What to do in Mariehamn, Åland? This pleasant little town offers everything from cosy seaside districts and interesting museums to wonderful nature and good food. We have collected our best tips for experiences and sights in Mariehamn.
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Mariehamn in Åland
Mariehamn is the capital of the autonomous region of Åland, which is part of Finland. Many Swedes travel here on holiday or for a weekend, by ferry from Kapellskär, Grisslehamn or Stockholm.
We have been here a few times, quite a long time ago, but this was the first time we visited Åland and Mariehamn by motorhome. We travelled to Åland with Finnlinesand started our adventure in Mariehamn.
Mariehamn is located in the southern part of Åland.
What can you do in Mariehamn?
So, what can you see and do in Mariehamn? There is a lot to discover and explore in this cosy little town. Here are our top tips on what to see and do in Mariehamn.
1. Strolling in the Lake District
One of the most charming areas in Mariehamn is the so-called Sjökvarteret, which is a cosy place to just stroll around. The environment is dominated by old-style boathouses, piers and fine boats, and you can also check out the little white seafarer's chapel that appears in many photos from Åland. While you're here, you won't want to miss the SALT shop and craft centre, where you'll find local handicrafts and arts and crafts, as well as local delicacies.
2. Indulge in ice cream at the Sjökvarteret ice cream parlour!
In Sjökvarteret, right next to the red-topped "Båken", is Sjökvarterets glasskiosk. Here we each ate an ice cream that was cruel good, with a lovely creamy texture and distinct flavours. Don't miss out!
3. Shopping and coffee on Torggatan.
The pedestrianised Torggatan can be described as the heart of Mariehamn. It houses most of the city's shops as well as several restaurants and cafés, and in the summer it is a lively place with lots of people moving around. Along this street you will also find the Sittkoff shopping centre, with several fashion and other shops.
4. Learn about shipping at the Åland Maritime Museum.
One of the most interesting museums in Mariehamn is the Åland Maritime Museum. It has a lot of interesting artefacts, such as one of the world's few genuine pirate flags, but also various interactive experiences. As the icing on the cake, the ticket is also valid for boarding the sailing ship Pommern.
5. Discover the sailing ship Pommern
One thing you won't want to miss in Mariehamn is boarding the sailing ship Pommern, which is located just behind the Åland Maritime Museum and can be seen with the same ticket.
The ship was built in 1903 in Scotland and was bought by the Åland shipowner Gustav Erikson in 1923. Under his fleet, the Pommern made many long voyages, especially to Australia. The Pommern was in service until 1939, and in 1953 one of Gustav Erikson's children donated the ship to the city of Mariehamn.
Today the Pommern is a powerful and fascinating museum ship. You can explore the different rooms on your own, or listen to an audio guide that vividly describes life on board.
6. Visit the Åland Museum of Cultural History
The Åland Museum of Cultural History has a permanent exhibition that tells the story of the first inhabitants of Åland, 7500 years ago, until today. There are also various temporary exhibitions. When we were here, there was an exhibition about folk costumes, which was very nice.
7. See art at the Åland Art Museum
Under the same roof as the Åland Museum of Cultural History is the Åland Art Museum, and the entrance ticket is valid for both museums. The Åland Art Museum showcases Ålandic art and presents various exhibitions.
8. Hang out at the steamboat pier and Lilla Holmen.
Another nice area in Mariehamn is the Eastern Harbour with the marina and guest harbour MSF. Here you will find the restaurant Ångbåtsbryggan, restaurant F.P. von Knorring and Äventyrsgolfen. From here it is also close to the park area Tullarns äng and to Lilla holmen, where in summer you can enjoy beach life with a sandy beach and playground.
9. Eat at the Compagniet restaurant on the Archipelago
We had dinner one evening at the Compagniet restaurant in the Arkipelag hotel, and we highly recommend a visit here. The setting is a turn-of-the-century journey to India, with soft carpets and tigers on the walls. The food we ate was very good, especially the starters: gravad char and raw shrimp with whitefish roe. You can also play billiards, shuffleboard and boules here.
10. swimming in the city
Even though Mariehamn is a city, a beach is never far away. Some of the best beaches are Lilla Holmen beach, Nabben, Gröna Udden beach and Espholm. In the picture you see Algrundets beach, which we cycled past on our way from Gröna Uddens camping in the direction of Nåtö.
11. Hiking on Nåtö
Nåtö can be reached by car or bike from the centre of Mariehamn and offers a fantastic hike among wooded meadows and wild flowers. The hike, which is 2-3.3 kilometres long, goes through a nature reserve. When we were here in early June, we saw lots of orchids and other beautiful flowers.
12. Take a trip to Järsö.
If you want to go even further out, you can continue to Järsö. Here there is a 2-kilometre-long hiking trail that goes over rocky outcrops and deciduous meadows and offers places with rich bird life. You can get to the trail by car or bike, about 11 kilometres from central Mariehamn.
More things to do in Mariehamn for culture and history lovers
Of course, there is even more to see and do in Mariehamn than our suggestions. Here are some more tips for those who like culture and history.
- Alandica is a cultural and congress centre with theatre, concerts and other cultural events (Strandgatan 33).
- Mariehamn Museum shows a model that explains what Åland looked like in the 1920s (Ålandsvägen 42).
- St George's Church is Åland's newest church building, from 1927, designed by Lars Sonck. (Östra Esplanadgatan 6)
More things to do in Mariehamn for nature lovers
Are you most comfortable in nature? Then you can find more things to do in Mariehamn here.
- Badhusparken is a popular area for walking and frisbee golf, and with views from the Badhusberget.
- aspen tree is a nature reserve where you can hike or swim.
- Esplanade is a lime tree avenue that runs from the West Harbour to the East Harbour, with a walkway in the middle.
- Kobba cliffs can be visited by private boat, and during the summer by tour boat departing from the Western Harbour.
- Sunnan II is a charming restaurant boat that takes tourists on lunch and dinner cruises in the Åland archipelago.
More things to do in Mariehamn with children and teenagers
Travelling with children or teenagers? Here are some more ideas on what to do in Mariehamn and the surrounding area with your family.
- The ship Pommern has its own audio track for children, where they can follow Ruby the ship's rat.
- sea bath is a bathing centre with different types of pools and water slides as well as a sauna and spa treatments (Österleden 68).
- Minigolf is available at several locations, including Gröna Udden campsite. There is also adventure golf on the Ångbåtsbryggan course.
Where can you stay or park your motorhome?
There is a wide range of hotels and other accommodation options in Mariehamn, in different price ranges. For example, you can search via Visit Åland, Booking.com or any other booking site.
If you are travelling with a motorhome or caravan, or if you want to stay in a cabin, you can stay at Gröna Uddens camping. The campsite has a great location by the water, just 1.5 kilometres from the centre of Mariehamn. There is also a sandy beach, miniature golf and a restaurant. We enjoyed ourselves here!
An alternative for those travelling with a motorhome, if you don't want to camp, is to stay overnight in the car parks right next to Sjökvarteret. Please note that you do not have access to any services.
More to see and do near Mariehamn
There is of course more to see and do in the vicinity of Mariehamn. The rest of Åland is exciting to discover! For example, you can visit the beautiful Eckerö, interesting Bomarsund Fortress, the exciting Kastelholm Castle and charming Föglö. Please also read all our tips on things to What to see and do in Åland. Below you will find even more tips for Åland and Finland.
Even more suggestions on what to see and do in Mariehamn?
Mariehamn is a very nice town and we highly recommend a visit here. Have you been here? How was your experience? Do you have any other good tips on what to see and do in Mariehamn?
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Frequently asked questions about Mariehamn
What is Mariehamn known for?
Mariehamn is known as a picturesque and charming town with a unique blend of Swedish and Finnish culture. It is also known as a popular tourist destination with its beaches, harbour, historical sights and long sailing tradition.
Why is the town called Mariehamn?
Mariehamn takes its name from the German-born Maria Alexandrovna, wife of the then Russian Tsar Alexander II.
What language is spoken in Åland?
In Åland, people speak Swedish. Many also know Finnish, but far from all. Finnish-Swedish is not spoken, but the Åland dialect is more similar to the dialect of Uppland.
Facts about Mariehamn
- Country: Finland
- Landscape: Åland
- Population: More than 11 700 (2021)
- Name: In Finnish Maarianhamina, in Latin Portus Mariae. The name comes from the German-born Maria Alexandrovna, wife of the then Russian Tsar Alexander II.
- Read more: You can find more information at tourist office website.
Travelling to Mariehamn
- The Ecker oil line: Goes from Grisslehamn to Eckerö. The journey takes about 2 hours one way. The distance from Eckerö to Mariehamn is 32 kilometres.
- Finnlines: Goes from Kapellskär to Långnäs (and then onwards to NaantaliThe journey takes about 3 hours one way. The distance from Långnäs to Mariehamn is 28 kilometres.
- Viking Line: Goes from Stockholm to Mariehamn or Långnäs (and then on to Turku The journey takes about 6 hours one way.
- Tallink Silja: Goes from Stockholm to Mariehamn, or Långnäs. The journey takes about 5 hours one way.
History in Mariehamn
- 1861: The city was founded in this year, when Åland was part of the Russian Empire. The town was founded on the site of the former village of Övernäs in the municipality of Jomala.
- 1889: The first bathhouse was built under the name Mariehamn Baths.
- Early 20th century: At this time, the town was a popular seaside resort, and the period is known as the 'Bathhouse Era'. There was a large spa hotel in Västerhamn.
- 1916: The spa hotel burned down, marking the end of the bathhouse era.
- 1922: Åland gained autonomy.
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Ditte says:
Nice presentation of what there is to do and experience in Mariehamn,
Have been here a lot over the years and fully agree. However, not with a motorhome but other accommodation but the town is small so it is reachable on foot or to rent a bike or scooter.
A trip out to the Kobba cliffs is also very nice as is an evening trip from the eastern harbour with a ship at sunset. Often dinner is included.
13 June 2023 - 17:24
Helena says:
Glad you like our report! The Kobba cliffs sound fantastic, as does the evening sunset tour! It will be next time! 🙂
13 June 2023 - 20:41
BP says:
Lovely pictures! I read Dittes blog and also Karins. The latter is from Åland but has now moved to Madeira. Have not heard a negative word about Åland. It's been a long time since I visited the island, and judging from your nice pictures, a lot of positive things have happened there. Great fun!
PS. Peter has his winter jacket on. Was it below zero when you were there? DS.
13 June 2023 - 20:13
Helena says:
It was really freezing the first day when we arrived in Åland (no not minus degrees, but really cold winds) ... but after a few days it became lovely summer heat instead!!! Big temperature differences during those ten days, we can say 🙂.
14 June 2023 - 6:54
The Adventure of the Future says:
BP told me about your blog and that you have made a travel report about Mariehamn. You managed it gallantly, 😁😊 says I who was born in Mariehamn. The only thing that's not quite right is that the old boathouses in Sjökvarteret are quite new, but built in the old style. I take my hat off for your professional post. Great! So fun to come "home" to Mariehamn again via you. Wonderful, my Åland blood swells happily.
Mariehamn City Library is also a great place to visit, as a little tip. Thank you so much for Mariehamn! 💗
13 June 2023 - 21:26
Helena says:
How nice that you wanted to read and thanks for the nice words!!! It warms! Thanks also for the comment about the boathouses! I'll change it to "in the old style" to make it more accurate. We are only grateful for corrections, we want our information to be as correct as possible! 🙂
14 June 2023 - 6:57
Elin Karlsson says:
Great to see this as an eel 🥰 agree with the sights
02 July 2023 - 0:16
Harnäs Cottages and Tower Villa says:
Fantastically well written. Very informative and nicely presented. I find myself right now wanting to re-read the text from the beginning. Nice pictures too I must say. Have a nice summer!
09 July 2023 - 11:14