Day Trips from Gotland: Exploring Fårö and Lilla Karlsö
Plan unforgettable day trips from Gotland to wild Fårö and the nature island of Lilla Karlsö. Here is what to expect on both island escapes.
Gotland in a nutshell
Good to knowUNESCO
Visby — World Heritage since 1995
Visby's medieval old town with its city wall and church ruins is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Size
Sweden's largest island
Gotland is Sweden's largest island, located in the Baltic Sea south of Åland.
City wall
3.5 km medieval wall
Visby's city wall was built mainly in the 13th century and is one of the best-preserved medieval city walls in Europe.
Churches
92 medieval churches
Gotland has 92 churches from the 12th–15th centuries — more than any area of equivalent size in the Nordic countries.
Ferry
Destination Gotland
Ferries depart from Nynäshamn (south of Stockholm) and Oskarshamn. Always book ahead in summer.
Food
Saffron pancake
Gotland's signature dish is saffranspannkaka — a thick saffron pancake served with dewberry jam and whipped cream.
Raukar
Limestone sea stacks
Raukar are sculptural limestone formations along the coast — most famous on Fårö and at Langhammars.
Currency
Swedish kronor
Sweden uses SEK. Cards are accepted everywhere, but bring some cash for local markets.
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Practical info
Before you goFerry
Destination Gotland
Book the ferry between Nynäshamn or Oskarshamn and Visby. Essential to book ahead in summer.
FlightVisby Airport
Domestic flights from Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö to Visby Airport.
TourismVisit Gotland
Official tourism site with events, maps and tips about the whole island.
Medieval WeekMedieval Week (week 32)
Visby's major summer event with markets, jousting and theatre in August.
Spring on Gotland
Spring on Gotland
May is one of the best times to visit Gotland — flowers bloom, roses begin climbing the old house walls in Visby and the crowds haven't arrived yet. Perfect for cycling and peaceful walks along the city wall.
Destination Gotland ferries get busy from Easter — book early.
Summer — Gotland at its best
July and Medieval Week in August are peak season. Beaches fill up, Visby comes alive and the raukar fields on Fårö draw visitors from across the Nordic countries. Book ferry and accommodation early.
Summer is peak season — book Destination Gotland ferries well in advance, especially for July and Medieval Week.
Autumn — mushrooms, peace and golden light
September and October are Gotland's best-kept secret. Forests fill with mushrooms, the light is spectacular and the island is almost back to itself after the summer season.
Some restaurants and activities have shorter hours after peak season — check before you go.
Winter — quiet and beautiful
Gotland in winter is a different experience — the empty cobblestone streets of Visby have a special atmosphere, temperatures are mild compared to the mainland, and a handful of restaurants and cafés stay open.
Ferries run year-round but less frequently in winter. Check Destination Gotland's timetable.
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