Car Hire Visby - Mini guide to Visby
The historic scenic walled city of Visby is a delightful and interesting place to spend a few weeks or more.
Sights worth seeing include the ruined Visborg Castle, overlooking the harbour. It was built in the 15th century by Erik of Pomerania and blown-up by the Danes in the 17th. Another building with a bloody history is the Jungfrutornet ((Maiden’s Tower) where a local goldsmith’s daughter was walled up alive for betraying the city. Also try and visit the Gotlands Fornsal Museum which house Viking and medieval relics alongside the largest collection of painted windows in Scandinavia. It also tells the story of the slaughter of thousands of Swedes by the Danes in 1361, an event marked at Valdemar’s Cross.
An interesting walk takes you around the three-kilometre long walls that were built to keep the foreign traders separate from the islanders. A walk on the walls enables you to see the old trading centre as it should be seen. More relaxing walks can be had in the park at Almedalen, which was once the old Hanseatic Harbour, and in the lush botanical gardens at the end of Strandgaten.
The best place for eating is Adelsgatan, which is lined with cafes and snack bars and some takeaways. For nightlife and entertainment visit the hugely popular Muntkellern and try the local beers and fish specialities. Shopping ranges from High Street stores to specialist shops selling handicrafts, and jewellers reflecting the city’s old merchant status.
An interesting excursion, which is only 30 minutes away by plane, is Stockholm. Known as the ‘Venice of the North’, because it is built on a collection of islands, it boasts designer shops, classical architecture, a medieval sector and splendid museums and galleries.
You can fly with SAS to Gotland from Stockholm; there are three daily flights which take about 30 minutes. Note that there is a bus service between Visby and the airport between June and August only. To take the boat you have to go to Nynäshamn; by bus from Stockholm it's about a 1-hour ride.
