On Fårö, there is plenty to explore, from striking landforms to the island’s history and culture. Visitors interested mainly in dunes and rauks will find different points of interest from those drawn to the history of agriculture, the Viking Age or the work of Ingmar Bergman. These themes can help you get your bearings as you plan a trip to Fårö around your own interests.
Rauks, coast and dunes
The Langhammars Nature Reserve covers 480 hectares. More than 50 rauks stand above Klajvika near Langhammars, some reaching over eight metres in height. These figures give an idea of the reserve’s extent and the size of some of its rock formations. Digerhuvud offers a different geographical focus: the nature reserve stretches along Fårö’s north-west coast.
Ullahau is a large, horseshoe-shaped dune that rises just over 15 metres above its surroundings. Its open sandy areas provide a habitat for an unusually rich insect fauna of warmth-loving species adapted to dry land. At Skalahauar, by contrast, the focus is on a varied dune landscape: it features sand hills and dunes of different shapes and sizes, with the highest dune rising just over 15 metres. These landscapes differ not only in location but also in form—from a distinctive single dune to an area with a varied dune topography.
Skalahauar invites you to stroll through its distinctive dune landscape. The area is also home to several insect species that are very rare in Sweden and endangered. When planning your visit, you can keep in mind both the walk as a nature experience and the area’s special importance for rare species.
Cultural routes, island history and Bergman
The Fårö Kulturväg begins in Broa and runs as far as Gåsemora. A stone wall along the cultural route shows what the agricultural landscape looked like, how it was organised and how it was used before the transition to large-scale farming. It offers a tangible way to explore how the landscape was once used and organised, rather than treating agricultural history only in the abstract.
The Fårö Museum traces the island’s history from the first settlers through the Viking Age and the Middle Ages to the present day. One special exhibit features a Viking Age woman with her silver Fårö cross. Anyone interested in Fårö’s history will find a timeline here that spans from the earliest settlements to the present, alongside a tangible object that brings one particular chapter to life.
The Bergman Center on Fårö is a cultural centre dedicated to Swedish film director and writer Ingmar Bergman. Its programme includes seminars, films, performances and tours such as the “Big Bergman Safari”. If you want to plan a specific tour or event, check the latest dates in advance.
Fårö Lighthouse grounds also offer a glimpse of the past: several buildings serving different purposes preserve the character of a former self-contained miniature community. At Gamla Hamn, natural and cultural history come together in another protected area. The present-day nature reserve includes rauks and Viking Age remains; its best-known rauk is Kaffepannan, also called Hunden.
The large Käutatavlan is located in Fårö Church. It was donated after a seal hunt in which fifteen hunters were carried away on an ice floe in 1603. This specific historical detail complements the themes explored at the museums and cultural sites with an account of a documented event.
Getting there and seasonal food
The Fårösundsleden ferry runs between Fårösund in northern Gotland and Broa on Fårö. If you plan to use this service, check the timetable in advance. This allows you to include the crossing in your plans without relying on a specific journey time.
For a meal, the restaurant at Stora Gåsemora is another option: it uses local produce and seasonal ingredients in its menu. If you plan to eat there, check the current menu in advance, as the seasonal focus may be reflected in the dishes on offer.
Discover more destinations: Lau, Lojsta, Ronehamn, Väte, Hemse, Fleringe, Vamlingbo, Ljugarn.
For the main travel overview: Gotland.
