Visit Åland / Experience The Åland Islands / Sights and excursions / 10 must see places for a first-time-visitor
There are plenty of interesting places and attractions to visit in Åland, but sometimes you don’t have enough time for them all. We have put together a list of ten tourist destinations that you can’t miss as a first-time visitor. When you’ve ticked them off, you can continue with the rest!
1. The Kastelholm area
Kastelholm in Sund municipality has Kastelholm Castle, the Jan Karlsgården open-air museum, Vita Björn Prison Museum and Smakbyn restaurant and distillery. You’ll be able to combine some interesting guided tours where you’ll learn more about the area’s history with some exciting taste sensations.
In the summer, there are children’s activities and arts and crafts days at Jan Karlsgården, and in the castle you can go on a treasure hunt and dress up as a royal.
If you’re travelling with your own boat, you can moor in Kastelholm’s guest harbour, and if golf is your interest,theÅland Golf Club is located on the other side of Slottsundet Bay.
The Kastelholm castle is open daily until the end of September. Extra open on 19-21 October 2023.
2. The Bomarsund fortress area
Between 1809 and 1917 Finland and Åland belonged to Russia. In the 1830s, Russia began to build its westernmost outpost, a magnificent fortress in Bomarsund, Sund. In 1854, during the Crimean War, the half-built fortress was bombed, and today its ruins remain in an ancient monument area that is 870 hectares in size.
Start exploring the historical spot by visiting the new Visitor's centre and learn about Bomarsund’s history virtually before discovering the ruins in reality.
You should also take the opportunity to visit the shallow beach by the fortress area and take a walk along the hiking trail on the Prästö island.
The Bomarsund Visitor's centre is open daily until the end of September.
3. The cultural history museum of Åland and Åland Islands art museum
The permanent exhibition in the Cultural History Museum of Åland allows you to follow Åland’s 7,500-year-old history. You’ll find out how it all beganwhen the first seal hunters went ashore on the barren islands, and you’ll get to see how Åland developed into today’s global and diverse society.
Åland artists from the past and the present show their art in the Åland Islands Art Museum. Paintings, sculptures and installations harmoniously fill the space, and in addition to the permanent exhibition, several different separate exhibitions are put on each year. These also include works by artists who are not from Åland.
The museum is open all year round. From September to April it's open tuesday-sunday.
4. Åland's maritime museum
The exhibitions at Åland’s Maritime Museum explain how through the ages the sea has had a major influence on the Ålander population. Personal stories, interesting objects and entertaining activities will make the visit stimulating for everyone.
The collection of beautifully made models of ships is impressive, as are the model ships and the many figureheads that decorate the walls.
The Maritime Museum has an exciting children’s room, many interactive displays and a fun treasure hunt, making it very much a children’s favourite. They get to set sails, take charge of a ship and play among fish and sea monsters on the make-believe bottom of the sea.
The Maritime Museum is open daily all year round (except on certain bank holidays).
5. The museum ship Pommern
If you visit Åland between May and September, you mustn’t miss the museum shipPommern! The new visitor experience “ThePommern– 100 days under sail” takes you back to the 1930s where you get to go on a fictional voyage around the world. The crew’s own stories from the long voyage are highlighted and on the middle deck you can take part in both work and leisure on board.
For example, you can mend sails, be involved in a traditional line-crossing ceremony and dance away with the crew when they organise a party, safely moored in the port of London. A visit to the Pommern will be an unforgettable experience!
Pommern is open daily until the end of September.
6. Mariehamn town centre
Åland’s only town – Mariehamn – has a lot to offer within a walking distance. Get to know the town centre by strolling down Torggatan and buy yourself a souvenir from one of the charming shops.
Mariehamn town centre has some lovely restaurants, the welcoming town library and park areas like the Stadshusparken, Lilla Holmen and Esplanaden.
Mariehamn is called “the town of the thousand lime trees”, and you’ll understand why when you walk westwards from the market square under the foliage of the treetops. St George’s Church (S:t Görans kyrka)is located inthe middle of the avenue of lime trees – worth a look inside for a quiet moment.
7. Käringsund in Eckerö
There are not many spots that are as idyllic as the old fishing village of Käringsund with its rows of old boathouses in Eckerö, western Åland.
But Käringsund consists of much more than the classic boathouses. In the high season, you can visit the Åland Hunting and Fishing Museum, go on a guided game safari tour at Viltsafari and enjoy the adventure playground Leklandet a stone's throw away.
There are hotels, cottages, campsites, a beach and plenty of fun activities on land and at sea that will suit the whole family.
8. The Maritime Quarter
Immediately north of Mariehamn town centre, by the eastern shore, is the Maritime Quarter. This marine area gives you the opportunity to familiarise yourself with shipbuilding, smithery and other arts and crafts.
Strollalongthe piers and admire the beautiful wooden boats, visit the Boatbuilding Museum and get a taste of Åland-style pizza, the “plåtbröd”, in the Pub Niska restaurant.
The Maritime Quarter also has the Guldviva jewellery and the crafts shop SALT, and at the furthest point on a breakwater there is a little Sailors’ Chapel, which is popular for weddings and christenings.
9. Kobba klintar
The Kobba klintar islands are located on the approach to Mariehamn. This is where ships were guided in to the harbour in Mariehamn in former times, and today the “Kobbar”are a popular day trip destination for both tourists and locals.
In the summer, a tour boat runs to the islands, and you canlook intoboth the pilot’s cabin and the white beacon. A café serves Åland pancakes and filling sandwiches, and if you bring your swimsuit, you can go for a dip from the smooth rocks.
Kobba Klintar is just as lovely during the low season, and if you contact a water taxi, you can visit the island even if the cultural centre is closed.
10. Grottstigen nature trail in Geta
The hiking trails Grottstigen in Geta offers breathtaking views. Grottstigen is, according to many, the best hiking trail on Åland and you can find amazing nature experiences.
Along the trail you’ll find caves and stately rock formations, in addition to an impressive view over the sea. This is also a popular spot for bouldering. The terrain can be challenging at times, especially when the rocks are wet after rain.
The shorter Trollstigen trail is suitable even for smaller kids.
