The Åland islands

Ålanders are proud of their locally produced food and the people who work with it. Åland has its own dairies, breweries, bakeries, soft drink and chocolate production, apple juice producers and a wide range of local food artisans. The concept Axgan is a word derived from the domain that tells a course mostly consists of Åland products. It’s also used to describe a person who prioritizes locally produced Åland food and products.

The regional centre of Åland, Mariehamn, with its almost 12 000 inhabitants is a small town that feels larger than its actual size. The town centre has a great service and supply in a small area all year round – shopping, restaurants, culture and experiences are always nearby and you’ll find everything within a comfortable walking distance.

The Ålanders often use points of the compass when they give a road description. The locals are also well aware of the current windforce and wind direction. Welcome to the Åland Islands!

The archipelago’s islands, mild climate and location between Sweden and Finland make Åland unique. The Ålanders have always travelled by sea and used the sea to support themselves. The sea has also set the conditions for island life. The position in the middle of the Baltic Sea has always made Åland a natural meeting point both for seafarers and travellers.

The Åland Islands  are surrounded by sea in all directions and here you’ll find a fantastic outdoor life with fresh sea air and a countless number of activities. The beautiful nature offers the best conditions for varying outdoor life. Hiking, bicycling, paddling, sailing, bathing, golfing, fishing… the possibilities are nearly endless. Hiking in Åland offers a varied landscape where your surroundings change rapidly from uninhabited forest to ancient monuments and cultural buildings to sea views.

The Åland Islands is the perfect bicycle trip destination, whether you plan a bike tour or just a short day trip. The distances are short in Åland, the roads are of high standard and there are many bicycle paths. You are surrounded by beautiful archipelago nature and picturesque sceneries, and there are a lot of interesting sites to explore.

The many guest harbours around Åland offer a genuine archipelago atmosphere for those who travel with their own boat. Åland is especially suitable for bouldering which is a form of climbing that involves problem solving.

Thanks to the short distances, the best way to travel within Åland is by car or bike. The archipelago ferries take you from one island to another and there are bus connections to the countryside from the biggest city Mariehamn. 

Åland has been an autonomous province in the republic of Finland since 1921. Åland was then determined to be exclusively Swedish-speaking, demilitarised and granted extensive autonomy. The first Åland parliament convened 9 June 1922 and 9 June is thus celebrated as the Åland “national day”. Ålanders have their own government and parliament, their own budget and the right to legislate within education and training, healthcare, trade and industry, municipal administration and traffic and transport.