Novelties in Åland 2022
Several new experiences await those who will visit Åland this summer. Travel by a sparkling new ship, take part in Åland 100 events and stay in a luxurious beach suite or in a cozy B&B. On this page you can read about some of this summer’s novelties. What are you looking forward to experiencing the most?
1. Åland celebrates 100 years of willfulness
Many exciting events have been taking place since last year, and plenty more cultural events and happenings await everyone who visits Åland this year. Among the upcoming events are e.g. the musical Ålandskungen, a music and dance festival, the Åland Flag Day as well as the 100th anniversary celebrations 9–12 June. In addition a completely new visitors center will be inaugurated in Bomarsund. The festivities have only just begun and will keep on going until the end of the year. Welcome to join the celebration!
2. The Bomarsund visitors center
A new visitors center will open its doors this June right by the dramatic ruins of what was once upon a time supposed to become Åland’s most magnificent construction. The building of the Bomarsund fortress went underway during the first half of the 19th century and it was destroyed after the Battle of Bomarsund in 1854. The new visitors center is built in a modern style which tastefully melts into the surrounding environment. Here you will be able to experience the history behind the area in both sound and picture, and afterwards be able to visit the ruins and take in the mighty fortress with your own eyes. Everything is within a walking distance and in connection to the area you will find an exciting and richly illustrated hiking trail suitable for hikers of all ages.
3. Experience a luxurious holiday
Those looking to holiday in a more luxurious way should stay in the new beach suite at Käringsund Resort & Conference. The modern suite with nordic design has an entire wall made of glass facing the inlet to Käringsund and the open Åland sea. It has also a private terrace, jacuzzi as well as an outdoor shower. True to its name, the beach suite lies a mere 10 meters away from water. The unique location guarantees a view unlike any other and an experience that will give a luxurious touch to your vacation.
4. Stay at a new B&B in a historical villa
The beautiful villa from 1987 in Hammarland has been transformed into the charming Susannes B&B. The villa itself has an exciting background. It was previously a shop and post office before it was turned into a private residence and later the newest addition among Åland’s B&B’s. This cozy accommodation offers three bedrooms decorated in a romantic style with large, as well comfortable as gorgeous, four-poster beds. The lawn outside Susannes B&B is surrounded by a lush garden filled with flowers and swaying greenery, so you may enjoy your breakfast in a calming environment.
5. Travel to Åland with the new Viking Glory
Viking Line’s newest passenger ship Viking Glory began trafficking between Turku and Stockholm in March. Viking Line has long been working with sustainability and environmental issues, and in Viking Glory this can be seen in e.g. how it benefits from green technology: The waste heat from the engines are transformed into electricity and the waste cooling contributes to keeping refrigerated counters and freezers cold.
Viking Glory’s wide selection of restaurants offers something for every taste and you get to enjoy the exclusive dishes together with the best views of the Baltic Sea. The ship is specially designed for a cruise experience out of the ordinary – you can expect entertainment such as live shows, fun events and themed weeks, which will take your trip to Åland to a whole new level.
6. Lolo’s Seaside café
At Lolo’s Seaside Café in Geta you’ll be able to enjoy good food combined with beautiful views over the water. During evenings with clear skies you can expect beautiful sunsets filled with warm tones accompanied with the calm of the archipelago. Because the café is located right by the apple orchard Snäckö Frukt you can also buy the orchard’s own apple juice, newly picked apples or why not even different jams and marmalades. Lolo’s Seaside Café can be reached by boat, car or bicycle. The bicycle ferry M/S Silvana will be trafficking between Skarpnåtö and Snäckö, making Lolo’s Seaside Café the perfect resting spot during your bicycle journey.
7. Get close to bird life on an eider safari
The association Ådans vänner welcomes you to join in on an experience where you get up close with brooding eiders in the colony on Båtskär, also known as Nyhamn. The boat ride to the isles south of Mariehamn takes around 30 minutes. While there you will get to hear about the isles’ rich background as a pilot station, mine, lighthouse and nowadays a wind farm. You also get to dive deep into stories about the eiders who brood here and the efforts taken by Ådans Vänner for the sake of the endangered eiders and their baby chicks during the dangerous brooding period. The best time of the year to see brooding eiders is in May.
8. Play on one of Finland’s top courses
Ålands Golfklubb’s course Slottsbanan has been placed at the absolute top of Finnish golf courses in a comparison done amongst Finnish golfers. Slottsbanan was awarded as Finland’s best planned and second most beautiful golf course. In the final ranking the Slottsbanan course landed on a very honorable third place. Ålands Golfklubb has thus proven to be one of the most appreciated golf clubs in Finland. Additionally, this year Ålands Golfklubb has the honor of hosting the international golf tournament Ladies European Tour when the Åland 100 Ladies Open will be played at Slottsbanan 1-3 September 2022.
9. Archipelago holiday in a rustic environment in Brändö
In Brändö you’ll find the Brändö Bike & Bed, a B&B with rustic beauty, surrounded by greenery and archipelago charm. The cozy, homely rooms offer a comfortable way to round up the day after a day exploring the Åland archipelago and bicycling around Brändö. In the tasty breakfast buffet you can find ingredients such as Borkenholm gård’s home-grown berries, fruits and vegetables which will give you a great start to the day before you continue your journey onward.
