FAQ
What is Åland?
An archipelago of 6500 islands and islets located right between Finland and Sweden. Åland is an autonomous and unilingually Swedish region in Finland with its own flag, its own stamps and its own top domain (.ax).
Can you live in Åland?
A total of 27,500 people live in Åland. About 11,000 of them live in Åland's only town, Mariehamn.
What language is spoken in Åland?
Swedish. Almost everybody speaks English. A lot of people understand and speak Finnish.
What currency is used in Åland?
Euro is the official currency, but most points of service accept Swedish crowns.
Is Åland a part of the European Union and Schengen?
Yes.
Why can you buy tax free to/from Åland?
Åland has a tax exemption – it is regarded as an autonomous tax region, which means that trade with Finland is regarded as import/export.
Is it expensive?
It is at the same price level as Finland and Sweden. You have got plenty of accomodation at different price level, you can find both expensive restaurants and cheap cafés. There are several food stores for self catering.
How do I get around?
Car, bike, bus and boat. The road network is extensive. You can bring your own car with the ferries from Sweden and Finland. Starting at the west point of Åland you have got 50 km asphalted road to the other end of the mainland. Small ferries carry you around to several islands with further road networks.
When is the best time to visit?
All year round. The high season is from mid-Jun to mid-August. That is when most people in Sweden and Finland has vacation. There are a lot of events and activities at that time. But you can enjoy summer both before and after that. Actually, if you choose the low season you may experience the authentic Åland without other visitors.
Will it be cold?
Yes and no. Åland has four distinctly different seasons and in the summer months temperatures can reach highs of +30C. You will see a lot of people go swimming in the sea in July and August. The winter is cold, but not as cold as it can be in other pars of Scandinavia. The archipelago is warmer and get less snow due to the warming effect of the sea along the long coastline. But still, be prepared for a cold winter with an average of -5C to -10C.