Connoisseurs claim that some of the most romantic cottages in Finland are located on the Åland Islands.
Åland, which is also the name of the main island of the archipelago, paradoxically means 'land of rivers'. There are only a few rivers (or rather streams) here, but more than 6,400 islands and islets. This beautiful world of water and rocks is an ideal place for outdoor recreation, whether it is a cycling route or a quiet rest in a summer cottage.
Some of the most romantic cottages in Finland are located, I think, right here. And the rock and water landscapes of the local channels and bays are perfectly conducive to relaxing rest away from civilization.
Starting with burial mounds of the Bronze and Iron Ages and fortresses from the Viking Age, local attractions tell about the stormy history of the islands. The Åland Islands became a crossroads of trade and missionary routes as early as the 9th-12th centuries. Almost all local churches date back to the Middle Ages, and castles and fortresses were built here by the Swedes in the 14th century and by the Russians in the 19th century. The local culture differs from both mainland cultures – Finnish and Swedish. Folk music and dance are a sign of local identity and are carefully cultivated.
Mariehamn, the administrative center of the province, can seem like a capital city only if you spent the previous month in other parts of Åland. In fact, it is a quiet town located on a narrow peninsula between two harbors, where ferry quays connect the islands with two shores of the mainland. The local history museum and the maritime museum, several parks and recreation areas can be visited here.
For a cycling holiday in Finland, the Åland Islands, not surprisingly, are recognized as the best place. Numerous bridges and free ferries for cyclists allow you to make the route long and the local beauty interesting.
In the east of the archipelago, the most interesting is the island of Sund with the stunning impressive Kastelholm Castle, dating back to the end of the 14th century. Across the many islands of the archipelago, there are interesting medieval churches, fortresses, original museums, beaches and observation platforms.
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