Ekstakusten - a coastal journey through hidden gems
Gotland is a place that rewards slow travel where the best moments are found off the main roads. This journey takes you along the island's rugged west coast, stopping at ports, fishing villages and beautiful coastal landscapes. Pack a picnic, bring a good camera and let the island's winds guide you.
NOTE! Remember to only park in clearly marked parking spaces. It is not permitted to drive or park on the side of the road even if it is only sand, gravel and stones. Take care of the unique nature!
Instructions for map (only places visited and recommended by Nordic Roadtrips are marked on map):
Click on icons in list or on map for short description, click on link in description to go to Google Maps, click on image in description to enlarge.
1, Turn off road 140 from the north where it is signposted "Fröjelgården"
2, Sandhamn - Start your journey via Sandhamn, a peaceful place where nature and coastal life merge. The area is filled with summer cottages nestled among pine trees and overlooking the calm waters of the Baltic Sea.
Please note! The road here is quite narrow, so if you have a larger car, continue on road 140 and turn straight down to Djupvik instead.
3, Djupviks Hamn - A short drive away, Djupvik offers one of Gotland's most photogenic coastal scenes. Old boathouses with weathered wooden walls stand by the water and on clear days you can see all the way to the Karlsöarna Islands. Bring a coffee and sit by the shore and watch the waves roll in. If you’re lucky, a passing sailboat will complete the perfect view. There are also a few spots here where it’s possible to stay overnight with your camper.
4, Vavle Fiskeläge – Vavle Fiskeläge is the kind of place that feels unchanged for centuries. This small fishing village is a reminder of a time when the sea was both a livelihood and a constant challenge. Walk carefully in the historic setting and enjoy the peaceful silence that is only interrupted by the occasional seagull. This is one of the most popular places to stay overnight with a camper.
5, Tomsarve kvarn – No trip through Gotland is complete without a windmill stop. Tomsarve Kvarn stands proudly in the open landscape, a classic example of the island’s traditional mills. The building itself is worth a visit, but it’s the view from here that really steals the show. Rolling fields meet the endless blue of the Baltic Sea with views of the Karlsöarna islands, creating a scene that is unmistakably Gotland.
6, Kronvalds Fiskeläge – This small and lesser-known fishing village is easy to miss but well worth a detour. Unlike the more famous coastal spots, Kronvalds Fiskeläge is still a quiet retreat. Wooden boats rest on the shore, their hulls worn by time and tide. It’s a place for those who love the feeling of discovering a place that still belongs to the past. Here too, there are opportunities to park your camper overnight.
7, Along the entire Ekstakustens Nature Reserve, there are beautiful places to park for a picnic or a night in your camper. This stretch of protected coastline is a hiker’s dream with winding paths through juniper fields and breathtaking views over the water. The sunset here is something very special - watch the sky turn pink over the Karlsöarna Islands and the last light of the day reflects off the calm sea. A perfect moment to end the journey. Continue the road through cow pastures and open fields and you will then return to road 140.
Video
The video below on YouTube contains more images and views, click on the image to view the video.
