Seniors Visit Visby

Senior travelers find themselves in one of the best preserved medieval towns in Scandinavia… Visby, Sweden. Originally founded as a Viking settlement, the town became a center of the Hanseatic trade in the 12th to 14th century.

Its 200 warehouses and wealthy merchants’ dwellings from the same period, make it the best-preserved fortified commercial city in northern Europe. Incidentally, Visby is the only town on the island of Gotland.

Senior visitors enjoy strolling along the old cobblestone streets and walking along a nearly 2 mile long 13th century wall. Some seniors enjoy riding a bike through the town on one of the many bike paths. Visby is one of many European cites that now cater to cyclists. Visby has a wide range of cozy restaurants, pubs and markets, which make it a great place for shopping.

Seniors Enjoy Visby On Foot

If you are “into music,” try to attend a private concert by the Swedish folk music group Vasen. If you are “into partying”…Visby is one of the best party cities in Sweden in the summer.

Visby is best enjoyed by foot, especially the Old Town, located within the city wall. Be aware that some of the streets (alleys) are quite narrow, cobblestone-paved, and somewhat hilly.

The Gotland Museum is a major draw, highlighting Visby’s ancient history, including the stones of Gotland and how the religion affects the lives in Gotland, Sweden’s largest island. Visby is a popular vacation destination for Scandinavians during the summer and receives thongs of tourists from all over the globe each year.

Seniors Find A World Heritage Center

Here is why Visby is on my travel bucket list and it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Center. Each August, the city hosts its Medieval Week, complete with authentic dress, feasts and jousting. But you don’t need to visit Visby in August to get a sense of its medieval history.

Being a Master Gardener back in Iowa (Arizona now), I would corral my wife and head for Botaniska Tradgarden, one of the leading botanical gardens in Europe. My deceased PhD botanist brother Steve, would have loved it as well with its thousands of roses blooming in great profusion.

The Hogklint Naturreservat is 4km from Visby and is another must visit to appreciate the splendid ocean view and the sheer cliffs.  The St. Nicolai Ruin, another great site, is one of Visby’s most impressive church ruins. Virtual Tourist’s overview on Visby offers 84 things to do, hotels, great restaurants and nightlife.  -jeb