New Åland Experiences 2025
Exciting new experiences await you on Åland this year! On this page, you can read about some of the latest highlights. Try a new potato dish, stay at a charming countryside guesthouse, or embark on a thrilling boat trip—either with a guide or by renting a boat. What are you most eager to experience?
1. Try Åland's Street Food
The Åland-based company Våffelrakan and its potato waffle has been a well known street food concept among locals for many years. Now, you can even buy their ready-made potato mix in local shops in Åland and Finland, and prepare your own potato waffle at home. Våffelrakan’s journey began at the yearly Harvest Festival event Skördefesten in 2019, and now, their black food truck is a familiar sight at Åland’s events. If you’d like to taste this Åland delicacy made from locally grown potatoes, head to the microbrewery Open Water Brewery, where you’ll find their food truck again during Harvest Festival, taking place from 19th to 21st September 2025.
2. A Rural Guesthouse in Jomala
A new accommodation in a wonderfully rural setting has opened its doors in Jomala, approx. 10 km from Mariehamn. The charming Jomala Gård is situated in an area with several countryside-based activities. Nearby, you’ll find the Åland 4H farm, home to animals such as goats, sheep, and rabbits—a favourite among families with children. The building was once a dormitory for an agricultural school, and the estate has historical roots dating back to the 1600s. Guests can stay in single or double rooms with private toilets, while showers, kitchen, and laundry facilities are shared. Just outside the guesthouse, you’ll find a peaceful environment, and the avenue behind the property leads to a cosy beach. Here, you can bring your pet as well!
3. Strandhugget B&B on Sottunga
On the island Sottunga in the middle of the Åland archipelago, a brand-new guesthouse, Strandhugget B&B, welcomes guests to enjoy a peaceful stay. The little guesthouse features three double rooms in the main house and three small overnight cottages in the garden. Shower and toilet facilities are in a separate service building. A homemade breakfast is served in the dining room of the main house. Located by the harbour, you’ll find the guest harbour and the seasonal restaurant Salteriet, famous for its schnitzels and popular among both locals and visiting boaters. You can reach Sottunga by archipelago ferry or by private boat.
4. Loop Your Cycling Route with M/S Silvana
The cycle ferry M/S Silvana takes you and your bike between Lolo’s Seaside Café in Geta and the northernmost point of Hammarland, Skarpnåtö, making it possible to shorten the cycling route from northern to western Åland. M/S Silvana operates from Midsummer until late August, and this year, you can enjoy two daily departures throughout July. In addition to regular trips, M/S Silvana also offers excursions to the lighthouse island of Sälskär on Wednesday evenings in July. If you want to experience an unforgettable sea voyage where you can spot seabirds, seals, and a majestic lighthouse, be sure to book your place in advance.
5. Rent a Boat and Explore the Waters!
Perhaps you’re visiting Åland with your own boat and want to explore the archipelago south of Mariehamn, while your vessel remains securely moored at the guest harbour? Or maybe you’d like to discover Mariehamn’s stunning nature from the water? The yacht club Ålands Segelsällskap (ÅSS) in Mariehamn is renting out motorboats this summer. The boat seats up to seven people and can be rented for either a full or half-day. In its size class, it offers excellent handling and a well-planned layout, making it perfect for swimming trips, fishing, or why not longer excursions. To rent a boat, you must be at least 24 years old and have the necessary skills to operate the boat safely.
6. Hike the Trails at Herröskatan
This year, the beautiful nature trail at Herröskatan, on the southernmost tip of Åland’s main island, has been updated with new information signs detailing the area's rich flora and history. Here, you’ll find typical Åland landscapes, including hay meadows, lush groves, and species-rich grasslands, home to plants like the white forest lily, St. Peter’s Keys, and large populations of bloody cranesbill, and milkwort. Various bird species thrive in the groves, such as the whitethroat, nightingale, blackcap, and rosefinch. From the birdwatching tower, you can enjoy a stunning view of the surrounding sea, where white-tailed eagles are a common sight. Grazing animals are present in the area from May to October. Feel free to bring your dog along, but remember to keep it on a leash.
7. Café Stallet at Eckerö Post and Customs House
One of Åland’s most magnificent buildings, the grand Post and Customs House on Eckerö’s western shore, is a must-visit for anyone fascinated by history and arts and crafts. In the northern wing, Café Stallet welcomed guests for the first time last summer, and it will be reopening this season. The menu features delicious waffles served with both sweet and savoury toppings, along with coffee and ice cream, of course.
Site updated 20.2.2025
