Visby
Cruise to Visby on a Baltic Cruise
Located on the Swedish island of Gotland, the UNESCO World Heritage Town of Visby is one of the most remarkable in Scandinavia. Known for its incredible scenic beauty and stunning historic sites, this former Hanseatic City has to be seen to be truly appreciated.
The “City of Roses and Ruins” is like a living museum, and is renowned for its well-preserved medieval wall and defensive towers.[ReadMoreMob] Uncovering the 12th century Gunpowder Tower, Love Gate and Långa Lisa – the wall’s tallest tower, is highly recommended. Visby’s wonderful Old Town is home to 15 of Visby’s 17 medieval churches, and the Burmeister House – the town’s oldest merchant house – St. Mary’s Cathedral, and a beautiful botanical garden can also be found within its ancient walls. The main square, Stora Torget, has cobblestone streets lined with charming cafés and restaurants.
Top Experiences
Visby City Wall
Arguably the most famous attraction in Visby is its medieval city wall, said to be the strongest and best-preserved of its kind in Scandinavia. This spectacular wall, which stretches for almost three and a half kilometres (two miles), was built from limestone in the 13th century to protect Visby. The wall features 44 towers, 36 of which are still intact, including the 12th century Gunpowder Tower, Love Gate and Långa Lisa – the wall’s tallest tower.
Botanical Gardens Visby
Visby Botanical Gardens are regarded as one of the best in Sweden, home to a wide range of trees, flowers and plants from all over the world. Within the Botanical Gardens lies the mossy, ivy-covered ruins of Church of St Olaf, which was built in the 13th century and once one of the biggest and most lavish churches in the area.
Medieval Churches
Gotland is home to 92 medieval churches, so there are many for visitors to discover. One of the most impressive medieval church ruins is St Karins Kyrka (St Catherine’s), which was founded by the Franciscans in 1233 and still dominates Visby’s skyline today. Other notable ruins include the Helge and Kyrka, which was built in 1200 and is the only stone-built octagonal church in Sweden.
Cruises to Visby
Exploring Scandinavia • L2213
- Explore Stockholm and its beautiful archipelago
- Wander through Tallinn’s medieval old town
- Delve into the highlights of Riga and Helsinki too
Explore the Baltic • T2312
- Discover the fairytale-esque Old Town in Tallinn
- Enjoy two days in Latvia, taking in the historic sites of Riga and Liepaja
- Wander along the beach in the German seaside town of Warnemunde
Historic Cities & Islands of Sweden, Estonia & Latvia • L2219A
- Explore Stockholm and its beautiful archipelago
- Take in the medieval old town of Tallinn
- Discover famous historic landmarks in a number of cities
Medieval Baltic Capitals • L2313
- An in-depth discovery of Baltic cities and their fascinating medieval history
- Explore old towns in Tallinn, Riga and Visby - member cities of the Hanseatic League
- Delight in the gems of Stockholm and Copenhagen
Discover the Scandinavian Capitals • T2320
- Appreciate the beauty and diversity of Scandinavia’s cities and waterways
- Sail through the Stockholm Archipelago, and explore canals in Stockholm and Copenhagen
- See the Olsen family home in Oslofjord and take in the sights of Norway’s capital
Scenic Waterways & Archipelagos of Sweden • L2322A
- Experience the best of Sweden via its scenic waterways
- Cruise west coast fjords and archipelagos dotted with craggy islands
- Take in the sights of Stockholm, Gothenburg and UNESCO-listed Visby
Europe’s Castles, Palaces & Cultural Landmarks • M2316
- An immersive, in-depth delve into centuries of fascinating Prussian history
- Historic cities and their preserved sites offer an insight into when the region was in its pomp
- Highlights include Gdansk’s UNESCO-listed Melbork Castle and the Bismarck statues in Szczecin
Islands, Cities & Archipelagos of Scandinavia • M2319
- Appreciate the beauty and diversity of Scandinavia’s cities and waterways
- Sail through the Stockholm Archipelago, and explore canals in Stockholm and Copenhagen
- See the Olsen family home in Oslofjord and take in the sights of Norway’s capital
Discovering Scandinavian Islands & Capitals • S2407A
- Unforgettable scenic cruising combined with captivating city discoveries
- Sail picturesque archipelagos on Borealis and take boat tours of city canals
- Revel in the historic and cultural highlights of Copenhagen, Stockholm, Tallinn and more