Western Harbour Mariehamn Travel Guide

Western Harbour Mariehamn is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to the Åland Islands. Located in the heart of Mariehamn, the capital city, it's a hub of activity and a great place to experience the local culture.

The harbour is surrounded by charming wooden houses and offers stunning views of the sea. You can walk along the waterfront and take in the sights and sounds of the bustling harbour.

Getting to Western Harbour is relatively easy, with several bus lines connecting it to the rest of the city. You can also take a taxi or ride-share, but be aware that traffic in Mariehamn can get congested during peak season.

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You can easily get around Western Harbour by bike, as the area is very bike-friendly. Many visitors choose to bring their own bikes.

The harbour is also a short walk from the city centre of Mariehamn. It's a pleasant 10-15 minute stroll along the waterfront.

You can also take a taxi or bus to get around the area, with several stops nearby.

Getting around the Åland Islands is relatively easy, thanks to its well-connected road network.

Mariehamn Airport is located nearby, offering regional flights for those who prefer to fly.

You can get to most places on the island by car, as the road network is extensive and well-maintained.

However, it's worth noting that there is no rail access on the island due to its geography.

Here are the transportation options available on the Åland Islands:

Navigation is a breeze in the Western Harbour, thanks to its relatively deep waters. The shipping lane has a maximum depth of 9.2 metres (30 ft).

The harbour's width is also generous, with a minimum navigable width of 200 metres (660 ft).

Most winters, the harbour remains ice-free, making it accessible year-round.

The Western Harbour in Mariehamn is a must-visit destination. The Åland Maritime Museum is located here and is open all year round.

You can explore the museum ship Pommern, a four-masted iron-hulled sailing ship built in 1903. It's a unique opportunity to see a ship of its kind.

The harbour is also a great place to enjoy the beautiful sea views and lovely sunsets from the wide terrace of the restaurant ÅSS Paviljongen.

The Badhusparken green area nearby is perfect for strolls and recreation, with a disc golf course and a trail that leads up to the hill Badhusberget for a magnificent view over the sea.

Related reading: European Sea Ports Organisation

The Åland Maritime Museum is a must-visit attraction in Mariehamn. It's home to the museum ship Pommern, a four-masted iron-hulled sailing ship built in 1903.

You can find the Pommern in the Western Harbour, where it's been moored as an exhibit. The Eastern Harbour, on the other hand, is mainly used for smaller leisure boats and yachts.

One of the largest leisure marinas in the Nordic region can be found in the Eastern Harbour.

The Badhusparken Green Area is a perfect spot for strolls and recreation.

You can access the green area on the northern side of the Maritime museum. The disc golf course is a great way to spend some time outdoors, and it's located within the green area.

The area has a rich history, with a charming seaside hotel that once stood there at the turn of the 20th century.

The Esplanaden Boulevard is a must-visit spot in the city, lined with beautiful lime trees that provide shade for pedestrians during the warm summer months.

The boulevard runs from the Western harbour to the eastern shore, with a lovely parade down the middle. In the spring and early summer, it's a vibrant display of various spring flowers.

St Göran’s church is located halfway along the Esplanaden Boulevard, a lovely landmark to stop and admire. On the north side, you'll find several of the old shipowners' houses that have been preserved.

Leafy Södragatan runs parallel to the Esplanaden Boulevard, featuring stunning fin-de-siècle wooden houses designed by Hilda Hongell. It starts at the Åland University of Applied Sciences' Maritime Studies buildings and leads to the town hall.

Norragatan is another charming parallel street that takes you past the beautiful Åland upper secondary school main building. Following this street east will lead you to the heart of the city centre, where the action is lively.

A fresh viewpoint: Old City Harbour

Mariehamn's Western Harbour is a shopper's paradise, especially when it comes to duty-free goods.

The harbour's strategic location outside of the EU customs regime allows vessels to sell duty-free goods to passengers.

This is a major draw for many cruise ships and ferries that call at Mariehamn.

With an average of 15 daily ferry sailings, you'll have plenty of opportunities to explore the harbour and its shops.

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Mariehamn is a shopper's paradise, especially for those looking to avoid customs fees. Most cruiseferry routes between southern mainland Finland and Sweden, as well as between Estonia and Sweden, call at Mariehamn.

This is largely due to Åland being outside of the EU customs regime, which allows vessels calling at an Åland port to sell duty-free goods.

With an average of 15 daily ferry sailings, Mariehamn is a bustling hub of activity.

Approximately 20 international cruise ships visit Mariehamn each year, bringing in a significant number of passengers.

The Western Harbour is the third-busiest international passenger port in Finland, with c. 1.25 million annual passenger arrivals in 2018.

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There are several vessels currently in the port, offering a range of services and activities.

The SVANTE G is a port vessel, currently anchored in the port area, waiting to depart for the MARIEHAMN AREA.

The BIRKA GOTLAND is a passenger vessel, set to arrive at SESTO<>FIMAR.

The MICHAEL SARS is a baycraft, currently docked in the port, with MARIEHAMN as its destination.

The SUBSEA VIII is a cargo vessel, also docked in the port, with MARIEHAMN as its destination.

Here are some of the vessels currently in the port: