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    Visby

    Sweden

    Visby

    CityCulture

    Visby, Gotland's capital, became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995 as a Hanseatic city. Around 3.4 km of its 13th and 14th-century ring wall are preserved, along with 27 large wall towers.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Sweden
    7. Gotland
    9. Visby
    Visby, Gotland's capital, became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995 as a Hanseatic city. Around 3.4 km of its 13th and 14th-century ring wall are preserved, along with 27 large wall towers. Numerous church ruins, like St. Karin and St. Nicolai, stand in the old town's alleys, earning the city the nickname, City of Roses and Ruins. The Botanical Garden (DBW:s botaniska trädgård) offers a green pause among the historic buildings. Roses bloom in summer; off-season, it is considerably quieter.

    Sights in Visby

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    1Fischertor

    The Fisherman's Gate (Fiskarporten) is a gate in the ring wall on the seaside of the Old Town. It was probably built in the 15th century, making it younger than the oldest gates of the wall. It's a good starting point for a walk along the wall.
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    2Södra hällarna

    Nature reserve on the coast south of the Old Town. Walking paths run above the Baltic Sea, offering wide views over the sea.
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    3Dalmansporten

    Gate Tower on Norra Murgatan, which belonged to a gate of the oldest defensive wall. In 1784, the Dalmanstornet was converted into a granary. From here, a section of the wall can be easily explored.
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    4Gotland-Museum

    Geschichtsmuseum mit Artefakten aus der Region, darunter Wikingerschmuck und mittelalterliche Bildsteine.
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    5Österport (East Gate)

    The East Gate on Södra Murgatan dates back, according to tree-ring dating, to no earlier than 1286 and is one of the oldest gates of the city wall. From here, a path runs along the wall with its towers.
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    6Stadtbefestigung Visby

    Die imposante Stadtmauer von Visby, ein UNESCO-Weltkulturerbe, umgibt die Altstadt und lässt dich in die mittelalterliche Vergangenheit eintauchen. Spaziere entlang der Mauern und entdecke die gut erhaltenen Türme und Tore.
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    Essen & Trinken

    1

    Bakfickan

    Restaurant in Stora torget 1.
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    2

    Familjen Jessens Saluhall & bar

    Bar in Hästgatan 19.
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    3

    Crêperie & Logi

    Restaurant in Wallers Plats 3.
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    4

    Värdshuset Lindgården

    8 einfach eingerichtete Zimmer in einem einladenden Gasthaus mit Restaurant, Garten und kostenlosem WLAN.
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    5

    Eden Tapas & bar

    Restaurant in Södra Kyrkogatan 14.
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    History and Culture

    Hanseatic Era and DeclineAround 900, Visby became a trade hub on the Baltic Sea and later a member of the Hanseatic League. From the 12th to 14th century, the prosperous city saw the construction of numerous churches and its large city wall. With the conquest of Gotland by Danish King Valdemar IV in 1361, a long decline began. In 1525, Hanseatic troops burned the city; many structures were never rebuilt thereafter, hence numerous of today's ruins. In the 17th century, Gotland passed from Denmark to Sweden.Summer FestivalsDuring the first week of July, parties and organizations gather for Almedalsveckan in Almedalen Park; most debates are public.In early August, Medeltidsveckan transforms the city into a medieval setting with a market and knight tournaments. Accommodation and transport are booked up early then.Visby on FilmVisby was the setting for the Pippi Longstocking films; Villa Kunterbunt from the shoot stands in Kneippbyn amusement park on the city's outskirts.

    Arrival and on the way

    Getting ThereDestination Gotland connects Nynäshamn and Oskarshamn with Visby year-round; the crossing takes about three hours. Cars can be taken onboard, and the port is right in the city center.Visby Airport is located about four kilometers north of the city and is served year-round, including from Stockholm.In the CityThe Old Town within the wall is small enough to explore on foot. In summer, cars are not allowed there; parking is available outside the wall.Outside the walls, you'll find good cycling paths; in summer, numerous bike rental shops are available.Further on the IslandFrom Visby, buses travel to all parts of Gotland, but many stops are served only a few times a day. Check the timetable in advance.The marked cycling path, Gotlandsleden, leads around the island and includes Fårö.

    Accommodations in Visby

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    Campgrounds in Visby

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      Sunrise over alpine peaks and a sea of clouds
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      • 1Fischertor3 days
      • 2Södra hällarna4 days
      • 3Dalmansporten5 days
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    Nearby

    Lummelundagrottan

    Lummelundagrottan

    The Lummelundagrottan is located approximately 11 to 13 km north of Visby on Road 149. With nearly 4.5 km of explored passages, it is one of Sweden's longest caves. Linné knew the front part as early as 1741; the inner passages were explored by youths from 1948. In summer, tours lead through the outer part with numerous dripstone formations. Tickets are available online and at the ticket office in the entrance building; online booking is recommended during peak season.
    Gotland

    Gotland

    Gotland, at around 2,994 km², is Sweden's largest island and lies in the middle of the Baltic Sea. Its capital, Visby, a Hanseatic city and UNESCO World Heritage site since 1995, boasts a ring wall preserved for around 3.4 km. Out on the island, 94 medieval country churches, limestone pillars (Raukar), and long coastal sections shape the scene.
    Fårö

    Fårö

    Fårö lies north of Gotland, separated by the narrow Fårösund, which a free car ferry crosses in about six minutes. The barren island with around 500 inhabitants is known for its raukar, especially at Langhammars and Digerhuvud, and for director Ingmar Bergman, who lived, filmed, and is buried here.
    Öland

    Öland

    Öland is Sweden's second-largest island after Gotland, located off Kalmar in the Baltic Sea. The island is flat and elongated, featuring open limestone plains, windmills, stone walls, and sandy beaches. The agricultural landscape in the south is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
    Nåttarö

    Nåttarö

    Nåttarö, located in the southern Stockholm archipelago, is about 30 boat minutes from Nynäshamn and is protected as a nature reserve. The island is almost entirely covered by pine forest, and on the east side, Stora Sand offers one of the archipelago's longest sandy beaches with large dunes. Additionally, there are bathing rocks, car-free gravel paths, and trails for walks.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Unsplash. Each photo carries its credit.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI