Visby is a city built during medieval times, and it's located on an island, that in summer, turns into a medieval festival, a hub for party-loving travelers on vacation, and a place where the powerful politicians gather. Visby is a dynamic city that is worth a visit.
Located on the island of Gotland, an hour by plane from Stockholm, Visby is a favorite destination for many Swedes. There is a range of accommodation options, coffee shops, restaurants, and shops in the city, which makes Visby a perfect place to stay and arrange day trips from. The famous Fårö lies less than two hours away, and all of Gotland has beautiful beaches, nature, and lagoons.
The medieval Visby
Since 1995, Visby has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as the city is to date the best-persevered medieval city in all of Scandinavia. In 900 AD, the place that today is Visby, started to become an important center for merchandise. The village grew into a Hanseatic city during the 12th century, and there are still several remains from this time to be seen and visited today.
The ring wall, for instance, started to be constructed in the 12th century. Even today, the ring wall is mostly intact and stretches over 2 miles around the city. This, together with several famous churches, is one of the most popular historical sights to explore in Visby.
Activities, events and things to do
Visby is a city to be visited all year long, but like many Swedish destinations, the city blooms during summer. During the first week of July, the so-called Political Week is held in Almedalen in Visby. This is an important event where politicians, journalists, and advocates meet to promote, discuss, and examine the Swedish political landscape.
When August comes, the politics are exchanged for history, as the Medieval Week on Gotland takes place. During one week, Visby is transformed from a 21st-century city to what it was during the medieval times. People dress up in medieval clothes, and there are different events, such as music concerts, jesters, theatre, a medieval market, and jousting tournaments.
During all summer, the city is also a popular destination for young adults from Stockholm. During the so-called Stockholm week, Visby is visited by party-loving people from Stockholm, who spend their days and nights enjoying the relaxing island life and its vibrant summer party scene, at bars like the one called Kallis.
Visby is thus an excellent destination for those traveling solo, with friends or family. In summer, it is more lively, but the rest of the year, it also offers a great experience.
The author
Maria Lundin Osvalds
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