Discover Saltvik

In Saltvik, a church with a long history of construction, archaeological traces dating back to the Viking Age and a Viking village come together. There is also a walking trail to the Borge fortress site and Västerviken beach. This makes it easy to plan a stay around different interests: culture, outdoor activities or time at the beach.

Church, archaeological traces and Viking village

Saltvik Church is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Archaeological finds dating back to the Viking Age have been made on its grounds. Kvarnbo Church shows evidence of numerous alterations. Its dedication, the finds on the grounds and the visible changes to the building offer several perspectives on a visit: sacred history and the site’s long history of use can be explored together.

The Viking village is also in Kvarnbo, Saltvik. The Saltvik Viking Market takes place on the last weekend in July. The programme includes Viking-style music, weapon games, combat training and demonstrations by craftspeople at work. If you plan to include a visit to the market in your trip, check that year’s programme before setting off. Its fixed date at the end of July makes the market a different focus from a visit centred mainly on the church or nature.

Walking trail and beach in Saltvik

A marked walking trail with information boards leads to the Borge fortress site. This combines a walk with a specific historical destination; the boards provide context about the site. You can plan this outing as a separate activity alongside a visit to the church or the market.

Västerviken beach has changing cabins, a volleyball net and a diving tower. Folkhälsan holds swimming courses there every summer. Check the current course arrangements before your trip and confirm the beach facilities before your visit. This lets you plan beach time and cultural activities as different parts of your stay, without limiting it to just one kind of experience.

When looking for a holiday rental in Saltvik, the mix you want may be the deciding factor: do you want to plan your stay around the last weekend in July, focus on a church visit and a walk, or make time at the beach a priority?

More to explore in the wider Ålands landsbygd destination

The wider Ålands landsbygd destination also offers a variety of cultural and nature-related experiences. At the Bomarsund Visitor Centre, the area’s history is presented through sound and images. Kastelholm Castle was built as a defensive fortress at the end of the 14th century; the Jan Karlsgården open-air museum is also in the Kastelholm area. Jomala Church is one of Finland’s oldest stone churches. These examples offer different points of interest: visitors can explore historical interpretation, a fortress or an open-air museum.

Prästö offers further insights. It is home to Greek Orthodox, Muslim, Lutheran, Catholic and Jewish cemeteries associated with the period when Bomarsund was being built as a fortress. The Prästö walking trail passes a Russian telegraph station and its lodging house, Doniken. The station and Doniken are among the few surviving Russian buildings in Åland. Getabergen in Geta, meanwhile, has an observation tower that offers far-reaching views in clear weather.

Local produce is another part of what Ålands landsbygd has to offer: the area is home to several authentic small producers. Visitors can stroll among expansive apple orchards to buy the famous apple juice, or visit a caramel workshop and sample handmade sweets. This gives you a contrast between Saltvik’s own highlights and other cultural, nature and food experiences in the wider destination.

Discover more destinations: Lemland, Eckerö, Jomala, Finström, Lumparland, Geta, Hammarland.

Back to the wider travel overview: Ålands landsbygd.