Island in 🇫🇮Finland

Åland

Swedish ambiance in Finland's sunny archipelago.

Explore Åland's Swedish-influenced archipelago filled with maritime history, rare birds, and local delicacies like archipelago bread.

5
out of 5

Welcome to Åland, a quietly appealing collection of islands situated between Sweden and mainland Finland. Known for its peaceful atmosphere and exceptional sailing opportunities, Åland is a semi-autonomous region with its own flag and stamps.

Åland's history is deeply interwoven with both Swedish and Finnish influences, however, the region has retained a clear sense of its own identity. The local population, a few thousand in total, primarily speak Swedish. The Åland Maritime Museum in Mariehamn, the region's capital, provides a detailed look into the islands' rich maritime history. The museum also offers the chance to tour the Pommern, a fully-rigged ship that used to sail across the globe.

The landscape of Åland is flat, perfect for cycling and walking. You can rent a bike and explore the islands on your own or join one of the guided tours. In the summer, sailing is a big deal here - so big that the local postal service even operates a mail boat. For those interested in history, the Kastelholm Castle, dating back to the 14th century, offers a glimpse into Åland's past.

Food in Åland is often sourced locally. As the region is surrounded by the Baltic Sea, seafood features prominently in local cuisine. The archipelago bread, a dark and heavy bread made from malt and rye, is a local specialty that visitors should try.

For nature lovers, the region offers many opportunities for bird watching, especially during the migration season. Many rare bird species have been spotted on the islands. The scenic beauty and tranquility of Åland make it a perfect place for those seeking to relax and unwind.

Åland's climate is relatively mild, but the weather can change quickly. The summers are usually warm but not hot, while winters can be quite cold.

Average temperatures during the day in Åland.

What people say about Åland

5
People
5
Food
5
Spaces
5
Value
5
Safety
5

Articles about Finland

Image of The best disc golf destinations in the world
Image of The best disc golf destinations in the world

The best disc golf destinations in the world

April 2023,
We wanted to know where to go for the perfect disc golf trip. So we combined UDisc's ratings of more than 14,000 disc golf courses with Humbo's ratings of more than 300,000 destinations. Every single
Image of Where to see the Northern Lights: The ultimate guide
Image of Where to see the Northern Lights: The ultimate guide

Where to see the Northern Lights: The ultimate guide

October 2023,
Humbling experience Traveling to see the Northern Lights is worth every mile, every hour on the road or in the air. Imagine standing under the dark sky, surrounded by silence, when suddenly the black
Image of The most beautiful national parks in the world
Image of The most beautiful national parks in the world

The most beautiful national parks in the world

July 2023,
National parks are unique in several ways, about 15% of all land and 8% of all water in the world is protected. National parks are protected pockets of nature that offers a unique opportunity for bot
Image of The 20 happiest cities in the world
Image of The 20 happiest cities in the world

The 20 happiest cities in the world

January 2023,
This is a list of the top 20 happiest cities in the world according the World Happiness Report which is based on data from 160+ countries. The Nordics and Oceania are heavily over-represented, but the
Image of The 20 most bike-friendly cities in the world
Image of The 20 most bike-friendly cities in the world

The 20 most bike-friendly cities in the world

January 2023,
To find the best cities for cycling, we looked at the Copenhagenize Index, a comprehensive ranking of the world’s most bicycle-friendly cities based on ambition, culture, and city design. Below you wi
Image of Bucket list-worthy places in the Nordics
Image of Bucket list-worthy places in the Nordics

Bucket list-worthy places in the Nordics

April 2023,
The Nordics is a beautiful region in Northern Europe consisting of Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Iceland. These five countries are some of the world's safest, most peaceful, and most prosperou
Most popular articles on Humbo right now
Humbo™AboutTop 100Sustainable travelBucket listsPrivacyTerms