Kökar – far out in the Åland archipelago
Kökar is an island municipality located in the southwestern part of Åland archipelago. Kökar is not only a destination for those looking for natural beauty and outdoor activities, but also a place whose rich cultural life offers glimpses of Åland culture from ancient times to the present day.
Kökar stole my heart
For me, Kökar is the most beautiful place among the thousands of islands in Åland. Nature here is different from other archipelago municipalities, it is harsher and more rugged, perhaps, because Kökar is located by the open sea.
The rocks are fiercer, the sea is bluer, and the sun glistens brighter from its surface than anywhere else! I fell so in love with Kökar that I sold my apartment in Finland and moved here!
Of course, the people of Kökar know the uniqueness of their island, the island’s motto is “Kökar is different”.
Map source: www.kokar.ax
Lively community
In Kökar you can see the uniquely beautiful cliffs shaped by the ice age and picturesque villages with their red boathouses. In the summer, various cafes take over the island and pop-up flea markets open here and there.
In summer, summer residents and visitors multiply the island’s population, which is about 250 inhabitants.
The inhabitants of Kökar, like many inhabitants of the Åland archipelago, have traditionally lived a marine lifestyle based on fishing, agriculture and seafaring.
Fishing has historically been a key industry for the islanders. Today, tourism has become an important part of the local economy.
During the summer, Kökar hosts a variety of cultural events, such as art exhibitions, concerts and traditional celebrations, such as Midsummer, which offers a glimpse into the local lifestyle.
Kökar hosts a cultural festival every year at the end of July – beginning of August, called the Kökar Week. During the festival, the island bursts with cultural events, and you can even go sailing onboard an old traditional fishing boat. It is well worth visiting Kökar during the festival.
History and cultural heritage
Kökar has a rich history, with evidence of human habitation dating back to the Bronze Age. In the Middle Ages Kökar hosted a medieval monastery.
Otterböte
Seal hunters were the first inhabitants of Kökar. The seal hunters came from the south, from the area which is now known as Poland. The seal hunter’s settlement consisted of nine round huts.
Archaeological excavations determined the age of the huts to be about 3000 years!
You can still see the remains of the huts in Otterböte, one of the cultural heritage sites of Kökar. Some say there is not a lot to see, but I think it is fascinating to imagine the life in this sheltered camp place thousands of years ago. Read more about Otterböte
The path to Otterböte leaves by a little parking area on they way to the Church. There’s a sign and info map of the route.
Church Of St. Anna And Ruins Of A Medieval Monastery
Kökar is known to have had a monastery during the Middle Ages. It was a Franciscan convent and the first mention of that has been found are from 1472. It is not clear, why the monks settled in Kökar, but it certainly points out Kökar’s importance as a medieval harbour.
You can still see the ruins of many buildings nearby of the church. An exhibition, the Fransiscan museum, next to the church offers a lot of information about the monastery and medieval graves that were found in archaeological excavations.
The present Church of St. Anna was built in 1784. It was built in the same place as the old monastery church. The picturesque church is a popular destination for visitors. It is accompanied by a distinctive bell tower, which is a separate structure located next to the church.
The monastery exhibition is open 24/7. The church is open in summertime (mind you, I haven’t yet been able to find information, on when the church is open). Read more about the church
For literature lovers, the church area is an interesting destination. The site of Finlandia Award-winning novel “Ice” by author Ulla-Lena Lundberg is precisely this church and the old vicarage next to it, which now serves as a parish hall. Lundberg was born in Kökar.
“Ice” was published in 2012. With domestic sales of almost 150,000 copies, it has become one of the most cherished Finnish novels of the decade. In 2023, “Ice” was voted the best Finlandia-winning novel of all time by the public vote.
Kökar Museum
At the Kökar Museum exhibition, you can see, learn, and experience how the people of Kökar lived in the past. The exhibition shows life at Kökar from the 19th century until the 1940s through an amazing collection of photos and films.
You can also see old fishing boats, boathouses, a fishing hut, and lots of equipment used in fishing and farming in the old days. The museum is located in Österbygge-Hellsö old school and is open daily in the summer season.
Outdoor Activities
Kökar offers opportunities for outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, birdwatching, fishing, disc golf, kayaking, and swimming.
The diverse natural environment includes rocky shores and majestic rock formations, which are unique in the Finnish and Åland archipelago.
Read also:
How To Get To Kökar
From Korppoo, Finland
Ferry port: Galtby, Korppoo
Line: Åland Traffic’s Southern line
Travel time Galtby-Kökar: 2.5 hours
Bus connection from Turku: yes
Parking: yes (only a few spaces, in July might be difficult to find a space)
waiting room and toilets: yes
From Åland
Ferry port: Långnäs
Line: Åland Traffic’s Southern line
Travel time Långnäs-Kökar: 2.5 hours
Bus connection from Mariehamn: yes
Parking: yes
waiting room and toilets: yes
Timetables
Read also:
Busses:
Turku-Galtby
From the list choose lines 901-904. You can choose any bus that goes to “Galtbyn laituri”.
Mariehamn-Långnäs
When you travel from Finland:
Parainen-Nauvo Ferry
Nauvo-Korppoo ferry
Where To Stay – Accommodation In Kökar
Several places offer accommodation in Kökar. You can choose from a hotel, a camping site, and anything in between. Check more information from the links above.
Anton’s Guesthouse
Havspaviljongen
Hotel Brudhäll
Klobbars Guesthouse and Cabins
Sandvik Marina & Camping
Skinnars
Best Time To Travel
The island experiences distinct seasonal changes. In the summer the days are long and sunny with temperatures being mostly above 20 degrees. It is an ideal time for outdoor exploration and it is the peak travel season.
Other seasons are worth experiencing too. Spring is often sunny and clear, but it is still cold with the cold breeze from the sea. It is fascinating to see nature waking up after winter.
Spring is the best time to visit for birdwatching. Kökar lies in the middle of the route of the migrating birds. Every spring thousands of birds rest in Kökar before they continue their travel further north. Several bird-watching platforms have been built around Kökar.
Autumn brings warm days and warm dark nights. After the summer season, it is nice and quiet, a good time to enjoy peace and solitude. It is still warm enough for outdoor activities.
In autumn you might find berries and mushrooms. You will surely find rosehip berries, which make a good pure full of vitamin C! Get my recipe here.
Winters vary yearly, some winters are characterized by snow and ice while some winters are a bit warmer and there’s no snow.
The days are short and darkness falls early. This is the time to enjoy short outdoor activities and then snuggle in with a hot drink and a good book, enjoying the silence and peace the island can offer. Brudhäll, for example, is open year round.
Welcome to Kökar!
I hope you will come visit the beautiful Kökar! Who knows, we might see down by the village!
