Things to do in Mariehamn, Åland - 12 tips

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: August 2026 | What can you do in Mariehamn on Åland? This pleasant little town offers everything from cozy waterfronts and interesting museums to beautiful nature and good food. We have collected our best tips for experiences and attractions in Mariehamn.

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

If you have more time in Mariehamn, there are a few more places and experiences that may be worth checking out.

• Badhusparken and Badhusberget offers nice walks and views of the Western Harbour. The area also contains traces of Mariehamn's time as a seaside resort.
• The Esplanade and St. Göran's Church is great for a walk through the city. The leafy linden avenue stretches between the Western and Eastern harbors and in the middle of the road is St. Göran's Church from 1927.
• Kobba Cliffs is the old pilot site at the entrance to Mariehamn. In the summer you can get here by boat and experience the cliffs, the pilot environment and the view over the sea.
• sea bath is a good option for families with children and rainy days, with pools, a water slide, a sauna and a beach.
• Alandica is Mariehamn's culture and congress center, where concerts, theater and other events are arranged, among other things.
• Mariehamn Museum tells the story of the city's history, including through a large model of Mariehamn in the 1920s.

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 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 near Mariehamn. Here you will find more tips and reports:

• Eckerö
• Bomarsund Fortress
• Kastelholm Castle
• Föglö
• Things to see and do in Åland