16 municipalities – 46 sights

Here you'll find tips and information about nature and sights in the 16 municipalities of Åland - in town, in the countryside and in the archipelago.

Mariehamn
The town of a thousand Linden trees, Mariehamn, is the only town in Åland with approx. 11 000 inhabitants. Mariehamn is close to the sea, there is just two kilometres between the west and the east harbour. The eastern harbour, Österhamn, has the greatest small boat harbour in the Nordic countries. The Museum ship Pommern is located in the western harbour, Västerhamn.

Mariehamn is a small town but it holds almost everything. The town livens up in the summer but most shops, restaurants and cafés are available year round.

Visit one of Mariehamn's many museums: The Mariehamn's gallery, the Museum ship Pommern, The Åland's Museum, The Åland Art Museum, The Maritime Museum or stroll around in the Maritime Quarters near the adventure spa Mariebad, suitable for young and old alike.


THE COUNTRYSIDE: 

Eckerö
Eckerö, Åland's tourist municipality, is best known for its red granite bedrocks and lush groves. As a tourist you will find everything here. There are approx. 900 inhabitants in Eckerö.

There are several museums in Eckerö: Ålands Hunting- & Fishing museum, Postrotemuséet and Labbas Homestead- and bank museum. At the Mail & Custom's house in Eckerö there are exhibitions and crafts for sale.

Come along for an exciting Wildlife safari among deer, wild boars and ostriches or pay a visit to Jussis Keramik. In the municipality there are also possibilities for sport fishing and golf at Eckerö Golf. From Sweden to Åland with Eckerö Linjen is just two hours. 

Finström
Finström is placed in the centre of Åland and close to everything. The nature offers many beautiful scenarios with alternatively red granite bedrock and greenery. There are about 2300 inhabitants in Finström, of which more than 800 live in central Godby. 
Stop and have a cup of coffee at the café Uffe på Berget up on a hill, or visit Tjudö Vingård, a vineyard. From beautiful Färjsundsbron with its wonderful view, the brave can try arranged bungy swing.

The Von Knorring museum is open in the summer with different themed exhibitions. You may also visit Kalle Glad's cottage. 

Geta
Geta is the northernmost municipality on the main island of Åland. A welcoming farming countryside and lush groves are edged by foothills with a view over Norrhavet. There are 465 persons living in Geta.

Soltuna restaurang & café and lookout tower is situated at the top of grandiose Geta Bergen. From here you may walk along Grottstigen (The Cave trail, 5 km) via the Geta cave and down to the beautiful Djupviken, or bring the children along for Trollstigen (The Troll trail, 1 km).

Dånö Homestead museum is located to the beautiful island Dånö in the archipelago. This island has a long time been a popular retreat for visiting artists.

Hammarland
Hammarland with its great nature is perfect for the biking tourist. About 1300 persons live here.

Begin with a visit to the old church and experience the fantastic environment around it. At newly opened Kattby Café you may then enjoy wonderful food in an old environment. Don't forget to visit the Firebrigade museum.
 
Follow the marked trail up to Sålis batteriberg. At the top you can enjoy the great view across Norrhavet. From here it is close to Skarpnåtö Hembygdsgård where many scenes from the film "Stormskärs-Maja" were recorded. The film is based on the books about Stormskärs-Maja by Åland author Anni Blomqvist.

From Skarpnåtö you may then take the bicycle ferry M/S Silvana to Geta. There is also a possibility to go with Silvana on a fishing excursion. 

Jomala
Jomala is the biggest municipality of Åland with about 3500 inhabitants. The nature here is very varied.

Jomala has a very interesting history. For example Jettböle holds one of the Nordic countries most well known Stone Age grounds. There are hiking trails at the nature reserves of Ramsholmen, Ingbybergen and the Kungsö batteriberg with ruins from the First World War Russian battery.

Jomala also has Åland's possibly oldest stone church. Don't forget to visit the Mediveal house near the church and the Önningeby museum. A genuine farm wedding as in the 1800's, is arranged in Jomala each year in the beginning of July.

Lemland
Lemland is a municipality with traces of cultural history from many centuries. The nature offers all from smooth bedrocks and mountains with a stunning view to flowering meadows. 1600 persons live in Lemland.

At Pellas you can see how life was in the ship master's homestead in 1884. In Lemböte there is a well-preserved ruin of a seafarer chapel from the 1200's.

Along a 10 km long row of islands, south of Mariehamn, you'll reach the beautiful Järsö–Nåtö archipelago, the maybe most beautiful part of Lemland. At the southernmost part of Lemland is Herröskatan located with a great view over Åland's sea. At the brink of the sea is the island group Rödhamn with a popular guest harbour. 

Lumparland
Lumparland is the smallest parish on the main island with just 350 inhabitants. Picturesque meadows and fields alternate with forest, hills, bays and shores. Enjoy a fantastic view from the tallest hill Lumpokasen. Don't forget to visit the church of Lumparland, the oldest wooden church in Åland.

Lumparland is connected to several of the archipelago municipalities, Sweden and Finnish mainland by means of the ferry harbour in Långnäs. Read more at Ålandstrafiken's webpages. 

Saltvik
“Hills, golden fields and salty bays”. Saltvik is the northern municipality with 1750 inhabitants. Åland's highest point is at Orrdalsklint in Saltvik.

A visit to Saltvik takes you far back in time. In this municipality you'll find for example the Långbergsöda Stone age village, Boxö fortress ruin and the Borgboda anicient monument area with remnants of a fortress that was built in the Viking ages. A Viking market is arranged in the summer; a festive event for the whole family. The church of Saltvik used to be the main church on Åland.

Sund
Sund is a district rich in cultural history. This is where the medieval courts had their rulings at the castle of Kastelholm. The municipality has about 1000 inhabitants.

The prison museum Vita Björn and the open air museum Jan Karlsgården, with its collection of old buildings from around Åland, are nearby the castle. Markets and cultural events are arranged here. The old mail route takes its course through Sund and ends in Bomarsund - one of Åland's most exciting sights.

The castle, the mail route, the fortress ruins and ancient burial grounds from the Iron ages combined, make up the foremost sights of Åland.

You can also play golf at old royal hunting grounds at the Åland's Golfclub. In the summer the Gustav Vasa days are arranged at the castle of Kastelholm. 


THE ARCHIPELAGO: 

Brändö
Visit the municipality with a thousand islands and skerries. Brändö is the longest parish with roughly 500 inhabitants at 10 islands. The islands offer exquisite nature experiences in a quiet and secluded environment. You go to Brändö by means of ferry from Hummelvik, Vårdö. Read more at Ålandstrafiken's webpages.

Visit the beautiful Brändö church and the Archipelago museum in Lappo. 

Föglö
Föglö is a genuine archipelago municipality that is within easy reach. 600 persons live here year round, most of them in central Degerby where there is a good selection of restaurants and cafés in the summertime. Travel to Föglö with the ferry from Svinö, Lumparland. Read more at Ålandstrafiken's webpages.

Make a visit to the Maria Magdalena church, one of Åland's oldest medieval churches, or take a look at the exhibition at the Föglö museum in the summertime. Or why not paddle among hundreds of islands and skerries!

Kumlinge
Experience the wilderness at sea. Truly a vacation paradise! Angle for perch from the jetty or go for a seal-safari. The municipality has 400 inhabitants on four islands; Kumlinge, Enklinge, Seglinge and Björkö. Go to Kumlinge by ferry from Hummelvik in Vårdö or Långnäs in Lumparland. Read more at Ålandstrafiken's webpages.

At the museum farmstead Hermas you can experience archipelago living as it used to be and at Sjölund's Homestead museum there is an old barn with utility articles and tools. The beautiful Sta Anna's church is also well worth a visit. At Seglinge there are rock formations from the ice age.

Each summer Kumlinge's own song festival, Visor så in i Norden, is arranged.

Kökar
Make a visit to the outermost archipelago with its splendid nature. Kökar is the southernmost municipality of Åland and 300 persons live here. Travel to Kökar with the ferry from Långnäs in Lumparland. Read more at Ålandstrafiken's webpages.

The most well known tourist attraction at Kökar is the island Källskär where the ice age has left traces in the nature. Visit the Otterböte Bronze Age grounds or walk among ruins from war times at Kökar's longest (7 km's) and most beautiful hiking trail. You'll also have time to visit Kökar's own homestead museum or the Monastery cellar/Franciscan chapel. 

Sottunga
Sottunga is Åland's and Finland's smallest municipality with only 130 inhabitants. Travel here with the ferry from Långnäs, Lumparland. Read more at Ålandstrafiken's webpages.

The landscape is harsh in the north, south and west, with bedrocks worn smooth and tall cliffs. In the east there are bays and lush greenery. Sottunga is known for its unique and large hazelnut tree forests.

There are three hiking trails with information signs at Sottunga. The finest sight is the small wooden church. Make sure to also visit the homestead museum "the old school". 

Vårdö
"The enchanting island". Vårdö is a municipality with varying nature, from lush meadows at the main island to harsh skerries far out in the Norrhavet. Vårdö is the archipelago municipality that is the closest to the main island and it has a long time been an important link when it comes to the connection between Sweden and Finland. About 400 persons live here.

A cable ferry brings you from Prästö in Sund to Töftö in Vårdö. You can travel from Hummelvik in Vårdö to the islands Brändö or Kumlinge. Read more at Ålandstrafiken's webpages.

Seffer's Homestead museum in Lövö is preserved in a timely manner and the School museum of Åland is located to an old school from the 1800's. At Sandösunds Camping you can rent bicycles and kayaks or canoes.