Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Åland Archipelago
Why Go?
The glorious Åland archipelago is a geopolitical anomaly: the islands belong to Finland,
speak Swedish, but have their own parliament, fly their own blue-gold-and-red flag, issue
their own stamps and have their own web suffix: 'dot ax'. Their 'special relationship' with
the EU means they can sell duty free and make their own gambling laws.
Åland is the sunniest spot in northern Europe and its sweeping white-sand beaches and
flat, scenic cycling routes attract crowds of holidaymakers during summer. Yet outside the
lively capital, Mariehamn, a sleepy haze hangs over the islands' tiny villages and finding
your own remote beach among the 6500 skerries and islets is surprisingly easy. A lattice of
bridges and free cable ferries connect the central islands, while larger car ferries run to the
archipelago's outer reaches.
