Visby has become a new favourite destination – you can also explore the island in your car
Viking Cinderella and Gabriella will make a total of five cruises from Helsinki to Visby next summer. Cruise guests can easily experience the medieval town of Visby as well as other parts of the island of Gotland since they can take their car on board. Visby was a big favourite for Viking Line last summer, and there is also brisk demand for the 2025 summer season.
Tickets for Viking Line’s Visby cruises next summer will go on sale on December 17th, with the company’s vessels setting course for the enchanting island of Gotland a total of five times in June and August. The Visby cruises will depart from Helsinki’s Katajanokka harbour at 4 p.m., and the vessel will arrive in Visby the following morning. Passengers will have the whole day to get acquainted with Visby and Gotland. On the last day of the cruise, passengers can enjoy a delicious brunch and the other offerings on board in peace and quiet since the vessel will not leave on its return trip to Katajanokka until 1:45 p.m.
“Gotland is fairly unknown to many Finns since it has been surprisingly difficult to get there. When we resumed our Visby cruises a few years ago, adding it to our travel programme after a pause of nearly 30 years, they were an immediate hit. Alongside families with children, adults travelling with friends in a group have also been keen on trips to Visby. Demand has been strong, and there are a large number of pre-bookings for next summer. We also believe people will buy these cruises as Christmas presents. If people want to travel on a given departure date and be sure to have a good cabin, it’s best to book their trip as soon as possible,” says Jaakko Ahti, who is Head of Special Cruises & Cruise Concepts at Viking Line.
With its churches, stone walls and picturesque alleyways, Visby is one of the best preserved medieval towns in the Nordic region. People can easily explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site in one day on foot or by bike. The town and its surroundings can also be experienced on a 2.5 hour guided walk or on one of the half-day bus tours arranged by Viking Line.
“People can also take their car on Viking Line’s Visby cruises and drive ashore to discover the island’s wonderful nature and attractions. You can experience many interesting things in one day.”
Gotland’s highlights – you can do all this in one day
1. The island of Fårö off the northeastern tip of Gotland was home to the Swedish director Ingmar Bergman. It is a 10-minute ferry ride to the island, which is free of charge. Once there, you can also visit the island’s iconic rauks, limestone monoliths shaped by wind and waves.
2. Lummelunda Cave is about a 20-minute car ride from Visby. The cave is impressive by Nordic standards and is the most popular attraction on Gotland.
3. In Slite on the east coast of Gotland, visitors can marvel at the largest limestone quarry in the Nordic region. Around the island, there are old quarries filled with water which are also wonderful places to swim.
4. Kneippbyn Summerland is the favourite destination for families with children since the marvellous Villa Villekulla, home to Pippi Longstocking – familiar to children around the world from the books of Astrid Lindgren, is located in the middle of the park. Next to Summerland is the waterpark Waterland. It is about a 10-minute car ride to Kneippbyn from Visby.
5. The ruins of Roma Abbey, about 20 kilometres from Visby, take you back to the 14th century. Not far from Roma, in Hässelby, is another of the island’s special attractions, the Railway Museum.
Viking Line’s summer 2025 cruises from Helsinki to Visby
Vessel Depart Visby Return
Cinderella June 8 June 9 June 10
Gabriella June 13 June 14 June 15
Gabriella June 15 June 16 June 17
Gabriella August 14 August 15 August 16
Cinderella August 21 August 22 August 23
For further information:
Jaakko Ahti, Head of Special Cruises & Cruise Concepts
jaakko.ahti@vikingline.com, tel. +358 40 765 0165
Johanna Boijer-Svahnström, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications
johanna.boijer@vikingline.com, tel. +358 18 270 00
Christa Grönlund, Press & PR Manager
christa.gronlund@vikingline.com, tel. +358 9 123 51
