OH6EI will be active from the Åland Islands, IOTA EU - 002, in the CQ WW DX CW Contest, November 29-30, 2025.
He will operate in the SOAB HP category.
Recent DX spots:
OH0Z
QSL via W0MM.
Direct QSL address:
LAURENT D THOMIN, 1615 BEACONSHIRE RD, HOUSTON, TX, 77077-3817, USA.
Åland Islands: Attractions, Safety, What to Eat, and Where to Go
The Åland Islands are a special place for those who have had their fill of traditional routes. These islands literally exist for visiting tourists. They have everything, or almost everything.
Place on the world map
The Åland Islands, located in the center of the Baltic Sea, are an archipelago of 6,500 islands and skerries (rocky islets) often referred to as the "Pearl of Scandinavia." Politically and economically, they are like a "state within a state"—like postage stamps.
The official language and capital of the islands
The official language of the Åland Islands is Swedish. The capital of the province, Mariehamn, known as the harbor of Mariehamn, is the third largest port in Finland.
What is worth visiting
The islands' main attractions are their natural beauty, with many beautiful bays and coves, as well as rocky shores. So be prepared to spend a fair amount of time outdoors, and don't forget to bring an umbrella.
The island's abundance of natural beauty doesn't mean historians will be bored. On the contrary, there's plenty of historical interest for them, as the islands once belonged to both Russia and Sweden. In the capital and other parts of the archipelago, it's fascinating to see the blend of three distinct cultures.
Renting a boat and bicycles during your stay is a great idea. This will provide excellent transportation, allowing you to thoroughly explore the islands without relying on public transportation, which is far from ideal in Åland.
There are not many streets for tourists on the island, and almost all of them are located in the capital.
I recommend taking a walk along:
- Torggatan, the main street of the city, is home to the best shops in the capital and is quite beautiful.
- Stora gatan is one of the central streets of the city, with many souvenir shops, cafes and stores selling souvenirs from the island.
- Esplanadi, a promenade street, is very beautiful, especially in summer. It's full of young people, musicians, and travelers.
Don't go to the Åland Islands for just one day; it's not worth it, and you definitely won't have time to see the entire island, its culture, or any of its other attractions.
If you're stopping by Åland for a short while, perhaps en route to Sweden, we recommend staying on the main island and checking out Mariehamn and Jomale. After exploring them, you can head to Sund, where you'll find some of the archipelago's historical sites.
Types of recreation
The islands are full of exciting places for active recreation, with something new to discover every day. The variety of activities is so varied that you won't get bored for long, and you can spend months in the Åland archipelago, enchanted by the local beauty and forgetting all your worries and cares. Popular activities include:
- Cycling. The archipelago's terrain is not rocky and is perfectly suitable for a leisurely ride on two wheels. Bicycle rental costs around ten rubles per day, making this an inexpensive and accessible activity, as well as healthy.
- Small boat and vessel excursions. There are many places where you can easily and affordably rent boats and motorboats for exploring shallow sandbanks and reefs. You can also try rowing—an exciting sport.
- Fishing. Both locals and visitors enjoy it with great passion. Visitors can hire a fishing guide in Mariehamn. A license is required; this activity requires a fishing license, especially for spinning.
- Tennis and golf. Tourists can enjoy numerous tennis courts located on various islands, as their terrain is flat and a course can be set up anywhere. The courses near Kastelholm and in Mariehamn are particularly popular with visitors.
- Horseback riding. The locals themselves hold this mode of transportation in high regard; it's as if they were born on horses. Many residents own horses, and the wealthy even have entire stables. Riding instructors are available for beginners for a fee.
- Bars and pubs. The island's restaurants are more like eateries; there are no expensive clubs. Everything is made exclusively from local ingredients, and the drinks are very expensive, albeit high-quality. There are no large restaurants distinguished by luxury and grandeur; everything is very modest and cozy, truly island and authentic.
Features of national cuisine
Local food is prepared using organic produce from local farms and is quite tasty and quite original. Sometimes you can find a restaurant right next to a farm, where they prepare food using the freshest ingredients.
These restaurants use meat, vegetables, and fruit grown in the immediate vicinity; it's truly fresh and high-quality. The restaurant owner is usually the farm owner himself and is responsible for its produce to his customers. You won't find anything inferior here.
The islands' cuisine borrows heavily from our own, Finnish, and Swedish cuisines, yet adds its own distinct flavor. Seafood is the staple, and there are a myriad of recipes.
Vacation with children
The Åland Islands are ideal for families with children, as all hotels and campsites have cribs, and restaurants have designated feeding stations. The islands are completely safe, so you don't have to worry about your children.
What gifts to bring from the islands?
You might already understand that Åland is a very unique place in Finland, so bringing a simple reindeer sweater isn't the best option. After all, no one will believe you've actually been to the islands. Let's get started. The best gifts from the islands:
- Silver jewelry. Åland has many shops selling local silverware. They sell everything from women's jewelry to rustic Viking rings for men. These items start at 60 euros.
- Products made from wool from local sheep. The artisans create excellent sweaters, dresses, and blankets, perfect for anyone who appreciates natural materials. The downside is the price: wool items start at €100.
- Drinks from the Tjudö Vingård winery. One of the advantages is the low price. In addition to the main drink, they also produce calvados. A bottle of wine starts at 13 euros, and calvados starts at 25 euros.
- Local cheeses and black bread. Local farms produce delicious cheese, especially goat's cheese. I recommend buying a cooler bag; it makes it easy to transport your groceries home. The black bread is worth checking out. It's very rich in flavor; when you eat it, you'll think you're drinking a strong, delicious beer. Bread from Åland bakeries is sold in any grocery store and costs from 2 euros. Cheese costs 15 euros per kilo.
Safety for guests
Among all the islands, Åland is considered one of the places that doesn't require tourists to take any special security precautions. It's impossible to fall victim to scams or robberies; you won't be robbed. There are no Roma or refugees here, you can safely travel around the city and all of Åland even at night. You don't have to lock your car, and if you forget money or belongings, they will be returned to you anytime, anywhere.
The professional work of the police makes the Åland Islands a completely safe place to spend a comfortable holiday. This is what makes the Åland Islands so attractive to many tourists.
