Allemansrätten, The Right of Public Access

The Swedish allemansrätten, Right of Public Access, is a unique principle that gives everyone the right to move freely in nature, regardless of who owns the land. It means you can walk, swim, cycle, and camp temporarily as long as you show consideration for nature, animals, and landowners. The basic rule is “do not disturb – do not destroy,” which makes it possible to experience Sweden’s landscapes in a free but responsible way. Do not stay too close to residential houses and pay attention to signs, for example regarding fire bans or areas where livestock are grazing.

Hiking

It is easy to hike along the coast, and there are many hiking trails throughout Gotland. One tip is to follow parts of the East Coast Trail (Ostkustleden), a hiking route that runs along the coast and allows you to experience the landscape up close.
Remember to bring a packed lunch!

Museums and cultural experiences

To understand Gotland’s history and culture, it can be valuable to complement nature experiences with a visit to a museum.

Some local museums in Östergarn

In Herrvik there is (2) the Albatross Museum. The museum tells the story of the German minelayer Albatross, which in 1915 was damaged in combat and ran aground at Östergarn. Objects, photographs, and documents connected to the event and its aftermath are displayed, including how the crew was interned on Gotland. This provides a unique perspective on Gotland’s role in international history.

You can also visit the memorial stone (Albatrossstenen) between Herrvik and Sandviken. It stands close to the site where the ship ran aground and commemorates both the naval battle and the sailors who died.

Nearby there is also a small (5) fishing museum in Sysne harbour. These types of local museums show how fishing has shaped life along the east coast and give insight into everyday life in Gotland’s fishing villages.
Other interesting museums One of the most important museums on Gotland is (6) Gotland Museum in Visby (Fornsalen). Here you get a broad introduction to the island’s history – from the Stone Age and Viking Age to the Middle Ages and beyond. The museum is one of Sweden’s most visited county museums and holds large collections of artefacts and picture stones.

You can also visit museums with different focuses, from (7) the military museum in Tingstäde to the art museum (8) Körsbärsgården on Sudret and the museum of the artist (9) Lars Jonsson in Vamlingbo. All are well worth a visit for those interested.

Also well worth a visit is (10) Stavgard Viking Farm in Burs, especially for those interested in Beowulf. The story of Beowulf is one of the world’s most famous heroic sagas. It was written down in Old English over a thousand years ago, but is set in the Nordic region and tells of heroic deeds, kings, and battles with monsters. What makes Gotland particularly interesting is that there are theories linking Beowulf to the island. Some researchers believe that the people called the “Geats” in the poem may have been Gotlanders (Gutar), and that parts of the story may have their origins here. Stavgard is an open-air museum that works to bring Gotland’s early history to life, including connections to Beowulf. Here you can experience reconstructed environments, longhouses, and guided tours that connect myth and reality.

Norrlanda open-air museum shows what rural life looked like in earlier times.
Find more museums, and check opening hours, here: https://www.sv.se/avdelningar/sv-gotland/museiguide

Churches on Gotland

The churches on Gotland are numerous and an important part of the island’s cultural heritage. There are around 100 churches on Gotland, of which approximately 92 are medieval and still in use. The churches were mainly built during the 12th and 13th centuries in limestone and reflect the island’s rich medieval history.
Many are well preserved, and together they make Gotland known as “the island of a hundred churches”.

The churches on Gotland are not only religious buildings, but also some of the best-preserved medieval structures in Sweden, filled with art, frescoes, and history.

Visit Fårö (north of Gotland)

(11) Fårö is an island north of Gotland, known for its rauks, sandy beaches, and rugged landscapes. The island is reached by a free ferry from Fårösund and immediately feels different from the rest of Gotland.

What you can see when visiting Fårö:

Langhammars rauk area – an iconic landscape with sea-adjacent rauks

Digerhuvud – one of the largest rauk fields in Europe Norsta Auren – one of Gotland’s most secluded and untouched beaches, where soft sand, open sea, and silence create an almost deserted feeling of nature.

Fårö Lighthouse – a viewpoint with panoramic sea views

Bergman Center – Fårö is also known as the place where film director Ingmar Bergman lived and worked. The Bergman Center is a cultural centre and museum entirely dedicated to the film director Ingmar Bergman and his time on Fårö.

Sylvis döttrar – a well-known summer café appreciated for its homemade fika. Here you can order the classic “seven kinds of cookies”.

Kutens Bensin – a classic summer restaurant located in an old gas station, known for its crêpes and bohemian atmosphere.