Gotland
Sweden's largest island pairs the medieval walls of Visby with a limestone coast, quiet farmland and a slower pace than the mainland.
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Gotland is Sweden's largest island, lying in the Baltic Sea about 100 km off the mainland. Most trips start in Visby, the island's main town. In the Middle Ages it was a trading town in the Hanseatic League, and its walled old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Inside the walls you pass medieval streets and ruined churches, which is a main reason visitors come. Ferries run from the Swedish mainland, and flights land at Visby.
Outside Visby the island is mostly farmland and limestone. On the north and west coasts, the sea has eroded stone stacks called rauks, and the bays suit swimming, cycling and long walks. Summer is the busiest and warmest season, while the shoulder months and winter are quieter. Plan at least three nights in Visby and one other area. Add more nights if you want the north coast or Fårö, the island off Gotland's northern tip.
Gotland in five
- Book the Gotland ferry before fixing other datesDestination Gotland sails from Nynäshamn and from Oskarshamn to Visby in about three hours. Summer departures and car spaces sell first, so lock the crossing before the rooms.Getting to Gotland
- Walk the Visby ring wallUNESCO describes a wall of 3.4 km with towers and gates around a walled town of 105 ha. Walk it outside in, then go inside the gates for the lanes and church ruins.
- Cross to Fårö on the free road ferryThe Fårösund to Broa crossing is 1,300 m and takes six minutes, and it costs nothing. Check the timetable before you drive north, because the summer priority lane favors residents and the queue can be long.
- Time your visit around Medieval WeekMedieval Week ran from 2 to 9 August in 2026 and fills Visby with costumed events, jousting and stages. Rooms and ferries tighten around it, so book early or choose another week for quiet lanes.Best time to visit Gotland
- Decide on a car before you book the crossingVisby is walkable, but the sea stacks, the north and the south are far apart. Day-hire a car or bring your own on the ferry, and book the vehicle with the ticket.
Things to do in Gotland
See all attractions in Gotland
Need to know
- Getting there
- Ferry from Nynäshamn or Oskarshamn, about 3 hours; flights to Visby
- Airport
- Visby Airport (VBY), 3.5 km from the center
- Getting around
- Walk Visby; car or bike for the rest of the island
- Best base
- Visby for a first visit
- Time needed
- 3 to 4 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Festival
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain13 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh3°Low0°Quiet, darkJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 3°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 59 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Quiet, dark
- FebruaryPartly cloudy11 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh3°Low0°Cold, quietFebruaryPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 3°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 45 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- MarchPartly cloudy9 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh5°Low1°Bare, brightMarchPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 5°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 42 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Bare, bright
- AprilPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh8°Low3°Cool springAprilPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 31 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool spring
- MayPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh14°Low7°Fresh, quietMayPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 35 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Fresh, quiet
- JunePartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh19°Low13°Long daysJunePartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 50 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Long days
- JulyPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh20°Low15°Peak seasonJulyPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 72 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Peak season
- AugustPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh20°Low15°Swims, Medieval WeekAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 72 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Swims, Medieval Week
- SeptemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh17°Low13°Calm, quieterSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 58 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Calm, quieter
- OctoberRain14 rainy daysHigh11°Low8°AutumnOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 81 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn
- NovemberCloudy11 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh7°Low5°Dark, wetNovemberCloudy
Poor
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 54 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Dark, wet
- DecemberRain13 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh4°Low2°Closed sightsDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 4°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 53 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Closed sights
Average daily high and low in Visby, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Festivals: Aug Medieval Week on Gotland
Right now in Gotland
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
9
- Feels like
- 4°
- Humidity
- 81%
- Wind
- 36 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 67%
Gotland
11:37 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today9°5°67%Monday: Drizzle. High 9°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 67%.
- Tue9°3°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed11°2°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu10°2°0%Thursday: Clear. High 10°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri8°1°2%Friday: Partly cloudy. High 8°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Sat9°-1°0%Saturday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun6°-4°2%Sunday: Fog. High 6°, Low -4°. Chance of rain 2%.
Updated 09:17 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 9.823 SEK
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Every year
- AugMedieval Week on GotlandGotland
Day trips by train
Day trips from Gotland, the full guide- Fåröferry crossing of six minutesA northern island reached by the free road ferry from Fårösund; a full day by car or bike.
- Visby ring wall and church ruinson foot from the harborA morning loop that fits any stay, whichever base you pick.Read the guide
- Stockholm and Uppsalaonward by ferry or flightThe mainland side of the trip, reached from the Nynäshamn ferry or by air.Read the guide
Before you go to Gotland
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Rules for Gotland, checked
- Destination Gotland: Nynäshamn or Oskarshamn to Visby, about three hours; ticket types include foot, bicycle and vehicle fares.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
- Fårösund to Broa road ferry: 1,300 m, six minutes, free of charge; a summer priority lane applies 1 June to 15 August.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
- Medieval Week 2026 was held 2 to 9 August in Visby; check the official site for the next dates before booking.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
Gotland FAQ
How long is the ferry from Stockholm to Gotland?
Destination Gotland lists about three hours from Nynäshamn or Oskarshamn to Visby. Nynäshamn is the route that starts closest to Stockholm, so most visitors use it.
Is Visby worth visiting?
Yes, for the medieval town wall, the church ruins and the harbor, which UNESCO lists as the best preserved walled trading town in northern Europe. A day covers the highlights and a second lets you slow down.
Do you need a car on Gotland?
Not for Visby, which is walkable. For Fårö, the sea stacks and the south you want a car or a bike, and the ferry lets you bring either. Book the vehicle with the ticket.
Can you take a bicycle on the Gotland ferry?
Yes. Destination Gotland says you can travel on foot, by vehicle or by bicycle, with different ticket types. Check the current ticket conditions on its site before you book.
When is Medieval Week on Gotland?
In 2026 it ran from 2 to 9 August. The week is a big event in Visby, so check the festival site for the next dates and book rooms and ferry early.