Finström

Finström is a municipality in Åland, 17 kilometers north of Mariehamn. The largest settlement is Godby, which is also the second largest urban area of Åland after Mariehamn.

Understand

Highway 2 near Godby

Get in

On the main roads to northern and north-eastern Åland.

By bus from Mariehamn: lines 2, 3 and 4.

See

St. Michael's Church

• 1 St. Michael's Church (Sankt Mikaels kyrka), Pålsbölevägen 258 (in Pålsböle, 5 km north-west of Godby). (updated Jun 2023)
• 2 Höga C, Sundsvägen 160 (near the bridge to Sund, 1.7 km east from Godby). A wooden observation tower on top of a hill. The scenic view towards the Färjsundet strait is one of those landscapes that are often used in Åland's tourism marketing. Visiting the tower is free of charge but the entrance is through the café Uffe på Berget. Check their opening times. Stairs to the top, so not suitable for disabled. There is also a nature trail through the woods between Godby and Färjsundet. (updated Aug 2023)

Do

• 1 Bamböle beach (7 km south-west from Pålsböle; from Bamböle, drive 600 m along Bergövägen, then turn right and drive 300 m to Bamböleviken, check what fork to use). Child-friendly beach. Toilet, changing rooms, 5-m diving tower, cliffs for sunbathing. (updated Aug 2023)
• 2 Godby Beach (Godby badstrand), Imbölevägen (near Grelsby Hospital; on the shores of Ingböleviken; by car: via von Knorringsvägen, Hamnvägen and Ingbölevägen). Beach, toilet, changing rooms, barbecue site. Free. (updated Jun 2023)
• Godbyrundan (Godby). 7.5-km hiking trail around Godby, including pine woods on rocky hills, fields, the Iron Age burial sites of Björken and Kungshögarna (AD 400–1000) and an arboretum with giant cedar, Siberian fir, Douglas fir, contorta pine, silver fir and European hornbeam. The trail passes by Höga C and Uffe på Berget. 
• 3 Stallhagen Disc Golf Park, Getavägen (in Godby; near Pub Stallhagen). 
• 4 Tjudö Beach (7.5 km north along Getavägen (through Sund), then (again in Finström) 1.3 km along Tjudövägen). On the lake Tjudö träsk. Child-friendly beach, 3-m diving tower, toilet, changing rooms, barbecue site. Free. (updated Aug 2023)

Buy

• 1 Godby Center, Von Knorringsvägen 1 (in Godby, by the roundabout). A shopping centre. (updated Jun 2023)

Eat

• 1 Khanitta's Sushi o Thaimat, Godbyvägen 1398 (in Godby), ☏ +358 40-549-7756, khanitta.sushi@gmail.com. A Thai restaurant. (updated Jun 2023)

Drink

Cafés

• 1 Uffe på Berget, Sundsvägen 160 (in Godby, junction before the tunnel and bridge to Sund), ☏ +358 40-173-4448. Summer café. (updated Jun 2023)

Pubs

• 2 Brewery Stallhagen (Ålands bryggeri), Getavägen 196 (in Godby, 2 km north of the turnabout), ☏ +358 457 344 8500, pubstallhagen@stallhagen.com. A brewery with guided tours, own pub and an outlet store. The Stallhagen beers are available in any grocery store, most bars and restaurants in the islands. The most common Stallhagen beer type is the traditional, light lager, but Stallhagen also comes in a wide range of other beer types with names like Dark Lager, Dunkles, Oktoberfest and Delicat. There's no doubt where it comes from: the flag of Åland is on the label. Their brewery-restaurant in Godby also has a good lunch 10:30–14:00, around €15–20 per person including beer. And, you can have more food if you weren't filled up with what they bring you. (updated Jun 2023)

Sleep

• 1 Godby Vandrarhem, Bärvägen 5 (in Godby, at Ålands Idrottscenter), ☏ +358 18 415-55, info@idrottscenter.com. A hostel. (updated Jun 2023)
• 2 Godby Gästhem, Von Knorringsvägen 13, ☏ +358 400-815-268, godby.gasthem@aland.net. A guesthouse. (updated Jun 2023)
• 3 Stalldalen (Strandpensionat Stalldalen), Stornäsvägen 40 (in Godby; on the shores of Lake Långsjön), ☏ +358 45-7345-4443, booking@stalldalen.com. A pension. (updated Jun 2023)

Go next

• Geta
• Hammarland
• Jomala
• Sund