Discover the Authentic Åland – Local Flavours and Handcrafted Traditions

Åland is a hidden gem in the Baltic Sea — the perfect destination for anyone who loves to explore the origin of food, enjoy slow moments and experience something genuine. If you dream of small-scale adventures and a peaceful countryside with a Nordic touch, Åland is the place for you.

Whether you come in summer, when the archipelago is full of life, or in spring and autumn, when farms and gardens are rich with new flavours, there is always something to discover.

Travel around the islands by bicycle or car and follow your curiosity. A simple sign by the roadside might lead you to a cosy farm café or bakery, a craft shop, an art gallery or a charming local market. Summer offers the widest variety, but each season has its own special charm.

Local Food Producers

In Åland’s countryside you’ll meet many passionate small-scale producers. Walk through beautiful apple orchards and taste the island’s famous apple juice, or visit a candy workshop to try handmade sweets. In early summer, you’ll find fresh asparagus and new potatoes, while late summer brings honey, apples and other seasonal delights sold directly from the farms.

On the main island, you’ll also find two microbreweries and a small soft drink factory. At Amalia’s Lemonade Factory, you can stop for a refreshing drink or a sweet treat in the café. Next door, Mercedes Chocolaterie makes exquisite pralines by hand, using local flavours and ingredients. Explore the countryside, taste the island’s produce and take home something made with care and passion.

Åland in Bloom – A Taste of Spring

When spring arrives, Åland wakes up after winter. Fields turn green, flowers begin to bloom and local producers open their doors for Åland Grönskar, the island’s spring festival. During the last weekend of May, you can visit farms, cafés and restaurants, enjoy tastings, join workshops and shop directly from local producers. It’s a wonderful time to see the first harvest of the year and feel the island become lush and green again.

The Flavours of Åland

For the people of Åland, food is a true passion. Many dishes are prepared by hand, using what nature provides in each season. The clean sea air, fertile soil and long Nordic summer days give Åland’s produce its special taste and quality.

Visiting local producers gives you the chance to see how the food is made and to meet the people behind it. Throughout the year, you can enjoy delicious, locally sourced meals in restaurants and find regional products in markets across the islands.

The Harvest Festival – A Celebration of Autumn

When the apples are ripe and the air turns crisp, Åland celebrates one of its most loved traditions — the Skördefesten harvest festival. During the third weekend of September, farms, restaurants and craftspeople welcome visitors. You can shop for fresh vegetables, local meats, sea buckthorn, apple juice and much more, while enjoying the friendly atmosphere and meeting the people who make it all happen. It’s a heartfelt celebration of Åland’s countryside and food culture.

Countryside Adventures Around the Åland Islands

Small farm-, Second-hand and Crafts Shops

From spring to autumn, with a peak in June to August, you’ll find welcoming farm cafés and restaurants serving local flavours in beautiful surroundings. Take time to explore, and you’ll discover many small treasures along the way. Åland’s short distances, small-scale producers and wide range of local food and crafts make it truly unique.

And remember — Åland is small and authentic, and it’s often the simple things and the unexpected moments that make the best memories.

Read more