Sights not to be missed when visiting Åland:
In Eckerö
• The Eckerö post and customs house, dated 1828, is a monument from the Russian period in Åland. In those days, the post house was like Russia's window towards Sweden. Now, the Empire-style building houses the postal route museum, exhibitions of handicrafts, as well as the Lugn och Ro café, serving hostess Mercedes's own chocolate pralines.
• The Åland hunting and fisheries museum - an interesting museum on the hunting and fisheries traditions of Åland.
The rest of Åland
• The Kastelholm ancient monument site with Kastelholm castle, the Vita Björn prison museum and the Jan Karlsgården open air museum, exhibiting a typical local 19th century farm.
• The ruined Bomarsund fortress - today, you can walk amongst the ruins of the most impressive edifice in Ålands. The Russian fortress was blown up in 1856 by British and French troops during the Crimean War. Visit the Bomarsund museum, the museum Telegrafen, and hike along Kulturstigen.
• Maritime Mariehamn - explore maritime Åland at the Åland Maritime museum, onboard the museum ship Pommern and amongst the red sheds in the cosy Sjökvarteret district.
• The Ålands museum and art museum - get to know the history of Åland, from the Stone Age to modern times. The same building also hosts an exhibit of local art from the middle of the 19th century till today. Also special exhibitions.
Boating excursions
There are several sights in Åland that you can only visit by boat. Guided tours take you to these islands:
• Kobba Klintar - the old pilot's station at the entrance to Mariehamn that is now a lovely destination for day-tripping, with a café and an amazing view of the sea.
• Sälskär and Märket are two of the four sea lighthouses in Åland. A trip to the lighthouse islands is a memory to cherish.
• Väderskär - when the author Anni Blomqvist from Vårdö wrote the books about Stormskärs-Maja, she had Väderskär in mind. Parts of the television series were shot here.
• Källskär in the seaward skerries of the southern Kökar archipelago is known as the ‘Count's island' ("Grevens ö"). Baron Åkerhielm built his own oasis on the barren island, with buildings and gardens. You will also find the Ice Age formation "Källskärskannan" on the island.