It’s no secret that I absolutely love the Swedish island of Gotland. Granted, I’ve only been there once—when we sailed there on an East Coast tour and Per pretty much had to drag me away after five days (well past our original plan!). I was completely bowled over by the island’s beauty, creativity, and laid-back vibe, and I’ve been dreaming about returning ever since.
It’s only January, but after one sunny day my mind was immediately transported back there (even if the temperature is hovering around zero degrees!). In case you’re feeling tempted to visit this beautiful place, here are a couple of Airbnb cottages I stumbled upon today.
1. Jordkällaren beach cottage on Fårö
Just north of Gotland lies the tiny island of Fårö, connected to the main island by ferry. Rugged and wild, it has inspired creatives for generations. Film maker Ingmar Bergman called it home, and today his house is available as an artist residency. Imagine?
The island is rich in contrasts: deep, atmospheric forests, a long stretch of deserted beach, and dramatic stone stacks jutting straight out of the sea. True to Gotland style, it’s also peppered with ultra-cool yet wonderfully laid-back bakeries, cafes and restaurants.
Tucked away in Mölnorviken, you’ll find this little stone cottage. Its name translates as “The Earth Cellar,” a nod to its past as a jordkällare—a traditional underground storage space once used to keep food cool year-round. Today, the small stone cottage, with its sedum roof and location just 90 metres from the beach, offers a cosy place to stay, complete with a small kitchen (not pictured) and a barbecue spot looking out to sea. Perfect!
The main town on Gotland is Visby—where the ferries arrive (and where we also moored up during our first few nights). Dating back to medieval times, the town feels like a living village, buzzing with restaurants and cafés all summer long.
Just ten minutes from Visby and only 2 km from the sea, this limestone oasis is surrounded by meadows and quiet gravel roads. The interior is pared-back yet inviting, while the garden is beautifully wild – perfect for a barbecue dinner or a drink in the evening sun.
