15 tips: The best things to do in Gotland 2026

What is it? Gotland’s incredible and unique nature is well known, but it can’t be praised enough. What you might not think about, though, is that there are plenty of hiking trails and cycling routes all around the island. Pack a picnic and lace up your hiking boots, or pump up your bike tyres and explore on two wheels. Follow wherever the wind takes you and be amazed by Gotland’s scenery!

Why go? Gotland isn’t just a summer paradise, and as someone who lives here, I can confirm that the nature is just as stunning all year round. Beyond the experience and the exercise, the best thing is that it’s completely free to get out into nature. And for someone with a poor sense of direction, I’m grateful that the trails are clearly marked.

Don’t miss: Hike along the Klintkustleden from Häftingsklint to Sigsarve (30 km), or take a walk along Södra hällarna near Visby. There are so many beautiful spots to discover! Maybe you’ll even pass a sheep pasture along the way. If cycling is more your thing, I have to recommend the bike rental in Visby harbour. I suggest cycling north along the coastal road to Gustavsvik for a beach stop. Don’t forget your swimwear!

Bike hire from 160 SEK per day.

What is it? Visby has a vibrant food and drink scene all year round. Inside the city walls, everything is close by, so you’ll never have to walk far to find your next stop – whether you’re after a great meal, a drink on an outdoor terrace or the perfect pub crawl.

Why go? When I travel, I love eating at local spots, and I think food is a key part of experiencing a place’s culture. Gotland, with all its farms and producers, is a major hub for food and drink, and many restaurants work seasonally with local ingredients. Skip the chains and experience the real flavours of Gotland instead.

Don’t miss: In April, outdoor terraces reopen and the city wakes up from its winter slumber. As mentioned, the town is full of great places – at Stora torget alone you’ll find gems like Munkkällaren, Systemet, Bageriet and the tapas spot Eden, all of which I highly recommend. A Korean noodle salad at Lunchstället Mirells (Adelsgatan) and a seasonal dinner with locally sourced produce in the incredibly cosy courtyard at Lindgården (Strandgatan) are two other favourites.

What is it? No holiday is complete without ice cream, right? Gotland not only has charming ice cream bars in beautiful settings, but also its own producers.

Why go? Right in Visby harbour you’ll find Gotland’s largest ice cream factory, Glassmagasinet, with 356 flavours. Their outdoor seating with sea views is a wonderful place to enjoy an ice cream on a sunny day. I usually take a stroll along the promenade with my ice cream in hand and sit by the city wall, listening to the waves. Another favourite is Guteglass and their shop on Adelsgatan, perched on a hill with magical views over Visby’s rooftops.

Don’t miss: If you’re sitting in the harbour and time it with the ferry schedule, it’s quite a sight to watch the boat come in while you eat your ice cream nearby. If you head to Guteglass in town, keep an eye out for their playful flavour names. ‘Rocky Rauk’, their take on rocky road with a nod to Gotland’s sea stacks, makes me smile every time. My absolute favourite flavour, though, is saffron and honey. Travelling to or from Gotland by ferry? You’ll find Guteglass onboard too, and it’s also sold in many grocery shops across the island.

Address Guteglass: Adelsgatan 42, Visby. Address Glassmagasinet: Skeppsbron 12, Visby. Expect to pay from 50 SEK for a cone.

What is it? Visby’s city wall has surrounded the town centre since the 13th century. It’s also the best-preserved city wall in Northern Europe and the only one of its kind in the Nordics. Gotland is full of historical sights, but if you’ve been here without properly seeing the wall, have you really been to Gotland?

Why go? When I work in Visby, I often go for a walk during lunch, and the 3.5 km loop around the wall is particularly lovely. It’s a beautiful walk in any season and an impressive experience whether in snow, autumn colours or summer greenery. There are plenty of magical photo opportunities, and if you’re into history, it’s definitely worth the loop.

Don’t miss: Make sure to peek into all the gates and, if you’re interested, read the signs at each one to learn more about their history and curiosities. There are also guided tours if you want to dive deeper. Did you know that the original gate from Österport during the Middle Ages is now housed in Gotland Museum? Or that Kajsartornet once served as a prison? Don’t miss the dramatic moats on the northern side of the wall.

What is it? The Botanical Garden is located by the north-western part of the city wall, right by the sea. It’s a beautifully maintained garden dating back to the 1850s. Here you can wander among rows of roses, sit down with a book or simply relax on a bench among the flowers.

Why go? If you appreciate flowers and plants, this is a must-visit. Not only is it a stunning place to stroll (great for a date), it’s also inspiring and educational. You might even discover a new plant you’d like to grow in your own garden. Entry is completely free and the garden is always open, but to see it at its best, visit between June and August when everything is in full bloom.

Don’t miss: The romantic bridge over the babbling stream that runs through the garden. The hidden ruin at the edge of the garden and the exotic trees that look like they’re from another planet. Also head up to the gazebo at the top – it’s a lovely spot to pause and take in all the scents. The gate in the city wall leading directly into the garden is beautifully known as the Love Gate, and it’s not uncommon to see wedding couples being photographed here.

What is it? The Nordics are known for their four distinct seasons, but on Gotland we like to say there’s a fifth season in September – late summer blending into early autumn. Gotland is said to be magical, and during this time, when the light is especially special, I believe it more than ever.

Why go? The atmosphere on Gotland at this time of year is incredible. The warm light, the calm, the beautiful sunsets and the mild climate that keeps the greenery alive well into autumn all make it something truly special. It’s also harvest time, when the island’s farms and growers are at their peak. This is when we can really indulge in everything that’s been grown and celebrate a hopefully rich harvest.

Don’t miss: Gotland has an amazing food culture, and September is peak season for its culinary scene. Restaurants are still open, serving dishes focused on local ingredients. It’s also a great time to visit farm shops and producers selling locally made goods. You’ll be supporting local farmers while enjoying hyper-local produce that feels as good as it tastes. Don’t miss Gotland’s harvest festival on 5–6 September – it’s an event in its own right.

What is it? Lummelunda Cave is an underground adventure just a short drive north of Visby. It’s one of Sweden’s longest caves – a world of stalactites, fossils and cool, damp passages that feel like stepping into a fantasy film. It’s slightly eerie, a little thrilling and completely fascinating. An adventure for the whole family!

Why go? Here you can experience nature’s architecture up close. Whether you’re visiting with family, friends or simply want to cool off while exploring limestone history in 3D, a guided tour into the cave is a must on Gotland. The contrast between the deep underground halls and the beautiful forest park outside is incredible.

Don’t miss: Join a guided tour of the cave, then take in the surrounding historic setting. Grab a coffee or a bite to eat at the restaurant and browse the shop. If the cave feels a bit too spooky (no judgement), you can walk through the beautiful forest behind it instead, where a trail runs along the outside of the cave.

The cave is only open in summer. Guided tours start from 195 SEK for adults and 110 SEK for children.

What is it? Fornsalen is Gotland’s museum, featuring multiple exhibitions, historical artefacts, interactive experiences and family-friendly adventures. Here you can explore the island’s unique picture stones, the world’s largest Viking Age silver hoard and learn about Gotland’s history.

Why go? A visit to Fornsalen is truly a journey through time and the best place to understand Gotland’s history. 1361 is a year every Gotlander knows by heart – and here you can find out why.

Don’t miss: Start or end your visit with coffee, brunch or lunch at Café Amalia, accessible via the museum entrance. They serve plenty of delicious pastries and dishes – I love that they offer matcha lattes and a daily lunch special. Next to the entrance you’ll also find the museum’s excellent shop, perfect for picking up a meaningful souvenir or gifts in the form of Gotland-made products. There are toys too, and above all lots of fascinating books about Gotland.

What is it? Roma is a parish located at the centre of Gotland – all roads lead to Roma, right? If you pass through, keep an eye out for the sign to ‘Roma Kungsgård’. A dreamy tree-lined avenue leads you there. It’s a cultural meeting place in a beautiful setting, surrounded by fields and greenery, with crafts, cultural experiences and a cosy café.

Why go? You may have heard of Romateatern, which used to stage Shakespeare in the monastery ruins every summer. Although the original theatre is no longer there, the ruins still come alive each summer with art and culture. Experience magical evenings with live music or theatre, visit exhibitions or stop by Roma glassworks.

Don’t miss: Have a coffee at the charming Café Grönhagen and check what exhibitions and events are on during your visit. Travelling with children, or just enjoy family-friendly theatre in a stunning outdoor setting? In summer, Unga Roma stages performances for young audiences here. Tip: when speaking with locals, it’s important to pronounce Roma the local way – with an ‘o’.

What is it? Gotland has often been used as a backdrop in books and films. Ingmar Bergman lived on Fårö and shot films here, and productions like the Christmas calendar series, ‘Tidstjuven’, ‘Maria Wern’ and, of course, the ‘Pippi Longstocking’ films were all made on the island. At Gotland’s tourist centre (Donnersplats by Almedalen), you can pick up a map guiding you to filming locations from ‘Pippi Longstocking’. It’s also available digitally.

Why go? Because Pippi is such a timeless character, following in her footsteps is a fun and interesting experience for both children and adults. Plus, you’ll get a lovely walk out of it.

Don’t miss: Book a day at Kneippbyn just south of Visby to visit the real Pippi house. There’s also live Pippi theatre in summer, and you might even meet the characters in the park. I also recommend visiting Bergman Center on Fårö, which preserves Ingmar Bergman’s legacy, with a cinema, exhibitions and a museum.

Opening hours Bergman Center: Daily 11.00–17.00 from 1 June to 31 August (closed 19–21 June). Then open Thu–Sun 11.00–16.00 from 3 September to 27 September.

What is it? Gotland and Tingstäde have long played an important role from a military perspective. Today you can visit both Tingstäde Fortress and the Gotland Defence Museum in the same area.

Why go? For children and anyone curious, the highlight is being able to sit in old military vehicles and pretend to work in defence. It’s also exciting to explore the fortress and wander through its corridors and rooms. Even though I’m not hugely into military topics, I find it fascinating from a historical perspective and interesting to see how Gotland has been shaped during times of war.

Don’t miss: While you’re in Tingstäde, stop by Tingstäde Träsk for a swim and an ice cream on the beach. There’s a jetty, picnic tables, a playground and an ice cream kiosk. It’s worth noting that ‘träsk’ means lake in Gotland dialect – it’s lovely, I promise!

What is it? In spring and summer, the island is packed with flea markets as well as farm shops selling local produce and crafts. Simply hit the road and stop wherever a sign catches your eye – and there are plenty of them.

Why go? Gotland is largely rural, and when the weather warms up, many people open their barns to sell items. It’s also common for farms to sell what they produce. Why not take home a genuine Gotland sheepskin? Or buy vegetables, honey and meat directly from a farm?

Don’t miss: Check a flea market guide on Facebook or an online map if you don’t want to leave it to chance. Many sellers share updates in Facebook groups. On the road, look out for homemade signs and roadside boards with names like ‘antique’, ‘sunflowers’ or ‘potatoes’.

What is it? Long stretches of beach framed by limestone cliffs are something of a Gotland signature. Drive along the coast and you’ll come across plenty of beaches and swimming spots – not surprising with 800 km of coastline. The variety is wide, from sandy to pebbled shores, each with its own charm.

Why go? Gotland really is a summer paradise, and thanks to its extensive coastline, there’s no shortage of beaches. Even in peak season, it’s possible to find your own spot. Sandy or pebbly, shallow or with a jetty, quiet or family-friendly – there’s something for everyone. Many beaches also offer extras like ice cream kiosks, camping, surfing, live music or beach clubs. Find what suits you best and the beach that becomes your Gotland.

Don’t miss: Blå lagunen, Tofta strand, Sudersand, Fårö, Slite strand and Ljugarn.

What is it? Lickershamn is beautifully tucked into a bay on Gotland’s northern west coast. Look up towards the western cliff and you’ll see a striking rock formation overlooking the sea. This is Jungfrun, Gotland’s largest sea stack, rising 12 metres into the air. A scenic walk along the cliff edge takes you all the way there and to the dramatic views. Bring your camera – but keep a safe distance from the edge!

Why go? Lickershamn is the kind of place you’ll want to return to. You can easily spend a full day here, from mini golf and swimming to picnicking among the sea stacks or strolling along the pier. It’s a lively spot where sailing boats dock in the guest harbour and visitors gather to admire the scenery or pick up fresh seafood.

Don’t miss: Buy fresh and smoked fish directly from the charming red fishing huts in the harbour. Keep an eye out for the humorous chalkboard showing how often fishing boats have run aground over the years. If you walk up to Jungfrun, be sure to read the dramatic legend behind its name. And last but not least – don’t forget your swimwear!

What is it? Gotland’s iconic sea stacks deserve a tip of their own. These impressive limestone formations are the result of thousands of years of erosion, with the Baltic Sea’s waves slowly carving unique shapes from the rock. You’ll find them along much of the coastline, often gathered in dramatic fields where hundreds of stone giants stand side by side.

Why go? Walking among the sea stacks feels almost otherworldly. Pack a picnic and find shelter beside one of the massive rocks. Pause to the sound of the waves and soak up the raw, untouched nature that’s unique to the island.

Don’t miss: Fossil hunting! Look closely at the sea stacks and you may spot fossils hundreds of millions of years old. The best fields: for the ultimate experience, take the ferry from Fårösund to Fårö. Visit the rugged Digerhuvud and the famous Langhammars, where the stacks are tallest and most impressive. If you’re in southern Gotland, Holmhällar is an absolute must for a completely different but equally magical atmosphere.