Island Holiday in Sweden: Gotland and Öland by Boat
Island Holiday in Sweden: Gotland and Öland by Boat
In the middle of the Baltic Sea lie Sweden's two largest islands – Gotland and Öland – like two jewels of limestone, nature, and history. Arriving by your own or rented boat offers a completely different experience from the ferry: you set the pace, choose the route, and can explore bays and harbours that most tourists never see.
Gotland – The Medieval Island
Gotland is Sweden's most visited holiday island, and it's easy to understand why. Visby, the island's capital, is a UNESCO World Heritage city with a complete medieval wall, cobblestone streets, and ruins of Gothic churches. In summer, the city transforms during Medieval Week (Medeltidsveckan) – Scandinavia's largest medieval festival.
Arriving by boat: From Stockholm, it's approximately 80 nautical miles to Visby. With a motorboat doing 15 knots, the crossing takes about 5–6 hours. From Nynäshamn, it's shorter (approximately 50 nautical miles). Visby guest harbour is right outside the city wall – a spectacular arrival.
Other harbours on Gotland:
- Slite – On the east coast, with a marina and proximity to Fårö (Ingmar Bergman's island).
- Klintehamn – Southwest coast, departure point for trips to the iconic Stora Karlsö.
- Burgsvik – Southern tip, with beautiful sandy beaches and shallow, warm water.
Don't miss:
- Fårö – Ingmar Bergman's retreat, with dramatic raukar (limestone pillars) and wild nature.
- Stora Karlsö – An untouched bird island with guillemot colonies. Only accessible by guided tour.
- Gotland's beaches – Tofta, Sudersand (Fårö), and Ljugarn are among the finest.
Öland – The Island of Sun and Wind
Öland is connected to the mainland by the Öland Bridge (Europe's longest bridge), but arriving by sea offers a far more authentic experience. The island is known for its unique landscape: alvar (limestone heath), windmills, and a spectacular coastline.
Arriving by boat: Öland has several guest harbours along its coast. The most popular are Borgholm (west coast), Byxelkrok (northern tip), and Sandvik (east coast).
Highlights:
- Borgholm Castle ruins – An impressive ruin towering over the town.
- Southern Öland's cultural landscape – UNESCO World Heritage with windmills and agricultural landscape.
- Neptuni åkrar – Mysterious stone formations from the Ice Age.
- Öland's Zoo – Scandinavia's largest zoo, perfect for families.
- Trollskogen – An enchanted forest with gnarled, windswept pine trees.
Planning the Crossing
Route | Distance (nm) | Time by motorboat (15 kn) | Time by sailboat (6 kn)
Stockholm–Visby | ~80 | ~5.5 hrs | ~13 hrs
Nynäshamn–Visby | ~50 | ~3.5 hrs | ~8 hrs
Kalmar–Borgholm | ~12 | ~1 hr | ~2 hrs
Visby–Borgholm | ~55 | ~4 hrs | ~9 hrs
Important: The Baltic Sea can be unpredictable. Always check the SMHI forecast before longer crossings, and be prepared for waves and wind, especially along Gotland's north–south coast.
Tips for Your Island Holiday
- Combine the islands – A week with a sailboat gives time to visit both Gotland and Öland with stops along the way.
- Book harbour space – Visby is packed in June–August. Book via the app or call the harbour office.
- Provisions – Visby and Borgholm have good grocery stores, but smaller harbours have limited selection.
- Cycling – Both islands are flat and perfect for cycling. Rent bikes in the harbour towns.
- Medieval Week – Visit Visby during week 32 for a unique historical experience.
Find Your Boat for the Baltic
An island holiday by boat in the Baltic Sea is one of the finest experiences Scandinavia can offer. With Ship O'Hoi, finding the right boat for your adventure is simple.
