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Categories Self Drive Tours Scandinavia

Discover the island of Gotland which can be reached by ferry or by air from mainland Sweden!

Visit the medieval, walled town of Visby (a UNESCO World Heritage site), the only city on the island. A must on Gotland is a visit to Sudret and Fårö to visit the giant Rauks – natural limestone pillars. Gotland was a major Viking trading settlement and a visit to Tofta Viking Village and its 10th century Viking village tells the Viking story wonderfully.

Itinerary

Arrive by flight on own. Pick up rental car at Gotland Airport Visby and drive to the hotel. Visby is the capital of the Island of Gotland and can be appreciated as much for the depth of its fascinating historical significance, as its modern day charm as a clean, very pretty, small city in which parks, gardens and flowers abound. History tells stories of the Viking Age, a flourishing medieval period and the growth of the powerful Hanseatic League, but today Visby is equally known as the town of roses and ruins. Because of its unique cultural values, the Hanseatic Town of Visby has been listed by UNESCO as part of the World Heritage. Since the end of the 19th century, the ruins of Visby have been protected as historical monuments. Behind the town wall with its guard towers, this medieval stone city awaits your discovery. We recommend a visit to the Botanical Gardens in Visby which are home to a number of plants who normally prefers a warmer climate, such as mulberry, figs, walnut trees, tulip trees, dove trees and magnolias. The gardens are open to visitors throughout the year. Accommodation at Clarion Hotel Wisby OR Best Western Strand Hotel, or similar

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, you will follow the medieval tracks on this beautiful Island, starting with the medieval Hansa town of Visby. Strolling through cobbled streets you'll be surrounded by picturesque houses and exciting church ruins and reminders of the city's long history. The city wall surrounds all of medieval Visby and is the best preserved city wall in northern Europe. The constructions of the limestone wall started in 1250 and were completed in 1288 and further extended during the 14th century. The wall is 3.6 km long and originally had 29 towers, 27 of which are still standing today. Continue your tour with a visit to Visby Cathedral (entrance FOC), Sancta Maria, which was built in 1225 and was originally the church of the German merchants resident in the town. It's Visby's only remaining medieval church and is a fantastic piece of architecture. The church is open to visitors on most days and is well worth a visit. We also recommend seeing Fornsalen (The Room of the Past – entrance not included) which is the cultural-historical department of the Gotland Museum and is the second most popular attraction in Visby after the cathedral. The museum is open throughout the year and always has a number of exhibitions on display. Accommodation at Clarion Hotel Wisby OR Best Western Strand Hotel, or similar

Breakfast at the hotel. Today we recommend a tour to the northern part of Gotland which is characterized by a harsh and unique nature with steep cliffs and water-filled limestone quarries. There are nature reserves and hiking trails, beaches and magnificent sea stack fields. See the Bläse Kalkbruksmuseum (Bläse Lime Works Museum – entrance not included) which is a living museum showing what working life was like in a quarry in days gone by. Continue to the Bunge Museum (entrance not included) which is one of the largest outdoor museums in Sweden. The museum showcases Gotland's peasantry culture. If time permits, drive to the Lummelunda Cave (entrance not included) where you can discover Gotland from the inside! A visit to the Lummelunda cave is a fantastic experience for everyone, regardless of age. Here you can join a guided tour taking you 400 million years back in time. Accommodation at Clarion Hotel Wisby OR Best Western Strand Hotel, or similar

Breakfast at the hotel. Leave Visby and drive to eastern Gotland where you will find sandy beaches, sea stack fields, small picturesque fishing villages, and a rich cultural life, among many other attractions. At Dalhem, you will find the Gotland Train (not included) which gives you the chance to travel through time in a culturally protected environment. On board a steam train you will experience what it was like travelling around Gotland in the time of your grandfather's youth. Continue to the Torsburgen Nature Reserve which is home to the rare Gotlandssippa flower, several thousand year old caves and the largest ancient castle in the Nordic countries. Accommodation at Clarion Hotel Wisby OR Best Western Strand Hotel, or similar

Breakfast at the hotel. We recommend to drive to the southern part of Gotland to see the Hoburgsgubben which is one of the most famous sea stacks on Gotland. It is located in Sundre on the southern tip of Gotland. Whilst in the area, you may want to pay a visit to Kattlund Museum Farm (entrance not included) in Grötlingbo which shows what life on a Gotland farm would have been like during medieval times. Accommodation at Clarion Hotel Wisby OR Best Western Strand Hotel, or similar

Breakfast at the hotel. Check out from the hotel. Drive to Gotland Airport Visby and drop off rental car. Flight out on own.

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