City guide · Åland
Mariehamn
Mariehamn is the capital of Åland, an autonomous region of Finland, and the seat of its government and parliament.
1 ready itineraries · 3-day plans
Mariehamn is the capital of Åland, an autonomous region of Finland, and the seat of its government and parliament. * * * thumbnail|Exhibits at the Åland Maritime Museum * * * * *
- Best for
- First-time visitors who want Mariehamn without a car. The 3-day plan stays inside walking range of City.
- Skip if
- Skip Mariehamn if you only want a beach week or an airport layover. This cluster is for people who will walk most days.
Pick a trip length
One plan per length — open it and walk the days in order.
3-day preview
Skim the walking days, then open the full plan.
- 1
City
Walk City in Mariehamn. Start at Pommern, then The Åland Maritime Museum and Kobba Klintar. Stay on foot.
Pommern · The Åland Maritime Museum · Kobba Klintar
- 2
City
Walk City in Mariehamn. Start at Maritime Quarter, then Åland Museum and Åland Art Museum and Mariehamn Museum. Stay on foot.
Maritime Quarter · Åland Museum and Åland Art Museum · Mariehamn Museum
- 3
City
Walk City in Mariehamn, including St. George's Church in Mariehamn and Tullarns äng.
St. George's Church in Mariehamn · Tullarns äng
Where to stay
Bases that fit the walking plan.
Camping
3 to 5 nights
First stay
The only camping area in Mariehamn is located by a beach and a nice park, an easy walk from the town centre. It has plenty of room. The reception building has a café with food items and toiletries available. Playground for children.
Cottages
3 to 5 nights
First stay
Strandbergs Stugor is a listed stop in this neighborhood.
Guesthouses
3 to 5 nights
First stay
Inexpensive, especially for singles. Very close to the main ferry port. Open all year.
Mid-range
3 to 5 nights
First stay
A bed and breakfast hotel open only in the summer season.
Getting there & when to go
Lock timing and airport basics early.
Best time
Mariehamn works year-round for a walking trip. Shoulder months are easier on crowds and hills.
- Shoulder months
- High season
- Low season
- Rain days
Airport
Mariehamn Airport (XXX)
thumb|upright|Mariehamn is called the town of a thousand lindens; walk in central Mariehamn As of summer 2023 there are five local bus lines operated by Ålandstrafiken, and identified by direction: N for northern line, S for southern, Ö for eastern, and V for western. The J line drives south all the way to Järsö. Some bus routes are circular, so do not be surprised if the bus does not return the same route as it arrived. The local transport hub is on Nygatan.
- Public transit from XXX30 to 60 minutes · Local ticket price. Check the operator the week you fly.
- Taxi or licensed ride hail20 to 45 minutes · Treat any number you see online as an estimate, not a quote.
Practical notes
Short reads before you book.
Understand
thumb|Södragatan, one of the oldest streets of Mariehamn * A youthful town, Mariehamn was founded in 1861 while Åland and Finland formed part of the mighty Russian Empire. Maria, consort of Tsar Alexander II of Russia, gave the town her name; the name Mariehamn is Swedish for Maria's harbour.
Mariehamn grew up round the farming village of Övernäs, situated on a peninsula. The harbour's built-in sheltered bays came to be of great importance.
Get in
Mariehamn is well connected by cruise ferries: from Stockholm, Norrtälje, Turku, Helsinki, Tallinn, and occasionally even Riga. For those cruise ferries that call in Eckerö or Långnäs, there are buses to Mariehamn.
Note that while a single bus trip from Långnäs harbour to Mariehamn costs only €2.50 in daytime, the night bus by Viking Line costs €19. The airport is small, with flights mainly from Stockholm, Turku and Helsinki.
Get around
thumb|upright|Mariehamn is called the town of a thousand lindens; walk in central Mariehamn As of summer 2023 there are five local bus lines operated by Ålandstrafiken, and identified by direction: N for northern line, S for southern, Ö for eastern, and V for western. The J line drives south all the way to Järsö.
Some bus routes are circular, so do not be surprised if the bus does not return the same route as it arrived. The local transport hub is on Nygatan.
Stay safe
Crime is extremely low in Åland. The only prison (having 3 cells) was closed in 1975 and is nowadays a museum (see Sund).
In statistics, the situation seems very different, as drunken fights and assaults on cruise ships (with a combined passenger capacity exceeding the population) are recorded as occurring in Mariehamn! *
Related guides
Helpful next pages for Mariehamn.