Brändö is a group of more than 1200 islands in the northeast corner of Åland, bordering to Finland. The islands have been populated for about 1000 years and today 470 people live on 10 of the larger islands.
Today Brändö is one of the most well-developed tourist destinations of the Åland archipelago with about a dozen options for accommodation and several restaurants and cafés. This is one of the most beautiful parts of Åland to visit and traverse by bicycle, with seaside passages recognized as classic postcards of Åland.
Our popular one week bicycle route from Turku, passes through all of Brändö, with one night at Gullvivan Hotel in Åva, or at Pellas Marina in Lappo. Another tour visiting Brändö is our Big Archipelago Tour, starting in Mariehamn.
Ängskärs fjärd is a remarkable geographical structure in the middle of the islands of Brändö. The almost round body of water is surrounded by islands in a circular shape, clearly visible on maps. This shape is due to the fact that here lies an intrusion crater, created about one billion years ago when magma from inside the earth pushed away the rock above it and later sunk back into the earth again, creating a crater. A similar twin crater can be found in Finland, south-east of Ängskärs fjärd.
East of Brändö, the Skiftet sound cuts a straight line from North to South, separating Åland and Finland. This equally strange formation is a geological fault line, believed to have formed two billion years ago.
Head out on a safari with your guide Kaj Lundberg and watch as the seals sunbathe on the rocks and skerries, dive beneath the surface, and pop up their heads above the surface for a curious inspection of visitors. A tour takes about four hours. Parties of four persons or more can also opt for a dinner made by your skipper out on one of the island shores.
The northernmost island of Brändö is Jurmo, which you only reach by ferry or boat. Here you'll find a hostel, a marina, a grocery store, and a restaurant. Seal safaris and fishing expeditions depart from Jurmo, and the Highland Cattle grazing around here is something very special for this island.
For nature lovers and bird watchers, there is a little 3km hiking trail. It has beachside walking and a lookout tower.
If you'd like to see the unspoilt wild, you can rent kayaks here to get as close to nature as possible and enjoy visiting uninhabited islands and skerries.
The Brändö church was built from wood in 1893 and is dedicated to the Saint James the Apostle. Several chapels have previously stood at the same place - the first chapel mentioned in 1544. The church holds an altarpiece from the 15th century. You'll find it in Djurholm, which is in the centre of Brändö.
From Vuosnainen (Osnäs) in Finland ferries depart for Åva in Northern Brändö several times per day. Departures for vehicles are reserved with Ålandstrafiken. The Åland government mismanages the ferry communications, so travelers need to take special caution to have tickets and reservations in order before arriving at the ferry pier.
Ferries depart from Hummelvik in Vårdö via Kumlinge and Lappo to Torsholma in Southern Brändö. Departures for vehicles are reserved with Ålandstrafiken. The view of the archipelago from the ships is spectacular.
During the summer, the mini ferry M/S Finnö sails between Roslax in Houtskär and Torsholma in Brändö several times per week. It has room for passengers and cyclists, and a few cars. The ferry is free, and it is easy to book with the operator Finferries. Bookings become available earliest two weeks before departure.
Båt & Penna offers small yacht and motorboat tours in the archipelago around Brändö, together with experienced skipper John Wrede. They also offer boat taxi services.
The small island Lappo lies south of Brändö, and is an excellent stop for cyclists. Here you can stay at the guesthouse Pellas with nice apartments by the harbour. There is also the restaurant Galeasen, a grocery store, a disc golf course, and plenty of nature to enjoy at the hiking trail. A cable ferry connects Lappo to the neighbouring island Björkö.
By the harbour there is a small archipelago museum, with a collection of traditional boats and their equipment.
Two ferry lines connect with Lappo: The Northern Line (Norra Linjen) from Torsholma in Brändö and from Hummelvik via Kumlinge to Lappo. The Asterholma line (Asterholmalinjen) sails between Torsholma, Asterholma and Lappo (and sometimes to Kumlinge).
Brändö has a lot to offer in the great outdoors. Such as the Jåsholm nature trail, as well as trails in Jurmo and Lappo. There is also a lookout tower in Torsholma for enjoying the view of Skiftet or maybe spot some birds.
Most accommodation providers offer equipment for fishing, as well as guided fishing tours. In Jurmo they also offer traditional sea bird hunting. If you want to paddle, kayak rentals are available at Fisketorpet, Jurmo, and Asterholma.
