a theme park and waterpark for kids of all ages. The centrepiece of the park is Pippi Longstocking’s famed Villa Villekulla.

One final tip...

Says Jennie: “Drive around and stop at small fishing villages to buy smoked fish and some fresh bread and enjoy the food at a peaceful pier or wharf.” Sounds good to us!

See all there is to love for yourself on a Sweden self-drive holiday.

Or when you have something different in mind, get in touch with our friendly Sweden travel consultants for your own tailor-made Nordic Visitor itinerary.

Catharine Fulton is a journalist and travel writer. Though born and raised in Canada, she found herself stuck in the Nordic region since moving to Finland in 2007 to pursue her MA and then migrating to Reykjavík, Iceland in 2009, where she lives with her Icelandic husband and tries (albeit unsuccessfully) to master the Icelandic language.

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Visby – a Swedish fairytale town on the island of Gotland

Ask any Swede about Visby and they’ll probably get a dreamy look on their face. It’s rare to find someone who isn’t fond of this enchanting medieval town, located on the island of Gotland, east of the Swedish mainland.

• Visby is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Saffron pancakes are a local speciality.
• Gotland is the largest island in Sweden.

Whether you’re looking for history, nature, culture, good food or just want to relax on the beach, the town of Visby , has it all. Located on the island of Gotland, in the Baltic Sea, this fairy-tale town is a national treasure. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, characterised as having “outstanding universal value.”

This well-preserved medieval Hanseatic town dates back to the 12th century and contains several remarkable church ruins from the period such as St Clemens, St Nicolai and Drotten’s ruins, and the St Karin church ruin with its high arches. Visby boasts several historic churches as well, including the Sankta Maria Cathedral built at the end of the 12th century.

Visby also has a well-preserved 3.5 kilometres long medieval ring wall (The Visby City Wall) with many of its original towers from the 1200s still intact. The wall encircles the centre of Visby and was initially built for protection against both foreign enemies and Swedish assailants from the countryside.

The Visby City Wall

'Ringmuren' (The Visby City Wall) stretches across 3.5 kilometres.

Photo : Patrick Hansson/Destination Gotland

The Gotland Museum

Photo : Gotlands Museum

Fiskargränd, Visby

Photo : Tina Axelsson/imagebank.sweden.se

Visby, Gotland

Photo : Rodrigo Rivas Ruiz/imagebank.sweden.se

Kneippbyn Resort, Gotland

Photo : Kneippbyn Resort

St Nicolai, Gotland

Photo : Sofia Cassis/Region Gotland

Drotten’s ruins, Gotland

Visby culture – from Vikings to Pippi Longstocking

Along the streets of Visby are more than 200 buildings and homes dating back to somewhere between the 12th and 14th centuries. The Gotland Museum’s Fornsalen (Hall of Antiquities) contains a number of archaeological finds dating back to Viking times and the museum’s Treasury boasts the largest silver treasure in Europe – 67 kilos of bangles, bracelets and 14,000 coins. A visit here will help put the town’s long and fascinating history into perspective. If you’re eager for more, a guided tour with the museum’s knowledgeable guides gives you a chance to visit some of the ruins usually closed to the public.

The beloved Pippi Longstocking movies were filmed along the narrow streets of Visby and the original Villa Villerkulla can be found just outside the town, at Kneippbyn Resort. Another address, appreciated by Pippi fans and Instagrammers alike, is Fiskargränd. The picturesque alley with its cobblestones and winding roses is probably the most photographed street in Visby today. If you wish to explore Visby in the footsteps of Pippi Longstocking even further, the local tourist office provides free maps listing all Pippi locations in town.

With its natural beauty and ancient history, Gotland is a mystical and inspiring place to live that attracts many artists. Their handicrafts are sold in the local Visby shops. Gotland is particularly known for its wonderful ceramics and woollen items. The grey, wool lambskins from local sheep, are warm and decorate many Scandinavian homes.

Södra Hällarna, Gotland

Gotland is Sweden's largest island and is a popular destination during summer.

Photo : Olof Segerberg/Destination Gotland

Högklint, Gotland

Tofta Beach, Gotland

Sailing outside Gotland

Photo : Tuukka Ervasti/imagebank.sweden.se

Garden blooms and day trips outdoors

In addition to its long history and fascinating ruins, Visby is also known for its gardens, particularly the profusion of roses that bloom in the sunny summer months. In addition to the roses and overflowing flower boxes on Visby’s winding, cobblestone lanes, there’s a collection of roses at the 2.5-hectare Botanical Garden , which dates back to 1855. It also has a large collection of exotic trees and plants that flourish in Gotland’s mild climate. There’s no entrance fee for the gardens, which also contain a herb garden and a Gazebo Garden (an open-sided pavilion).

There is a bathing jetty by the beach walk in central Visby, and four beaches within just five kilometres. If you feel like going a little further afield, head for the popular Tofta Beach, located 20 kilometres south of Visby. Although Gotland is the largest island in Sweden, the distances are short and the landscape mostly flat, making Visby a good starting point for day trips by bike.

A hike to Högklint, seven kilometres south of Visby, will give you not only magnificent views over the town but also a treat through Södra Hällarna nature reserve with steep cliffs and caves, an ivy forest and rocky beaches.

For more hiking, biking and bathing tips around the island, visit our Gotland destination page .

Major events in Visby

• Almedalen Week – 'Almedalsveckan': Swedish political parties, journalists, influential people and mere mortals gather in Visby to discuss politics and attend seminars, speeches and other political activities as well as some festive events. The Almedalen Week always takes place week 27.
• Medieval Week – 'Medeltidsveckan': Every summer in week 32, the Middle Ages return to Gotland and the once-powerful Hanseatic city of Visby. Up to 40.000 visitors dress up in costumes and recreate life in medieval days with theatre, markets, crafts, tower games and music. It’s the biggest medieval festival in northern Europe and a lively experience for visitors of all ages.
• Gotland Truffle Festival – ‘Gotlands Tryffelfestival’: A week-long dedication to the Gotlandic truffle and the finale of the Gotland Truffle Month which takes place from 13 October to 19 November. Visitors can expect seminars on truffles, a truffle market, truffle hunts, a truffle ceremony and special truffle menus at many restaurants in Visby.

The taste of Visby – from saffron pancakes to truffles

While Visby is at its liveliest in the spring and summer months, there is plenty to do at any time of the year, not least visiting its many excellent restaurants, bars and cosy cafés. As in the rest of Sweden, “fika” is a popular pastime. Gotland has its own brews of coffee and tea that are served with delicious homemade goods, such as the island’s traditional saffron pancake with berries and cream.

4 notable cafés in Visby:

• Själsö bageri , a craft bakery a few kilometres outside Visby with stone-baked sourdough bread and mouth-watering cinnamon buns. They also have a bred truck at Östercentrum in central Visby.
• Café Amalia , a cute café and long-standing favourite among locals. Serves healthy and homemade breakfast all day, decorated with edible flowers.
• Ett rum för resande , a small and cosy café especially appreciated for the homemade pasta and generous opening times year-round.
• S:t Hans , a summertime gem as this garden café is idyllically situated in the S:t Hans Church ruins.

The lime-rich soil of Gotland and a favourable climate contribute to plenty of fresh, local produce. If you happen to be in Visby in the early spring, asparagus will be on the menu in all forms.

Truffles grow on the island as well and if you’re a fan, you won’t want to miss the late autumn months, when truffles appear on restaurant menus and in shops. If you happen to be here in November, there are also tastings, truffle hunts and lectures arranged by the island’s truffle academy.

An abundance of lamb on Gotland means you’ll find lamb dishes served in many restaurants, along with tasty local sausages, venison and more. Smoked salmon, flounder and herring are also popular thanks to the strong local fishing traditions.

You might want to wash the food down with beers like Wisby Pils and Sleepy Bulldog from the local Gotlands Bryggeri – one of many breweries on the island.

Gotlands Bryggeri, Visby

Gotlands Bryggeri was founded in 1995 and has since then brewed some of the most beloved craft beers in Sweden.

Photo : Gotlands Bryggeri

Värdshuset Lindgården, Visby

Photo : Lindgården

Crêperi & Logi, Visby

Surfers, Visby

Photo : Surfers Visby

Visby’s top restaurants

Visby is one of Sweden’s most restaurant-dense towns and many are open year-round.

For traditional Swedish dishes and local specialities like Gotlandic lamb, make a reservation at Värdshuset Lindgården . Their kitchen follows the farming calendar and serves up seasonal and local produce. After dinner, move upstairs to the Gin Room, where a large selection of Gotlandic, Swedish and international gin and tonic varieties are on the menu.

Freshly caught seafood is another Gotlandic speciality, best enjoyed at Bakfickan . This small and genuine restaurant has been serving fried herring and fish soup for over 25 years. Come for lunch or dinner but be early, during the busy summer weeks they only run drop-ins.

Most restaurants in Visby are scattered around or close by Stora torget (The Main Square). While some are spin-offs from Stockholm restaurants, highly appreciated restaurants like Surfers and Crêperi & Logi have done it the other way around – they started in Visby and now have branches on the mainland.

Visit our Gotland destination page for more breweries and top restaurant tips outside of Visby.

Most visitors come to Visby during the bustling summer months when the waters are warm and the island is in full bloom. However, the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn are equally beautiful, just without the crowds. If you come in winter, you can expect tranquil streets, Christmas markets and maybe even snow. No matter what season you choose to visit Visby, you’ll surely be enchanted by this fairy tale town.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION BEFORE YOUR TRIP TO VISBY

There are frequent ferry services with Destination Gotland . Ferries to Visby run throughout the year from Nynäshamn and Oskarshamn. The journey takes about three hours and should be booked in advance, especially for the busy summer months.

There are several direct flights to Visby Airport (located 4 kilometres from Visby town) from the Swedish mainland year-round, though the number of routes increases during the summer months.

The narrow streets of Visby are best explored on foot and it’s easy to get around in the city centre. There is also a public transport system consisting of Visby city lines as well as regional lines. You can purchase single tickets or 24- and 72-hour tickets. Bikes are another convenient way to move about and there are plenty of bike paths. There are two bike rentals in central Visby: Gotlands Cykeluthyrning and Visby Hyrcykel .

Kalk Hotel , located in the very centre of Visby, offers 21 uniquely designed rooms with Gotlandic limestone details in a 16th-century building.

Hotel St. Clemens , at the foot of the mighty St. Clemens ruin. The 30 rooms – all in different sizes and with individual decor – are spread out over five different buildings, connected by two gardens.

Villa Alma in Almedalen is a boutique hotel with 21 newly renovated rooms and lots of social spaces, like the terrace with sunset sea views.

Kneippbyn Resort , a few kilometres south of Visby, is the island’s only five-star campsite and water park, offering cottages, apartments, a hotel and camping spaces.

A mere 15-minute drive from central Visby, Three Pheasants Boutique B&B is a small hideaway with four colourful rooms in a lush surrounding.

Visby has plenty of activities for people of all ages. Among its main attractions are the medieval city wall ('ringmuren') and the many remarkable church ruins including St Clemens, St Nicolai, Drottens and St Karin. There’s also the Sankta Maria Cathedral built at the end of the 12th century.

Stroll through the Botanical Garden or go back to the Viking days at the Gotland Museum.

Bring something memorable from Gotland with you home – there are plenty of shops selling local crafts and delicacies. Kränku Te & Kaffe in central Visby sells tea, coffee and sweets in a charming, old-fashioned shop. Krusmyntagården , north of Visby, has all kinds of spices and herbs, and beautifully packaged gifts. Lilla Bjers , south of Visby, sells freshly harvested and ecologically grown farm goods as well as ecological products like olive oil and chocolate.

All ages will enjoy the Visby city wall and exploring the many towers and ruins of the city or spending time in parks and on beaches.

At The Gotland Museum , children can see treasures from the Viking Age including medieval armour and skeletons or let loose in the museum’s playroom, which includes child-sized boats and a lighthouse.

Fans of the Pippi Longstocking books and movies can travel a few kilometres south of Visby to Kneippbyn , a summer resort and water park with the original Villa Villekulla house.

Hotel S:t Clemens, Visby

Hotel S:t Clemens is a small family-owned hotel in Visby, with two beautiful gardens and a Medieval church ruin.

Photo : Hotel S:t Clemens

Kalk Hotel, Visby

Photo : Kalk Hotel

Three Pheasants B&B, Gotland

Photo : Three Pheasants

Krysmyntagården, Gotland

Photo : Gotlandspecialisten AB

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Here's What Gotland, Sweden Is Known For (& Why You Should Visit)

Gotland's stunning landscapes, history, and distinct culture make it a popular destination for vacationers.

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Get out and about in visby, gotland's storybook town, explore gotland's landscape and more than 100 nature reserves, savor the one-of-a-kind tastes of gotland's cuisine and drinks.

The largest Baltic Sea island, Gotland, is a picture-perfect paradise with a mountainous interior and a shoreline peppered with sandy beaches. Thanks to its stunning scenery, rich history, and delicious local cuisine, it is one of Sweden's most popular tourist destinations.

The city of Visby, the island's capital, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Viking-period marvel whose meandering, cobblestone streets transport visitors to another era. While Gotland is best known as a summer vacation spot for Swedes, it is also an excellent destination for international visitors.

Related: Discover The Marvelous Trail Path At Sweden's West Coast

Visby is an excellent destination for vacationers since it offers everything for everyone: history, nature, culture, delicious food, and beach relaxation. Added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1995, Visby is the best-preserved walled commercial town in northern Europe.

The Visby City Wall, a 3.5-kilometer-long ring wall dating back to the Middle Ages, has been meticulously conserved, and it still features several of its original towers from the 1200s. Initially built to defend against foreign invaders and Swedish attackers from the countryside, the wall encircles the center of Visby.

There are almost two hundred structures and dwellings in Visby that date back to the 12th and 14th centuries, and they are all worth seeing. The Fornsalen (Hall of Antiquities) of the Gotland Museum houses several artifacts from the Viking age and is worth a visit for anybody interested in Viking history. The 67 kg of silver bangles, bracelets, and 14,000 coins housed in the museum's Treasury make up the biggest silver treasure in Europe.

Visby's quaint streets served as backdrops in the classic Pippi Longstocking films , and the real Villa Villerkulla is not far from the city borders in Kneippbyn Resort. Also, Fiskargränd alley, with its winding, rose-lined, cobblestone lane, is arguably the most photographed street in Visby.

More than a hundred nature reserves scatter across Gotland's lush greenery. Travelers flock to this island to experience its enchanting ivy forests, sandy beaches, and bleak sea stack fields. Travelers interested in a sea stack safari should visit Hoburgsgubben and Lergravsporten, as well as Frörö, which is home to an even more magnificent array of sea stacks.

Hikers make up a sizable portion of Gotland's tourist population. The Östkustenleden trail, which spans eight parishes and eight nature reserves between Anga and Närsholm, is a major draw. Between Björkume and Hallshuk, the 30-kilometer-long Klintkustleden passes through cliffs, wetlands, and old fishing towns. Then there's the seven-kilometer-long route from Roma Kungsträdgrd to Dalhem, which is accessible year-round.

There are also various places to go swimming or sunbathing on Gotland, from flooded limestone quarries to inland lakes and miles of sandy beaches. The northwest shore is typically rockier, whereas the southeast coast is sandier. Beaches like Tofta, Nisseviken, and Sudersand are ideal for families with young children because of their shallow water.

Related: Sweden's Unusual Salute To The Supernatural Is An Old Tradition Spanning Back Centuries

The cuisine of Gotland is a fascinating experiment in sustainable modernity. Due to its fortunate past as a trading station, the island has developed a taste for exotic ingredients like saffron. Try a traditional Gotlandic dish like "saffranspannkaka" (saffron pancake, based on rice) with whipped cream and jam prepared from dewberry (a related of the blackberry also known as "salmbär").

On Gotland, people can find a variety of asparagus, including white, green, and purple types, as well as the coveted truffle. The regional delicacy, called Gotlandic truffle (black Bourgogne truffle), is celebrated yearly in November.

Seafood of all varieties is a specialty here due to the region's long history as a fishing hotspot, but meat enthusiasts should take the chance to sample the excellent lamb produced in the area. Gotland is famous for its lamb (and wool), and the sheep are featured prominently on the island's flag.

"Gotlandsdricka," the island's signature smoky-sweet juniper-flavored traditional beer, has been brewed there for centuries. Other styles of locally brewed beer are always available. Gotlands Bryggeri is a long-standing brewery that serves a wide selection of beers throughout the island's drinking establishments. Not to be forgotten are the flavored spirits from Boge Bränneri and the gins from Gotland Spirits and Hellström.

• How to get to Gotland: Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Linköping all offer year-round flight service to Visby. Summer also brings flights from Oslo and Ängelholm. Ferries to Visby leave Nynäshamn and Oskarshamn throughout the year and are operated by Destination Gotland.
• Where to sleep: Hotel St. Clemens. Smedjegatan 3, Visby, Gotland 621 55 Sweden. Guests will find the Hotel St. Clemens inside the city walls of Visby. This hotel occupies five old structures near the Botanical Garden and the Cathedral.
• Where to eat: Visby Crêperie & Logi. Wallers Plats 3, Visby, Gotland 621 56 Sweden. The crêperie at Waller's place, housed in a lovely iron structure, is often bustling with customers. The menu features a variety of galettes stuffed with tasty fillings.

By Karin Quint

Jane austen’s england, a travel guide.

Functionally arranged by region, each chapter tracks down the most iconic scenes from both the big and little screen, as well as the key destinations where Jane lived, danced and wrote.

Descriptions

Descriptions of each location are interspersed with biographical anecdotes and local history. Subsections focus on stately homes that have been featured in Austen adaptations.

Information

With a compilation of websites, seasonal opening hours and tour details, this compact book contains everything you need to plan your own Jane Austen tour.

Karin Quint

Karin Quint discovered Austen aged 20, when she picked up Pride and Prejudice at a flea market. She later realised that she was reading one of the best-loved novels in English literature, and her obsession only grew from there. As well as being a professional journalist and photographer, Quint is an ambassador for the Jane Austen Literacy Foundation. She has co-written two other travel guides about Wales and Scotland.

Review Jane Austen Society North America (JASNA) newsletter

Should a book reviewer consider her subject a superior volume if she starts reading, gets lost in the subject, and totally forgets she should be a critic? This is precisely what happened to me and I hope you will be as fortunate.

– Victoria Hinshaw, reviewer JASNA newsletter

IT IS G.O.R.G.E.O.U.S…!!!!! This book is a must for Janeites and Anglophiles. Both pictures and text are wonderful. It should be a coffee table book!

-Rita L. Watts, All Things Austen

I imagined it to be a great read but it exceeded my expectations by far. It is such an impressive book it ought to be in every book shop and library.

– Diana Shand, Kickstarter backer

This book is a must have for every fan. Because it contains so many biographical facts, it is much more than just a travel guide.

– Monique Christiaan, Jane Austen Society Netherlands

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Missy Elliott announces first headlining tour featuring Busta Rhymes, Ciara and Timbaland

Missy Elliott just dropped an "out of this world" announcement.

The rapper, 52, on Monday revealed she will embark on her first headline tour, Out of This World — The Missy Elliott Experience, which heads across North America this summer and will feature Busta Rhymes , Ciara and Timbaland .

"Fans have been asking me to tour forever but I wanted to wait until I felt the time was right because I knew if I was ever going to do it, I had to do it big, and I had to do it with family!" Elliott said.

News of the tour was also shared in a sci-fi themed video , which was posted hours before Monday's total solar eclipse . In the clip, Elliott, Busta Rhymes and Ciara are seen outside of a spaceship realizing they have made a wrong turn and ended up on another planet. A press release announcing the tour also declared that Monday's "solar phenomenon was eclipsed" by Elliott's own "supernova announcement."

For Elliott, the tour comes after she made history last year as the first female rapper to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame . She told "Good Morning America" in November that "words cannot describe" how much of an honor this was. "When you're in the hip-hop world, it seems so far out of reach," she said.

Between that induction and this tour, the "Work It" singer said Monday, "This is an incredible time in my life as I am experiencing so many milestone 'firsts.'"

Missy Elliott's 'Miss E... So Addictive' turns 20: How 'Get Ur Freak On' changed the game

Her 24-city tour will commence on July 4 at Vancouver's Rogers Arena and conclude at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois, on Aug. 22.

The rapper's manager, Mona Scott-Young, said in a statement, "Missy has always been an iconic groundbreaker and continuously pushes herself to be bolder and go where she has never been before – and surprisingly, one of those places is headlining her own tour!"

Rock Hall induction of George Michael, Sheryl Crow, Missy Elliott airs Jan. 1: Best moments

How to get Missy Elliott tour tickets

Tickets for the tour will be available via a Verizon presale on April 9 starting at 10 a.m. local time. Additional presales will run throughout the week, a press release said, with the general onsale scheduled for April 12.

Out of This World — The Missy Elliott Experience tour dates

According to Monday's announcement, Elliott's tour will be stopping by the following locations:

• Thursday, July 4 — Vancouver, British Columbia — Rogers Arena
• Saturday, July 6 — Seattle — Climate Pledge Arena
• Tuesday, July 9 — Oakland, California — Oakland Arena
• Thursday, July 11 — Los Angeles — Crypto.com Arena
• Saturday, July 13 — Las Vegas — T-Mobile Arena
• Tuesday, July 16 — Denver — Ball Arena
• Thursday, July 18 — Austin, Texas — Moody Center
• Saturday, July 20 — Houston — Toyota Center
• Sunday, July 21 — Fort Worth, Texas — Dickies Arena
• Wednesday, July 24 — Tampa, Florida — Amalie Arena
• Thursday, July 25 — Sunrise, Florida — Amerant Bank Arena
• Saturday, July 27 — Atlanta — State Farm Arena
• Thursday, Aug. 1 — Baltimore — CFG Bank Arena
• Friday, Aug. 2 — Hampton, Virginia — Hampton Coliseum
• Saturday, Aug. 3 — Belmont Park, New York — UBS Arena
• Monday, Aug. 5 — Philadelphia — Wells Fargo Center
• Thursday, Aug. 8 — Washington — Capital One Arena
• Friday, Aug. 9 — Newark, New Jersey — Prudential Center
• Saturday, Aug. 10 — Boston — TD Garden
• Monday, Aug. 12 — Brooklyn, New York — Barclays Center
• Thursday, Aug. 15 — Detroit — Little Caesars Arena
• Saturday, Aug. 17 — Montreal — Bell Centre
• Monday, Aug. 19 — Toronto — Scotiabank Arena
• Thursday, Aug. 22 — Rosemont, Illinois — Allstate Arena

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Missy Elliott Announces First-Ever Headlining Tour with Ciara, Timbaland and Busta Rhymes — See the Dates!

"Fans have been asking me to tour forever but I wanted to wait until I felt the time was right," said the Grammy-winning rapper of the upcoming 24-city trek

Derek Blanks with crowdMGMT

Get ready to travel to another galaxy with Missy Elliott .

On April 8, the Grammy-winning rapper announced her first-ever headlining tour, billed as Out of This World — The Missy Elliott Experience, set to hit 24 cities throughout North America this summer with Ciara , Busta Rhymes and Timbaland joining for the ride.

"This is an incredible time in my life as I am experiencing so many milestone ‘firsts.’ Being the FIRST female Hip Hop artist to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and now going out on my FIRST headline tour," said Elliott, 52, in a statement.

"Fans have been asking me to tour forever," continued the "Get Ur Freak On" performer," but I wanted to wait until I felt the time was right because I knew if I was ever going to do it, I had to do it big, and I had to do it with family!"

Elliott's statement concluded, "So get ready to be taken OUT OF THIS WORLD with me, Busta Rhymes, Ciara, and Timbaland! We can’t wait to share this experience with the fans!"

Most of the artists on the tour bill have worked together throughout their careers. Elliott and Timbaland are longtime tight-knit collaborators, having written and produced for each other as well as artists including 702,  Aaliyah , SWV and Total.

Ciara featured Elliott on her 2004 hit "1, 2 Step," and they reunited the following year for the rapper's 2005 hit "Lose Control" with Fatman Scoop. More recently, all three artists got back together for a remix of Ciara's 2018 single "Level Up."

Busta Rhymes has collaborated with all three tourmates, having notably provided several Timbaland-produced interludes on Elliott's albums in the past. Timbaland, however, hasn't yet released an official collaboration with Ciara — but maybe the tour will spark one.

Never miss a story — sign up for  PEOPLE's free daily newsletter  to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Aaron J. Thornton/WireImage

Kicking off July 4 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, the tour will make stops in cities including Seattle, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Houston, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Boston, New York City, Detroit, Toronto and more before wrapping August 22 at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois.

Tickets will first become available through a Verizon presale running from April 9 at 10 a.m. local time through April 11 at 10 p.m. local time, followed by additional presales before the general on-sale launches April 12 at 10 a.m. local time. VIP packages are also available via VIPNation .

See the complete list of Out of This World — The Missy Elliott Experience Tour dates below.

Thursday, July 4 — Vancouver, BC — Rogers Arena

Saturday, July 6 — Seattle, WA — Climate Pledge Arena

Tuesday, July 9 — Oakland, CA — Oakland Arena

Thursday, July 11 — Los Angeles, CA —  Crypto.com  Arena

Saturday, July 13 — Las Vegas, NV — T-Mobile Arena

Tuesday, July 16 — Denver, CO — Ball Arena

Thursday, July 18 — Austin, TX — Moody Center

Saturday, July 20 — Houston, TX — Toyota Center

Sunday, July 21 — Fort Worth, TX — Dickies Arena

Wednesday, July 24 — Tampa, FL — Amalie Arena

Thursday, July 25 — Sunrise, FL — Amerant Bank Arena

Saturday, July 27 — Atlanta, GA — State Farm Arena

Thursday, August 1 — Baltimore, MD — CFG Bank Arena

Friday, August 2 — Hampton, VA — Hampton Coliseum

Saturday, August 3 — Belmont Park, NY — UBS Arena

Monday, August 5 — Philadelphia, PA — Wells Fargo Center

Thursday, August 8 — Washington, DC — Capital One Arena

Friday, August 9 — Newark, NJ — Prudential Center

Saturday, August 10 — Boston, MA — TD Garden

Monday, August 12 — Brooklyn, NY — Barclays Center

Thursday, August 15 — Detroit, MI — Little Caesars Arena

Saturday, August 17 — Montreal, QC — Bell Centre

Monday, August 19 — Toronto, ON — Scotiabank Arena

Thursday, August 22 — Rosemont, IL — Allstate Arena

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Footsteps of a Queen, Tudor England

Tudor Heritage, English Gardens, Stately Homes & Castles

8 days from London

Follow in the Footsteps of Queen Elizabeth I

Before radio, TV or internet, how was an English Monarch to stay in touch with the people?

Queen Elizabeth I went on tour each summer. During this Golden Age of England, Elizabeth’s reign brought wealth and stability to the nation and she enjoyed a special relationship of adoration and respect from her subjects. Each summer, Elizabeth went on her tours, or ‘progresses,’ to stay in tune with the needs and wants of the people. One of her more famous trips took place in 1575 and we will loosely follow in the “footsteps of the Queen” to discover some of the rich heritage of Tudor England.

Our explorations will feature the quaint villages, beautiful stately homes/castles and gardens throughout the Heart of England and around the capital, all stunningly beautiful in their own right and many of which have Tudor connections. See Stratford-Upon-Avon, Hampton Court Palace, Oxford, Windsor Castle and charming villages around the Heart of England. The Highlights of Tudor England. This is an itinerary we hope is a fun twist to the usual ‘homes and gardens’ tour!

This is a suggested tour itinerary for private departures, adjustable to best suit your specific wishes. Price based on how many travelers, your chosen package inclusions and your chosen level of accommodation.

This tour begins and ends in London.

TENTATIVE ITINERARY

pre/post tour London

There are heaps of iconic London sites with a Tudor connection. Elizabeth I is buried along with her grandfather Henry VII, half sister ‘Bloody’ Mary and a host of other British monarchs and historical figures in Westminster Abbey . You can also explore the sinister history, hearing the terrible, fated tales of Elizabeth’s mother Anne Boleyn, step-mother Katherine Howard, cousin Lady Jane Grey and many others in The Tower of London .

Also on the Tudor theme, the Palace of Lambeth, called “the only place in London where, right from the road, you are confronted by Tudor London.” Though the palace itself is not opened to the public, Lambeth Palace Gardens , among the oldest and largest gardens in London, are open year round. Further along the river, there’s Eltham Palace in Greenwich . The medieval Great Hall here is where a young future Henry VIII spent many of his formative years. Alternatively, London has a wide array of public parks and gardens of all shapes and sizes. The Royal Gardens at Kew is a popular choice. Spoilt for choice in and around the capital!

Departing London at about 10am, our first destination is Hatfield , one of the Treasure Houses of England and where Queen Elizabeth I spent most of her childhood. The deer park here was then owned by Henry VIII, who used it as a home for each of his legitimate children, Mary, Elizabeth and Edward. This parkland once held the lavish Theobolds Palace, now destroyed, the initial stop on Elizabeth’s 1575 summer progress. We are beginning our very own ‘summer progress’ with the place where Queen Elizabeth I began her reign, it was in Hatfield that Elizabeth learned of her accession to the throne in 1558. Explore Hatfield West Gardens featuring a scented garden, herb garden and the famous knot garden.

Later today enjoy Kirby Hall , another of England’s great Elizabethan and 17th-century houses. Begun by Sir Humphrey Stafford in about 1570, it was purchased six years later by Sir Christopher Hatton, one of Queen Elizabeth’s ‘comely young men’ and later her Lord Chancellor. Kirby Hall’s richly decorated Great Hall and state rooms remain intact. In the 17th century, the 4th Sir Christopher Hatton added the gardens, then described as ‘ye finest garden in England.’ These gardens are now partly restored and laid out in an elaborate cutwork design.

OVERNIGHT: Oakham area

As we’re near, we’ll have a visit this morning to the perfectly preserved town of Stamford . Many who have enjoyed English costume dramas will find the streets somewhat familiar as the BBC and others have used the town extensively for location shoots recreating the 18th century for films of Jane Austen works and others.

The day's first jewel house, Burghley is the largest and grandest house of the first Elizabethan Age. Built by William Cecil, Lord High Treasurer to Elizabeth I, this gem is still a family home for his descendants to this day. Eighteen State Rooms contain unique and important collections of porcelain, art, furniture and textiles. This stop is guaranteed to bring gasps of amazement to even the most travelled amongst us! Jane Austen fans may recognize Burghley as “Rosings” from the 2005 film version of Pride and Prejudice .

Bosworth is a Tudor place of interest which marks the demise of the House of York and the ascendancy of the Tudors to the British throne. It was on this battlefield back in 1485 that Henry Tudor (Elizabeth’s grandfather) slew Richard III, an event brilliantly retold by Shakespeare on stage, Richard’s pleas of ‘my kingdom for a horse’ not being quite enough. If there’s interest among the group, we will have a guided walk of the battlefield.

Dependent upon our route to our nightstop location, we may pass through charming Harlaston village, the often time winner of “Best Kept Small Village in Staffordshire.” The winding main street offers several Elizabethan buildings including the timber framed Manor House built around 1540.

OVERNIGHT: Lichfield area

Today, we’ve a leisurely day to explore greater Staffordshire , where Elizabeth spent approximately 3 weeks enjoying hunting and country pursuits in 1575. There are several lovely stately homes or castles in the area. You can decide priorities in consultation with your guide and visit accordingly.

Begin the day with time in the market town of Lichfield , which offers a lovely cathedral, the birthplace of Dr Johnson (writer of the very first dictionary) and St John’s Hospital and Chapel, called one of the finest 15th century brick buildings in the country featuring wonderful stained glass. There are some lovely Tudor buildings to admire as well as a charming high street to meander. Tamworth offers a Norman castle with a Tudor Great Hall, so well worth some time.

Imagine you’re a noble or wealthy land owner in 1575 and the Queen is traveling through your area. The Queen’s visit to your home could mean much prestige, further wealth and perhaps even a title so surely dozens of invitations were received by Elizabeth…but how many did she actually visit? Researchers of Middleton Hall near Tamworth have been arguing the evidence that the Queen stayed here for 2 nights between well documented stays in Kenilworth and Lichfield. Did she or didn’t she visit? Middleton Hall has a rich and interesting history and, just like our Virgin Queen, their schedule permitting perhaps we will be able to have visit by special appointment (subject to availability.)

Mosley Old Hall is an Elizabethan farmhouse with connections to King Charles II. The garden here has several varieties of plants and a striking knot garden following a 17th-century design. Nearby is David Austin Roses, displaying a national collection of English roses. This may be a good detour if you are a rose lover, since there are over 800 varieties to see!

Kenilworth Castle was the most important stop on Elizabeth’s 1575 progress and she is reported to have been entertained here for 19 days, an almost never-ending series of lavish feasts, music, hunting and plays. Rumor has it that one William Shakespeare was a participant and that the events he witnessed that July inspired his Midsummer Night’s Dream. This was Queen Elizabeth’s 4th visit to Kenilworth, home to her favorite Robert Dudley. Today, Kenilworth is a magnificent ruin with immaculately re-constructed Elizabethan gardens, as originally designed by Dudley for the Queen’s 1575 visit. Imagine yourself ‘Royal’ as we walk in Elizabeth’s footsteps through these gardens!

Stratford-upon-Avon is our next destination today, the home town of the Bard will be our base for the next few nights. Subject to theatre schedules, staying in this charming town gives the option of attending the RSC in the evenings.

OVERNIGHT: Stratford-Upon-Avon

Our whole day will be spent in Stratford-Upon-Avon  itself, so you have ample time to discover the charming town and Shakespeare connections. These Shakespeare houses are iconic sites to visit but also a wonderful opportunity to learn a bit about daily life during the late Tudor period. You’re spoilt for choice here – visit the local church, burial place for the Bard, his mother Mary Arden’s home with its bird of prey centre as well as the well known iconic sites such as his Birthplace. You will have free time to wander the cobbled streets, shopping, theatre and relaxing as you wish. Your guide will be on hand for a possible walking tour, advice and assistance but the day is yours to spend as you decide.

The Cotswolds region is a top spot for modern visitors due to the charming, honey-thatched cottage villages and wide range of lovely gardens. This was an important source of wealth throughout the Tudor period as a sheep farming region. We will have a bit of a meander through the area, in true off the beaten track style, discovering a few local treasures that those on big coaches miss.

Nearby Stratford is Coughton Court , home of the Throckmorton family since 1409. Framed by an Elizabethan half timbered courtyard are the gardens, described as “breathtaking” by the Royal Horticultural Society. Surely a place very worthy of our time!

Sudley Castle has connections running through the Tudor Dynasty and court circle. It was home to three queens, houses the marble tomb of Katherine Parr (the wife of Henry VIII who survived him) and a place where scandal left its impression on the young mind of the future Queen Elizabeth I. She later re-visited the residence during more than one of her progresses, including in 1575. Here we’ll find seven enchanting gardens including a Tudor Knot garden with water features and a delightful mosaic.

We’ve yet another fantastic day to enjoy even more beautiful homes and gardens – you won’t believe we are so close to the sprawling metropolis of London! Elizabeth I spent a night or two in the charming village of Woodstock in 1575. Nearby is the stunning Blenheim Palace , a fitting inclusion on our homes and gardens theme despite its lack of a Tudor connection. This incredible treasure house was given to Winston Churchill's ancestor John, 1st Duke of Marlborough and the gardens were designed in part by Capability Brown.

Oxford is a destination on almost any English itinerary, with good reason! This is the jewel in the literary crown (Lewis Carroll, Tolkien and connections to modern creations Inspector Morse & Harry Potter) but it is the ‘dreaming spires’ which is the main draw. Many of the colleges here were endowed during the Tudor period by Cardinal Wolsey and Henry VIII. During a walking tour, we will see Christchurch, originally known as ‘Cardinal College’ then ‘King Henry VIII’s college’ among other highlights.

In Windsor, our base tonight, perhaps meet some “merry wives?”

OVERNIGHT: Windsor

A full day out and about on our finale day!

Windsor Castle is over 900 years old, having begun construction under William the Conqueror, and is still the main Royal residence for the Monarchy. This was Henry VIII’s favorite residence, especially for hunting. He is buried on the grounds in St George’s Chapel alongside his 3rd wife, Jane Seymour, the mother of his only male heir. Elizabeth spent much time here too, regarding it as a safe haven "knowing it could stand a siege if need be." Merry Wives of Windsor is said to have been commissioned especially by the Virgin Queen, who enjoyed the plays of Shakespeare and wanted to see more of the character Falstaff.

Hampton Court Palace is set in over 60 acres of gardens and parklands along the scenic River Thames. You won’t want to miss the Great Vine (planted by Capability Brown,) the rose gardens, Privy Gardens inspired by William of Orange, the Tiltyard and the famous Yew tree hedge Maze. There is one of the few ‘real’ tennis courts to be seen here too. In the palace itself, the Tudor Kitchens and Henry VIII's State Apartments are the among the most popular sections. The Great Hall is the palace's largest and most impressive room, with an ornate carved-wood ceiling and a collection of Flemish tapestries that date back over 500 years.

Your tour concludes this evening, you can stay tonight in your choice of Windsor, London Heathrow or central London.

Please note: All attraction opening times are correct at time of printing this website. While we will do our utmost to include all of the properties mentioned as central visits, we reserve the right to change an attraction should it become impossible to deliver a planned visit due to changes in opening days or times beyond our control.

Please note that your final day to day itinerary may fluctuate to accommodate variable opening times/days for listed attractions, special events and places of interest. Please discuss your needs with us for an individual itinerary with rate quote.

Oft imitated, never duplicated! This is an original SGT itinerary, property of Special Group Tours and to be used only with express permission/in conjunction with SGT.

What Your Tour Package Includes

This is a suggested tour itinerary and can be modified to best you your individual wishes.

Suggested tour package includes: # of touring days with vehicle & exclusive services of your driver/guide/companion, your accommodation for # nights while on the tour including full breakfasts, all taxes and tips other than those you may wish to give your guide. Your price also can include dinners and/or entrance fees to attractions or these items can be left out of the up front package/to be paid directly for maximum flexibility. Airport transfers, accommodation pre and post tour, scheduled city day tours/attraction passes/transport passes or theatre/event tickets can be added to your package as you wish, subject to availability.

SGT is at your service!

The Special Group Tours Advantage is our unique and intimate understanding of what you expect traveling in the UK and Europe. We have not only visited but have spent many years living in and loving the cultures you will experience down the ‘B’ Roads and off the beaten track. We have worked with local suppliers and our guide/companion team for over a decade, creating unique special interest itineraries. Special Group Tours offers our “insider” knowledge to you.

The SGT Small Group Touring Concept is traveling with just 4 - 14 guests per departure. It is our aim to introduce you to the 'real' country and its people, not just ticking the boxes of a standardized route and treating you as an individual and not a number. Our concept allows for a leisurely touring pace and flexibility to get off the beaten track to discover hidden gems. Of course you'll see the major sites but so much more too!

At Special Group Tours, it is our priority that you have the most enjoyable holiday possible. You deserve it!

Call us Toll Free on: US 866 725 5250; or London UK 0790 552 4717

Email: Tours@SpecialGroupTours.com

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Missy elliott to launch first-ever headlining tour this summer.

Timbaland, Busta Rhymes and Ciara will also perform on the 24-city trek dubbed 'OUT OF THIS WORLD — The Missy Elliott Experience.' It kicks off July 4.

By Mesfin Fekadu

Mesfin Fekadu

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Missy Elliott is ready to get her freak on her first-ever headlining tour.

The 52-year-old Rock and Roll Hall of Famer will launch OUT OF THIS WORLD — The Missy Elliott Experience on July 4. The 24-city trek will visit cities like Los Angeles, Atlanta and Brooklyn, and will wrap on Aug. 22. 

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Live Nation is producing the tour alongside Elliott’s longtime manager, Mona Scott-Young. Grammy-winning music video director and powerhouse Dave Meyers, famed celebrity stylist June Ambrose and creative director Hi-Hat also worked on the tour. 

Elliott has won four Grammys and released hits like “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly),” “Get Ur Freak On,” “Work It” and “Lose Control.” She has produced her own music and songs for others, including Aaliyah, Beyoncé, Whitney Houston, Monica, Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson, Ariana Grande, Destiny’s Child, Fantasia, Jazmine Sullivan, SWV, Total, 702, Mya and Tweet. In 2019, she was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and received the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the MTV Video Music Awards.

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