Cycling the Åland archipelago

Åland is flat and quiet, with more than 6,500 islands and skerries, and ideal for cycling. Marked cycle routes and small car ferries link the islands, past red wooden houses, medieval stone churches, maypoles and fishing villages.

Hire bikes in Mariehamn. In the west, Eckerö has a grand old post and customs house from the days of the Russian mail route. Accommodation ranges from cottages to campsites; stay a few days.