Gotland – Sweden’s Largest Island

Gotland is located on the southeastern coast of Sweden and is the largest island in the Baltic Sea with a diameter of 2,994 km². Sweden beaches are famous in all around the world for ice bathing. One of the most beautiful places in the country, its calm, sparsely populated landscapes are almost mesmerizing in their beauty. Archaeological findings show that human history goes back about 8,000 years and predates the Christian tradition.

Summer and Gotland go hand in hand with the island’s stunning scenery and numerous bathing spots making it a great choice for a budget-friendly summer getaway. Take your car by ferry from Nynäshamn or Oskarshamn from the mainland for easy access to the best of the island. Sunbathe on Sandviken’s sandy and swimming beaches, or take the free ferry to the Faroe Islands, where you’ll find the very popular and well-equipped Sandersand Beach.

Pack a small picnic and enjoy a nice lunch or coffee break on the beach to save money. Explore Gotland’s charming crags (pillared rock formations) and beautiful coastline on your bike, or visit the historic center of Visby and walk through the cozy streets, church ruins and medieval city walls.

Beaches In Gotland Country

Tofta beach

Located 20km south of Visby, this beach is Gotland’s most popular and beautiful beach. Another bike path leads there. The beach is informally divided into Lill- Tofta beach (North Beach) and Stor Tofta (South Beach). In Lill-Tofta you will find families with children, fun sand dunes, serious volleyball players and Kisspölen (“Little Pool”). Kisspölen (“Little Pool”) is created every year just a few meters from the real sea and is popular with small children. Child – hence the name. Stor-Tefta has people who enjoy rallies, music, stunts, water slides and not-so-serious volleyball players with big bodies and shiny bodies. You can also rent a pedal boat on the beach here. Kiosks and restaurants are also nearby.

Åminne

A far-reaching beach with shallow water. It is located 30 km north of Visby, on the east side. If you go 50 meters into the water and think it’s getting deeper, you hit a sandbar that makes the water even deeper. Then it gets too cold to go outside – perfect for families with kids! There is a swimming pool above the restaurant.

Visby

There are 4 beaches within 5 km from here. In the center of Visby is Calbadhuset, a public cold bath called Kalis by the locals. Visby’s best “after the beach” is here. After 2 kilometers you reach Norderstrand with two jetties and Gustavsvik with a disabled jetty. Finally, there is the Badstrand Snack. There are 2 concrete piers with sandy beaches and water slides. The stunning promenade that connects these four beaches is great for cycling.

Top Attractions In Gotland

Visby Sankta Maria Domkyrka

The ruins of Visby Cathedral contrast with the stoic and deeply inspiring Sancta Maria Kirka. Built in the late 12th and early 13th centuries and much altered over the years, the picturesque tower is crowned by a Baroque dome. Admire the beautiful stained glass windows, carved floor panels and lerdo. The cathedral is used for intimate music concerts in the summer. The cathedral is best viewed from behind. Climb all the steps on the hillside for a great view.

Gotlands Museum

The Gotland Museum is one of Sweden’s most influential regional museums. While the highlights are the impressive pre-Viking pictographs, chambered tombs and 8th-century medieval woodcarvings of human skeletons, the star is the fabled treasure trove of Spillings. Weighing in at 70kg, it is the heist of the world’s largest surviving hoard of silver.

The ticket (160 kr) includes entry to the nearby Konstmuseet.

Gotska Sandön

Lonely Gotuka Sandon is an unusual island of 37 square kilometers with three corners lighthouses and 30 kilometers of beaches, sand dunes, pine forests and churches. There is a large network of hiking trails around the island. Gotska Sandön Contact your accommodation to reserve the simple rustic beds available on the island. Please bring what you need.

Norderport

If you’re short on time, the best place to start is at the northern gate of Visby’s city walls. Follow the wall southwest until you find the large palace (Lanka Lisa – six floors up), then pass the Maiden’s Tower and the Gate of Love (hold your hand, anyone?) until you reach a gunpowder shop called Grootornet. – this is the oldest part of the fortress, built in 1150.