10 Novelties in Åland 2024
Travel with a new ferry, rent a luxurious sauna raft, hike along new nature trails and enjoy rural charm on a farm. New experiences await you on the Åland Islands this year! On this page, you can read about some of them. Which of them sounds most exciting to you?
1. Åland hosts European Championship in Offshore Sailing on 9-17 August 2024
Yet another grand sailing event is being held in Åland this summer as the European Championship in Offshore Sailing takes place in Mariehamn with ÅSS guest harbour as the competition base. 80-100 boats in four different classes are expected to participate in the races, among them Karl Kwok's impressive TP52 BEAU GESTE, the reigning European champion and world champion in the ORC Class A. Mariehamn is perfect for international competitions of this scale since it not only can offer great sailing waters but many restaurants and several accommodation options within a walking distance from the town centre. In addition, Åland has good connections with daily ferry departures to Sweden, Finland and Estonia, as well.
2. Experience the Archipelago like Stormskerry Maja
© Solar Films / Antti Rastivo
Stormskerry Maja is a fictional female character from the Åland author Anni Blomqvist's novel series, which have been adapted into a TV series and now also a movie. This summer, you can see the new exhibition, In the Footsteps of Stormskerry Maja, at the Åland Cultural History Museum until the end of August. The exhibition offers a behind-the-scenes look at the film shot in Åland during 2022-2023. In addition to film clips, the exhibition will display costumes and other props from the film. Get inspired by the exhibition and then visit the film's shooting locations. Views with red granite cliffs and an open horizon – like on the fictional island Stormskerry – can be found, for example, in the northernmost part of Åland in Geta.
On the island of Fiskeskär in the northeastern Åland outer archipelago, you can experience the archipelago as it’s shown in the film Stormskerry Maja, a story about the brave Åland woman Maja who lives on a solitary island alone with her children. On this fantastic island, you'll stay in a cottage built in old style and enjoy simple archipelago life. The views are breathtaking in all directions, especially towards the north, overlooking the open sea. You can reach Fiskeskär by boat from the island of Simskäla on Vårdö, the homeland of the author Anni Blomqvist. The boat trip actually starts at the boathouse that once belonged to her! Fiskeskär lies next to the island of Väderskär, which gave the inspiration for the Stormskerry island in Anni Blomqvist's novels.
3. Mariehamn – the Cosiest Town Centre 2024
Mariehamn, the only town in Åland, has been named the Finnish City Centre of the Year in 2024! Recently, much effort has been put into improving the charm of downtown Mariehamn, and with fairly simple means, the town has managed to make downtown even cosier.
New meeting places have been created in and around the square: The playground has recently been updated with new swings and a new climbing tower for the youngest children's delight, while older children and adults can socialise and play outdoor games like chess, Fia with knuff, or Ping-Pong. The new summer furniture, designed and manufactured in Åland from local wood, has proven to be a success on the summer pedestrian street. The seating areas are decorated with flower plantings and strawberries, appreciated by both children and adults! A new, pleasant park area with a sedimentation pond is emerging along the beach towards Lilla Holmen. The pond will purify stormwater before it flows into the sea. The Museiparken park with cosy seating areas will be completed just in time for Midsummer and will then offer a new green outdoor space for both residents and visitors.
This winter, the new central mall, The Telegraph, adjacent to the pedestrian street Torggatan in the heart of Mariehamn, was also opened. At the entrance, you'll find the Tourist information where you can get assistance and tips for your visit to Åland, and then plan your next outing at Café Å opposite to the Information. Inside the mall, the Sjöfolk restaurant serves both lunch and dinner around the old telegraph house, from which the entire mall derives its name and which is preserved in the centre of the mall. Here, you can enjoy a glass from the wine bar and delicious snacks from Wykes deli. The Telegraph also houses a supermarket, an organic hair salon, and Alko (the state-owned alcohol retail shop).
4. Relax on the New Sauna Raft M/S Sauna Marin
Sauna baths and relaxation by the water undoubtedly go hand in hand with summer and vacation. The newest sauna venture in Åland is called Saunax.ax, which rents out its luxurious sauna raft on Mariehamn's eastern beach. The sauna raft M/S Sauna Marin has place for up to 12 people and can be rented with or without a captain. Although the sauna raft has a consistently high standard and is equipped with a sound system, a rooftop terrace, a shower, a lounge with a refrigerator, and excellent heat in the sauna, perhaps the most luxurious thing still is that this sauna can be booked for 3 or 6 hours, or even for a whole day – according to your wishes. Now that's luxury!
5. Cycle Along New Cycle Paths
The cycle paths in Åland are among the best in the archipelago, and the cycle network is continuously supplemented with new sections. Nowadays, a cycle path runs along almost all main roads, so you can cycle safely away from traffic. Along smaller roads where there is not always a cycle path, there is also less traffic, and Åland's drivers are often praised for being considerate to cyclists. This summer, you can cycle all the way from Mariehamn to Eckerö—or vice versa—along a cycle path, as the section in Hammarland between the Kattby and Näfsby villages is completed. The distance between Mariehamn and Eckerö is approximately 35 km, and the road is mostly flat without steep hills.
6. Meet Animals on Family Friendly Farms
This summer, immerse yourself in countryside life at two family-owned farms with a lovely old-fashioned charm! At the farm Mickels Gård, a small scale farm with organic pastures and sustainable practices, you can get close to cows, chickens, rabbits and sheep. You can also visit the farm's museum, and even stay overnight in one of their glamping tents or newly renovated windmill. The farm is located in Gottby, about 8 km from Mariehamn and is open to visitors from Monday to Friday in July.
Syrenbacken, with roots dating back to the 19th century, is located in Hammarland. Here, you can meet goats, horses, pigs, chickens, rabbits, and even a turtle. The farm has a café with homemade treats, a small farm museum, a stick horse racing track, and the opportunity to ride a tractor. It's worth checking the opening hours on Facebook as they may be updated at short notice.
7. Slottsbanan – the Best Golf Course in Finland!
When Finnish golfers recently voted for their favourite among Finland's golf courses, the winner was Åland Golf Club's Slottsbanan. The coastal 18-hole course also won the highest ranking in the categories of best design, most beautiful course, and best-maintained course. Shouldn’t it be enough, the tenth hole of this Nordic top course is also mentioned on the list of the 100 best golf holes in Europe! Åland Golf Club is located about a 20-minute drive from Mariehamn and attracts golfers from both Finland and Sweden. As the course hosted the European Ladies Open in 2022, it now also gathers a lot of international visibility.
8. Travel with Finnlines' New Finncanopus
Only two years have passed since Viking Line's newest ship, Viking Glory, began operating to Åland, and Finnlines' new freight and passenger ship, Finnsirius, joined the Kapellskär–Långnäs–Naantali (Sweden–Åland–Finland) route in autumn 2023. This year, we can rejoice at another new ship: Finnsirius' sister ship Finncanopus started operating to Åland in February 2024. The new ship is equipped with emission-reducing technology that makes it more environmentally friendly. Even in the choice of the ship's equipment and interior, environmental thinking has been a focus; furniture made from recycled materials has been chosen, and printed materials such as menus and price lists have been replaced by digital screens and apps. Since tranquillity and relaxation are paramount on Finnlines' ships, there’s no traditional cruise program but instead, you can enjoy the scenic views or rejuvenate in the ship’s spa.
9. Grelsby Strand Hotel – Accommodation with Character
Would you have guessed that back in the 1930s, Grelsby Strand Hotel housed a mental hospital? Nowadays, the old hospital's rooms have been renovated and furnished into cosy hotel rooms in a peaceful and relaxing environment in the middle of the Åland main island. Thanks to the large banquet hall with both a kitchen and a bar counter, the hotel is perfect for larger groups and celebrations such as weddings or anniversaries. The large courtyard invites you to enjoy sunny days, and a beach sauna with a bathing jetty is perfect for evening relaxation. The bakery Johannas hembakta fills the yard with a delightful scent of freshly baked goods, and from here, it's only a short walk to the Stallhagen brewery where you can enjoy a beer or indulge in a well-cooked lunch or dinner made from local ingredients. Additionally, Åland Golf Club with the top course Slottsbanan is only a 10-minute drive away, making the accommodation ideal for golfers, among others.
10. Explore 3 New Nature Trails
How does a hike in beautiful archipelago nature combined with historical sites and impressive natural phenomena sound to you? This year, you can hike along three new nature trails that are marked with signs, white-painted stones and poles, or white ribbons.
The trail on the island of Boxö in Saltvik is about 6.7 km long and takes you to an old coastal battery. The Boxö battery was the largest Russian installation in Åland during World War I, and together with other coastal artillery, it was part of a defence system aimed at blocking the Finnish Gulf. Before the battery was demolished in 1919, there were both powerful cannons and even a railway on the island! Boxö also houses Åland's largest cave, with an opening almost 8 metres wide and 4 metres high, extending 12 metres into the rock. Boat trips to the island are organised with or without a guide.
Kasberget in Saltvik is Åland's second highest peak, rising 119 metres above sea level. Here, and on the two other nearby peaks Orrdalsklint and Långbergen, Åland's history began. 10,000 years ago, the peaks emerged as small islets from the sea, and the first people in Åland settled here about 6,000 years ago. In ancient times, fires were lit on Kasberget to warn of approaching enemies. At the top, there is a fantastic view, and along the trail, you can also overlook the Åsgårda nature reserve with magnificent stone fields.
Lillnäsberget nature trail is approximately 3.8 km long and located in Kastelholm, on the mediaeval Castle lands. Along the hiking trail that has some steep sections, you'll encounter beautiful nature and history in a nice mix. The area used to be a Royal Manor established by the Swedish king Gustaf Wasa in the 16th century. In 1982, the area was established as a nature reserve. Here, there are plenty of moss- and lichen-covered spruces of remarkable dimensions, although the largest giant was sadly toppled by the storm Alfrida in early 2019. The hiking trail also passes three Bronze Age cairns that testify to the time when the water level was 15 metres higher than nowadays.
Site updated 30.7.2024
