Gotlands Museum
Gotland’s oldest cultural history museum in Visby, with picture stones, the Spillingskatten hoard, the Viking Age and the Middle Ages, and the children’s exhibition Skepp & skoj.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Gotlands Museum was founded in 1875 by Föreningen Gotlands fornvänner (Gotland Friends of Antiquities), with Pehr Arvid Säve as its initiator. The museum was then called Gotlands Fornsal and comprised only what is today the Bildstenshallen. Over the years the activities have grown, and in 2025 the museum celebrated 150 years.
Today Gotlands Museum consists of the Fornsalen on Strandgatan in Visby, where the museum’s largest exhibitions are, as well as the Visby ruins, the museum farms Norrbys, Kattlunds and Petes, and some twenty other properties around the island. The museum also has a public archive and library, the Svahnströmska rummet, and object collections in Magasin Visborg.
The Fornsalen displays the island’s picture stones, the Spillingskatten, which is the world’s largest Viking Age silver hoard, finds from the Stone Age to the Middle Ages, fossils that are 430 million years old, graves and church art. The exhibitions are spread over three floors. Gotlands Konstmuseum (Gotland Art Museum) is currently operating from the Fornsalen premises while awaiting new premises. The museum is one of Sweden’s most visited.
Highlights
- The Bildstenshallen with Gotland’s picture stones
- The Spillingskatten – the world’s largest Viking Age silver hoard
- Midgård – Gotland’s Vikings
- 1361 – the battle for Gotland
- Skepp & skoj, a playful exhibition for children
- Fossils that are 430 million years old
Permanent exhibitions
- Bildstenshallen – Gotland’s picture stones from different periods, the museum’s oldest exhibition.
- Midgård – Gotlands vikingar – Exhibition on Viking Age Gotland with finds and settings.
- Skattkammaren – Among other things, the Spillingskatten, the world’s largest Viking Age silver hoard, is displayed here.
- Founded
- 1875
- Operated by
- Gotlands Museum (Föreningen Gotlands fornvänner)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | SEK 150 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 18 · Free admission under 19. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · A companion or assistant of a guest with a disability has free admission (a certificate, decision or equivalent documentation is shown at the entrance). |
| Students & apprentices | SEK 120October–April; May–September SEK 150. |
| Adult, May–September | SEK 190 |
| Student, May–September | SEK 150 |
Free admission: Free admission on the first Thursday of the month October–April, 16:00–20:00, and during the evening openings on 5 November and 3 December 2026, 16:00–20:00.
Adults SEK 150 from October to April and SEK 190 from May to September. Museum members have free admission. Payment is possible in cash in SEK, EUR and USD (banknotes), by card and by Swish (mobile payment).
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
All parts of the Fornsalen except the lower basement room can be reached by wheelchair via ramps and two lifts; the main entrance has an automatic door opener. Accessible toilets with changing tables are located at the entrance and on the second floor. A hearing loop is available in the Sävesalen, and a portable loudspeaker system can be used for guided tours. Free parking for persons with mobility impairments holding a permit is available at Packhusplan, Tage Cervins gata and Cramérgatan. Magnifying glasses are available at some display cases in the Skattkammaren (treasure chamber).
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 18 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
- Stroller-friendly
- Baby changing facilities
- Playground / play area
The Skepp & skoj exhibition is full of play and activities where children can tie knots and load ships. Dramatised tours are popular, and every autumn break the Ficklampa (Flashlight) event is held at the museum. Pushchairs are allowed in the exhibitions and can be parked in the cloakroom.
Getting there & parking
By car
- Accessible parking
Amenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant
- Museum shop
- Coat check
- Lockers
- Wi-Fi
Café Amalia (café and restaurant) and a museum shop with webshop. Free Wi-Fi is available in the restaurant, in the courtyard, at reception and in the shop. Lockable lockers are available but may be occupied when there are many visitors. There is no special place for packed lunches.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Corporate events
Up to 250 guests.
Meetings and conferences can be held in, among others, the Bildstenshallen (100 seats, 250 for a reception), the Sävesalen, the Gamla residenset and the Hallwylska rummet.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The Gotlands Museum app is free and works as a guide with narration. Museum tours and city walks for groups are booked via bokning@gotlandsmuseum.se. Dogs are not allowed except guide and assistance dogs. To visit the museum on your own, you must be 12 years old. |
