What is a rauk?
A rauk is a free-standing limestone pillar rising from the shoreline, often in strange shapes that resemble faces, animals or figures. Raukar are the remains of coral reefs that formed in a warm sea around 400 million years ago, when what is now Gotland lay much closer to the equator. After the last Ice Age the land rose from the sea, and waves, ice and wind have since worn away the softer rock around the harder reef limestone. What remains are the pillars – a kind of natural sculpture park along the coast.
Gotland's coastline stretches approximately 800 kilometres including Fårö, and raukar appear in several places along it. Nowhere, however, are they as numerous or as dramatic as on northern Gotland and Fårö.
Langhammars and Fårö
The most famous raukar are on Fårö, reached by a short, free ferry crossing from northern Gotland. The rauk field at Langhammars on Fårö's north coast is the best known: grey, weathered columns stand in clusters along a pebble beach with the open sea behind them. It is especially beautiful in the evening, when the sun sinks over the water. Fårö has more rauk areas, including at Digerhuvud on the island's west side, where pillars are scattered along a long stretch of shore. Read more in our guide to Fårö.
Raukar on Gotland itself
You do not have to go to Fårö to see raukar. On Gotland's north-west coast lies Lickershamn with Jungfrun, one of the island's tallest and best-known sea stacks, rising from a cliff edge above the sea. Read more about Lickershamn and Jungfrun. Single raukar and smaller rauk fields also appear in other places along the coast, often where few tourists find them.
Tips for your visit
- Come early or late – morning and evening light bring the best colours and shadows, and fewer visitors.
- Do not climb the raukar – the limestone is fragile, and the pillars can be damaged or collapse.
- Wear good shoes on the pebble beaches, which can be uneven and slippery.
- Combine with a swim – many rauk fields are close to sandy beaches. See our guide to beaches on Gotland.
- Bring your camera – raukar are among Gotland's most photographed sights. Read our tips on photographing Gotland.
The best time to see the raukar
The raukar can be visited all year round. Summer brings light evenings and the chance to combine your visit with a swim, but the most popular spots can be busy. Spring and autumn offer calm, dramatic light and sometimes powerful waves crashing against the pillars. In winter the coast is almost deserted – a special experience if you dress warmly and check the Fårö ferry times in advance.
Getting to the rauk fields
The easiest way to visit several rauk fields in one day is by car, as distances on northern Gotland and Fårö are too long to walk. Many people also choose to cycle, especially on Fårö where the roads are quiet and flat. The best-known sites have simple car parks, but in high summer they can fill up quickly. Several rauk areas lie within nature reserves, so follow the signs, stay on paths where they exist and leave no litter behind. The raukar have stood for thousands of years – with a little care they can stand for thousands more. If you are planning a full day in the north, combine the raukar with one of our day trips from Visby.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where are the most famous raukar on Gotland?A: The best-known raukar are on Fårö, especially at Langhammars. On Gotland itself, Jungfrun at Lickershamn is one of the most famous individual sea stacks.
Q: Does it cost anything to get to Fårö?A: No, the ferry between northern Gotland and Fårö is free. In high summer there can be queues, especially for cars.