Take a holiday in the Swedish-speaking area of Brändö and enjoy age-old cultural landscapes and the relaxing archipelago lifestyle. Try your luck at fishing in the archipelago and take a tour around the distinctive villages in the area, getting to know the local history and culture of the archipelago houses.
Brändö is located in the middle of Finland's Archipelago Sea in the north-east corner of Åland. It is made up of around 1,200 islands of different shapes and sizes with no major urban areas: the perfect place to forget the day-to-day and relax by the sea! There are ten villages in the area: Asterholma, Baggholma, Björnholma, Brändö, Fiskö, Jurmo, Korsö, Lappo, Torsholma and Åva, all of which are on their own islands. The islands' landscapes vary from luscious forests to barren rocks so there is plenty to see and a holiday in Brändö invites you to enjoy the fun of hopping from one island to the next.
Despite its remoteness, it is easy to get to Brändö from Turku and Helsinki, both of which have airports. It only takes two hours to drive from Brändö to Turku, a beautiful city with plenty to offer the shopper or theatre-goer. The journey from Helsinki is only about four hours. The islands are connected by several roads and bridges, so it is easy to get around once you have arrived – an occasional ferry trip will spice up your holiday in Brändö. 77% of the locals are Swedish-speakers, so a holiday in Brändö is a great opportunity to brush up on your Swedish.
Rent a cottage on one of the islands and enjoy your own slice of peace and quiet. In the spring and summer you can go fishing (permits are available at local shops), walking in the natural wilderness or cycling while taking in the fresh maritime air. You can also rent a boat and/or hire a guide for a boat trip in the archipelago. The islands are at their best in the late spring and early summer, but the landscape is also beautiful in the winter and is perfect for ice skating.
When you have had enough of the cottage, set out and explore Brändö's islands around the open waters of Ängskär. Hop onto the M/S Doppingen in beautiful Jurmo, which features charming houses build side-by-side and the Jurmo museum, which give a genuine taste of archipelago life in times gone by. Or visit the barren landscapes of Åva to admire the long rows of boat houses and drive over the Åvabro bridge to Björnholma. Keep going past Sisshamn harbour to the village of Korsö and onwards to Fiskö, which has a midsummer maypole that is the pride of the area. The Forneldarnas Natt event is organised near Björnholma every August, while the Brändö village has exhibitions on display at the Ateljee Regnbågen.
Holidays in Brändö are never dull!
