It is often said that Gotland is a short trip away, a pearl in the middle of the Baltic Sea. For those who want to cycle on Gotland, the island offers the Gotlandsleden, a cycle path that winds through the island's most breathtaking landscape. The island's fascinating nature and culture attracts with white soft sandy beaches, impressive rauk fields, steep rocky coasts, beautiful meadows, pebble beaches and windswept rocky forests growing directly on the bedrock.
With an area of 3,140 km², Gotland represents 0.8% of Sweden's total area. This long, narrow island, stretching 176 kilometers from Fårö in the north to Hoburgen in the south, is a dream for those who want to cycle on Gotland. Depending on the route chosen, a bike ride around the island can be between 30 and 50 miles. For the adventurous, this can be completed in a weekend, but for those who want to enjoy the landscape at a more leisurely pace, a week is recommended. Despite its flat terrain, with Lojsta Hed being the highest point at 82 meters above sea level, Gotland offers a balance of challenge and enjoyment, especially when planning your day's stages around the weather.
Along red signs, the Gotland Trail guides cyclists through the island's unique landscape. The trail, whose routing and signage was initiated by the Swedish Cycling Society, extends over 50 miles and has recently been adapted to highlight the charm of the less scenic routes while avoiding major roads. Despite these improvements, signage can be inadequate on some routes. It may therefore be wise to also be equipped with a detailed cycling map. Note that some of the major roads can be very busy during the summer months. For a more secluded cycling experience along the Gotland Trail, explore the smaller roads along the coast, such as the car-free stretches between Visby and Klintehamn (county road 140) or Visby and Lummelunda (county road 149).
The island's road choice is not limited to asphalt. Although many of Gotland's roads are paved, gravel road enthusiasts will find joy in events like Gotland Gravel in Visby. For those who enjoy mountain biking, there are trails all over the island, with highlights such as Klinteberget near Klintehamn and the family-friendly Gotland Bike Park at Slite.
Beyond its natural beauty, Gotland offers a rich cultural experience. Cozy cafés, farm shops, artisans and flea markets are scattered along the trail, while the lively entertainment scene and outdoor cafés add a continental atmosphere to the trip.
At Hamra Krog you see the love of France. Far beyond just the food. Here there are authentic, not Paris pretentious brasseries, but the country and simple. Here is Sweden's Provence.
Here you can eat good buffet, hot sandwiches, coffee and much more. The bread is baked in a stone oven on KRAV-grown flour from Gotland. Farm shop with locally produced, organic and fair trade.
Hablingo Crépérie houses a creperie, a variety and a bar. It is run by Santo who is a chef and Åsa who is a potter. They met at a crépérie. The mix is perfect!
Själsö Bakery & Café is located in the old cabin of the sailing company. Here, sourdough bread is baked in a stone oven in a French traditional way. And small dishes with Gotland ingredients.
In an old barn on Östergarn there is this shop with better vintage from different eras. The word "house" means just barn or outbuildings in Gotland.
Design company with a farm shop and café with good buns in Boge. The shop offers own design and a lot of other exciting and well-designed products.
Sysne fish shop is located in Sysne fishing village and has its own smokehouse. Here you can enjoy salmon, mackerel and seafood or sweets and ice cream overlooking Sandviken and the whole of Östergarnsviken.
The beautifully located farm is located in Risungsdalen among lush pastures. In the farm shop there are, among other things, lambskins, yarns and knitted products of the farm's own wool.
GFK - Gotländska Konsthantverkare & Formgivare has a shop and gallery in the center of Visby at Wallérs plats. Here you will find crafts of the very best on Gotland.
In the middle of Gotland, about 12 meters (!) From Vänge old church is located a magnificent sculpture park. Here Anders Thorlin and Karin Degerfeldt run a growing art exhibition.
Are you an ice cream lover? In the port of Visby you will find homemade ice cream made from genuine ingredients, Gotlandic milk and cream. There are 48 different flavors to choose from ...
Here is an atmospheric setting with classic china, blueberry pie, saffron buns and seven kinds of cakes. When the weather is nice you can have a drink in the flowering garden,
This cozy café on Fårö is one of Sweden's best bull bakeries. Count on a lot of people if you are going here, because Sylvis is a true Faroese classic, but it's worth it!
The garden and decor shop Verdus Veranda offers peace and inspiration. The atmosphere is reminiscent of French terraces, English gardens - and Swedish verandas.
In southwest Gotland, wines are grown, harvested and produced. The crops grow outdoors and it is nice to follow on a guided tour. There is also a farm shop with its own delicacies.
Stop and have lunch on the outdoor terrace, with sweeping views of the pier and the sea. The delights of the sea are smoked on a bed of algae, alved and egret.
Less than a mile south of Visby lies a real gem. Lilla Bjers is both a farm restaurant and a farm shop, and has been awarded the Sustainable Restaurant of the Year 2013. Stay & enjoy!
Gula Hönan in Ronehamn is an old-fashioned newly awakened inn with a restaurant and a small deli. The cozy garden provides both herbal ingredients and lush rest.
Here is a small, craft bakery in northeast Gotland. Rute protects the environment and the people living around it.
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