I just spent the weekend visiting the Åland Islands and guys, I can’t remember when I’ve been so excited to tell people about a trip! I actually hadn’t even heard of the Åland Islands until a few months ago, and while I thought it would be interesting to visit this small autonomous area in Finland, I hadn’t expected to fall as hard as I did for it.
I’m going to be totally honest here though – part of what I loved about Åland was how little I had known about the islands before visiting. I constantly felt like I was discovering hidden gems while on my visit to Åland, and I left with a long list of reasons why everyone needs to visit – and why I need to return!
Åland is a short ferry ride from Helsinki and Stockholm
For a place that feels so hidden and remote, Åland is surprisingly easy to get to. You can choose to fly into Åland or, better yet, take the ferry! It’s only a few hours from both Helsinki and Stockholm.
Visiting Åland is a bargain
A night in a cabin on the ferry is actually cheaper than a hotel in either Helsinki or Stockholm, so you’ll be saving money by going to Åland!
Island hopping
You know how much I love island hopping, so I was excited to find that Åland consists of 80 inhabited islands, and then over 6,000 uninhabited islands.
I mean, that makes for a lot of gorgeous island views, and a lot of secret spots to discover while on your trip.
You can rent your own island
Maybe you thought you’d have to win the lottery to get your own island, but on Åland this luxury isn’t only reserved for the fabulously wealthy. In fact prices for renting a private island with a cottage on Åland start at around 160 euros/night for four people.
Anyone want to join me for a weekend on a private island this summer? My treat!
Fresh produce
Ålanders are incredibly proud of their local produce. In fact I think every single meal I ate, including the hotel breakfast, was made from at least some local produce. Apparently Åland even grows 70% of Finland’s apples!
As someone who lives in Norway (we’re not known for having tons of fresh produce up here), I hugely appreciated all the delicious vegetables and fruit I had in Åland.
Åland brews their own beer
If fruit and vegetables aren’t totally your thing (um, what happened to that New Year’s resolution though?) then maybe this will excite you: Åland also produces beer. Apparently the Stallhagen Microbrewery is sort of a big deal.
I had dinner here and sampled a few different beers and all I can say is, you need to try Stallhagen if you haven’t already! And of course it’s extra cool to get to try it where it’s actually made.
Those island views
Locals told me I should return in the summer, but I can’t imagine it looking any prettier than this:
You can ski or bicycle everywhere
Ålanders are incredibly outdoorsy, and I can see why. With beautiful paths for cross-country skiing in the winter and bicycling in the summer, Åland is an outdoor lover’s paradise.
In fact just being on Åland gave me so much energy and all I wanted to do while there was explore the outdoors.
You will finally understand Finland’s history
Am I the only person who has been totally confused by Finland’s history? Like, it was Swedish and then it was Russian, and when did it even become known as Finland?
Lying between Sweden and Finland with a Swedish speaking population, Åland has actually played a key role in Finnish history. Speaking with Ålanders about their relationship both to Sweden and Russia in the past, as well as their dual identities as Ålanders and Finns, I finally began to understand the complexity of the Finnish heritage.
the remains of a Russian fortress at Bomarsund
Finland’s best museum is in Åland
Okay, so I’m not a museum person at all, but even I can get excited about visiting a museum where you can climb a mast and see an original (!) pirate flag. It’s no surprise that the Åland Maritime Museum was voted Finland’s Museum of the Year in 2016.
The world’s best diving is in Åland
An Ålander proudly told me that Åland has the best diving in the world!
Now, I don’t actually know anything about diving, so I have no idea if this was an exaggeration. But I do know that some local divers once discovered a shipwreck containing five bottles of beer and 145 bottles of excellently preserved champagne from the 1840s.
I’m guessing most divers would agree that that’s like, not the worst.
And if that’s all not enough to convince you that Åland is amazing, here is a little video I made of my time there!
I visited Åland as a guest of Visit Åland as part of NBE Finland.
Anne Morgan says
I’d love to go to Aland. Places like this really fascinate me and I do love islands, but each time I’ve been in Stockholm I’ve run out of time. I’m sure I’ll get there one day though.
Silvia says
I definitely think it’s worth making the time for when you’re next in Stockholm!
Jordan says
You are now the third person and/or magazine to mention Åland this week alone!!! I definitely need to add it to my list and it probably isn’t too hard to reach it from northern Germany!
Silvia says
Oooh it sounds like you are fated to come then!
Nynke says
I had heard of Åland, but I didn’t know it was part of Finland (it just said AUTONOMOUS AREA so emphatically on the last map I checked, I figured they were their own country, or somehow peacefully disputed between Finland and Sweden or something… And I had no clue it had so many thousands of islands, either. Wow!
And yes, that blue water under the ice does look magical…
Silvia says
Haha right? I was confused where it was too! I love that it has so many islands.
LC says
So I have this goal to visit all the Nordic countries and territories and the Åland Islands are one of the last on the list… looking most forward to it now! Would love to see it in the summer… or the winter… not picky, really. Glad you had a swell weekend there.
Silvia says
Oooh I think you will love Åland!
adly amirull says
amazing island with an amazing blogger
Silvia says
Haha thanks!
Ciprian says
This sounds like a really good idea. I couldn’t find a link to actually book an island so could you, please, provide one? This would be a great getaway for me and my family.
Silvia says
I’ve added a link to some options in the blog post, or you can contact Visit Åland directly and inquire!
Ciprian says
Thank you, Silvia! I will check.
Iina says
You should visit Åland during summer as well, it’s so beautiful. And don’t forget the continental Finland! Instead of Helsinki you can take a ferry from Åland to Turku (Åbo), which is actually the oldest city in Finland (founded in the 13th century) and used to be the capital. See, so much more to learn!
(I just get so excited when people get excited about Finland. And I love your blog!)
Silvia says
Oooh I’m dying to see Turku! I definitely will be returning to Finland many times.
Zascha says
It looks incredibly beautiful! But also very cold 🙂
Silvia says
It actually wasn’t that cold – just under freezing!
Lottie says
What a wonderful blogpost! I had an incredible time there with you, can’t wait to meet you again soon!
Lots of love,
Lottie
http://www.shelivesherdream.com
Silvia says
Thanks, Lottie, I hope we can meet up soon! And of course you’re always more than welcome to visit me in Rauland xx
same day taj mahal tour says
This is definitely something I would like to do the next time! It looks like a lot of fun. Thank you so much for sharing it. So stunning pictures you shared.
Silvia says
It really was so much fun!
Victoria @The British Berliner says
Aland sounds like such a thrilling place. I’ve never heard about it previously, so I’m intrigued!
In fact, I do like the sound of a private island and for €160 per night, I could make a party out of it!
Do you know what? I might just!
Silvia says
You should!! lol
Suunnaton says
I’m glad you liked Åland! To be honest, I’ve never thought to visit Åland in winter 🙂 I’ve been there twice in summer and definitely need to visit there again. Love the sea!
Silvia says
I definitely want to return to Åland in summer, but it was magical in winter!
Marianne - Glimt av verden says
Private island, 160 euros per night, four people? That’s so cool! I want to do that! Åland looks amazing. I’ve “always” known where it is, but I have never been there.
Silvia says
Right? So cool.
GLC says
Been there 3 times, and about to make it 4!
Nice video, except that it looks like you went in winter. You need to go to Aland in summer, and you’ll get so much more out of the visit!!
Silvia says
I know, I really, really want to visit in the summer! Maybe next year…
Michael says
Very interesting, question for you though. I have 5 days in Stockholm next month (after touring northern Norway and stopping in Gothenburg en route). I’ve never been to Stockholm before and wanted to go for a long time, so is it worth sacrificing a couple of my 5 days to travel over to Aland, or would I be better served spending that time exploring the Stockholm region and returning to Aland another time?
Silvia says
Personally I would go to Aland, but I guess it depends if you like cities or countryside more, and if you enjoy taking ferries.
Sophia says
The islands look so beautiful. I’m thinking of going there for 3 nights in December, although I don’t think I’ll have a car. Stopping over between Sweden and Helsinki 🙂 Do you have any recommendations?
Saurabh says
Hi, you have a lovely blogpost here!
Did you go at the islands in winter? I plan to head there this January. Would love some help from you. 🙂
Silvia says
Yes I was there in January. It was lovely!
Kay says
Thank you! Where are the hot tubs in the video?
Harnäs stugor och Tornvilla says
This is great content! Love this blogg!
Harnäs stugor says
This is great content! Love this blogg!
Silvia says
glad you enjoyed it!
Manuel Carrasco Molina says
Hi Silvia!
I’ve done an interview of https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-scott-92758984 recently because we were both at the European Green Conference. To “illustrate” her talking about the Åland Islands, I’d like to use some parts (especially the landscapes) of your video — of course with a mention of the source!
Would that be okay?
PS: Are you still in Tromsø? 🙂
Silvia says
Sure, that’s fine as long as you credit Heart My Backpack.