Visby

Visby is the largest town on Gotland, Sweden, and serves as the administrative center of Gotland Municipality and Gotland County. Located on the island’s northwest coast along the Baltic Sea, Visby is known for its well‑preserved medieval street plan, historic buildings, and intact defenses. It is the main population and economic hub of Gotland, with tourism as a key sector.

Visby’s medieval heritage dates to the 12th century, when it emerged as a major Hanseatic trading town. Its prominence declined after the 14th century, but the town left a lasting architectural record, including the extensive city walls and towers that still surround the old town. In 1995 Visby, together with its surrounding fortifications and urban fabric, was inscribed as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Hanseatic Town of Visby, recognized for its remarkably preserved Hanseatic-era townscape.

Key sights in Visby include the Visby City Wall (Ringmuren) with its towers, the imposing Visby Cathedral (St. Mary’s) and other medieval churches, and a wealth of stone houses that line narrow cobbled lanes. The town hosts annual events such as Medieval Week in August, which showcases its historical atmosphere and attracts visitors from Sweden and abroad.

Today, Visby has a population in the tens of thousands and relies on tourism, services, and agriculture as major parts of its economy. The island is connected to mainland Sweden by ferry services and has the Visby Airport, offering year‑round domestic flights. Climate is temperate maritime, with mild winters and cool summers moderated by the surrounding sea.