Langhammars Nature Reserve, at the northern tip of Fårö island off Gotland, is Sweden's most iconic field of 'raukar' — freestanding limestone sea stacks. Around 50 of these columns, some over 8 metres tall and weathered into statue-like shapes, line the shore, carved by wind and waves over thousands of years from Silurian coral-reef limestone roughly 430 million years old. The stacks at Klajvika beach are so emblematic that they appear on the reverse of Sweden's 200-krona banknote, and Fårö is famed as the home where filmmaker Ingmar Bergman lived and worked for over forty years. As of 2026 the reserve — protected since 1931 and part of Natura 2000 — remains free and open, a quiet, elemental stretch of Baltic coast best experienced on foot.
The ~50 raukar (limestone sea stacks) lining Klajvika beach — some over 8 m tall with striking statue-like silhouettes
Silurian coral-reef limestone (~430 million years old) sculpted by millennia of wind and wave erosion — a geological landmark
Named signature stacks such as 'Langhammarsgubben' and 'Guldstugan'
The very view featured on the back of Sweden's 200-krona (Ingmar Bergman) banknote
Stacks silhouetted in the long, bright summer twilight, set against sheep-grazed alvar (limestone grassland)
Good to know
SafetyThe shoreline is sharp, uneven limestone and shingle that gets slippery when wet. Wear sturdy shoes, watch your footing, and do not climb or lean on the fragile stacks.
SafetyEuropean adders (a venomous snake) can appear in grass and near wetland. Watch where you step on warm days and avoid open sandals or bare feet in tall grass.
SeasonMay–September is the best window. At ~58°N there is no true midnight sun, but summer nights stay bright and long, giving late-evening light for photos and walks. Off-season means reduced ferry frequency, fewer open facilities, and a cold, wind-exposed coast.
RulesNature-reserve rules: no removing stones or fossils, no open fires outside the designated grill pit, no driving off marked routes, and no overnight motorhome parking. Sweden's right of public access (Allemansrätten) applies, but these restrictions must be respected.
MannersBring your own firewood if you use the grill, and carry out all litter. Don't disturb nesting seabirds, and never touch, mark, or take pieces from the stacks.
CautionThe Fårösund–Broa car ferry is completely free and needs no booking — don't pay any third-party site selling 'ferry reservations.' There is no entry or parking fee for the reserve, so treat any demand for payment with suspicion.
Practical info
Take the free car ferry (about 6 minutes) from Fårösund on northern Gotland to Broa on Fårö, then drive north; turn off about 2 km northeast of Fårö church, or approach from the west via Digerhuvud, to the reserve car park. It is open year-round with no entry ticket, and has parking, a dry toilet, a grill area, and picnic tables. Check the latest ferry timetable and seasonal facility hours before you go.
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