SE
Visby
A walled Hanseatic town of church ruins and roses on the island of Gotland
A walled Hanseatic town of church ruins and roses on the island of Gotland
The 3.4km ring wall, with dozens of towers and gates, is largely intact. Walk outside it along the green belt or climb to viewpoints.
Photo: Berit from Redhill/Surrey, UK, CC BY 2.0
The Cathedral of St Mary, consecrated in 1225, was built for German merchants and is the only medieval church in Visby still in use.
Photo: Arild Vågen, CC BY-SA 4.0
The preserved medieval street plan is lined with houses covered in roses in summer, alongside church ruins such as St Karin and St Nicholas.
Photo: Arild Vågen, CC BY-SA 4.0
Ferries arrive at the harbour, a short walk from the old town gates.
Photo: ArildV, CC BY-SA 4.0
Try Gotland specialities such as saffron pancake (saffranspannkaka) with dewberry jam, lamb and fresh fish.
Restaurants and cafés fill the squares inside the walls in summer.
Ferries sail from Nynäshamn (south of Stockholm) and Oskarshamn, taking about three hours. Visby Airport has flights from Stockholm and other cities.
The old town is walkable; bikes are popular for exploring Gotland.
Sweden uses the krona (SEK). Visby is expensive in summer.
Book early for Almedalen and Medieval Week.
Two days for the town and a taste of Gotland.
Walk the wall, visit the cathedral and church ruins, and wander the lanes.
Cycle or drive to beaches and sea stacks (raukar) around the island.
🛂 Entry rules: EES and ETIAS
Sweden is in the Schengen area, which has two EU border systems for non-EU visitors.
EES (in force): since 10 April 2026 the EU’s Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors’ passport details, fingerprints and a photo the first time they enter the Schengen area, replacing passport stamps. Allow extra time at the border on your first trip; later crossings are quicker. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens are not registered.
ETIAS (not yet running): a €20 online travel authorisation for visitors who don’t need a visa, such as UK, US, Canadian and Australian citizens. It hasn’t started and no start date has been confirmed, so nobody can apply yet; ignore websites that offer to “pre-register” you for a fee.
Visa-free visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen area, not per country.
Official information: EU: Travel to Europe (EES & ETIAS) · Reviewed September 2026
Summer sailings fill up.
Held in August.
Ideal for exploring Gotland.
June and July are best.
Quick answers for planning time in Visby.
By ferry from Nynäshamn or Oskarshamn (about three hours) or by plane.
Yes, the Hanseatic Town of Visby is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
About 3.4km.
In August.
June to August.
Planning a wider trip? Our Sweden travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.