Visby is one of the most remarkable towns in Sweden and Scandinavia, situated on the west coast of Gotland Island. The population figure is about 23,000. It is known for the city wall, the Cathedral and the church ruins. In 1995, the city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site.

During the Swedish summer Mid June - Mid August Visby is crowded. It is one of the best party cities in Sweden in the summer. Many Visby residents leave during these hectic months and rent their apartments. During the rest of the year the atmosphere is quite different.

Getting there

By plane

There are flights all year to Visby from Stockholm and Linköping. During summer, there are also flights from Gothenburg, Oslo, Hamburg and Ängelholm.

By boat

Destination Gotland runs ferries from Nynäshamn and Oskarshamn to Visby. You can bring your car.

Traveling around

The inner city (Old Town), which is located within the city walls, is small enough to be covered by foot. The rest of the city is easy to get around by bike and has plenty of good bikes paths.

By Foot

Visby is best enjoyed by foot, especially the Old Town, located within the city wall.

By Bicycle

During the summer there are usually plenty of bike rentals, but they can be expensive, if you're staying for a longer period purchasing a used bike might be a cheaper option.

By Bus

There are several bus lines going out to the rest of the island, check the time table before heading out though.

By Car

During the summer cars are not allowed within the city walls of Visby, and parking can be difficult to find, or expensive.

By Taxi

Like the rest of Sweden, taxis can be expensive, and are best for short trips when you are otherwise unable to get around otherwise.

• Taxi Gotland, phone number: +46 498-200 200
• Taxi Kurir Gotland, phone number: +46 498-50 000
• Din Taxi Gotland, phone number: +46 498-20 70 70
• Gute Taxi, phone number: +46 498-44 44 44

See

Note that many of the town's attractions are only open during the summer months, usually until Aug 30th.

Old Town

• City wall Begun in the late 13th century, Visby's city wall stretches almost 3 and a half kilometers and stands 11 meters high. Today, 36 towers and three main gates remain.
• Botanical Gardens Enter through the "Door of Love" to this picturesque garden of trees and ruins.
• Klinten Once the workers' quarter and now a popular spot to take in the view over the lower town, Klinten is an attractive maze of small, rose covered, homes.
• St. Maria Church Built in the early 13th century
• St. Clemens ruins Church ruins
• St. Gerturde ruins
• St. Hans ruins
• St. Karin ruins
• St. Nicolaus ruins
• St. Olof ruins (located in the Botanical Gardens)
• St. Per ruins

Art and Museums

• Gotlands Fornsal Museum Strandgatan

Things to do

Tours

There are several tours of the Old Town during the summer, most available in Swedish, but occasionally in other languages, and they are sometimes available for group bookings. The best bet is to check with the Tourist Centre (Skeppsbron 4-6, 62157 Visby) what guides are available in your language. Also ask whether you need to get a ticket before the tour starts or if you pay when you meet up.

• Classic Tour of Visby Gotland.info page of the tour Available in English, German and Swedish.
• Sexualiteten i den medeltida staden page of the tour Available only in Swedish. Adults 95SEK, Children 9-12 years 50SEK.

Other Events and Activities

• Boda Borg Website Fun and challenging Quests for people of all ages.

Drink

• Gotlandsdricke, is a local type of beer. Gotlandsdricke is no longer legal to sell, but it's still legal to make it yourself so if you ask around you might be able to find someone who makes it. Back in the day, every farm had their own recipe.

Buy

There are only two ATM machines in the old town and port area: one at Donners Plats, just as you come up from the water front and one on Adelsgatan. Along the Ostercentrum there are several others.

Most shops close at 5pm on weekdays, 3pm on Saturdays and are closed on Sundays.

• Adelsgatan This is the major shopping street, and by far the most touristy. Don't be discouraged though, it has plenty of interesting shops selling small trinkets and local handicraft. If you venture off this street you'll get to see beautiful the alleys and the smaller streets, which are less crowded, and there are smaller shops hidden here and there.
• Sankt Hans Quarter
• Ostercentrum (exit the old city through the Osterport gate) Modern pedestrian shopping district with most of the usual European retail outlets, as well as banks, pharmacies, and fast food joints.

Get out