The Åland Islands are one of the best places for fishing (35 photos)

Åland Islands on the map

The Åland Islands are an archipelago in the shallow Baltic Sea. Located halfway between Finland and Sweden. Having an area of only one and a half thousand square kilometers, there are more than 6,000 thousand islands. Inhabited, however, is less than one percent. And of those, most are inhabited seasonally. Which is quite natural for a population of less than 30 thousand people.

Åland Islands on the map
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Map of Åland Islands

This population is surprising in that, being citizens of Finland, everyone speaks Swedish. There is a legend, often told on long winter nights, that while the tongue of Jarl Harald the Silent, famous for biting it off during interrogation so as not to betray his comrades, is buried in an unknown point on the island, all the inhabitants of the archipelago will speak Swedish.

The convenient location of the islands has long been a stumbling block between many ruling dynasties. But after the islands were given the status of a demilitarized zone at the Treaty of Paris in 1856, everything calmed down. The past is in the past; now the islands are inhabited by surprisingly contented and peace-loving people.

Residents of the islands do not even serve in the army, so pacifists from all over Sweden and Finland come to live there. However, they perform an alternative service - as pilots, the need for which in waters full of shallows never disappears.

The islands have a mild climate and are famous for the maximum sunny days throughout Scandinavia. When frosts rage on the mainland, a long autumn continues there. For those who love fishing and fresh milk, there is plenty to enjoy.
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Islanders have always preferred to purchase cars at a car dealership, seriously confiscating bank cards or rolls of euros tied with an elastic band. Moreover, filming this process on camera to show off to the neighbors later. But now these wild times have sunk into oblivion and most people think the best option buy a car on credit. This has undeniable advantages. Of course, you can’t boast of an extraordinary purchase, but the damage to your pocket is almost unnoticeable. And more and more Ålanders are acting rationally.

On the world map Map

July 29-31, 2012

If you drive strictly south from the capital, drive without turning anywhere, follow the main road, then in about fifteen minutes the island will end. There will be a cafe in the garden.

If you drive straight south from the capital, drive down the main highway, drive without turning off anywhere, in about 15 minutes the island will end. There, you will find a garden with a café.

Among the pine trees and water.

Surrounded by pine trees and water.

With a little strange but delicious food.

With somewhat strange but tasty food.

And then sit in the living room.

Then you can take a seat in the living room.

Or in the garden.

Although no, it’s better on the veranda.

Or, better yet, on the porch.

Sit on a bench with a pillow and drink cappuccino with panna cotta in absolute calm country serenity.

Sit down on a cushioned bench and savor a cappuccino with panna cotta in the tranquil serenity of the countryside.

And enjoy life. Just enjoy life.

And enjoy life. Simply enjoy life.

The Åland Islands belong to Finland, but Swedes live here. The islands were once part of Russia, like Finland. After the revolution, the Alanders quietly decided to become independent. But the Finns did not give it to them, offering them autonomy. Therefore, it has its own government, its own post office, etc.

Capital ballot box.

The trash cans in the country’s capital.

An incomprehensible electrical design that looks like a portable electrical panel.

A mysterious electrical device which resembles a portable distribution board.

Ferries that go from Sweden to Finland stop here. On the ferries themselves, people buy alcohol in boxes, because at sea they automatically get duty-free. And in Åland they are everywhere slot machines. People are happy to combine everything.

Ferries make a stop here on the way from Sweden to Finland. People stock up on cases of alcohol while on the ferries because the sea is an automatic duty-free zone. And the Ålands themselves have slot machines everywhere. A winning combination.

Vending machines even in the store when refueling.

There are slot machines even at the gas station convenience store.

Supermarkets generally play an important role as centers of life here. For example, right behind the vegetable department you can find a post office.

In general, supermarkets play an important role as hubs of life here. For example, you can discover a post office directly behind the produce department.

Ålandic Mailbox made in the form of a lighthouse.

The Åland post box is shaped like a lighthouse.

Crosswalk.

A pedestrian crossing.

Parking scheme.

A parking diagram.

Entry ban for motorcycles and cars.

No entry for motorcycles or cars.

Digger.

The end of the section with a speed limit of 50 km/h. This is the first time I’ve seen this - the sign is painted on the back side of another existing sign (which, accordingly, marks the beginning of the section with a speed limit).

The end of a 50 km/h speed limit zone. This is the first time I see something like this: the sign is painted directly on the back of another active sign (which, accordingly, marks the beginning of the speed limit zone).

The Åland Islands are a place for “gourmets”, those who have had enough of traditional routes. This amazing archipelago in the Baltic Sea belongs to Finland on paper, but in reality the inhabitants of the islands mentally gravitate towards the Swedes, and most of them speak exclusively Swedish.

I love Åland for the absence of crowds of tourists, commercial enticements like “photos with a dinosaur” and annoying excursion sellers. Here you can fully feel the very local flavor that travelers usually hunt for. It is not faked, not adapted for tourists - in Åland you really have to live according to local laws.

If you are an amateur nightlife, beach activities and foam parties, I under no circumstances recommend going here: it will be boring. But for the fans active rest nature, fishing and beautiful sunsets, you should definitely visit these northern islands.

With an 80% chance, you will be a pioneer among your friends: hardly any of them have been to Åland. What can we say about Russian tourists, if even Finns rarely visit this archipelago? For them Ahvenanmaa ( Finnish name islands) is a sore point; the Ålanders are considered almost separatists. Many residents of Suomi believe that the inhabitants of the archipelago do not learn Finnish out of spite, in order to demonstrate their disrespect. I don’t dare to argue whether this is so. And since Finnish national throwing is still alien to you, I wholeheartedly advise you to spend your holidays in Åland.

How to get there

The best way, in my opinion, is to go to Åland by ferry. It's convenient, fast and cheap. There is also the option of flying by plane, but it has many significant disadvantages.

By plane

So, why didn’t I like the plane? The first and main reason is the prices of flights. There are regular (twice daily) flights to the capital of Åland, Mariehamn, from Turku and Stockholm. On the Finnish side, they are served by Finnair, known for its excellent service, safety and extortionate ticket prices. In the summer season, the cost of an hour-long flight - Mariehamn (Turku - Mariehamn) can easily reach 200–250 EUR. Next Jet planes fly from Stockholm; a ticket will cost about 150 EUR.

In addition to the steep prices, the flight to Mariehamn is bad due to restrictions on baggage allowance and hand luggage. That is, problems may arise with transporting fishing equipment, tents and other attributes of a tourist going to actively explore the archipelago.

If flight prices are not very important and you are not going to take a lot of luggage with you, you can safely book plane tickets. View all offers available on this moment, you can, for example, .

The flight still has one advantage: the airport is located only three kilometers from the center of the capital of Aland, Mariehamn. But here, too, everything is not so flowery and candy. It is not possible to leave the airport by public transport; there are simply no buses or trains running there. The only suitable option is a taxi, which is not very affordable: for a 3-kilometer drive to the center of Mariehamn you will pay about 20 EUR.

In general, I advise you to think carefully before deciding to fly to Aland: there are disadvantages air travel significantly more than advantages.

By car

Taking a car with you to Åland is a good idea: with your car you can reach hard-to-reach parts of the archipelago where public transport does not go.

Since there are no tunnels or bridges built to the island, the only way to reach it in this way is by ferry. Therefore, our conversation about road travel smoothly flows into the point about the features of traveling by water. The only thing I would like to point out here is that do not forget to book your ferry tickets in advance, because the amount of space on deck for cars is limited. During the summer season free seats Sometimes you have to wait for weeks to transport a car.

By ferry

The most successful and cost-effective way to travel to Aland. Dozens of islands go to large ships and small ferries from Turku and Naantali. There are many competing companies providing such transportation: Eskerö line, Viking Line, Silja Line, Finnlines, Ålandstrafiken.

By traveling by sea, you can add new and interesting touches to your trip. For example, buy an evening cruise from and enjoy all the delights of such trips: shopping, good restaurants and nightclubs, live music. We most often combine a summer trip to Åland with a one-day visit to Stockholm: in the evening we leave and spend the night on the ship, the next morning we disembark in Stockholm and walk there for 5–6 hours. And on the way back we take the same ferry to Aland.

If you don’t have a lot of time and you don’t want to waste it on the road, you can take a ticket for a small fast ferry from Turku or Naantali. This trip will last about 4–5 hours. If you decide to choose a small ferry, look for tickets on the websites of the company Ålandstrafiken, the other companies I mentioned above sell tickets for larger ones cruise ships.

Tickets for large ferries cost about 30 EUR without a cabin; a standard cabin for 4 people costs about 100 EUR. Small ferries are even more affordable: a ticket for them will cost about 20 EUR. If you take a car with you, be prepared to pay about 40–50 EUR more.

Another advantage of traveling on small ferries is that they usually arrive directly at the port of Mariehamn. It is no more than a kilometer from the city center; you can walk or take a taxi. Large cruise ships that follow the route Helsinki - Stockholm usually stop at night at the port of Långnäs, from which you will have to travel about 30 kilometers to Mariehamn. At this time, it is not possible to get to the city by public transport; you need to order a taxi in advance. Therefore, if you are traveling without a car, it is best to take a ticket for a small ferry.

Clue:

Åland Islands - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow 0

Kazan 0

Samara 1

Ekaterinburg 2

Novosibirsk 4

Vladivostok 7

When is the season? When is the best time to go

The best time to travel to Åland is definitely summer. It is pleasant here, not hot: the temperature rarely rises above +25 °C. The season lasts from May to the end of September, during which time the main island entertainments are available: boat trips, fishing, cycling. And in Mariehamn, farmers' markets and fairs open in May, where you can buy fresh and tasty organic products: berries, fruits, fish and meat.

You shouldn’t be afraid of the dominance of tourists during the season: there are, of course, more of them here than in winter, but not as many as in some Italy-France. Since the islands themselves are not very densely populated, visitors simply disappear among the locals, and you are unlikely to feel their presence at all. The same applies to the cost of vacation: Ålanders are not too spoiled by the abundance of tourists, so they do not have the habit of raising prices too much during the season.

You can monitor tours to Aland on search engine sites, for example.

Åland Islands in summer

Summer in Åland is wonderful, although a little unpredictable. It can rain at any moment, even when there seems to be not a cloud in the sky. I can’t stand the heat, so the local +23–25 °C degrees in June - July are ideal for me.

The greatest beauty of summer on the islands is that you can get around almost everywhere by bicycle. Lovers of two-wheeled friends will find plenty of freedom here: Åland seems to be created for cycling tourism. The relief on most islands of the archipelago is flat, coastline It’s not very long, but the scenery along it is stunning. You can rent a bike (more on that below) and spend several days on two wheels, exploring the beauty of the island.

And the beauty of the summer months is that you can live in campsites and tents, go boating and enjoy the white nights. If you come to the islands at the end of June, you will be able to attend the summer solstice celebration Juhannus (Midsommar in Swedish). This is a fun folk holiday that is widely celebrated in Finland and Sweden: bonfires are lit, songs are sung, and fishing competitions are held.

In general, in all respects, summer is the best time to explore the archipelago. I repeat, there are not very many tourists here even in the season, but if you are a complete misanthrope and want to relax almost alone, come here in August. Classes are already starting in schools in Sweden and Finland, and there are very few vacationers in Åland.

Åland Islands in autumn

In the fall, you should come to Åland only in September - early October. And only if you are not a very heat-loving creature: already at the end of August it gets noticeably colder on the islands, the temperature stays at +15–18 °C.

If the coolness doesn’t bother you, you can still stay at campsites, go fishing in the summer, and enjoy sea cruises and cycling. And, of course, take stunning pictures: the autumn nature of the archipelago is very picturesque, the rocks along the shores seem to be on fire.

Åland Islands in spring

In March - April it is still quite cold in Åland, and most importantly, very windy, so you won’t be able to enjoy the natural delights of the archipelago at this time. Yes, and traveling by ferry in early spring- the idea is not always successful, sometimes it is so stormy that you are afraid to even move again (I remember my ferry trip to Sweden on March 8 last year, which I spent lying face down on the sofa by the window).

But May is a completely different matter; at this time it is always warm and sunny in Åland (it often turns out that May is much better and hotter than June). Another advantage of traveling in late spring is that there are almost no problems with parking spaces on the ferries, and you don’t have to buy tickets in advance.

Åland Islands in winter

I advise only the most desperate extreme sports enthusiasts to go to Aland in winter. Because it’s cold (very cold!), dark and quite boring. The most complete misanthrope will be scared: even Marienhamn completely dies out in winter, after 16:00 the probability of meeting a moose on the street is much higher than bumping into a person.

And what's the point of traveling to the archipelago in winter? You can't really ride bicycles or boats, ski slopes and there are almost no resorts here.

Conditional areas. Descriptions and features

Åland consists of 16 prefectures, 10 of which are located on the largest island of the archipelago, Manner-Ahvenanmaa.

Prefectures of the Åland Islands on the map:

The following ones deserve the attention of tourists:

I advise you to get acquainted with the above prefectures of Åland first, because they contain the most “delicious” places of the archipelago. If you are going to the islands for a week or more, it is worth visiting other prefectures of Åland: Geta, Hammarland, Saltvik, Lemland, Lumparland, Brändö, Föglö, Kumlinge, Kökar, Vårdö. All of them are pretty and picturesque, each with plenty of interesting walking and cycling routes.

What are the prices for holidays?

Åland can hardly be classified as budget tourist destinations. The region is considered one of the most economically successful in Finland. For the Ålanders, this is, of course, happiness, which cannot be said about tourists. You will have to fork out money for literally everything: from accommodation to tickets for public transport. Hotel prices are especially extortionate: a night in an average three-star hotel will cost you 100–120 EUR per season.

Most often I book hotels on, and you can compare prices from different resources. You can check whether private owners offer apartments for rent.

Dinner in a restaurant for two (main courses, desserts, 2 glasses of wine) from 70 EUR.

The only good news for tourists: it's not very... high prices on entry tickets to museums and exhibitions: on average, about 8–10 EUR. Well, a nice bonus: for children under 12 years of age, admission is free almost everywhere. We go to Aland every summer, so we have developed several ways to save for ourselves:

Main attractions. What to see

The main attractions of Åland are natural, there are many picturesque bays and bays, rocky shores. Therefore, be prepared for the fact that you will have to spend a lot of time outdoors, stock up comfortable clothes, shoes and umbrellas/raincoats.

Good idea- rent a boat and bicycles for the entire stay: with their help you can thoroughly explore the islands and not depend on public transport, which does not always work perfectly in Åland.

However, the abundance of natural beauty does not mean that a lover of historical places will be bored in Åland. On the contrary, there is a lot of curiosity here for them, because at one time the islands belonged to both the Russian Empire and Sweden. In Marienhamn and other prefectures of the archipelago, it is very interesting to observe how three cultures so different from each other combine.

There are few tourist streets on the islands, and almost all of them are located in Mariehamn.

Be sure to take a stroll through:

Stora gatan. The central street of the city is full of souvenir shops, cafes and shops with local Åland handicraft souvenirs.
Torggatan. The main shopping street of the city, everything best stores Mariehamn are located here and in nearby side streets.
Esplanadi. A walking street, very pleasant and very lively in the summer. There are always a lot of young people, musicians and tourists here.

Going to Aland for one day is a real crime, because you definitely won’t have time to see all the delights of the archipelago. If it so happens that you decide to stop here for a short while on the way to Sweden, I advise you to stay on the main island and devote your time to Mariehamn and Jomala. And then go to Sund to see historical places archipelago.

Mariehamn

It is worth starting your “tour” from the shopping streets of Mariehamn Stora gatan and Torggatan. Here you can admire ancient wooden houses, which are very reminiscent of traditional Russian huts, and buy local souvenirs. Walk to the City Hall and St Görans kyrka Cathedral.

Then go to the Maritime Museum and don’t forget to see the monument to the Russian merchant Sitkov and the sailing ship Pommern along the way. This short excursion will take you about 4 hours. The distances in the city are short, but if you rent a bike, allow it to take 3–3.5 hours.

Yomala

After this, at the Mariehamn bus station, take the Lemland - Mariehamn - Jomala bus and go to Jomala to see the local medieval church St Olofs kyrka. Including the road, a tour of the church will take about 1–1.5 hours.

Here, in Jomala, I advise you to remember lunch and visit the cozy restaurant on the Ulfsby Gård farm. It is located near the church, within walking distance. This place serves incredibly delicious lamb dishes and berry desserts.

Sund

There is no direct bus Lomala - Sund, you will have to change trains in Mariehamn, so the journey will take you about 1-1.5 hours. On site, immediately go to explore Kastelholm Castle and Bomarsund Fortress. This will take you about 2.5 hours.

In principle, if you have time to visit all of the above places, you will be able to create some kind of picture about Åland. But still, the main charm of the archipelago is its natural wealth and opportunities for active recreation. Therefore, the islands can hardly be considered a good destination for a one-day trip.

Top 5

Beaches. Which ones are better

Åland has many wonderful beaches, both wild and developed. Of those that I visited myself, I can recommend the following:

Best beachesÅland Islands on the map:

Churches and temples. Which ones are worth visiting?

All prefectures of Åland are full of churches and cathedrals: wooden and stone, medieval and relatively young (there are about 16 of them in total). But I advise fans of architecture and history to pay attention to these:

Museums. Which ones are worth visiting?

There are quite a few museums of different profiles on the islands, but if we discard the local history ones that are not so interesting to us, I can recommend 4 of the most interesting:

Parks

All the Åland Islands are one continuous park, there is a lot of vegetation, lakes and beaches, bike paths and picnic areas.

But I still advise you to pay special attention to these:

Smart Park. It's not so much natural as amusement park in Eckerö. There is water attractions, race track, they hold various competitions and games almost every day. There is a toy laboratory where children are shown interesting experiments and talk about the structure of the world. Fans of outdoor activities will also enjoy the park: here you can rent boats, Segways, bicycles, and have picnics. Address: Eckerö, Eckerövägen, 388.
Kobba Klintar. This natural object worth a visit for the magnificent seascapes and views of the port of Mariehamn. There is a cafe in the park that serves incredibly delicious freshly baked donuts and other delicacies.

Nåto and Järsö. These places can hardly be called parks. Rather, they are walking trails on the island of Lemland. The trails are easy for beginners, short (about 2 kilometers each) and very picturesque. From them you can admire the seascapes and mini-islands that surround Lemland.

Food. What to try

Food in Åland is a special topic; it is original, tasty and almost always made only from local organic products. There are a lot of farms here, where most establishments buy meat, dairy, vegetables and fruits. There are often restaurants right next to farms that serve only the freshest ingredients.

This is also why looking for budget restaurants on the islands is almost useless. Food is expensive; an average second course (meat plus side dish) will cost 20–25 EUR. There is very little street food here, practically none. If you decide to camp and cook yourself, I advise you to visit the markets of Marienhamn or Jomala: they sell fresh fish, meat, cheeses and baked goods. However, you should not hope that prices will be very low: local products are expensive in the markets. The cheapest places to buy food are at Lidl, Prisma, City-Market, S-market.

Åland cuisine is interesting because it has absorbed something from Russian, Finnish and Swedish, but at the same time retained its originality. The main edible product of the locals is, naturally, fish; they have thousands of interesting recipes for its preparation. It was here that I first tried salmon marinated in resin liqueur.

I doubted it for a long time, but in the end I was very pleased. Another important component local cuisine- lamb, you can safely try it in all restaurants, it will always be delicious.

Drinks in Åland are a different story. Here they make delicious cider from local apples and blueberries, and drink wine and beer. Fans of the latter should definitely go to the village of Grelsby, in the Finström prefecture. The local farm brews so-called “slow beer”, the preparation process of which lasts from 4 weeks. I myself am not a fan of the foamy drink, so I can’t talk about its taste qualities, but my beer lovers, the first thing they do when they arrive on the islands, is to buy beer at Grelsby.

Top dishes to try in Åland

Mid-level:

Indigo Restaurang & Bar. Mariehamn, Nygatan, 1;
Bistro Koppar Grytan. Jomala, Sparvägen, 1;
Cafe La Strada. Mariehamn, Torggatan, 6;
ASS Paviljongen. Mariehamn, Sjöpromenaden;
Ovningsrestaurang Hjorten. Mariehamn, Strandgatan, 1A.

Smakbyn. Sund, Slottsvagen, 134 (Kastelholm);
Nautical. Mariehamn, Hamngatan, 2;
Bagarstugan Cafe & Vin. Mariehamn, Ekonomiegatan, 2;
Strandhugget.Sottunga, Strandhugget, 1.

Grocery shopping in Åland is also distinguished by a certain elitism. That is, it’s not worth hunting with huge bags for sanctioned cheeses, ham and milk here: the prices for all this stuff on the Finnish mainland are much more humane, so leave this kind of purchases for later.

But it’s very possible to buy something from high-quality purely Åland products here. For example, in these stores:

Mercedes Chocolaterie(Eckerö, Eckerö Post & Tullhus). This store is worth a visit even if you don't intend to buy anything. It is located in a beautiful old post office building, very interestingly decorated inside. You can buy great chocolate souvenirs here self made, marzipan sweets, dark chocolate bars with local berries and fruits.
Stallhagen(Godby, Getavägen, 196). The same beer store that I mentioned above and which my beer-loving friends adore. There are both “permanent” and “seasonal” beers here. Almost every day they organize tastings of new products.

Holidays

Juhannus/Midsommar (Ivan Kupala Day)

The most interesting thing that can happen to you in Åland is the celebration of the local day of Ivan Kupala, or Juhannus, or, as the Swedes say, Midsommar. It falls on Friday from June 19 to 25.

In fact, this holiday is widely celebrated in both Finland and Sweden, but for some reason it is especially loved on the islands of the archipelago. Most often I have seen Juhannus on the Finnish mainland, and I can say that he is much more modest there than in Åland. Here, from the very morning, everyone is actively preparing for the holiday: decorating houses, weaving wreaths, preparing food. All day long people have fun, go dancing, light bonfires. Many people gather in groups and go to relax in cottages or campsites.

Where to go

Be sure to visit the evening bonfire in the central square of Mariehamn. There will be dancing, songs, competitions and, of course, you will be offered traditional treats: salted herring, new potatoes with dill, grilled meat and local cider, beer or sparkling wine.

Fishing competitions are usually held in Eskerö on this day, and you can win a good prize. In any case, no matter which prefecture you live in, there will be a lot of interesting things there. Just take care of food and drinks in advance: finding an open store on this day will be difficult even in Mariehamn.

Harvest Festival

An interesting and very popular event among the locals. Usually takes place on the last weekend of September. These days, the farms of the archipelago open their doors to everyone: you can travel from one to another, try local products and watch how jams, wines, juices, etc. are prepared. In addition to gastronomic entertainment, farmers try to organize an active program for guests: horse riding , various lectures and material classes.

Where to go

In principle, you can visit any of the farms; almost all of them participate in the holiday. Be sure to go to Smart Park, where the festival opens: they organize an entertainment program for children.

Christmas

Ålanders are not particularly fond of the New Year, as are the Finns and Swedes. It is celebrated here very modestly. But Christmas is another matter; it is the main day of the local calendar. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day itself (December 24–25), Ålanders gather with their families at the table, give gifts and go to the sauna.

There's no use waiting in the cities these days entertainment program. But about a month before Christmas, the festive rigmarole will begin to be felt very clearly: almost every day there are concerts, fairs on the islands, and restaurants invite you to gala dinners.

Where to go

At the end of November, visit Mariehamn for the opening of the Christmas season, a fair and a big festive concert. Usually this action ends with fireworks on retail space. Don't forget to take the children: Santa will be handing out gingerbread cookies, candy and glögg - traditional hot berry drinks with spices.

Safety. What to watch out for

Actually, becoming a victim of scammers in Åland is about as easy as getting sunstroke in Lapland in January. That is, it is practically impossible. Locals very calm, friendly and peaceful.

In already super-safe Finland, the archipelago is considered one of the most quiet places. If in the mainland of Suomi you might be confused in the evening by gypsies or refugees from the Middle East, then in Åland there are practically no such people (at least I didn’t come across any). Here you can safely walk in the evenings and at night, leave your car unlocked, forget things in public places: they will still return them to you!

We often hitchhike in the evenings if we need to get from the campsite in Eckerö to Mariehamn - we never met any suspicious people, all the drivers were very nice and friendly. They never even took money from us. So you can calmly relax and enjoy your vacation: Åland is certainly not a place where you need to be on your guard.

Things to do

In summer, Åland is full of places for active leisure; you can devote every day to a new hobby. Among the particularly popular entertainments, I will highlight these:

Golf and tennis. Again, thanks to the calm, flat terrain, Åland is full of good sites for golf. My friends especially like the places near Kastelholm Castle (for example, Linnankenttä) and the playground in Eckerö (Eckerö Golfklubb). There are also plenty of tennis courts that can be rented by the hour. The most popular ones are in Mariehamn near Idrottspark.
Horseback riding. When I watch young Åland riders, it seems to me that these children were born in the saddle. Horse riding is so popular here that many wealthy Ålanders have private stables. Beginners are happily taught how to communicate with horses. Horse riding can be done at the schools Stall Aftonsol (Hammarland), Midgård Islandsstall (Sund), Ridklubben Sleipner (Maariehamn), Stall Rosenqvist (Eckerö).
Bars. I’ll say right away and honestly: there’s a real problem with bars, pubs and nightclubs on the islands. What Ålanders understand as a bar will seem to us more like something like a bistro-cafe. In pubs, Ålanders adhere to their favorite concept: food should be prepared only from local products, and drinks should be expensive and of high quality. All establishments play rock music, and local bands are invited to perform on Saturdays and Fridays. For most of our tourists, the opening hours of bars come as a surprise: almost all of them close at 2:00 on Friday and Saturday, and at 00:00 on weekdays. However, I will mention those places in the archipelago that, if you have a good imagination, can be mistaken for bars:
- Pub Niska(Mariehamn, Sjökvarteret). A good place for those who like to enjoy not only drinks and music, but also “bar” food. Here they make the best pizza in Mariehamn, again, only from local products. The waiters once boasted to us that even the cheese for the pizza comes from a farm on the island of Eckerö.
- Tullkällarn Pub(Degerby, Lotsuddsvägen). Quite a stylish establishment, located in the premises of a former local customs warehouse. Again, in our understanding, it can hardly be called a pub: they serve pizza and various snacks, but you can only order light drinks: beer and ciders, wines, cocktails. The establishment simply does not have a license for stronger alcohol. However, the bar is worth a visit for its sake unusual design and delicious fish snacks.
- Pub Ettan(Mariehamn, Torggatan, 1). In my opinion, the most traditional bar in Åland. At least the locals love it and often gather here in the evenings for a glass of beer. There is not much food here and a wide selection of drinks. Local musicians play every Saturday and Friday.
Shopping. I can hardly call Åland an ideal place for shopping. The shops here are oh so far from Milan outlets and Stockholm shopping centers.
But on the islands there are plenty of cute shops with local souvenirs and designer items that are worth paying attention to. Basically they are all concentrated in Mariehamn.
- Handmade stores. I can recommend the following:
  - SALT. Local goods store in the seaside quarter of Mariehamn (Sjökvarteret). Here you can buy products made from fabrics, ceramics, wood and iron. Everything is very expensive and high quality.
  - Labeled. Åland designer Linda Karlsson's store in Mariehamn (Torggatan 15). There are many interesting items made from recycled materials: dresses, bags, sweaters. There are souvenirs for home. In general, the design is not for everyone, but adherents of the green peace style will like it.
  - Gretas boutique. Half second-hand, half-handmade shop where you can find interesting vintage jewelry and home goods. It is also located in Mariehamn (Skarpansvägen, 23).
  - Judy's Hantverk & Inredning(Jomala, Hindersvägen, 1). A cute colorful shop of handcrafted ceramics from local designer Judy Kuitunen. All products are in bright, positive colors. Here you can also find handmade textiles from other Åland artists.
  - Guldviva(Mariehamn, Sjökvarteret). I wholeheartedly recommend this store to those like me who are crazy fans of trinkets. Here you can buy interesting silver and gold items from local designers. From time to time you come across truly unique things, so you can safely come here for gifts for your female friends and relatives.
- Stores of branded items. Let me warn you right away, branded items here are very expensive. Large sales on the islands do not happen very often (mainly after the Christmas holidays), so the chance to profit from something luxury is not so great. If prices are not so important to you, you can pay attention to these stores:
  - Ziz Zaci(Mariehamn, Torggatan, 9B);
  - Boutique Niccola(Mariehamn, Norragatan, 1);
  - Tara(Mariehamn, Torggatan, 13);
  - Martin's(Saltvik, Dragödavägen, 57).
- Large shopping mall- Maxing Center. In fact, it is the only shopping mall in Åland, where you can find inexpensive clothes, accessories, equipment, cosmetics, etc. In addition, there are plenty of cafes, restaurants, and children's playgrounds. There are also grocery supermarkets. Located, oddly enough, not in Mariehamn, but in Jomala. Address: Jomala, Sparvägen, 1.

Extreme Sports

There are not many extreme activities on the islands due to the notorious flat terrain that cyclists love so much. But there is one extreme sport beloved by the locals - sea kayaking.

Åland has ideal conditions for rowing for both beginners and experienced people, as there are many sheltered bays and open beaches.

Do you want to practice, take a leisurely kayak stroll along the shore and enjoy beautiful scenery? Choose the beaches of Yomala or Sund prefecture: they are reliably protected from strong winds. If you consider yourself an experienced paddler, head straight to Degersand Beach. This open beach, there are almost always gorgeous waves within its boundaries, and you will have to work hard so that the boat does not capsize.

Kayaks and rescue equipment can be rented from a reputable local company. A single kayak will cost you 50 EUR per day, a double kayak - 90 EUR per day. You can rent them at a short time, for 2 hours. It will cost 35 EUR for a single kayak and 60 EUR for a double kayak. Special kayaks for surfing cost from 55 EUR per day. The same company offers rowing guide services and group tours along the routes.

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

As you already understand, Åland is a very atypical corner of Finland, so you won’t get away with traditional sweaters with reindeer and magnets from Jolupukki as souvenirs. Otherwise, no one will believe that you have been to the islands. So, the most interesting gifts from here:

How to get around the islands

Public transport in Åland it is not as well developed as we would like. The only available type is buses. There are no trams here, and certainly no one would build a metro for the sake of 25 thousand people. Ferries also go from island to island.

In general, the most convenient and profitable option for travelers is to come to the islands by car. If this is not possible, I advise you to rent it in Mariehamn, although it will be much more expensive. You can compare offers using various aggregator sites, for example.

For those who decide to use public transport services, I advise you to be patient and have the Internet. Both buses and ferries do not run so often, sometimes you have to wait 20-30 minutes, others even an hour. So it is best to check the schedules on the website of the local transport company Ålandstrafiken. You can buy tickets there immediately. If you don't want to pay online, go to the Ålandstrafiken ticket offices in Mariehamn and at the piers. Tickets are also sold on the buses and ferries.

One bus trip costs 2 EUR, but you can also buy cards for 10, 25 or 50 times. The greater the number of trips, the correspondingly more favorable the price: a card for 10 times will cost you 18 EUR, for 25 - 42 EUR, for 50 - 70 EUR. A single ferry trip costs 5 EUR. They sell passes for them, you can only buy an annual card, but why would a tourist who will spend two weeks on the islands at best?

I advise “carless” travelers to think about hitchhiking around the islands. This is common and safe here. I have experienced this myself many times and have never encountered any problems. Just remember to write your destination in large letters on some cardboard, and most likely you will be picked up within 10-15 minutes.

It is worth paying attention to the boats: very convenient way travel around the islands for those who do not want to be tied to the timing of the ferries. In Mariehamn there is only one company offering “various caliber” boats and canoes for rent, which is already familiar to us. Apparently, this is why its prices are not the most affordable: using a regular rowing boat for a day will cost you about 100 EUR; in the case of a motor boat, add the cost of fuel. Renting for a week is more profitable: it will cost about 250–300 EUR. Canoes are a little cheaper: about 80 EUR per day and 150 per week.

The conditions for renting boats are no different from the rules for renting bicycles: you will only be asked for an identification card, you will not have to pay a deposit.

The most common way of transportation for locals, everyone in Åland has a bicycle, regardless of income level and social status. Even important officials often commute to work on two wheels. I advise you to move around the islands by bicycle, then you won’t have to depend on not very convenient public transport. And the savings will be significant, because gasoline in Åland is not cheap: a liter of 95 costs about 1.5 EUR, 98 - 1.7 EUR.

If you're on the islands in summer time, you don’t have to worry too much about your equipment: it’s light here most of the day, and the risk of getting into trouble even on the busiest roads is minimal. If you suddenly decide to ride a bike late autumn or early spring, it is better to take care of reflectors in advance - you can buy them in any supermarket and souvenir shops. Don't forget about helmets, especially when you go out of town. You will not be fined for their absence, but for your own peace of mind it is still better to protect your head.

Almost everywhere on the islands there are bicycle paths, which are laid a little further from the main route. As a rule, they are well lit in the area of Mariehamn, Jomala and Eskerö. In remote areas of the archipelago (like Sottung), they often skimp on electricity, so make sure that your two-wheeled friends are equipped with side lights (rental bikes here are strictly checked, so they will definitely meet all safety standards).

So, if my arguments convince you and you decide to rent a bike, you can contact an already well-known company. Their prices are quite affordable: a day’s rental will cost 10 EUR, a week’s rent will cost 50 EUR. This company also has a lot of additional cycling equipment such as child seats, trailers for transporting animals, etc. The rental conditions are simple: you only need a passport; they don’t even take a deposit for renting bicycles. Well, try to return the equipment on time, otherwise you will have to pay some symbolic fine.

Taxi. What features exist

If you come to Åland without a car, you will have to use taxis quite often. Let's start with how to get from the airport or seaport It's the only way to get to the center of Mariehamn. Be prepared that taxis are a luxury here. When you get into the car, the meter already shows 9 EUR. There are no underground “cabs” in Åland, everything is official and according to the meter. Taxi prices here are so inhumane because of high taxes: a trip from the airport will cost you about 20 EUR. If you take a taxi from the distant port of Långnäs, which is 30 kilometers from Mariehamn, be prepared to fork out 60–80 EUR.

However, the widespread formality of taxis in Åland also has its advantages: for example, all cars are equipped with terminals, and you can always pay with a card. It is not customary to catch a taxi on the street here; they are usually taken at special parking lots at ports, the airport, and in the central square. You can call and order a car by phone: the operators of local taxi companies speak excellent English.

Public transport

As I already noted, buses are not the most convenient means of transportation around the islands. You won’t be able to rely on them completely: buses do not always have convenient schedules. And on weekends and holidays the number of shipments is reduced altogether: in small populated areas There may be no buses at all, for example, on Sundays. In the capital, Jomala and Eckerö, the situation is better, but still far from ideal. In any case, do not forget to use this site, then the likelihood of getting into an unpleasant situation will be reduced to a minimum.

Transport rental

Car rental in Åland is quite popular; the service is offered by both local companies and branches of large international companies. According to my observations, prices are international companies a little lower. We rented cars from Hertz several times: the prices there were the lowest on the islands, and the car fleet was quite rich. In addition to standard cars, the manager offered minibuses and jeeps, which can be used to get into any wilderness of the archipelago. Try searching for cars from other companies: Expedia, Car Hire, Runbergs Bil & Service.

The last company is purely local, Åland, and we had a short but pleasant experience of communication with it. We rented a car for a trip to Sottunga and were very pleased with the service. No one demanded a deposit from us; we were asked for a passport, which was immediately returned after a copy was made. As far as I know, all the local companies that rent cars work according to these principles.

Prices for cars from all companies also differ slightly: as a rule, a day's rental costs about 80 EUR, a week - about 400 EUR. Add to this the cost of gasoline, which is by no means cheap in Åland: about 1.5 EUR - 95th, 1.8 EUR - 98th. Fortunately, the islands do not have very large distances between the main tourist sites, and you are unlikely to spend too much fuel.

It is best to compare offers, as I already said, to use aggregator sites. Let's say .

Ålanders are some of the calmest drivers in the world, so even an inexperienced driver can navigate the islands. Even if you slow down and search for a long time for the turn you need, no one will honk irritably and rush you. There are a few things to pay attention to when moving around the archipelago:

Remember the speed limit, in cities it is 40 kilometers per hour! Moreover, in Åland, unlike Russia, there is no “corridor” of 20 kilometers per hour; an error of 5 kilometers per hour is officially allowed. However, in our experience, the camera will not record a violation up to 10 kilometers per hour.

Åland Islands - holidays with children

Åland is the best place for a holiday with children, even the smallest ones. Everything here is adapted for young tourists: in cottages, campsites and hotels you will be offered cribs, and all cafes have high chairs. And in general, the islands are very calm and safe, you can let children go alone to the playgrounds.

The beaches in Åland are well-kept, and many Finns I know call them lapsiystävälliset, which literally means “child-friendly.”

Things to do with children

Visit Kastelholm, Bomarsund and the sailboat Pommern. All three objects are not very large and interesting, children will not have time to get tired while visiting them and at the same time will be imbued with the medieval romance of the fortifications, sea stories about the adventures of a sailboat.

Ski holiday

Due to the surprisingly flat terrain in Åland there are no more or less decent ski slopes, so lovers winter species sports, I would not recommend the archipelago as a vacation destination.

The Åland Islands are a unique archipelago located at the entrance from the Baltic Sea to the Gulf of Bothnia. Located on the southeastern coast of Finland, it is part of it as an autonomous province with its own internal self-government, government, parliament and culture. The length of the archipelago from south to north is 130 km. It includes 6,757 islands, of which only 60 are inhabited. The archipelago proudly bears the status of the most large cluster islands all over the planet. The total area occupied by the Åland Islands is 1552 sq. km. The largest island of the archipelago is the island of Åland, whose area is 685 sq. km. The capital and only city of the province, Mariehamn (“Mary’s harbor”), is the third largest port in Finland.

Administrative division of the Åland Islands on the map:

Åland Island on the map:

Mariehamn - top view:

Mariehamn

The nature of the archipelago is famous for its unusual beauty, picturesque landscapes, diversity of landscapes, amazing reliefs, abundance of clean reservoirs and wonderful specimens of fauna living in them. The Åland Islands are perfect for outdoor enthusiasts: you can go on a bike tour, play golf, sailing, go hiking and, of course, go fishing.

The islands of the archipelago are especially popular among fishing enthusiasts, as its virtually untouched nature and good ecology are ideal for this activity. Despite the fact that the water in the water area surrounding the islands is sea, both sea and freshwater fish are found here, since the local waters have a low salt content. You can fish both in the bays of the archipelago and in the open sea. It is best to fish with a spinning rod in the inner skerries, consisting of straits and bays, and a short distance from the outer shore to open sea makes it possible to fish by trolling. The Åland Islands abound with inhabitants of the deep waters, attracting fishermen; there is everything from roach, perch, pike, pike perch, burbot, bream to salmon and sea taimen.

Each time of year is attractive for fishing in its own way. Winter fishing is special and, perhaps, the best on the Åland Islands. IN winter period there is the same variety and abundance of fish here as in summer. And ice fishing is simply amazing in its unusualness. The variety of seabed topography with edges, ridges and huge differences in depth makes fishing under the ice rich and interesting. Winter fishing in the archipelago is very comfortable, since the winters here are usually mild, not severely frosty. Fishing usually starts on the ice right next to the cottages, so you don’t have to go far or travel far. For many years now, anglers from all over the world have been coming to fish in the clear waters of the archipelago and we can safely say that the Åland Islands are the best place for winter fishing in Scandinavia and Finland.

Finland is famous not only for its excellent fishing spots, but also for its quality fishing equipment. Fans of winter fishing have already appreciated the balancers from the Finnish companies Kuusamo, Nils Master, Rapala.

Aland Islands or Åland- an archipelago in the Baltic Sea at the entrance to the Gulf of Bothnia. In the east they border on the Finnish Archipelago Sea. They belong to Finland and form its autonomous province. Population – 27,700 people (2009). The capital is Finland's third largest port.

Represent 60 inhabited and more than 6,000 uninhabited islands. The area of the territory is about 1.5 thousand km², the length from north to south is 130 km. The largest is the island of Åland, 685 km².

The official language on the islands is Swedish (it is spoken by the majority of the population). The Åland Islands have been assigned the internet domain.ax

Climate

The climate is temperate, cool, and has its own characteristics: being one of the sunniest regions among the Nordic countries, Åland can boast of a long and mild autumn, when the Baltic Sea, heated by the summer sun, gradually releases heat. At the same time, in spring the air also takes much longer to warm up than on the continent. Freeze-up usually occurs in mid-January; the ice melts in the second half of April or early May.

Story

In the 18th century, an important postal route from St. Petersburg to Stockholm passed through Åland.

On March 18, 1809, during the Russian-Swedish war, the Russian corps under the command of Prince Bagration occupied the Åland Islands, which after the end of the war, as part of the Grand Duchy of Finland, were annexed to the Russian Empire.

In 1832, the Russian fortress of Bomarsund was built, around which the first city grew.

In 1856, the Treaty of Paris gave the Åland Islands the status of a demilitarized zone, which continues to this day.

Last changes: 06/17/2011

Transport

From mainland Finland to the Åland Islands you can take regular small ferries from the company. Ålandstrafiken(alandstrafiken.ax) in two ways:

The “Northern route” starts from Osnes harbor in the city of Kustavi (Gustavs), located 70 km west of the city of Turku. From here you can take a ferry to Brandø Island, and from the southern part of Brandø Island there is a ferry via Kumlinge to the port of Hummelvik in the municipality of Vårdö. From Hummelvik to Mariehamn it is only about 40 km.

« Southern route» starts from Galtby to Korppoo (80 km southwest of Turku). From Galtby you can take a ferry via Kökar and Föglö to Långnäs port in Lumparland. From Långnäs to Mariehamn it is only about 35 km.

In addition, company ferries make a stop in Marienhamn Viking Line(vikingline.ax) and Silja Line(tallinksilja.ru) on the routes Helsinki-Stockholm and Turku-Stockholm

Public transport is represented by buses with several routes. At the same time, bus travel within Mariehamn is free for absolutely everyone.

Last changes: 03/19/2017

Tourism and fishing in the Åland Islands

The Åland Islands are popular among fishing enthusiasts. Since the land on the islands (and coastal waters) is privately owned, fishing is only possible in specially designated areas. To fish, you must purchase a fishing permit or a license for the territory where you plan to fish. To do this, you need to decide on a fishing spot in advance. The license can be ordered in advance when booking a cottage or purchased directly on site from its owner. You need to immediately clarify what types of fishing are allowed in these places.

The water in the area surrounding the islands is sea, but has a low salt content, so both sea and freshwater fish are found here. In addition, the islands are an ideal place to relax from noisy city life and bustle.

Last changes: 03/24/2012

Sights of the Åland Islands

- the only one medieval castle in Åland, mentioned for the first time in chronicles in 1388. The exact date of foundation of the castle, however, is unknown. In its current appearance, the castle is a complex architectural complex that was built and expanded from the end of the 14th to the mid-17th centuries.

Battle of Bomarsund– a 19th-century fortress located in the municipality of Sund. Founded in 1832 by the Russian Empire on the island of Åland. Destroyed in 1854 by the Anglo-French fleet during the Crimean War.

The blasted walls of Bomarsund formed the foundations of many buildings. Houses on the islands were built from red bricks, and they were used in the capital that was soon founded. The Orthodox Assumption Cathedral in Helsinki is also built partly from Bomarsund brick. The fortress was never restored, although the muzzles of formidable cannons still look into the sea from the dilapidated walls.

Last changes: 03/24/2012

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