Eckerö: Geology, Coast and History

Eckerö can be explored across several timescales: the Geostigen tells the geological story of Åland, Degersand invites you to swim in the gently sloping Åland Sea, and the Eckerö Post and Customs House offers a glimpse into the history of the old postal road. Eckerö Golf also has four different tee options. This gives you a range of starting points for your trip—from coast and nature to architectural and cultural history.

Geology by the sea, golf and swimming

The 350-metre-long Geostigen “Through Fire and Ice” begins just outside the Åland Hunting and Fishing Museum. From there, it passes boathouses on its way to the cliffs by the sea. Along the trail, rocks from different geological periods illustrate Åland’s geological history over a span of two billion years. This short route therefore brings both the cliff landscape and the long history of the Earth into focus.

Eckerö Golf has four different tee options, including choices that make the game suitable for beginners, young people and players with shorter driving distances. This range offers a practical point of reference when planning a round of golf. At Degersand, swimming takes centre stage: the beach has a gently sloping stretch of the Åland Sea that invites adults and children to swim.

The Post and Customs House and its history

For more than a hundred years, the Eckerö Post and Customs House served as a Russian border station facing Sweden. It is an important part of Åland’s cultural heritage and is closely connected to the old postal road. Its history can be understood both through its long-standing border role and its connection to this old route. The Geostigen and the Post and Customs House highlight different periods: the geological story spans two billion years, while the narrative of the latter is shaped by its more than century-long historical role.

More to explore in the wider destination of Åland’s countryside

The wider destination of Åland’s countryside offers more cultural and historical attractions. At the Bomarsund Visitor Centre, the area’s history is brought to life through sound and images. Kastelholm Castle was built as a defensive fortress in the late 14th century; the Kastelholm area is also home to Jan Karlsgården, an open-air museum. Jomala Church is one of Finland’s oldest stone churches.

Prästö is home to the cemeteries of Greek Orthodox, Muslim, Lutheran, Catholic and Jewish communities. They date from the period when Bomarsund Fortress was being built. The Prästö hiking trail passes the Russian telegraph station and its accommodation building, Doniken. Both are among the few surviving Russian buildings on Åland.

The landscape and local products offer further ways to explore Åland’s countryside. A lookout tower stands on Getabergen in Geta; on a clear day, you can enjoy far-reaching views from there. The region is home to several authentic small-scale producers. Visitors can stroll among expansive apple orchards to buy the famous apple juice, or visit a caramel workshop and sample handmade sweets. Individual producers and their offerings may vary. If you plan to visit, it is best to check what each business has to offer.

Discover more destinations: Hammarland, Jomala, Lumparland, Finström, Geta, Lemland, Saltvik

See the wider travel overview: Åland’s countryside.