La côte Ouest

Western Gotland – bird life, bathing and coastal pleasures

Western Gotland is the land of sunset. Regardless of whether you’re standing atop the steep cliffs at Högklint, strolling along Tofta’s sandy beach or relaxing on one of the jetties at Norderstrand, you can be sure of a spectacular display of colours as the sun sinks into the sea in the evening.
 

 
Visby

Klintehamn, Gotland’s fourth largest town, is noted for its port and its association with the Donner trading company, which set up here in the 18th century. The main street is today lined with small shops, a newsagent’s and other service amenities.

Beautiful countryside in western Gotland

Högklint is a huge cliff just south of Visby. Here, in beautiful surroundings, you’ll enjoy what is certainly the best view out over the city.

Tofta is probably Gotland’s best known beach. Many come to socialise and mix with the crowd. Others are attracted by its soft, sandy bottom, which is ideal for children, and its many amenities. However, everyone comes to enjoy its beauty and its long stretch of sun-warmed sand.

A trip to the beautiful Eksta coast makes another popular outing. The road, which winds along the rocky coast, is suitable for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists alike. The view of the Karlsö islands is fantastic, especially during the evening, when they are silhouetted in stark black against the sunset.

If you’re keen on orchids, grazing sheep and an unimaginably rich bird life, don’t miss out on a trip over to the islands of Stora and Lilla Karlsö.

 

 

Culture and history on western Gotland

Several fishing villages lie strung out along the west coast. Among the better known are Gnisvärd, just north of Tofta, and Kovik, in Sanda. Gnisvärd is also the site of Gotland’s biggest stone ship, a massive 47 metres long and seven metres wide. Kovik has been a fishing village since the age of the Vikings. There are also a chapel and a fisheries museum.

The Viking Village in Tofta is the place to visit if you’d like to live the life of a Viking for an hour or two. The staff, got up in contemporary Viking gear, will help you try your hand at Viking crafts, play Viking games, practise archery, bake bread, and a whole lot more.

For many, the musical entertainment at Warfsholm, just north of Klintehamn, is the highlight of the summer. Swedish greats such as Eldkvarn, Mikael Wiehe and Janne Schaffer are among the artists who can usually be expected to turn up at the ”Music by the Sea” festival at Warfsholm.

Legend has it that the Danish king, Valdemar Atterdag, landed on the Eksta coast on 22nd July, 1361, to plunder Visby. More particularly, he is said to have landed at Kronvald fishing village, which has been perfectly maintained by the Eksta local history society. Atterdag’s ship and all the treasures he had taken from Visby are said to have foundered off the Karlsö islands as he sailed away from Gotland.