Port of Mariehamn
About Mariehamn, Guide and Tourist Attractions
(Mariehamn, Aland, Finland)
Mariehamn is a leisurely and wonderful town set on Aland's western shoreline. Though the town has just 10,500 inhabitants, increasing tourism has brought with it a comprehensive selection of cafés, restaurants, hotels and several diverse events.
Distances between city locations are short, making the entire town very accessible.
What to do in Mariehamn
Mariehamn is a laid-back summer town with two spacious marinas, a fine selection of restaurants and shops, the majority of them within walking distance. It is also the seat of autonomous Aland's highest administration, housed in the Self-Government Building.
Aland boasts excellent golf courses. Alands Golfklubb has two quality 18-hole courses. Kungsbanan and Slottsbanan are the only golf courses you will find in the north. Another popular activity is hiking. The Prästö cultural path In Sund is a 5.5 km / 3.5 miles long nature hiking trail running through historic Russian cemeteries and signal station. In Kastelholma and Bomarsund you can find also marked cultural paths. The hiking route between the two places is 15 km / 9.5 miles long and connects cultural paths and two quaint villages. In Eckerö you can find a mobile kayak hire company which delivers kayaks to the entire Aland area. The island offers great places to fish as well. You will have to get a fishing license though. The tourist information office will provide you all the information about things to do on island. Their email address is: turistinformation@foglo.aland.fi
Tourist Attractions
There are many interesting attractions to see on the island: the Käringsund fishing harbour including the island's Museum of Hunting and Fishing, and adjacent to it you'll find Vilthägnet game safaris. The little stone church of St Lars and the local arts-and-crafts house Labbas are a must-see. Another impressive sight is the Eckerö midsummer poles. Also worth a visit is the annual Eckerö market in Storby and the unique postal service that rows across the Aland Sea.
Photographs and paintings by both young and old Aland artists are displayed in the Aland Art Museum and at the Western Harbour you can find the Mariehamn Gallery boasting a 1920's Mariehamn in miniature with its traditional houses made from wood. The Alands Sjöfartsmuseum displays paintings from an era when ships looked like real tall ships and captains ordered portraits from the local artists. Galleri Skarpans exhibits high quality contemporary art and a collection of works created by craftsmen and artists.
