Discover Åland: maritime culture and historic experiences

The four-masted barque Pommern is the only sailing ship of this size in the world to have been preserved in its original condition. The museum ship is a striking landmark in Mariehamn for anyone interested in maritime history. It is open to visitors during the summer season; check the latest opening details before your trip.

Maritime history and art in Mariehamn

The Maritime Quarter is also in Mariehamn. It includes a boat harbour and facilities for rope-making, blacksmithing, carpentry and rigging. Nordic traditions of clinker-built boat construction are recognised as intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO and are deeply rooted in Åland. Mariehamn therefore brings together a preserved sailing ship, craft workshops and a traditional boatbuilding heritage as distinct maritime themes.

For a museum visit, the Åland Museum of Cultural History and the Åland Art Museum make a good pair: both are housed in the same building in Mariehamn. Önningeby offers another connection to art history. Around the turn of the 20th century, it was home to an artists’ colony, a creative community of painters. The Önningeby Museum (Önningebymuseet) displays landscape paintings from around that turn of the century.

Historic sites between Prästö and Jomala

The main-island section of the Åland Archipelago Trail runs from Prästö in Sund in the north to Lumparland in the south. On Prästö, a nature trail takes in historic sights. The trail and its sights make Prästö a distinctive option for a trip that also includes historical themes.

Jomala Church is also on the main-island route. Its tower dates from the late 13th century. The late-13th-century tower is a striking historic building along the route.

Kastelholm: castle, open-air museum and golf

The only castle in Åland is in the Kastelholm area. The Jan Karlsgården open-air museum is also located there. The Slottsbanan golf course is in the Kastelholm area too, and all 18 of its holes offer sea views. Historic sights and golf come together in Kastelholm: all 18 holes of Slottsbanan offer sea views.

Ålands Golfklubb has two 18-hole courses and a 6-hole par-3 course. It lies on a headland between two sea bays, next to the medieval Kastelholm Castle. If you plan to play golf, the different course formats can help you plan your visit; Slottsbanan is noted for offering sea views from all 18 holes.

Tours, tastings and activities

Near Godby, Stallhagen Brewery offers visitor tours and beer tastings. Young people can also go kayaking in Åland. These activities offer different experiences: an insight into a brewery with a tasting, or an activity on the water for young people.

At Nygårds Pig Farm, visitors can meet the pigs on a safari. Tours take place on Wednesdays in July; check the current season’s schedule. There are several ferry departures to Åland every day from Finland and Sweden. As timetables vary, check the latest departure times with the ferry operators before your trip.

Then compare the location of specific accommodation options with your travel plans, rather than choosing somewhere to stay based solely on a general interest in a particular theme.

Discover more destinations: Mariehamn, Åland archipelago, Åland countryside, Mariehamn city, Liechtenstein, Serbia, Finland, Georgia.

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