Åland Archipelago

Ro-No rents out a variety of bicycles (€12/60 per day/week), canoes (€80/150), small boats (which don’t require a licence; €100/200 per four hours/day) and mopeds (which do; €60/180 per day/week) from its outlet at Österhamn. The smaller outlet at Västerhamn just has bicycles.

Following the war of 1808–09, Russia began building this major military structure as its westernmost defence against the Swedes. The fortress was still incomplete when the Crimean War began in 1854, and a French-British naval force bombarded it heavily from the sea. Within four days the Russians were forced to surrender it.

The evocative ruins stretch for a couple of kilometres, straddling the road and overlooking the sea. Across the water on Prästö, the small Bomarsund Museum displays excavated artefacts.

About 2km north of Storby, Käringsund harbour is delightfully picturesque, with rustic red wooden boathouses reflected in the calm waters. A nature trail leads to a small beach; Käringsund Resort rents out canoes and rowing boats.

Anchored just behind the Sjöfartsmuseum, this beautifully preserved, four-masted, merchant barque was built in 1903 in Glasgow, Scotland. The ship once carried tonnes of cargo and a 26-man crew on the trade route between Australia and England. Its record run was a speedy 110 days. The ship closed to visitors in 2016 for a major restoration, and was due to reopen in Spring 2019.

Sample unique brews and delicious food at this fabulous brewery overlooking an idyllic lake and horse paddocks. Beers range from basic (pale ale or Baltic porter) to berry (blueberry ale or raspberry stout), with many options in between. Musical jam sessions often strike up on the terrace; the kitchen turns out limited-but-luscious gastropub fare (mains €10 to €16).

One 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, with walls of 3m-thick red granite; it’s easy to see how it would once have ruled over Åland. Exhibits showcase the castle’s evolution and archaeological finds, including a medieval silver-coin hoard. English-language tours (included in admission) depart at 2pm Saturday and Sunday from June to early August and last around 45 minutes.

At the northern end of Österhamn, Sjökvarteret has long been devoted to boat building. You can stroll along the atmospheric quay, lined with traditional schooners, and perhaps see boats under construction. The museum, with exhibitions on shipbuilding (no English information), is located in a small timber boat shed. Don't miss the tiny reconstructed seafarers’ chapel at the end of the pier.

On the northern coast of Vårdö, this idyllic campground has peaceful sites, spiffy townhouse rooms and well-kept beachside log cabins. Excellent facilities include kayaks and bicycles, plus a ‘floating sauna’, from where you can hop straight into the water on the picture-perfect sound. The on-site Sandösund Taverna is recommended for local food, including smoked fish from the surrounding waters.

The brainchild of award-winning chef Michael 'Micke' Björklund, this 'taste village' incorporates a farm shop, cookery courses and a distillery (tours and tastings available). The centrepiece is the airy open-kitchen restaurant, where the cooks work magic, using seasonal organic produce in creative ways. The menu is always different but usually features delicious local perch fillets and the beloved Hunter's sandwich.