Shopping for locally produced food at farm shops is becoming increasingly popular. There are plenty of farmers, manufacturers and salespeople in Åland. Choose from lamb sausages, black bread, apple cider, pastries and wine.

Give the heavy backpack a miss and leave the camping stove at home. These days many people opt to live in a hotel and eat at restaurants during their cycling holidays. “Nowadays people like to go on slightly more luxurious cycling holidays,” explains Johan Sjölund, who is involved with arranging cycling trips at the WellComing travel company.

Smakbyn is a “Taste Village” taking shape just a stone’s throw from Kastelholm Castle. The first building is being built next to the restaurant Jan Karlsgårdens Värdshus, and is due to be completed by the summer.

ÅSS Rödhamn

“A traditional Christmas buffet with an archipelago twist.” That sums up the Åland Christmas buffet, which draws inspiration from both Sweden and Finland. But smoked perch, pine tar marinated herring and shoemaker’s salmon (salted and pickled in brine or vinegar) are Åland dishes that give the Christmas buffet extra spice.

Crayfish premiere in Åland is as early as 21 July. Several restaurants have crayfish on their menus from that day and there are crayfish parties all around Åland. The public is also welcome to book a place for premiere day on the island of Silverskär.

In the summertime the Eastern Harbour teems with life. On a regular evening thousands of people will visit the area to eat, drink and, a bit later, dance till dawn.

Entertainment is a little quieter in the Western Harbour compared to the Eastern Harbour. But the outdoor sections of restaurants and bars in the evening sun attract both tourists and Ålanders.