Visby is one of the most remarkable towns in the Nordic countries, with 24,000 inhabitants. It is on the west coast of Sweden's largest island Gotland in the Baltic Sea. Visby is known for its city wall, its cathedral and many church ruins. In 1995, the old city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Understand
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Visby is on the western shore of Gotland, and is the only city on the island. The old city centre is encircled by a medieval city wall. The old city has an oblong shape along the shore, measuring some 2 km in length and half a km in breadth. It is often called "the city of roses and ruins": roses thrive on the limestone island, and the city is filled with medieval ruins.
During the Swedish summer school break (from mid-June to mid-Aug) Visby is busy and most establishments are open daily. It is one of the best party cities in Sweden in the summer. Many Visby residents leave during these hectic months and let their apartments to visitors. During the rest of the year, the atmosphere is quite different and difficult for tourists as many restaurants, shops, etc. reduce their days and hours of operation. Some establishments will be completely closed, only operating for 2 months in the summer.
As the Pippi Longstocking movies were shot in Visby, and the original Villa Villekulla can be visited in Kneippbyn in the city outskirts, it is a great destination for Astrid Lindgren tourism. The city was also the model for the fictional setting of the Japanese movie "Kiki's Delivery Service".
History
[edit]Around 900 AD, Visby became a hub for trading in the Baltic Sea, and it eventually became a member of the Hanseatic League. During the 12th, 13th and 14th centuries the city prospered, and several churches as well as a major defensive wall were constructed. Visby's long period of decline began in 1361, when the Danish king Valdemar IV conquered Gotland and held Visby for ransom, threatening to pillage the city if he did not get three beer barrels filled with gold and silver. In the latter part of the 14th century, Visby became a nest of a pirate organisation called "The Victual Brothers". The Danes regained control over the island in 1409 and construction of the major fortification Wisborg started two years later. In 1525 the city was burnt by occupying Hanseatic troops. Much of the city was never re-built after this, and many of Visby's ruins stem from this event. In the 17th century, Gotland became a part of Sweden rather than Denmark. In order to prevent Wisborg from falling into Swedish hands, the castle was destroyed by Danish troops. In the latter part of the 19th century the city started growing due to industrialization and an emerging tourist industry, and eventually came to develop beyond the old city walls.
Climate
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Visby has an oceanic climate, with cooler summers and milder winters compared to most of mainland Sweden. Nevertheless, the climate is strongly influenced by continental air flows. Precipitation is relatively constant throughout the year, and fairly low for an oceanic climate.
Tourist office
[edit]- 1 Gotlands Turistbyrå, Donnerska Huset, Donners Plats 1, ☏ +46 498 20 17 00, [email protected]. M–F 09:00–17:00, Sa 10:00–16:00, works on Sunday in summer as well but check time.
Get in
[edit]By plane
[edit]- 1 Visby Airport (VBY IATA) (is located some 4 km north of central Visby). There are flights all year to Visby from Stockholm (Stockholm-Bromma Airport and Stockholm-Arlanda Airport), Gothenburg, Ängelholm and Nyköping. During the summer you can usually fly to Visby from various other cities, such as Oslo, Hamburg, Riga, Helsinki and Örebro.
By boat
[edit]From the Swedish mainland, Destination Gotland runs ferries from Nynäshamn and Oskarshamn to Visby. You can bring your car. Hansa Destinations[dead link] operates a weekly ferry from Rostock. In the summer some Baltic Sea cruises also include Visby.
- 2 Visby port (Visby hamn) (south-western part of central Visby.).
There is a lively marina in Visby centre.
- 3 Visby Marina, ☏ +46 498-215-190, [email protected]. Reception 08:00–21:00. 170–460 kr for normal yachts depending on length and width, 300 kr for yachts 11–14m (36–46 ft) < 4m; electricity 54 kr for 10A.
Visby is some 35 nautical miles from Öland or the Swedish coast, some 60 from the Stockholm archipelago (Landsort), so a full day of sailing. There is little shelter except from the mainland and Gotland itself. The coast of Gotland is exposed, with only some harbours.
The port of Visby is tight and busy in the summer. Check the ferry timetables, listen on VHF 16, and adjust arrival and departure accordingly. Be alert and apply good seamanship.
The 250 berths are distributed between the inner harbour, the north breakwater and the fishing harbour to the right of the entrance. There is often a boat meeting visitors to assist in finding a berth. There are quays also for big vessels. A few berths can be booked, but mostly you just show up and will find or be showed a berth. At the big events, check the situation beforehand.
Get around
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On foot
[edit]The inner town, within the city walls, is small enough to be covered by foot.
By bicycle
[edit]Outside the walls it is easy to get around by bike and there are plenty of good bike paths.
During the summer there are usually plenty of bike rentals, but they can be expensive; if you're staying for a longer period, purchasing a used bike might be a cheaper option.
By bus
[edit]There are several bus lines going out to the rest of the island, check the timetable before heading out though.
By car
[edit]During the summer, cars are not allowed within the city walls. There are parking options free of charge, though a small parking fee is usually required in the centre.
By taxi
[edit]Like the rest of Sweden, taxis can be expensive, and are best for short trips when you are unable to get around otherwise.
- Taxi Gotland, ☏ +46 498 200 200.
- Taxi Kurir Gotland, ☏ +46 498 50 000.
- Din Taxi Gotland, ☏ +46 498 20 70 70.
By sightseeing train
[edit]There are a few sightseeing "trains" – practically a couple of trailers with seats and roofs pulled by a vehicle making tours around the old town with an audio guide playing through the speakers. Tours take about 30 minutes and tickets typically cost 65 kr/person.
See
[edit]Many of the town's attractions are only open during the summer months, usually until 30 August.
- 1 City wall (Visby stadsmur, Ringmuren). Built during the 13th and 14th centuries, Visby's city wall stretches almost 3.5 km and stands 11 m high. Today, 36 towers and three main gates remain. free.
- 2 DBW's Botanical Gardens. 24hrs. Enter through the "Door of Love" to this picturesque garden of trees and ruins. Free.
- 3 Klinten. Once the workers' quarter and now a popular spot to take in the view over the lower town, Klinten is an attractive maze of small, rose-covered homes. free.
- 4 Visborg Castle Ruins, Södra Slottsgränd 4. 24hrs. A major fortress built in the early 15th century. It was demolished by Danish forces in 1679 when it became clear that Gotland would fall into Swedish hands. free.
- 5 Visby Cathedral (St. Maria church), Västra Kyrkogatan. Built in the early 13th century.
- 6 Gotlands Museum, Strandgatan 14, ☏ +46 498 29 27 00. May–Sep: 10:00–18:00, Oct–Apr: 11:00–16:00. Museum of local history (Fornsalen), plus a science museum for children (Fenomenalen). May–Sep: 180 kr/adult, 140 kr/student. Oct-Apr: 130 kr/adult, 100 kr/student.
- 7 Gotlands Konstmuseum (Gotland Art Museum), S:t Hansgatan 21. varies. A former art museum, now used as a gallery space with various temporary exhibits. varies.
Visby once had many more churches, but most of them were destroyed in a major fire in 1525. Today the ruins of these remain as attractions:
- 8 St. Clemens ruins, Smedjegatan 3. summer: 10:00–18:00, non-summer: limited. Free.
- 9 St. Gerturde ruins, S:ta Gertruds gränd 6.
- 10 St. Hans and St. Per ruins. The ruins of two connected churches
- 11 St. Katarina ruins (S:ta Karin ruin), Stora Torget 2. summer: 10:00–18:00, non-summer: limited. Free.
- 12 St. Nicolaus ruins, Smedjegatan 19.
- 13 St. Olof ruins (in the Botanical Gardens).
- Drottens ruins. summer: 10:00–18:00, non-summer: limited. Free.
- St Lars ruins (S:t Lars ruin), S:t Hansgatan. summer: 10:00–18:00, non-summer: limited. There is a path across the upper levels via staircases on both sides of the church. Free.
Do
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- 1 Fenomenalen Science Centre, Skeppsbron 4-6, ☏ +46 498-26 34 71. Th F 12:00-16:00, Sa Su 11:00-16:00. A children oriented theme park teaching natural sciences, technology and mathematics. 70 kr per person.
- 2 Kotteland, Langs väg 2, ☏ +46 498 29 96 96. 10:00–18:00 daily. A children's play land with ball pools, inflatables, trampolines, slides and laser tag. 100 kr per child.
- 3 Kneippbyn, Kneippbyn 11 (3 km south of central Visby). 12:00-17:00 during summer. A summer resort village containing a water park and an amusement park with some 40 attractions, including the original "Villa Villekulla"-building from the "Pippi Longstocking" movies. 200-250 kr (Varies over the season).
- 4 Selma City Spa, Strandgatan 6, ☏ +46 498 25 75 69. M Su 11:00–18:00, Tu–Th 11:00–19:00, F Sa 11:00–20:00. A spa and massage centre. A day pass to the spa is 400 kr. A 50-minute treatment is 800 kr.
Annual events
[edit]- Almedalsveckan, (The politicians' week) takes place in the Almedalen park in Visby, first week of July. All political parties and organizations meet for debates and seminars, most of it open to the public; mostly in Swedish, but some in English. Big media coverage.
- Stockholm week[dead link], (Stockholmsveckan) is a week of clubbing and partying in mid July when Visby is filled with youths, many of which come from the Swedish capital Stockholm.
- Medieval Week (Medeltidsveckan), a large feast during a whole week in the beginning of August every year. Visitors dress in medieval clothes while visiting the medieval market or the jousting tournament. The feast is concentrated to Visby, but arrangements are held on all of Gotland. 2028 is the 45th anniversary. Visby is crowded during this week, and venues and connections are heavily booked.
Buy
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There are only three ATMs in the old town and port area: one at Donners Plats just as you come up from the water front, one on Adelsgatan, and one on Stora Torget. The one on Stora Torget in the wall of the small grocery store with the hand-painted text saying "Uttagsautomat" is a minor sight in itself. Along the Östercentrum there are several others.
Most shops close at 17:00 on weekdays, 15:00 on Saturdays and are closed on Sundays.
Main shopping areas
[edit]- Adelsgatan This is the major shopping street, and by far the most touristy. Don't be discouraged though, it has plenty of interesting shops selling small trinkets and local handicraft. If you venture off this street you'll get to see the beautiful alleys and the smaller streets, which are less crowded, and there are smaller shops hidden here and there.
- Hästgatan
- Sankt Hans Quarter (Sankt Hansgatan) - some clothes and design shops
- Östercentrum (exit the old city through the Österport gate) Modern pedestrian shopping district with most of the usual European retail outlets, as well as banks, pharmacies, and fast food joints. In this area you can find Systembolaget to buy some good local beer, and records shop to buy home some nice Swedish music.
Stores
[edit]- 1 Akantus, S:t Hansplan, ☏ +46 498-21 28 88. Sells locally made handicrafts and antiques.
- 2 Antikvariat Drotten, S:t Hansgatan 29, ☏ +46 498 21 38 30, [email protected]. Off season: F 13:00-17:00, Sa 11:00-14:00; During season: M-F 11:00-17:00, Sa-Su 11:00-15:00. A cosy second hand book shop with a stock of some 40,000 books. While most books are in Swedish there is also a considerable English language section.
- 3 Gotlandssmycken, Strandgatan 32, ☏ +46 70 615 88 85. A jewelry store selling locally made wares, many of which are created from fossils.
- 4 Gute Art & Design, Hästgatan 10, ☏ +46 498 24 82 30. Sells locally produced furniture and carpentry.
- 5 Visby Glasblåseri, Mellangatan 56, ☏ +46 498 24 78 50. A glass studio selling hand made art glass and glassware.
- 6 Ödins Garveri, Tage Cervinsgata 3, ☏ +46 498 21 00 54. A tannery store specializing in products from the national symbol of Gotland - the lamb.
Eat
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There are countless restaurants in Visby, especially during the summer, though the best cooked food is usually served at the year-round-establishments.
- 1 Bakfickan, Stora Torget 1, ☏ +46 498 27 18 07. M-F 11:00-22:00, Sa Su 12:00-22:00. Seafood. Mains 150-265 kr.
- 2 Bolaget, Stora Torget 6, ☏ +46 498 21 50 80. Off season: Tu-F 11:30-02:00, Sa Su 13:00-02:00: Summer 13:00-02:00 daily. At the sunniest place of the main square you find Bolaget. Try the great French food, or have a steak from the barbeque. Or, just enjoy a drink in the sun. Mains 200-310 kr.
- 3 Gamla Masters, Södra kyrkogatan 10, ☏ +46 498 21 66 55. 18:00-02:00 daily. Traditional Swedish cuisine and bar menu classics. Open every night with a great "living room atmosphere". Mains are 200-310 kr.
- 4 Isola Bella, Södra Kyrkogatan 20, ☏ +46 498 21 87 87. M-F 11:30-15:00 17:00-23:00, Sa Su 17:00-23:00. An Italian restaurant. Pizzas are 100-180 kr, other mains are 160-280 kr.
- 5 Kapitelhusgården, S:t Drottensgatan 8, ☏ +46 498 24 76 37. Late June to Mid Aug 17:00-01:00. Serves medieval cuisine in a medieval setting. Mains 160-230 kr. A "Taffel", i.e. a full medieval feast meal is 860-1000 kr.
- 6 Strykjärnet Visby Crêperie & Logi, Wallérs Plats 3, ☏ +46 498 28 46 22. 11:00-00:00 daily. Nice crêperie with world music on the stereo. Mains 90-245 kr.
- 7 Surfers, Södra kyrkogatan 1, ☏ +46 498 21 18 00. W-Su 18:00-23:00. Sichuan cuisine, with several smaller tapas-like dishes. It is also a great place to lounge and enjoy a few drinks. 90 kr per dish, you are likely to need at least two dishes to get a full meal.
Drink
[edit]Gotlandsdricke is a local type of beer. It is no longer legal to sell (as the alcohol content isn't standardised across batches), but it's still legal to make it yourself, so if you ask around you might be able to find someone who makes it. Back in the day, every farm had their own recipe. Saffranspannkaka is a local form of dessert pastry, or fika. It is made from rice, milk, egg, almonds and saffron, and is usually served with whipped cream and dewberry jam.
1 Kränku Te och Kaffe, S:t Hansplan 4, ☏ +46 498 21 74 81, [email protected]. During season: 10:00-22:00 daily; Off season: M-F 10:00-18:00, Sa 10:00-16:00, Su 12:00-16:00. A classical tea store offering some 100 different blends of tea and coffee, out of which some 30 are their own produces. They also sell mugs, kettles, and other tea related products. Kränku's own blends of tea can also be found in many grocery stores around the island.
Pubs
[edit]- 2 Bageriet, Stora Torget 7, ☏ +46 498 21 28 04. 11:00-02:00 daily. A day-time tapasbar and a night-time pub. During summer it has a nice outdoor seating area on the main square. As it is one of few Visby pubs which stay open throughout the year it is a favorite among locals. They are located next to Nunnan and have the same owner, but attract a younger clientele.
- 3 Black sheep arms, St Hansgatan 51, ☏ +46 498 21 56 00. M-Th 17:00-23:00, F Sa 17:00-01:00, Su 17:00-22:00. Traditional British pub.
- 4 Munkkällaren, Sankt Hansgatan 40, ☏ +46 498 27 14 00. W Th 18:00-01:00, F 17:00-03:00, Sa 18:00-03:00. They also have club nights.
- 5 Nunnan, Stora Torget 9, ☏ +46 498 21 28 94, [email protected]. From 11:30 daily during summer; Sa Su 18:00-24:00 during winter. A restaurant and pub which offer Greek and Gutnish cuisine. They have a nice outdoor seating area on the main square and often hosts live music concerts. They are located next to Bageriet and have the same owner, but attract a more mature clientele.
Cafés
[edit]- 6 Fiket Österport, Österväg 2, ☏ +46 498 21 73 46. M Tu 11:00-17:00, W-F 11:00-19:00, Sa 11:00-16:00. A cosy café.
- 7 Glassmagasinet, Skeppsbron 12, ☏ +46 498 27 84 55. The largest ice cream parlour in Sweden with over 300 flavors. Also sells coffee and cannoli. If you do wish to sample any flavors, it costs 5 kr extra. 50 kr for a 1-scoop cone, 70 kr for 2-scoop, 80 kr for 3-scoop, 90 kr for 4-scoop, 20 kr per additional scoop.
- 8 [dead link] Josbaren Visby, Hästgatan 4. Jun-Aug 08:00-17:00 daily. A smoothie and juice bar.
- 9 Siesta Konditori & Café, Österväg 5 (Exit the old town through the eastern gate, walk 100 m along the pedestrian street), ☏ +46 498 21 07 15. M-F 09:00-18:00, Sa 10:00-16:00. A typical Swedish bakery-café with fresh made cakes, sandwiches and beverages. In the summer you can enjoy your coffee in the backyard of the café as well, just watch out for the ubiquitous jackdaws that will grab a piece of any unattended food and drink. Coffee and sandwich 50 kr.
Sleep
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- 1 Clarion Hotel Wisby, Strandgatan 6, ☏ +46 498 25 75 00. 1170 kr per night for a double bed room.
- 2 Donners Hotell, Donners Plats 6, ☏ +46 498 25 98 90. 931 kr/night for an economy 2-person room.
- 3 Kneippbyn Resort, Kneippbyn 15 (3 km South of the town wall), ☏ +46 498 29 61 50. Check-in: From 15:00, check-out: Until 11:00. A resort village containing a B&B, hotel, camping sites and cabins. The area is 150 m from the shore and also has a "Summer & Waterland" theme park. For a double per night B&B is 700 kr, camping 350 kr, cottage 1000 kr and hotel 1800 kr.
- 4 Mullbärsgårdens Bed & Breakfast, Strandgatan 27, ☏ +46 70 513 4107. 720 kr for a double bed room.
- 5 Hotell Stenugnen, Korsgatan 4, ☏ +46 498 21 02 11. 900 kr per night for a double bed room.
- 6 Hotell Villa Borgen, Adelsgatan 9-11, ☏ +46 498 20 33 00. Nice rooms, breakfast and location. Good Wi-Fi. 990 kr per night for a double bed room.
- 7 Visby Fängelse Vandrarhem, Skeppsbron 1, ☏ +46 498 20 60 50. A former prison turned into a hostel. A two-bed "cell" is 400 kr off season, 900 kr during summer and 1500 kr during the politicians week.
- 8 Visby Strandby och Norderstrand, Snäckgärdsvägen 32 (800m north of the town wall), ☏ +46 498 21 21 57. Check-in: From 15:00, check-out: Until 11:00. One camping lot is about 300 kr, one two person cabin is about 700 kr.
If you come to Visby late by ferry and are on a bike, it's probably easiest to wild-camp somewhere south of the city.
Stay safe
[edit]Visby is a safe destinations. Main risk factors are vehicle crashes, pickpockets and drunk fights. Climbing the city wall or other ruins endangers the climber and the city's cultural heritage.
Connect
[edit]The library and at least some cafés have free Wi-Fi for customers.
- 2 Almedalsbiblioteket, Cramérgatan 5. Public library. Free Wi-Fi.
- 3 Café Amalia, Södra Kyrkogatan 4B. Free Wi-Fi for customers.
- 4 Tidsfördriv, Hästgatan 12. Free Wi-Fi for customers.
Go next
[edit]- Ferries connect Visby with Oskarshamn on the coast of Småland.
- The bigger cities Stockholm and Uppsala are reachable from here without too much effort.
- Visit various small villages and other interesting places here on the Gotland island: Central Gotland and northern Gotland are nearby.
- Fårö is a smaller island just north of Gotland, known for its barren climate.
- Karlsöarna is the second oldest natural reserve in the world, famous for its rich birdlife.