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Eckerö

Eckerö is a municipality of Åland, an autonomous territory under Finnish sovereignty. The municipality has a population of 961 (31 December 2025) and covers an area of 752.67 square kilometres (290.61 sq mi) of which 644.94 km2 (249.01 sq mi) is water. The population density is 8.92 inhabitants per square kilometre (23.1/sq mi). The municipality is unilingually Swedish and 85.7% of the population are Swedish speakers. It is the westernmost municipality of Åland and Finland. The company Eckerö Linjen operates a ferry connection between Berghamn in Storby, Eckerö and Grisslehamn on Väddö, Norrtälje in Sweden. The municipality has previously also been known as Ekkerö in Finnish documents, but is today referred to as "Eckerö" also in Finnish. Eckerö's most famous building is the Post and Customs house. It is the largest building that has been erected to aid the postal services between Stockholm and St. Petersburg. The building was built during the Russian era in 1828. Architect C.L Engel made the construction plans.

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Cross‑border character

Eckerö sits on the fringe of Åland, but its proximity to the Swedish mainland gives it a subtle trans‑Nordic flavour that you won’t find deeper in the archipelago. Ferries from Grisslehamn touch down at the tiny Eckerö harbour, and the short crossing creates a rhythm of commuter traffic and occasional weekend shoppers. This flow means cafés and small shops often carry bilingual signage and stock Swedish brands alongside Finnish staples, offering a practical glimpse of how autonomous regions negotiate identity through everyday commerce. For travellers keen on observing the lived reality of a borderland community, a morning coffee in the harbour district provides a quiet window onto this cross‑current.

Land‑water balance for outdoor pursuits

With roughly 86 % of its territory covered by water, Eckerö is a launchpad for water‑based recreation rather than a conventional hiking hub. The archipelago’s shallow bays and sheltered inlets are ideal for kayaking around the numerous islands, where you can glide past modest farms and small stone chapels that dot the coastline. In summer, the local kayak clubs organise informal routes that weave between fishing villages, allowing visitors to paddle at a leisurely pace while spotting sea‑birds nesting on the low cliffs. The contrast between the expansive sea and the modest, sparsely populated land area creates a sense of spacious calm that feels distinct from the busier mainland parks.

Seasonal rhythm and local festivals

Eckerö’s calendar is paced by the sea and the agricultural cycle, meaning festivals are intimately tied to harvest and maritime traditions. In late August the community hosts a modest “Fiskefest” where local fishermen showcase their catch, accompanied by folk music performed in Swedish, reflecting the linguistic majority. The event is less about spectacle and more about community participation, with residents inviting visitors to help with net‑pulling demonstrations. Autumn brings a brief lull as daylight wanes, but it also offers a perfect window for photographers seeking soft, low‑angle light on the water. Planning a visit around these seasonal markers provides an authentic slice of life rather than a generic tourist programme.

Introduction

Not to be confused with Ekerö. Municipality in Åland, FinlandEckeröMunicipalityEckerö kommunEckerö Coat of armsLocation of Eckerö in FinlandEckeröLocation in ÅlandCoordinates: 60°13′N 019°33′E / 60.217°N 19.550°E / 60.217; 19.550Country FinlandRegionÅlandSub-regionCountrysideGovernmentArea (2018-01-01) • Total752.67 km2 (290.61 sq mi) • Land107.72 km2 (41.59 sq mi) • Water644.94 km2 (249.01 sq mi) • Rank297th largest in FinlandPopulation (2025-12-31) • Total961 • Rank295th largest in Finland • Density8.92/km2 (23.1/sq mi)Population by native language • Swedish85.7% (official) • Finnish4.5% • Others9.8%Population by age • 0 to 1414% • 15 to 6459.6% • 65 or older26.4%Time zoneUTC+02:00 (EET) • Summer (DST)UTC+03:00 (EEST)Websitewww.eckero.ax Eckerö is a municipality of Åland, an autonomous territory under Finnish sovereignty. The municipality has a population of 961 (31 December 2025) and covers an area of 752.67 square kilometres (290.61 sq mi) of which 644.94 km2 (249.01 sq mi) is water. The population density is 8.92 inhabitants per square kilometre (23.1/sq mi). The municipality is unilingually Swedish and 85.7% of the population are Swedish speakers. It is the westernmost municipality of Åland and Finland. The company Eckerö Linjen operates a ferry connection between Berghamn in Storby, Eckerö and Grisslehamn on Väddö, Norrtälje in Sweden. The municipality has previously also been known as Ekkerö in Finnish documents, but is today referred to as "Eckerö" also in Finnish. Eckerö's most famous building is the Post and Customs house. It is the largest building that has been erected to aid the postal services between Stockholm and St. Petersburg. The building was built during the Russian era in 1828. Architect C.L Engel made the construction plans. Eckerö Post Quay by Victor Westerholm in 1885