The Aland Islands - Traveling to the Aland Islands

The Aland Islands ("Åland") are located between Sweden and Finland. The 6,000 Aland Islands are officially part of Finland and the European Union, but remain autonomous and have their own government (capital of Aland: Mariehamn, founded in 1861). The official language here is Swedish, some Aland residents speak Finnish. The currency of the Aland Islands is the Euro.

You can fly to the Aland Islands in two steps. First, compare flights to Helsinki or flights to Stockholm. And from those two cities, Air Aland (click on Sprak to change language to English) offers flights several times a day.

Coming from the Scandinavian mainland? There are ferry services between Aland and Helsinki, Turku, and Stockholm, operated by Tallink, Silja, and Viking. On these ferries to and from the Aland Islands, you can buy duty-free alcohol due to Åland's exemption from the EU's Value Added Tax.

Accommodation on the Aland Islands is offered by good quality hotels and guesthouses. Remember to make sure to book in advance during the summer season, as it can get very busy. Great Aland accommodation can be found here:
3-Star Hotel Savoy in Mariehamn
2-Star Adlon Hotel in Mariehamn

In the capital Mariehamn tourists can visit the Åland Museum, the Åland Art Museum, the Mariehamn Gallery, as well as the Ålands Sjöfartsmuseum (seafaring museum) which is my absolute favorite!

25 kilomters north-east of Mariehamn you will find Sund with its 13th century medieval church, the largest church in Åland. The church's five-meter-tall crucifix is the tallest in all of Scandinavia. Kastelholm Castle (photo) is located in Sund.

A big event for Alanders are the Island Games, hosted by Aland in 2009.

Once you're on the Aland Islands, you can rent a car, walk, or take the Sundqvists Bus. Within Mariehamn, download and/or print the Mariehamn City Map.

You can also take a look at a regional island map of the Aland Islands and at the outline map of the Aland Islands which shows the distance to Finland and Sweden.