This is a self guided bicycle tour along the Archipelago Trail in the Finnish archipelago around Naantali, Kustavi, Nauvo, Houtskär and Parainen. Idyllic country roads are combined with the yellow and blue island ferries, which steam forward among the thousands of islands.
You start in Turku (Åbo), which is the oldest city in Finland, with a lot to offer in history and culture. Here you collect your rental bikes and head South through beautiful green suburbs and then along asphalted bike paths out of the city and to Pargas (Parainen) for your first night's accommodation.
From Pargas you continue across islands and over bridges to Nagu (Nauvo), and now you're already in the archipelago. Along the way, you make a crossing with the electric road ferry M/S Elektra. Nagu is a small summer town with a nice marina, beaches, hiking trails and good restaurants. You'll either stay in town at Hotel Strandbo, or a few kilometers out of town at Stallbacken Hotel.
After leaving Nagu, you continue biking to Korpo at the Southwesternly tip. From here the ships depart to Åland, but instead you'll take a ship to biker's paradise island Houtskär, where you'll stay at Hotel Hyppeis. There is a selection of extra detours you can do this day.
From Houtskär you will enjoy some true island hopping between small communities during the whole day, with easy biking between ferry piers. You'll cross the islands Björkö, Mossala, Iniö and Jumo, before continuing to Gustavs (Kustavi), where you'll check into a modern boutique boathouse at Peterzens.
The next day, your pedaling continues through Gustavs and with small (tiny) bicycle ferries to Velkuanmaa, where you get to spend a night at Island Hotel Vaihela. They have a restaurant and wine cellar.
Your most challenging biking will be from Vaihela to Gullranda (Kultaranta), where you'll stay at Kultaranta Resort, which is an accommodation of high standards. Gullranda is the location of the President of the Republic's summer residence, on the shore opposite Naantali. There is a beautiful garden there that is sometimes open to visitors. When the flag is raised above the building, it means that the President is present. The last day offers easy biking through the small spa town Naantali (Nådendal) back to Turku.
We have a variety of high quality 7-geared, 21-geared and 24-geared bicycles for you to choose from. Our brands are Helkama, Crescent and Tunturi. We also have single speed bikes if you fancy.
If you travel with your own bicycle we will give a discount on the price.
Accommodation in private rooms at hotels and guesthouses.
Breakfast is included in all accommodations.
Bike panniers with a capacity of 20 litres are included. Your empty bags can be kept by the renter when you collect the rental bikes.
Clean sheets and fresh towels are provided at every accommodation, so you don't have to bring this.
Our itinerary is sent to you as a PDF document, specially formatted to be easy to use on any smart phone. The itinerary contains your route description, map links to all important and interesting places, and all ferry departures you need to mind to travel between islands.
We send you a digital travel calendar that you can easily add to your telephone to remind you of important times and places. The calendar works on every model of telephone.
Day 1: 25km biking
Day 2: 33km biking
Day 3: 35km biking
Day 4: 29km biking
Day 5: 28km biking
Day 6: 28km biking
Day 7: 21km biking
We can book your trip from Kapellskär or from Mariehamn to Naantali with a Finnlines cruise ship, and the return trip as well if you wish. Departure from Kapellskär at 21:45 in the evening, overnight in a cabin on board, and arrival at 07:15 the next morning.
We can book your trip from Stockolhm or from Mariehamn to Turku with a Viking Line cruise ship, and the return trip as well if you wish.
Would you like to spend an extra night on any of the islands, or spend a night in Mariehamn before you start biking? Write a request with your booking and we'll take care of it.
With this rate, you will sleep in double rooms every night. For example, if you are a group of four, you will have two double rooms at your disposal. You never have to share rooms with other groups.
With this rate, you will sleep in larger rooms, accommodating three or more guests. You never have to share rooms with other groups.
This cycling package starts in Turku. Cruise ships travel to Turku from Stockholm, and flights, trains and buses go to Turku from Helsinki and other Finnish cities. We can help you arrange boat transportation from Stockholm, or an extra night in Turku before you start cycling.
If you are interested in history or culture, there is much of interest to see here in Finland's previous capital. Such as the Turku Castle with hundreds of objects in the permanent exhibition, or the cathedral, which was built in the 13th century. For the culturally interested, there is the Turku Art Museum, the Sibelius Museum, Forum Marinum and the Swedish Theatre. You can also explore what's on offer in the big public market hall and local bakeries, perhaps putting together a picnic to bring.
Your first biking stretch leaves Turku for Parainen. Most of the cycling is along separate, asphalted bike paths. You depart through green suburbs lush with vegetation in Saint Karis, and then in Kustö you can make a small detour to visit the ruins of the Kuusisto Bishop's castle. In Parainen you'll stay the night either at MatmalmenEva or Hotell Kalkstrand, down in the old part of town by the harbour. There is a good selection of cafés and restaurants to choose between, and a nice promenade along the river which flows through the town.
We can book your trip from Stockholm to Turku with Viking Line, or from Kapellskär to Naantali with Finnlines' new cruise ferry Finnsirius, as well as the return trip if you wish. Departure in the evening, overnight stay in your own cabin on board, and arrival in Finland the next morning. You can bring your own bicycle or car on board if you wish.
Today your tour continues West to Nagu (Nauvo). Soon outside of Parainen, there's a big open-pit mine, where there's a limestone quarry, which Parainen is famous for. Later on you'll board the electric road ferry M/S Elektra for a small crossing, and onwards through the countryside and forests, and over the Norrström bridge, until you are in Nagu. This town is a popular tourist destination along the Archipelago Trail. Among the attractions is the old grey stone church, the Maritime house, the visitor's marina, nature trails - and of course the swimming beach.
You'll stay either at Hotell Stallbacken a few kilometers from town, or centrally at Hotell Strandbo.
W offer an optional extra night with a visit to the marina hotel Sandvik out on the island Pensar. You will then travel by island ferry from Parainen to the hotel, and with another island ferry to Nagu the next morning. The hotel offers a fine restaurant, sauna, beautiful nature and stand up paddle boards. Let us know with a message if you would like to visit this truly special place!
Continue from Nagu to Korpo at the Southwesternly tip of Finland. Along the way, we'll give you some recommendations for cycling de-tours and excellent restaurants. You can also make a visit to the Korpoström Archipelago Centre and their beautiful marina. From Korpo, you'll take an island ferry to the Houtskär island, famous for their many boathouses and their sailing tradition.
You'll bike across Houtskär until you reach the luxurious botique hotel Hyppeis. They offer kayak and stand up board rentals, for you to get as close to nature as possible! They also have saunas, a hiking trail, and a nice restaurant.
This day is dedicated to some mayor island hopping within the Finnish archipelago. From Houtskär you'll take the first ferry to Björkö, where you can make a quick stop at a sheep farm and cuddle for a while with their adorable lambs. From there you continue to the island Mossala and cross it as well, before taking a longer ferry trip to Iniö. This ferry trip is truly something out of the ordinary, cruising between and along a great number of small islands.
The Iniö island has a restaurant, a café and a marina - as well as the tiny block and tackle museum. The nicest sight is the 17th century church - named after Swedish princess Sophia Wilhelma.
After all this island hopping, you will at last arrive in Gustavs (Kustavi), where you'll check in at Peterzens Båthus, in a small and modern boat house. They have a marina, their own restaurant, and saunas for relaxing after the day's travels.
Today you'll bike by Kaitanen and Tövsala to the ferry harbour Hakknepää. If you want some extra biking first, we recommend a de-tour to central Gustavs and take a look at the big stone boulders, whcih are called "The caves of Jeremiah".
In Tövsala there is a small military museum to visit along the way. From Hakkenpää you'll depart with a tiny bicycle ferry and continue on to the island hotel Vaihela, where you'll stay the night. They have an á la carte restaurant and their own wine cellar.
This is the toughest biking of your tour, with some challenging uphills. But you can take as much time as you need. After crossing four bridges, you arrive in Gullranda (Kultaranta), where you'll check in at Kultaranta Resort, completely equipped even with it's own golf course. The presidential summer mansion is also located in Gullranda, on the beach opposite to Naantali. There is a beautiful garden at the mansion, which is sometimes open for visitors. When the flag is up, it means the president is there.
Easy biking today! From Kultaranta you first have a short distance to Naantali. This old little spa town is a popular place to visit for the Finns. There is a marina and several restaurants here. Out on a tiny island connected by a foot path you'll find the Moomin world, dedicated to these beloved characters, which have become so famous from the children's cartoons. Also in Naantali, we recommend seeing the old church and strolling along the small alleys between the wooden houses. If you'd like to stay a night at the luxurious Naantali Spa Hotel, please let us know and we'll book you in.
From Naantali you just a short distance back to Turku to return your bikes. If you fancy a night in Turku, we'll be pleased to book you for a night here.
