cruise from stockholm to mariehamn

• Ferry tickets
• Route & Port finder
• Special Offers
• Manage my booking

Customer Service

• New Zealand
• Suisse (FR)
• Россия
• 대한민국
• Česká republika
• España
• 日本
• 中国
• Türkiye
• العربية
• Österreich (DE)
• Canada (FR)
• België (NL)
• Ελλάδα
• Belgique (FR)
• Deutschland
• Schweiz (DE)
• Україна
• المغرب

Open tickets are valid for up to 12 months from booking date (see ticket conditions).

• people How many passengers? add_circle
• pets 0 Pets add_circle
• directions_car How are you travelling? add_circle

Popular Ferry Operators for Stockholm - Mariehamn

• View Viking Line information
• View Tallink Silja information

Latest offers for Stockholm - Mariehamn

Stockholm mariehamn ferry.

There are usually 3 daily sailings and up to 26 weekly between Stockholm and Mariehamn. 2 operators sail this route Tallink Silja & Viking Line . Ferry timetables change seasonally, use our Deal Finder to get live pricing and availability for Stockholm Mariehamn ferries.

Stockholm Mariehamn Ferry Times

The earliest Stockholm Mariehamn ferry sailings typically depart Stockholm at around 07:10. The average sailing time is approximately 7h 0m and the fastest sailing time is approximately 5h 25m.

Stockholm Mariehamn Ferry Prices

Stockholm Mariehamn ferry prices typically range between $55* and $401*. The average price is typically $203*. The cheapest Stockholm Mariehamn ferry prices start from $13*. The average price for a foot passenger is $118*. The average price for a car is $308*.

Pricing will vary depending on number of passengers, vehicle type, route and sailing times. Pricing is taken from searches over last 30 days last updated 05 July, 2023.

How far is it from Stockholm to Mariehamn?

The distance between Stockholm to Mariehamn is approximately 134.2 miles (216.0km) or 116.6 nautical miles for the mariners!

Can I travel by car on the Stockholm Mariehamn ferry?

Yes, Tallink Silja, Viking Line allow cars on board for ferries between Stockholm and Mariehamn. Use our Deal Finder to get live pricing for car ferries between Stockholm and Mariehamn.

Can I travel as a foot passenger from Stockholm to Mariehamn?

Yes, foot passengers can travel with Tallink Silja, Viking Line between Stockholm and Mariehamn.

Stockholm Mariehamn Ferry Operator Schedules

• Tallink Silja - 12 weekly sailings, 1 daily sailings
• Viking Line - 14 weekly sailings, 2 daily sailings

Stockholm to Mariehamn Ferry Alternatives

• Grisslehamn to Eckero
• Kapellskar to Langnas
• Kapellskar to Mariehamn
• Stockholm to Langnas

* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 2023-08-01.

Most popular questions

How long is the ferry from stockholm to mariehamn, how much is the ferry from stockholm to mariehamn, which ferry companies operate between stockholm to mariehamn.

• Viking Line
• Tallink Silja

How can I book ferry tickets from Stockholm to Mariehamn?

Can you travel as a foot passenger on the ferry from stockholm to mariehamn, can you take your car on the ferry from stockholm to mariehamn, can you bring pets on the ferry from stockholm to mariehamn, how far is mariehamn from stockholm, stockholm guide.

Stockholm is the capital of Sweden and is spread across 14 islands in the south east of Sweden and lies at the mouth of Lake Malaren, by the Stockholm Archipelago and the Baltic Sea. There are many cultural institutions based in Stockholm and the region in general is home to three of Sweden's UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These are the Drottningholm Palace, Skogskyrkogården (The Woodland Cemetery) and Birka. Stockholm was also named European Capital of Culture in 1998. With over 100 museums, Stockholm has one of the highest number of museums of any other world city. The Nationalmuseum is perhaps the most famous and contains the country's largest collection of art. It has some 16,000 paintings and 30,000 objects of art handicraft. The oldest items in the collection date back to the 16th century and has been expanded with works by artists such as Rembrandt and Antoine Watteau. Stockholm's port is a major gateway to Sweden and is therefore an important port for both freight and passengers travelling to and from Finland, Russia and the Baltic States. The port is close to the city centre where all of the usual facilities you would expect to find in a major city are located.

Mariehamn Guide

The autonomous territory of Mariehamn, which is under Finish sovereignty, is the capital of Aland and its town and harbour is a great place to explore and can be done so quite easily on foot, by bicycle or by bus. The four masted barque and sailing ship Pommern is located where ferries arrive in the town and is below Aland's Maritime Museum by the Badhusparken. A popular attraction in the town is St. Goran's Church which is located halfway along the Esplanaden Boulevard, which is lined with Lime trees and runs from Vasterhamn to Osterhamn. It is worth heading into central Mariehamn to the Torgatten pedestrian precinct as this is where many of the town's shops, cafes and restaurants can be found here. In this area is where you will also find the town and region's seat of power, the Sjalvstyrelsegarden, which is made up of Aland's parliament and provincial government, the town hall and other government buildings. The town is located on a peninsular and has two main harbours, one on the western shore and the other on the eastern shore. Both remain ice-free for almost the whole year and are non-tidal. The western harbour is where daily services to Sweden, Estonia and mainland depart from. The town's eastern harbour is the location of one of the largest marinas in Scandinavia.

Stockholm to Mariehamn Ferry Timetables

Timetables between 4/8/2024 and 4/14/2024

Onboard the ferries

Download the Direct Ferries app or manage your booking online through My Account

Visit our customer service page to find useful information on travelling by ferry, our FAQs, and how to contact us for help with your booking

• Ferry tickets
• Route & Port finder
• Special Offers
• Manage my booking

Customer Service

• United States
• New Zealand
• Suisse (FR)
• Россия
• 대한민국
• Česká republika
• España
• 日本
• 中国
• Türkiye
• العربية
• Österreich (DE)
• Canada (FR)
• België (NL)
• Ελλάδα
• Belgique (FR)
• Deutschland
• Schweiz (DE)
• Україна
• المغرب

Open tickets are valid for up to 12 months from booking date (see ticket conditions).

• people How many passengers? add_circle
• pets 0 Pets add_circle
• directions_car How are you travelling? add_circle

Popular Ferry Operators for Stockholm - Mariehamn

• View Viking Line information
• View Tallink Silja information

Latest offers for Stockholm - Mariehamn

Stockholm mariehamn ferry.

There are usually 3 daily sailings and up to 26 weekly between Stockholm and Mariehamn. 2 operators sail this route Tallink Silja & Viking Line . Ferry timetables change seasonally use our Deal Finder to get live pricing and availability for Stockholm Mariehamn ferries.

Stockholm Mariehamn Ferry Times

The earliest Stockholm Mariehamn ferry sailings typically depart Stockholm at around 07:10. The average sailing time is approximately 7h 0m and the fastest sailing time is approximately 5h 25m.

Stockholm Mariehamn Ferry Prices

Stockholm Mariehamn ferry prices typically range between £43* and £316*. The average price is typically £160*. The cheapest Stockholm Mariehamn ferry prices start from £11*. The average price for a foot passenger is £93*. The average price for a car is £243*.

Pricing will vary depending on number of passengers vehicle type route and sailing times. Pricing is taken from searches over last 30 days last updated 05 July, 2023.

How far is it from Stockholm to Mariehamn?

The distance between Stockholm to Mariehamn is approximately 134.2 miles (216.0km) or 116.6 nautical miles for the mariners!

Can I travel by car on the Stockholm Mariehamn ferry?

Yes, Tallink Silja, Viking Line allow cars on board for ferries between Stockholm and Mariehamn. Use our Deal Finder to get live pricing for car ferries between Stockholm and Mariehamn.

Can I travel as a foot passenger from Stockholm to Mariehamn?

Yes, foot passengers can travel with Tallink Silja, Viking Line between Stockholm and Mariehamn.

Stockholm Mariehamn Ferry Operator Schedules

• Tallink Silja - 12 weekly sailings, 1 daily sailings
• Viking Line - 14 weekly sailings, 2 daily sailings

Stockholm to Mariehamn Ferry Alternatives

• Grisslehamn to Eckero
• Kapellskar to Langnas
• Kapellskar to Mariehamn
• Stockholm to Langnas

* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 2023-08-01.

Most popular questions

How long is the ferry from stockholm to mariehamn, how much is the ferry from stockholm to mariehamn, which ferry companies operate between stockholm to mariehamn.

• Viking Line
• Tallink Silja

How can I book ferry tickets from Stockholm to Mariehamn?

Can you travel as a foot passenger on the ferry from stockholm to mariehamn, can you take your car on the ferry from stockholm to mariehamn, can you bring pets on the ferry from stockholm to mariehamn, how far is mariehamn from stockholm, stockholm mariehamn ferry reviews.

"Great deal! Perfect for family or couple."

Really nice food at Bonvivant, with perfect serving crew who goes the extra mile for us. Absolutely love the duty free shopping too, it has an extensive range of cosmetics, skincare, whisky, sweets. 

' Silja Symphony ' travelled on Silja Symphony

"Imagine of Journey "

A trip I dreamed of for a long time and now it's come true. A large ship with complete facilities and adequate prices and a friendly and helpful crew. Thank you

"Fantastic experience "

Really pleased I took this ferry. The cabin was far better than I expected. Everything was clean and the staff were very helpful. I found all my needs were catered for. 

' Silja Serenade ' travelled on Silja Serenade

Stockholm Guide

Stockholm is the capital of Sweden and is spread across 14 islands in the south east of Sweden and lies at the mouth of Lake Malaren, by the Stockholm Archipelago and the Baltic Sea. There are many cultural institutions based in Stockholm and the region in general is home to three of Sweden's UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These are the Drottningholm Palace, Skogskyrkogården (The Woodland Cemetery) and Birka. Stockholm was also named European Capital of Culture in 1998. With over 100 museums, Stockholm has one of the highest number of museums of any other world city. The Nationalmuseum is perhaps the most famous and contains the country's largest collection of art. It has some 16,000 paintings and 30,000 objects of art handicraft. The oldest items in the collection date back to the 16th century and has been expanded with works by artists such as Rembrandt and Antoine Watteau. Stockholm's port is a major gateway to Sweden and is therefore an important port for both freight and passengers travelling to and from Finland, Russia and the Baltic States. The port is close to the city centre where all of the usual facilities you would expect to find in a major city are located.

Mariehamn Guide

The autonomous territory of Mariehamn, which is under Finish sovereignty, is the capital of Aland and its town and harbour is a great place to explore and can be done so quite easily on foot, by bicycle or by bus. The four masted barque and sailing ship Pommern is located where ferries arrive in the town and is below Aland's Maritime Museum by the Badhusparken. A popular attraction in the town is St. Goran's Church which is located halfway along the Esplanaden Boulevard, which is lined with Lime trees and runs from Vasterhamn to Osterhamn. It is worth heading into central Mariehamn to the Torgatten pedestrian precinct as this is where many of the town's shops, cafes and restaurants can be found here. In this area is where you will also find the town and region's seat of power, the Sjalvstyrelsegarden, which is made up of Aland's parliament and provincial government, the town hall and other government buildings. The town is located on a peninsular and has two main harbours, one on the western shore and the other on the eastern shore. Both remain ice-free for almost the whole year and are non-tidal. The western harbour is where daily services to Sweden, Estonia and mainland depart from. The town's eastern harbour is the location of one of the largest marinas in Scandinavia.

Stockholm to Mariehamn Ferry Timetables

Ferry Timetables between 08/04/2024 and 14/04/2024

Onboard the ferries

Download the Direct Ferries app or manage your booking online through My Account

Visit our customer service page to find useful information on travelling by ferry, our FAQs, and how to contact us for help with your booking

Åland Islands

• Ferry Tickets
• Destinations

Mariehamn is the capital of Åland , an autonomous territory under Finnish sovereignty. Thanks to its central location between Finland and Sweden, beautiful architecture and rich nature, it has become a popular resort town and a tourist favorite.

On Ferryhopper, you can find the information you need for your holiday in Mariehamn in Åland. Read about the best attractions and activities, local cuisine and events, and discover how to get there. Check also available routes and book ferry tickets to Mariehamn from Finland, Sweden and Estonia at no extra cost !

The floating green scenery of Åland

Vacation in Mariehamn

The capital of Åland, Mariehamn, was founded in 1861 by Alexander II after the Empress Maria. Its wide streets lined with linden trees witness its Russian heritage. Mariehamn is the home to 12,000 out of the Åland Islands’ 30,000 inhabitants and is the world’s smallest metropolis , as its locals claim. However, this popular destination is extremely lively , especially in the summer months, attracting around 1.5 million tourists per year !

During your holiday in Mariehamn you will be able to enjoy the small-town vibe and admire the quaint streets and wooden houses. You can also use Mariehamn as a starting point for a tour around the Åland Islands .

Fun fact : the Åland archipelago consists of around 6,500 islands . Only 60-80 of them are inhabited, and Mariehamn is one of them.

How to get to Mariehamn

You can easily reach Mariehman by ferry from Turku or Helsinki in Finland. Tallinn is also connected by ferry with the ports of Stockholm and Kapellskär , in Sweden, as well as Tallinn , the capital of Estonia.

Tip : Åland is actually a popular getaway destination from Sweden. Find out what to do on a weekend in Mariehamn from Stockholm . 

Mariehamn also has an airport , located around 5 km outside the town, which is a 10-minute drive by car or a 30-minute ride by bus (lines 1, 2, 4 and 5).

Find more details about ferry routes and schedules to Mariehamn below.

What to do in Mariehamn

Despite its modest size, Mariehamn hosts a large number of cafés , hotels, restaurants, bars, parks, galleries , museums, festivals , and cultural events, so there’s lots of things to do in this busy town and in the surrounding areas.

During your stay, you can visit numerous sights and plan activities in nature , such as cycling. You can organize island-hopping or road trips and explore more islands in Åland by sea or by land. Moreover, if you are a golf lover, you have come to the right place, since Åland has at least 3 golf courses !

Tip : we strongly recommend visiting Mariehman around June 21 , when the festivities of Midsummer take place. Ålanders take advantage of the long daylight and celebrate outside and in the countryside with barbecues, decoration and traditions, such as the maypole .

Incredible midnight sun in Mariehamn

Sightseeing in Mariehamn

From preserved medieval churches to various museums and impressive lighthouses , there is a lot to explore in Mariehamn. However, we also recommend taking day trips in order to get a better taste of Åland and its hidden gems.

If you are wondering what to see in Mariehamn, here are some popular sights in the area:

• The Sjökvarteret boat-building site
• Åland's Maritime Museum (Sjöfartsmuseum)
• The Kobba Klintar old pilot station
• The Church (Kyrka) of Sankt Göran
• The Åland Island Art Museum 
• The Cultural History Museum of Åland
• The Bomarsund Fortress
• The Kastelholm Castle (14th century)

Tip : we strongly recommend taking a guided tour by boat to the remote lighthouses around Åland, such as Märket, Sälskär or Lågskär, and enjoy a sea adventure!

The Kobba Klintar old maritime pilot station with its café and museum

Activities in Mariehamn

Mariehman is the perfect travel destination if you want to be active on your vacation. The island’s beautiful natural landscapes and modern sports facilities make Åland a top option for adventure and fitness lovers . Get ready to release some stress and get the endorphins running, and try:

• Sport fishing

If you are an architecture enthusiast , you must definitely discover the buildings designed by Lars Sonck, such as the Mariehamn City Hall and the ÅSS Pavillion, or Finland’s first female master builder , Hilda Hongell, whose work you can still admire on a walk along Mariagatan and Södragatan.

On the other hand, if you just feel like relaxing we suggest you visit the Mariebad bathhouse and enjoy an invigorating experience in its sauna , jacuzzi and steam room, along with massage treatments from the establishment’s specialists.

Nightlife in Mariehamn

Mariehamn might not be the place for party seekers, but it has a variety of entertainment options to offer all year round, even though some establishments may operate only from May to September. There are many events and festivals taking place in June and July , so be prepared to check the event schedule before visiting.

In Mariehamn, you will find several pubs which are the town's evening hot spots. You will also find some beautiful bars with a terrace around Lilla Torget, and a nightclub for some late-night fun in the Arkipelag Hotel. You can also enjoy a movie night at the historic Bio Savoy Cinema or try your luck at the Casino Paf .

Food in Mariehamn

For Ålanders food is a big thing, and so is sustainability . In Åland you can eat tasty organic food , which is locally produced with respect for nature and according to the seasons. In Mariehamn and Åland restaurants, the AX label on a menu indicated that the dish is made from local ingredients , such as fish, meat and apples from local farms.

Moreover, the Ålanders have always been sea travelers that would bring new tastes, ingredients and influences , that you can trace even nowadays on innovative courses with exotic products.

Some of the Åland flavors that you must try in Mariehamn’s many restaurants are:

• Fish (smoked, cured, fried in batter or roasted)
• Åland pancakes
• Local tangy cheeses
• Dark malt bread
• Apple juice and soda from local fruit
• Artisan “slow” beers (Stallhagen microbrewery)

Åland is Finland's apple orchard

Useful information about Mariehamn

Mariehamn is the biggest town of Åland, has a unique architecture and offers many things to see and do. With incredible landscapes combining sea and green vegetation, a vibrant life in the summer and many options for activities and relaxation , it has become a tourist favorite over the last decades.

In Mariehamn, you will find a variety of accommodation options depending on your preferences and budget. The hotels in Mariehamn are classic and are close to museums, restaurants and shops.

Then again, if you want to connect with nature and try something different, you can book a cottage by the sea, a cozy wooden guesthouse of B&B, or even a room in a farm hotel . Do your research and you will find that options are numerous!

Tip : if you want to go simple, you can set up a tent or park your motorhome in one of Åland’s around 20 camping sites .

As for health establishments, there are several hospitals and clinics in Mariehman, so you can enjoy your vacation with peace of mind.

Important phone numbers for your stay in Mariehamn

Here are some useful contacts for your trip to Mariehamn:

• Mariehamn Port Authority: +35818531470
• Åland Police: +35818527100
• Mariehamn bus station: +3581825600
• Medical assistance: +35818538 500
• Emergency health ward: +358185355
• Mariehamn airport: +35820708000
• Mariehamn taxi services: +3581826000
• European emergency number: 112

Transportation in Mariehamn

Mariehamn is a relatively small town so you can easily get around on foot . Inside the town, you can also get around by the city bus Mariehamnsbussen . The main stop is in the town center at the crossroads of Nygatan and Torggatant. To travel to the countryside from Mariehamn, you can catch a bus from the main station next to the library.

In Mariehamn, there are many taxis that you can use to get to the airport and the ferry terminals. Moreover, Åland is a cycling friendly destination with a great network of cycling tracks and, since the distances are short, biking is one of the best ways to move around and see the surrounding areas. Alternatively, if you don’t bring a vehicle, you can rent a car in one of Åland’s two car renters.

Finally, where the roads end, you can continue your journey to the Åland Islands via the Archipelago ferries and even spend the night in one of the archipelago municipalities. These local ferries are free of charge for passengers who travel without a vehicle (bikes are considered as vehicles).

Ports in Mariehamn

The port of Mariehamn has 2 harbors: one on the western shore and one on the eastern shore. The Western Harbor is an important passenger harbor with and is used by cruise ferries traveling from/to Sweden , Estonia and mainland Finland .

In the Eastern Harbor you will find the Maritime Quarter , a living marine center with boat building activity, a smithy and other handicrafts, and a marina for traditional ships and wooden boats.

Mariehamn ferry: schedules and tickets

From the Western Harbor at the port of Mariehamn, there are regular ferry crossings to Helsinki and Turku in Finland all year round. There are also connections to the ports of Stockholm and Kapellskär in Sweden , and to Tallinn in Estonia .

The companies that operate the connections are Viking Line and Tallink Silja Line . Keep in mind that on all vessels it is possible to embark your vehicle and stay in a cabin during the trip.

On Ferryhopper's Map of ferries , you can see all available ferry routes from/to Mariehamn, so that you can easily plan and visualize your ferry trip.

Here are some more details on the ferry routes to Mariehamn:

• Ferry from Helsinki to Mariehamn : the Helsinki - Mariehamn ferry route is served up to 7 times a week . The crossing lasts approximately 11 hours and tickets start at around €55.
• Ferry from Turku to Mariehamn : the ferry from Turku to Mariehamn runs up to 7 times a week all year round. The crossing takes approximately 11.5 hours and tickets start at around €17.
• Ferry from Stockholm to Mariehamn : the ferry connection from Stockholm to Mariehamn includes around 4 daily sailings and the ferry ride takes about 6.5 hours to get to Mariehamn. Tickets start at around €18.
• Ferry from Kapellskär to Mariehamn : the Kapellskär - Mariehamn ferry route is operated all year round, with up to 3 daily crossings in the summer months. The trip lasts around 3.5 hours and tickets start at about €12.
• Ferry from Tallinn to Mariehamn : the ferry from Tallinn to Mariehamn runs with up to 4 weekly crossings . Ferry time ranges from 10 to 14 hours  and tickets start at about €103.

Snow covering the green scenery of Mariehamn

Book ferry tickets to Mariehamn online

On Ferryhopper, you can find all ferry routes to and from Mariehamn in the Åland Islands. Compare prices, timetables and companies, and book ferry tickets to Mariehamn online with no hidden fees .

Mariehamn ferry timetable

View the complete ferry schedule from and to Mariehamn for the upcoming week. Find up-to-date trip information, including departure and arrival dates and times, ferry operators and ticket prices.

Frequent ferry connections

Nearby destinations, mariehamn has direct ferry connections to 8 ports :.

◀︎ Attractions

Port town mariehamn.

Passenger ships arrive daily to Mariehamn from Stockholm, Turku, and Helsinki. Despite being a tiny town, Mariehamn has a lot to offer in services, hotels, restaurants and activities for visitors and locals. Mariehamn has a population of 11 700, consisting of 6000 Ålanders and about 5500 immigrants from Finland, Sweden and other countries.

Åland and Finland were parts of the Russian empire from 1809 to 1918. Mariehamn was founded in 1861 by decree of Czar Alexander II, and is named in homage to his wife Maria. The city plan was made by architect Georg Theodor Policron Chiewitz. Before Mariehamn was founded, Degerby was the main port in Åland. Mariehamn is a peninsula with ports on both sides: The Eastern harbour with leisure boats and entertainment, and the Western harbour for receiving large cruise ships and cargo. Between the ports is the charming little town.

Åland Maritime Museum

In short walking distance from the ferry terminal in the Western harbour, you'll find the Åland Maritime Museum, and the impressive sailing ship Pommern docked on the shore. The Åland Islands has a rich maritime history to tell. In the past it was common for local boys to "go to sea" and muster in the merchant fleet as soon as they were ready at 14-15 years of age. At the time our agriculture didn't render much and for the younger sons of the families, a life at sea gave much better opportunities for succeeding on your own merits.

During the 19th century Mariehamn had already become an important trade port, due to it's strategic location between Stockholm and Turku. Shipping is still a strong industry in Åland, today mainly thanks to the tax exempted passenger cruises between Finland and Sweden. Several cruise ships arrive to and depart from Mariehamn every day - all year round.

The Åland Maritime Museum hosts a large collection of miniature ship models - 41 of them built by the sailor Viktor Andersson. The expositions are divided between the classic era of sails and the modern era of combustion powered vessels. Ålandic naval merchants have donated objects and equipment to the museum, such as the complete captain's saloon salvaged from the ship Herzogin Cecilie after she was shipwrecked in the English Channel. In the exhibition for combustion powered vessels you can see a steam engine from 1920 built in Newbury, as well as a captain's saloon from Danish steamer Dagmar.

Much else of interest can be found at the Maritime Museum, including exhibitions about Mariehamn, safety at sea, local ship building tradition and the (not to be confused) Cape Horn exhibition.

Tall Ship Pommern

Seafaring merchants from Åland made their wealth by purchasing cheap sailing ships when the world was turning to steam power for naval transport. For decades they sailed these tall ships - known as "windjammers" - with wheat from Australia to Europe, and it wasn't until 1949 that they did their last grain run between the continents. One of these windjammers is Pommern, built in 1903 and purchased by Ålandic merchant Gustaf Eriksson in 1923. Pommern sailed the high seas until Word War II broke out in 1939. During her use the crew set many speed records for trade ships - such as making the journey from Oslo to Melbourne in 87 days in 1929.

Windjammers

After the war ended, Pommern was donated to the town council of Mariehamn and commissioned as a museum in 1957. In 2019 a dock was built around the ship, to make maintainance of her steel hull easier. The ship is open for visitors during the warmer seasons in the year.

Being a sailor on these ships was a hard life. On these enormous vessels, the sailors had to climb the shrouds and out on the yards to haul the heavy sails in case a storm was coming. The main mast on Pommern is 48 meters tall and the ship had a total of 28 sails to power a burden of at most 4000 tonnes, with a crew of 26.

South of Mariehamn is the archipelago of Järsö, which you reach by one of the most beautiful roads in Åland. During summer Järsö is a popular excursion destination for bicycle tourists, who can enjoy having the sea on both sides as they bike over the bridges between the islands. The road passes through nature reserve Espholm, where you can do a detour on a forest trail to a small beach. After several bridges you arrive in Nåtö - also a nature conservation area.

🚴🏻‍♀️ Bicycle tours

At last you arrive in the Järsö island, where you can stop for coffee at Stickstugan Café, or continue to the nature trail at Lilla Björkö. If you're lucky you might catch a glimpse of the estate of the insula's governor, where he sits and counts the tributes he levies from his subjects in Åland.

Eastern harbour & Maritime Quarter

It takes about 30 minutes to walk from the Western harbour to the Eastern harbour, along the grand Esplanade street surrounded by linden trees. Durign the walk you'll pass by St George's church, Mariehamn town hall, the Cultural Historical Museum and the Åland Parliament buildings.

The Eastern harbour starts with the Steamship Pier, with a miniature golf track and the old jew smuggling steamer turned restaurant, F.P. von Knorring. On your right hand from the Steamship Pier you have the moorings for the small leisure boats of the locals and on your right the Yacht club's marina. Walking North along the shoreside, past the hideous Alandica congress building and the Miramar Park , you'll soon reach the Maritime Quarter.

In Maritime Quarter there is a pier for old fashioned ships to visit, as well as several activities on shore and a restaurant. Their main office is the Boat Building Museum. The Maritime Quarter hosts local artisans and boat builders using traditional techniques. Among the many boats built here is the wooden galley Albanus , now sailing on charter. The Maritime Quarter is also the location for several yearly events, including their Tar market, the Snipe Adventure, Maritime Days and Åland Sea Jazz.

One of the most popular spots to take a photo is the beautiful wooden Seafarers' Chapel, on the edge of a pier by the Maritime Quarter. It was built by volounteers in 2008. Another nice photo is the red, pyramid shaped beacon on the other side of the quarter. Inside you'll find an exhibition of boats. To finish things you can visit the Marine Motor Museum.

Kobba Klintar

When Mariehamn was founded in 1861, the new city needed the service of pilots, to guide incoming ships to the harbour, and therefore a manned pilot station was built on the Kobba Klintar skerry, together with a pyramid shaped beacon as a landmark. When large ships arrived, the pilots would drive out and board the ships to aid them in navigating to Mariehamn.

In 1883 a gas powered flashing navigation beacon was installed to further aid navigators. In 1910 a larger building was built to house an enormous foghorn, that is still functional to this day. Several more beacons were constructed, including the red-black striped Marhällan beacon.

As shipping moved on to more modern navigation means, the need for specialized pilots diminished, and in 1972 the station at Kobba Klintar was closed. Since then, the island has been a popular day visit destination for tourists and islanders, with art exhibitions and a summertime café. Those who travel to Mariehamn by ferry still pass close to Kobba Klintar when arriving.

Picture: Kallerna

🇫🇷 français, quick links.

Things To Do

Booking terms

ÅLAND.travel is a private enterprise with no government affiliation.

All rights reserved. © 2024

• CruiseMapper

MS Birka Gotland

Former names: birka stockholm, birka paradise.

Cruise line DESTINATION GOTLAND (Ferries)

MS Birka Gotland current position

MS Birka Gotland current location is at Baltic Sea (coordinates 59.31672 N / 18.09643 E) cruising en route to Mariehamn Aland. The AIS position was reported 5 minutes ago.

Specifications of MS Birka Gotland

•   Review
•   Wiki

MS Birka Gotland Review

Review of ms birka gotland.

The 2004-built MS Birka Gotland (fka Birka Stockholm) was a cruise ship owned by Eckero Line (Finland-based ferry company) via the brand Birka Line and operated by Eckero's fully-owned subsidiary company and travel brand "Birka Cruises".

The vessel was constructed by Aker Finnyards (in Rauma Finland ).

Eckero acquired Birka in 2007.

The vessel (IMO number 9273727) is currently Sweden- flagged (MMSI 266314000) and registered in Stockholm .

In late March 2023, the ferry company Gotlandsbolaget/Destination Gotland , acquired the 19-year-old Birka Stockholm from Rederiaktiebolaget Eckero (via its subsidiary Shipping Ab Ltd) for EUR 38 million (~USD 41,2M / ~GBP 33,4M).

Gotlandsbolaget's current plans are to introduce Baltic cruises from Stockholm to Mariehamn (Aland Islands Finland) and Visby , starting in spring 2024.

After the laying up of the liner (due to the COVID crisis) for years in Mariehamn, Rederiaktiebolaget Eckero explored the possibility of converting the 1800-passenger vessel to an ~600-passenger expedition ship, but these plans didn't materialize.

Birka Gotland started revenue operations for the new travel brand Gotland Alandia Cruises on March 31, 2024.

History - construction and ownership

Birka Cruises (1971-founded as "Birka Line", 2020- defunct ) was a Mariehamn (Aland Finland) -headquartered subsidiary company fully-owned by Rederiaktiebolaget Eckero (Finnish holding company) via its subsidiary Eckero Line Oy. The shipowner Eckero Line (Rederi Ab Eckero) is a Helsinki -based cargo and passenger shipping company founded in 1995. Birka Cruises operated only the cruiseferry Birka Stockholm, which was deployed year-round in the Baltic Sea. Birka offered regularly scheduled crossings between homeports Stockholm (Sweden) and Mariehamn (Finland)

After 49 years of operation, on July 3, 2020, Eckero Line announced that Birka Cruises is permanently shut down (effectively defunct ) and that the vessel Birka Stockholm (16-year-old at the time) is planned for drydock conversion into a cruise ferry. According to Eckero's announcement, the company's closure was due to the financial impact of the Coronavirus crisis . All bookings were fully refunded. More than 500 Birka employees (including the ship's crew) lost their jobs.

In August 2023, the passenger shipping companies Viking Line and Gotlandsbolaget/Destination Gotland announced a joint venture cruise company to serve the Sweden-Finland route Stockholm - Mariehamn Aland - Visby . The new company is managed by Susanne Kaarnimo-Knight (CEO).

The 1800-passenger ship Birka Stockholm was unofficially dubbed just "MS Birka". The boat's interior design was a joint project of Birka Line, Aker Finnyards Oy (shipbuilder, 1989-2014), and Deltamarin Ltd (1990-founded company specializing in ship design, construction support, offshore engineering).

The vessel was originally designed/planned as a typical cruise ship, without the car deck available on similar cruiseferries. Birka is considered environmentally friendly, with the new innovations used in her construction (exhaust and closed sewage treatment systems).

The vessel's hull was specifically designed to optimize the environmental impact on the Aland Archipelago routes.

The vessel (Birka Paradise) was officially delivered to Birka Line on November 8, 2004. The naming ceremony was held on November 10, 2004, in Port Stockholm. The godmother was Arja Enni Helena Saijonmaa - 1944-born Finnish singer, actress, political activist. Birka's maiden voyage/inaugural cruise departed on November 11th. The ship was renamed "Birka Stockholm" in January 2013, when its colors were also changed - from blue-yellow-red to just blue-yellow.

Decks and Cabins

MS Birka Stockholm has a total of 900 staterooms (Outside and Inside) in 11 cabin categories. Many passenger cabins are marine-style decorated. All cabins are located above the waterline. All passenger accommodations are equipped with HDTV, dressing table with chair, wardrobe, phone, electronic safe box (in the closet), en-suite bathroom (washbasin-WC-shower, hairdryer), individually controlled air-conditioning.

Most cabins are doubles, each fitted with two fixed lower beds (non-convertible to a double bed). The largest stateroom is the Two-Deck Duplex Suite (each level is sized 18 m2 / 195 ft2) which has a separate living room (sofa bed, coffee table, armchairs), en-suite bathroom (toilet, separate shower, whirlpool bath), separate guest toilet (WC-washbasin).

The boat has 11 decks , of which 9 are passenger-accessible and 5 with cabins.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

Shipboard dining options include 3 restaurants - Grand Buffé (self-service Buffet Restaurant), Four Seasons Restaurant, Café Brazil - and 8 bars including a whisky bar that serves 90+ single malts.

MS Birka Stockholm is among the cruise ships offering comfort and safety during a voyage. The ship's relaxation area includes a swimming pool, two Jacuzzis, poolside bars, a sundeck with palm trees, beach loungers and deckchairs.

Paradise Relax & SPA has a Sauna Room and offers spa treatments that include body massages and skin therapies using algae, chocolate, and volcanic mud. The onboard entertainment program is planned for each day of the week and includes live piano performances (at Yacht Club Bar) and orchestral performances (at Club Copacabana). The ship also has a Paradise Lounge, Paradise Beach, Paradise Sundeck (with dance area), Jogging Track, Promenade, Duty-Free Shop (Freeport Shopping), a Betting Shop (run by licensed bookmakers), Casino (gambling lounge), Birka Konferens (Conference Rooms), Helipad (helicopter landing area used in cases of emergency).

The Birka cruise ship remains the world's only passenger liner to have a sand beach complete with artificial sunlight.

Drydock refurbishment 2024

The refurb project in 2024 (by Gotland Alandia Cruises/USD 6+ million investment) included updates to all passenger staterooms, adding new cabin categories (bow-facing suites), redesign of some public areas, renovations to the wellness complex (Archipelago Spa was updated and new treatments were added to its menu), also the sundeck was redone.

Now the ship has a total of 9 dining and beverage venues (bar lounges, coffee shops, restaurants).

Itineraries

Following an extensive drydock refurbishment , the former Birka Stockholm (now Birka Gotland) was scheduled to debut its Sweden-Finland cruises with the Maiden Voyage at the end of March (around Easter 2024) roundtrip from Stockholm to Aland/Mariehamn . The inaugural cruise left from Stockholm on March 1st (2024).

During spring and summer, the ship operates 1-2-3-night voyages visiting Mariehamn and Visby . In peak summer, the itineraries expand to include popular vacation destinations in Sweden ( Harnosand , Ystad ), Denmark ( Bornholm ) and Latvia ( Riga ).

Birka Stockholm's itinerary program was based on Baltic Sea mini-cruises leaving roundtrip from homeport Stockholm Sweden to Mariehamn (Finland).

Birka Stockholm operated 22-hour cruise crossings between Stockholm and Mariehamn Aland . In addition to these 7 weekly crossings, Birka also planned special weekend voyages (during summer) and holiday voyages (for Christmas and New Year's Eve).

MS Birka Gotland - user reviews and comments

Photos of ms birka gotland.

MS Birka Gotland ship related cruise news

Gotlandsbolaget buys 2004-built cruise ship Birka Stockholm for €38 million

The ferry company Gotlandsbolaget/Destination Gotland (1998-founded, headquartered in Visby, Gotland Island, Sweden) paid EUR 38 million for the 2004...

MS Birka Stockholm to be converted for expedition use

A ship that mainly operated 22-hour cruises leaving roundtrip from homeport Stockholm Sweden will be converted to a high-end-of-the-market expedition...

49-year-old Birka Cruises goes out of business laying off 500 people

Birka Cruises (subsidiary of Eckero Group) announced it goes out of business laying off 500+ employees. Established in 1971 and operating as Sweden...

•   show more news

Other DESTINATION GOTLAND cruise ships

• Drotten ferry
• Gotland ferry
• Visborg ferry
• Visby ferry

MS Birka Gotland Wiki

MS Birka Paradise ship was built as cruiseferry (passenger capacity 1800) and was operated on the Sweden-Finland route  Stockholm - Mariehamn (Aland) . The vessel was delivered to Birka Cruises in November 2004.

The vessel ( shipbuilding cost EUR 155 million) was launched under the name "Birka Paradise", which was chosen after a competition of 3500+ proposals. Birka Paradise was renamed to "Birka Stockholm" in 2013. Since 2008, the vessel is Sweden- flagged (MMSI number 266314000) and registered in Stockholm.

As cruiseferry, Birka Paradise had 715 passenger cabins and was served by 180 crew. The hull is ice class "1A Super" (the highest for passenger ships).

Birka Paradise’s interior design was developed by YSA Design (Yran & Storbraaten Architects AS, Oslo Norway ), Architectoffice Lasse Heikkinen ( Helsinki Finland -based Naval Architecture, Exterior-Interior Design, 3D Design. Projecting) and Partner Ship Design ( Hamburg Germany -based company specializing in ocean-going passenger ships, ferries, superyachts, sailing ships, riverboats).

The vessel (Aker Finnyards/STX Finland yard/hull number 104590) was built in Rauma, Finland . It has weight (DWT tonnage) 4020 tons, and max draft 9,4 m (30 ft).

For the vessel's construction, Vitkovice Steel (Přívoz Czechia-based manufacturer of rolled steel products, Czechia's largest manufacturer of steel plates) supplied 3000+ tons of steel plates while Wynn Marine Ltd (manufacturer of Heavy Duty Straight Line Wipers) supplied a unique wiper system capable to clean up 90% of each window onboard.

The cruise ship is powered by 4x Wartsila marine diesel engines (model 6L46, combined output 23,4 MW) plus 4x auxiliary diesel engines (electricity generators model Wartsila 6L32, combined output 11 MW). The liner’s cruising speed is 21 knots (39 kph / 24 mph), with max speed 23 knots (42 kph / 26 mph).

In 2007-2008, Birka Paradise entered drydock at Turku Repair Yard (Luonnonmaa island, Naantali Finland ). The USD 2,7 million refurbishment project included wellness complex renovations (saunas, spa treatment rooms, shower rooms, gym equipment). The hull was cleaned and repainted with non-toxic paints.

Drydock refurbishment/conversion

In early November 2021 was announced that Clarkson plc ( London UK -based shipbroker) valued the 17-year-old vessel at EUR 82,8 million (~USD 95,8M / ~GBP 71M).

Rederi AB Eckero (shipowner) signed with Fosen Design & Solution (subsidiary of Fosen Yard AS/Norwegian shipyard specializing in vessel conversions/refurbishments) to evaluate the viability of a conversion project for Birka Stockholm.

The plans included updating the life-saving equipment, reducing the number of passenger cabins (from 700 to 300) and adding (in the superstructure) step-out balconies to 215 cabins.

The project aimed to convert the 1800-passenger cruiseferry into a premium expedition ship with max passenger capacity 600.

Viking Line and Gotlandsbolaget partner for cruise service

A joint venture will provide cruises between Stockholm, Mariehamn and Visby

Gotlandsbolaget

By Alex Smith | 10 August 2023

Shipping companies Viking Line and Gotlandsbolaget are forming a joint venture to provide cruises from Stockholm to Mariehamn on the Finnish Åland islands and Visby on the Swedish island of Gotland.

Gotlandsbolaget acquired the cruise ship Birka Stockholm in March 2023 for €23 million ($25.3 million) and has now agreed to sell a 50 per cent stake in the vessel to Viking Line for €19 million ($20.9 million).

Cruise services will launch in the spring of 2024, with voyages between Stockholm and Mariehamn and from Stockholm to Visby with a call in Mariehamn. The companies are also investigating the possibility of providing destination cruises in the Baltic Sea region. Viking Cinderella, which currently provides cruise service from Stockholm to Mariehamn, will now be moved to a Helsinki-Mariehamn-Stockholm route during the spring of 2024.

"We are pleased to have the opportunity to collaborate with a successful shipping company like Gotlandsbolaget, which we have great respect for,” said Jan Hanses, CEO of Viking Line. “We believe our joint contribution to this service will further enhance the cruise product offered from Stockholm.”

The initial contract for the partnership runs for five years, with the possibility of an extension. The new company will be headquartered in Stockholm and run under the management of CEO Susanne Kaarnimo-Knight.

"We are working to expand Gotlandsbolaget’s cruise travel offering as a complement to our service to Gotland and our other offerings, and what partner can be better at doing this than Viking Line, with its extensive experience from cruises in the Baltic Sea,” said Håkan Johansson, CEO of Gotlandsbolaget. “We see this collaboration as a fantastic opportunity that utilizes the experience and skills of both Gotlandsbolaget and Viking Line.”

Tags: Cruise news     News

Related articles

• The Mediterranean is the world’s second largest cruise market, according to MedCruise
• Carnival Corporation achieves shore power goal seven years ahead of schedule
• Windstar Cruises to expand fleet with two new ships
• Scenic Group to update fleet with new luxury ocean yacht and refurbishment programme
• MSC Cruises marks construction milestones for two World-class cruise ships

Contact author

Recommended.

Cruise Order Book: crafting cruise innovation

Almost 40 million people will cruise annually by 2027, predicts CLIA

MSC Cruises resumes operations from mainland China

CLIA commissions study to chart future of decarbonisation

Carnival Corporation orders fifth Excel-class cruise ship for Carnival Cruise Line

Celebrity Infinity returns to service following refurbishment

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings orders eight new cruise ships and plans private island expansion

CLIA Cruise Week Europe 2024: optimism and frustration as cruise leaders look ahead to the future

The most popular stories of the month delivered to your inbox

• About Cruise & Ferry
• Newsletters
• Our partners
• ©2024 Tudor Rose. All Rights Reserved. Cruise & Ferry is published by Tudor Rose.
• About Tudor Rose
• Privacy notice and cookie statement
• Terms of Use