Fårö

Sweden

Do not confuse with the Faroe Islands in the North Atlantic.
Fårö is an island just north of Gotland. It is one of Sweden's more secluded holiday resorts; being an island off an island, 20 kilometres across, with 500 permanent citizens.

Hunden ("the dog"), a famous rauk (rock). Ö is Swedish for "island", and while får is the mainland Swedish word for "sheep" (of which the island has plenty), the word is not used in the local dialect, and not behind the island's name. The name probably stems from the Norse word far ("sea lane").

Fårö has world fame through Swedish film director Ingmar Bergman, who had many of his films recorded on the islands, including two documentaries. He now rests in the island church's cemetery. Another famous summer guest was Prime Minister Olof Palme.

The sceneries. Fårö has many rauks; free-standing rocks on the shoreline.

  • Bergmancenter, Fårö Svens 1118, +46 498 22 68 68. May and first weeks of Sep: Th-Su 12:00-16:00. Jun-Aug: 10:00-14:00 daily. A musum and activity centre revolving around the life and work of the famous Swedish director Ingmar Bergman, who spent many summers on Fårö. Every year during the end of June or beginning of July they organize the "Bergman Week" on Fårö, with plenty of screenings, performances and lectures related to Bergman.

Bjärge rauk field. The largest rauk field on Gotland.

Gamle hamn rauk field. Also contains a viking era burial field.

Langhammars rauk field.

Bergmancenter, Fårö Svens 1118, +46 498 22 68 68. May and first weeks of Sep: Th-Su 12:00-16:00. Jun-Aug: 10:00-14:00 daily. A musum and activity centre revolving around the life and work of the famous Swedish director Ingmar Bergman, who spent many summers on Fårö. Every year during the end of June or beginning of July they organize the "Bergman Week" on Fårö, with plenty of screenings, performances and lectures related to Bergman.

Water sport.

  • Fårö Islandshästar, +46 70 6900432. Go riding on icelandic horses! 650 kr for 2 hours, 850 kr for 3 hours, 1300 for a full day and 4900 kr for a 3-day tour.
  • Sudersand beach. A sand beach.
  • Sudersandsbiografen, Fårö Sundersand 5609. A 60 year old cinema once frequented by the famous Swedish director Ingmar Bergman.

Fårö Islandshästar, +46 70 6900432. Go riding on icelandic horses! 650 kr for 2 hours, 850 kr for 3 hours, 1300 for a full day and 4900 kr for a 3-day tour.

Sudersand beach. A sand beach.

Sudersandsbiografen, Fårö Sundersand 5609. A 60 year old cinema once frequented by the famous Swedish director Ingmar Bergman.

  • Fårölamm, Fårö Lansa 1066, 624 66 Fårö, +46 735-174664. F-Sa 12:00-17:00. Breeds Gotland sheep that roam the island. Sells meat and other products related to Gotland sheep.

Fårölamm, Fårö Lansa 1066, 624 66 Fårö, +46 735-174664. F-Sa 12:00-17:00. Breeds Gotland sheep that roam the island. Sells meat and other products related to Gotland sheep.

Albatross, Fårö Friggars 1119, +46 72-267 64 06.

Carlssons Restaurang & Vedugnspizza, Fårö Sundersand 5625, +46 498-22 36 28. 12.00-16:00, 17:00-22:00 daily. A pizzeria

Crêperie Tati, Fårö Broskogs 1156, +46 70-203 89 24. A lunch restaurant

Ebbas Mat och Kaffe, Fårö Sudergarda, +46 498-22 37 22. May & Sep 11:00-16:00, Jun & Aug 10:00-18:00, Jul 10:00-19:00.

Restaurang Fårögården, Fårö Simunds 3866, +46 498-22 40 09. Open during summer. Brew their own beer

Sudersannas Grill & Bar.

Vinor Krog, Fårö Sudergarda 5653, +46 70-856 29 41. Open during summer. Pizza and a la carte

Nightlife is very seasonal.

Crime is not an issue. The rocky beaches can be slippery. There are no emergency vehicles on the island; they need to get the boat.

  • Gotska Sandön, arguably the most isolated island of its size in the Baltic Sea. Ferry from Fårösund Wed, Fri Sun late May to early September.
  • If you have a yacht, you can sail to the Archipelago Sea in Finland, for lots of islands and tiny archipelago communities to discover.
  • Another yacht destination is Estonia, with Hiiumaa a day's worth of sailing away (or so it was for the ships of yore, giving it the Swedish name Dagö).