Discover the Beauty of Winter Åland
When winter arrives, peace and stillness settle over Åland’s islands. The air is crisp, and nature reveals a quiet beauty that few have experienced. Here, you can slow down — embrace the festive season in November, celebrate the new year, or simply take a break from your everyday routine for a while.
Winter is the calmest time of year in Åland. The rhythm is slower, and there’s a smaller selection of activities, restaurants and accommodation is smaller than in summer. Yet that’s part of the charm — it’s a chance to experience the islands as they truly are: peaceful, genuine and close to nature.
Before the snow falls, you can still enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, fishing or disc golf, often right up until the end of the year. Take a walk along coastal trails, listen to the waves and feel the fresh sea air. When darkness settles, the sky comes alive with stars — and on clear nights, you might even glimpse the northern lights shimmering above the horizon.
As the bays freeze and the snow settles, most often in January or February, the landscape transforms. The air feels crystal clear, and the silence is deep. Try ice skating, cross-country skiing or ice fishing. Skiers and snowboarders enjoy sunny days at Germundö Alpin, while Gnistens sledding hill in Mariehamn is a family favourite.
Outdoor Activities and Nature Experiences
Åland – A Taste for Every Age
After a day in the cold, step inside for warmth and good food. Enjoy local flavours in the restaurants and cafés that stay open year-round in Mariehamn, or pick up handmade delicacies and crafts to take home.
Explore Åland’s culture and history at the Maritime Museum or the Cultural History Museum, and be inspired by local art at the Åland Art Museum, Galleri Skarpans and GALLERIET on Torggatan. Find unique handmade gifts at Viktor Crafts & Design in Mariehamn city centre or SALT in the maritime quarters.
For a relaxing day, visit the Mariebad bath in Mariehamn — swim, take a winter dip in the sea and warm up in the sauna. Or spend an exciting day bowling, watch a movie at Bio Savoy cinema or swim at Ålands Idrottscenter in Godby.
Culinary and Cultural Experiences
