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The Åland Islands

Experience the unique Åland Islands

The Åland Islands is an autonomous, demilitarised, monolingually Swedish-speaking region of Finland that consists of an archipelago lying at the entrance to the Gulf of Bothnia in the Baltic Sea. Åland has nearly 6,700 named skerries and islands, 60 of which have permanent residents. Rugged skerries, smooth rocky shores and glistening waters enchant visitors over and over again.

With Finnlines, you can depart in the evening either from Naantali or Kapellskär and travel to the harbour of Långnäs east of Mariehamn year round. During summertime (1st June–31st August), morning and day departures are operated as well travelling via Långnäs.

Distances
Långnäs – Mariehamn	Mariehamn – Kastelholma castle	Mariehamn – Eckerö
30 km Drive time approx. 25 min.	23 km Drive time approx. 20 min	34 km Drive time approx. 28 min

Facts about the Åland Islands
Population The whole island: 27 500, Mariehamn: 11 000 Time zone: GMT +2 (in summertime GMT +3) Currency: Euro (€) Speed limits Towns and cities: 40–50 km/h (25–31 mph) Main highways: 100–120 km/h (63–75 mph) Smaller roads: 80 km/h (50 mph) Headlights must be used everytime when driving.		Map of Aland.pdf

Tax free

Happenings in the Åland Islands

The Åland islands are part of Finland, but are not part of the EU tax union due to their self-governed status. This enables tax und duty free sales onboard.

The Tax free shop is open on Finnlines calls operating via Långnäs.

visitaland.com

Idyllic Mariehamn

Named after the Empress of Russia, Mariehamn is the centre of Åland and home to nearly half of the region's population. The most important sights in this picturesque town are related to seafaring. The four-masted barque Pommern, built in 1903, has sailed from the Åland Islands to Australia and back. The Åland Maritime Museum, located next to the museum ship, offers a comprehensive history of the islands’ maritime endeavours. Wooden boats are still made using traditional methods in the Maritime Quarter, which also hosts numerous events in the summer.

Cyclist's paradise

Long distances are an alien conceptin the Åland Islands, as even the largest island in the region is only 50 km wide. Thanks to its compact size, Åland is ideal for cycling and short day trips by car. Cyclists can enjoy the islands' numerous beautiful routes, and bicycles can also be rented at a number of locations on the islands. Inhabited islands are served by ferries that are free to use apart from a fee charged for vehicles.

Sights and history

The earliest mentions of theimpressive castle at Kastelholm date back to the year 1388. The castle has since been occupied by kings, such as Gustav I of Sweden, who used to regularly hunt in the castle grounds during his time there. At the Jan Karlsgården open-air museum, located next to the castle, visitors can experience what life was like at a traditional Åland farm in the late 1800s. The ruins of the Fortress of Bomarsund, which was destroyed in the Battle of Bomarsund, recall the time when Åland was a part of Russia.