Things to do in Eckerö, Åland - 10 tips

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: August 2026 | What to do in Eckerö on Åland? This western part of Åland is closest to Sweden and is popular to visit, especially in the summer. We have collected our best tips for experiences and attractions in Eckerö.

Eckerö in Åland

Eckerö has historically had a strategic location between Sweden and Finland. After the Finnish War of 1808–1809, Åland, along with the rest of Finland, became part of the Russian Empire. Today, Eckerö offers a much more peaceful experience, with beautiful nature, beaches, cultural history and many summer activities.

You can get to Eckerö directly from Grisslehamn in Sweden with the Eckerö Line. We travelled instead with Finnlines to Långnäs and then travelled around by motorhome. Eckerö was our second stop, after Mariehamn.

Eckerö is located in the far west of Åland.

What can you do in Eckerö?

So what can you see and do in Eckerö? There is a lot to discover! Here are our top tips on what to see and do in Eckerö.

1. Strosa at Käringsund fishing village

First and foremost, we recommend strolling around the Käringsund fishing village in Eckerö. This charming little harbour offers a truly unique environment with about fifty fine boathouses and boat houses. It was also once the setting for a number of scenes in the TV series "Vi på Saltkråkan". With a nice location by the water, you will also find Gastropub Bodegan, where you can enjoy things like perch and char.

2. Visit the Åland Hunting and Fishing Museum.

Right next to Käringsund's fishing village, the Åland Hunting and Fishing Museum is located in a somewhat stylish building that fits into the environment. Inside the museum, you can learn more about archipelago life, animals and nature in the area, as well as hunting and fishing equipment used in the past. A nice little museum that is worth a visit!

3. Go on a safari tour with Eckerö Wildlife Safari.

Eckerö wildlife safari is also located at Käringsund fishing village. In the summer, you can book a safari carriage ride and take a guided tour of the large game enclosure. During the tour you will see red deer, fallow deer, wild boar, ostrich and llamas. Many of the animals can be seen up close, and some can even be fed.

4. Walking in Eckerö

Eckerö has several walking and hiking trails. You can read more about these at Visit Åland website. We walked a part of "Promenade 1" which partly went through nature, and among other things took us to the Eckerölinjen ferry terminal.

• Promenade 1 is 4 kilometres long, starts near the Åland Hunting and Fishing Museum, and passes many of Eckerö's attractions.
• Promenade 2 is 5 kilometres long and starts at Käringsund Resort.
• Swampy hiking trail is 3.8 kilometres long and runs through the Träsket nature reserve.

5. See exhibitions at Eckerö Post and Customs House

One thing you won't want to miss doing in Eckerö is visiting the Eckerö Post and Customs House, which is both interesting in its own right and houses a museum and exhibition hall.

When Sweden lost the war against Russia in 1808-1809, Åland and the rest of Finland became part of the Russian Empire. Suddenly, the unassuming little post office in Storby was Russia's last outpost to the west. Wanting to show off a grand facade, the office was not enough and a grand Empire-style building was constructed and completed in 1828.

Today, Eckerö Post and Customs House is a seasonal tourist attraction. It hosts exhibitions of art and crafts, and various events are held throughout the year. The building itself is also well worth seeing – not least because of its special history and grand Empire architecture.

6. Holiday at Käringsund Resort

Käringsund Resort & Conference is a large holiday resort with a beautiful location by the water in Eckerö. Here you can holiday in a cottage, with a motorhome/caravan or perhaps in a stylish beach suite with large glass walls facing the Åland Sea.

There are also lots of different activities such as sauna, pool, miniature golf, table tennis, pedal boats and kayaks. For our part, there was a short stop at the restaurant, where we chose to try a classic Åland pancake with whipped cream.

7. Relaxing at Degersand Resort

We stayed with our camper at Degersand Resort, and we really liked this place. The campsite, which also has cabins, has a scenic location and a relaxed atmosphere. In addition to the restaurant, there is a lovely beach bar, which almost made us feel like we were in more southern latitudes.

8. Dine at Restaurant Q at Degersand Resort

Camping restaurants don't always impress, but Restaurant Q at Degersand Resort does just that. The food is not only well prepared, creative and tasty, but also beautiful to look at. Here we each had a fantastic starter (Degersand scrambled eggs on black bread and Västerbotten pie with whitefish roe) and then continued with moules frites. We can highly recommend enjoying a meal here!

9. Experience the Post Office

For several hundred years, mail and passengers were transported across the Åland Sea between Sweden and Åland. Farmers in Eckerö and Väddö, among others, were required to participate in the transports, which could be both demanding and dangerous when weather, wind and ice posed problems.

In memory of the old postal route, the Post Rowing is arranged every year between Eckerö and Grisslehamn. Participants cross the Åland Sea in traditional peasant boats with real mail on board. The start alternates between Sweden and Åland from year to year, and the event usually attracts crowds at both the start and finish.

10. Swim at Degersand

One of the finest beaches in Eckerö is Degersand, a long, shallow sandy beach with an open location facing the Åland Sea. It is a wonderful place to spend a warm summer day swimming, enjoying the beach life and overlooking the sea.

We stayed right next to the beach at Degersand Resort and really liked the environment. There is plenty of space for both swimming and relaxing, and when you get hungry there is both a restaurant and a beach bar nearby.

More things to do in Eckero

If you have more time in Eckerö, there are a few more activities and attractions to discover.

• Eckerö Church is a medieval stone church in Kyrkoby, dedicated to St. Lars.
• Geostars at the Åland Hunting and Fishing Museum tells about the area's geology and landscape.
• Eckerö Golf has an 18-hole course in a scenic setting.
• Paddling and boating fits nicely along the Eckerö coast, and it is possible to rent equipment and book various activities during the summer.
• Curling is a slightly different option for those who want to try an indoor activity.

Where can you stay or park your motorhome?

There are of course plenty of hotels and other accommodation options in Eckerö. For example, you can stay at Käringsund Resort or Eckerö Hotell och Restaurang. If you are travelling with a motorhome or caravan, or want to stay in a cabin, you can also stay at Degersand Resort, where we stayed. Here you can stand nicely by the water, while there is a beach, beach bar and restaurant.

More things to see and do in the neighbourhood of Eckerö

There is of course more to see and do near Eckerö. Here you will find more tips and reports:

• Things to do in Mariehamn
• Bomarsund Fortress
• Kastelholm Castle
• Things to do in Åland