Ruins
Bomarsund FästningsruinFollowing the war of 1808–09, Russia began building this major military structure as its westernmost defence against the Swedes. The fortress was still…
Image by Marcin Tusinski / Getty Images
Åland Archipelago
Glorious Åland Archipelago is the sunniest spot in northern Europe and its sweeping white-sand beaches and flat, scenic cycling routes attract crowds of holidaymakers during summer. Yet outside the lively capital, Mariehamn, a sleepy haze hangs over the islands’ tiny villages: finding your own remote beach among the 6500 skerries (rocky islets) is surprisingly easy. A lattice of bridges and free cable ferries connects the central islands, while larger car ferries run to the archipelago’s outer reaches.
And yet, Åland is a geopolitical anomaly: it is Finnish owned and Swedish speaking, but it has its own parliament, flies its own blue, gold and red flag, issues its own stamps and uses its own web suffix: ‘dot ax’. Its ‘special relationship' with the EU means it can sell duty-free and make its own gambling laws.
Explore Åland Archipelago
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Top attractions
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Åland Archipelago.
Castle
Kastelholms SlottOne of Åland’s premier sights is this striking 14th-century castle on a picturesque inlet (signposted off Rd 2). The keep towers are 15m high in parts,…
Museum
SjöfartsmuseumPreserved boats make up most of the exhibitions at this state-of-the-art museum exploring Åland's marine heritage; the centrepiece is a reproduction of a…
Museum
Museumship PommernAnchored just behind the Sjöfartsmuseum, this beautifully preserved, four-masted, merchant barque was built in 1903 in Glasgow, Scotland. The ship once…
Historic Building
Kumlinge ApotekIt's worth a small purchase to glimpse the fantastic interior of this old-fashioned pharmacy. Inside a red house, the apothecary cabinets are lined with…
Harbour
Käringsund HarbourAbout 2km north of Storby, Käringsund harbour is delightfully picturesque, with rustic red wooden boathouses reflected in the calm waters. A nature trail…
Historic Building
Post och TullhusetDesigned by German architect CL Engel, Storby’s Post & Customs House is now a hub for local artists, with exhibitions, artisan shops and a terrific cafe…
Waterfront
SjökvarteretAt the northern end of Österhamn, Sjökvarteret has long been devoted to boat building. You can stroll along the atmospheric quay, lined with traditional…
Lighthouse
Kobba KlintarSince 1862 a beacon has shone out from this island south of Mariehamn. Nowadays, the original pilot cottage is dwarfed by a bigger and better house with…
Church
Sankta Maria Magdalena KyrkaThe Sankta Maria Magdalena Kyrka was first built in the 14th century, but only the nave remains of this original building. Most of the structure was…
Beach
DegersandÅland's rocky coastline doesn't often allow for good swimming beaches, but here's an exception – a long, pristine stretch of fine white sand that has been…
Church
Sankta Maria KyrkaKvarnbo's red-granite Sankta Maria Kyrka dates from the 13th century and contains a fine clover-shaped baptismal font and fragmentary frescos of the…
Church
Sankt Göran’s KyrkaThe copper-roofed Sankt Göran’s Kyrka, built in 1927, is one of the island's few modern churches. Its art-nouveau style was conceived by Lars Sonck, who…
Church
Sankt Mikael KyrkaDating from the 1200s, Sankt Mikael Kyrka is the ancient place of worship in Pålsböle, a small village just 5km north of Godby. The church has a well…
Church
Sankt Andreas KyrkaSankt Andreas Kyrka was built in 1720, making it a relative youngster, but it's Åland’s oldest surviving wooden church, which lends it a certain charm…
Tower
Höga C Observation TowerAbove the tunnel before you cross the bridge to Sund, the 30m-high observation tower at Café Uffe på Berget affords superb views of the archipelago and is…
Church
Sankt Olof KyrkaBy some accounts, Sankt Olof Kyrka is the oldest church in Finland, existing (in some form) on this site since the beginning of the 13th century. Some of…
Church
Sankta Anna KyrkaHidden away about 2km north of Kumlinge village, Sankta Anna Kyrka is an attractive, multicoloured fieldstone church. The interior contains incredible 500…
Museum
Jan Karlsgårdens FriluftsmuseumAt this sprawling open-air museum next to Kastelholms Slott, you can stroll around 20 traditional 18th- and 19th-century Ålandic buildings, including…
Church
Sankta Anne KyrkaSankta Anne Kyrka was built on top of a medieval Franciscan monastery on the island of Hamnö, just west of Kökar. The monks’ chapel and ruined walls make…