Experience the best of Visby

Visby sits on the west coast of Gotland, an island in the middle of the Baltic Sea, and was one of the great trading towns of the Hanseatic League. A medieval wall about three and a half kilometres long, with dozens of towers, still encloses the old town, which is listed by UNESCO. St Mary's Cathedral, a church of the German merchants, is the only medieval church in the town still in use, and the roofless ruins of others stand among the lanes.

Roses climb the stone houses, and the botanical garden in the Almedalen park by the sea is a favourite walk. The island's countryside has ruined monasteries, old churches and long beaches. On Fårö, off the island's northern tip, tall limestone sea stacks called raukar line the shore. The Gotland Museum traces the story from prehistory through the Viking period.

Saffron pancake with jam and cream, Gotland lamb and fresh Baltic fish are on local menus, and the island is among the sunniest places in Sweden. In early August a medieval week fills the streets with costumed crowds. Ferries link Visby to the mainland ports in a few hours.