What you need to know

Here you’ll find useful information to help you prepare for LINC Åland 2027, including travel arrangements, accommodation and tips for making the most of your stay on the Åland Islands.

Arrival – getting to Åland

We would like to coordinate travel from Finland to Åland in the most convenient way for our participants.

Therefore, LINC 2027 will start onboard the Viking Line vessel Viking Glory, departing from Turku at 08:45 on 8 June 2027 (arrival in Mariehamn, Åland at 14.10).

All participants travelling with the group should be at the Viking Line terminal in Turku no later than 07:30 to allow sufficient time for check-in and boarding.

Viking Glory is a modern and spacious cruise ship, 222 metres long and with capacity for 2,800 passengers. Onboard, you can enjoy restaurants, cafés, comfortable lounges and a large tax-free shopping area. The ship is equipped with stabilisers for a more comfortable journey.

The journey across the Baltic Sea will take you through the beautiful Finnish archipelago before arriving in Mariehamn, Åland, where the LINC experience continues.

The cruise ticket and lunch onboard are included in the participation fee.

Program onboard:

  • LINC 2027 registration
  • Welcoming info
  • EU CAP Network: Future of LEADER
  • Thematic group discussions
  • Lunch
  • Free time

If you do not plan to travel with the group from Turku, please let us know in advance.

How to get to Turku

Turku is well connected to other parts of Finland by train, bus and air.

  • From Helsinki Airport: You can travel to Turku by long-distance bus, with connections from the airport, or by train. For train travel, take the airport train to Pasila or Tikkurila and change to a train to Turku.
  • From Helsinki city centre: Regular train and bus connections operate between Helsinki and Turku.
  • From Turku Airport: The airport is located approximately 8 km from Turku city centre. You can reach the city and harbour by local bus or taxi.
  • From Stockholm: Viking Line and Tallink Silja operate ferry services between Stockholm and Turku. An overnight journey arriving in Turku on the morning of 8 June may be an option, depending on the timetable.

As our group departure from Turku is early in the morning, we recommend arriving in Turku on 7 June.

Useful links:

Travel to Turku

Accommodation

For your convienience, we have selected five hotels in Mariehamn for LINC 2027 participants. All hotels are located in or close to the town centre, within convenient reach of the conference activities and buses (walking distances).

Please note: Accommodation is arranged by the organisers. You will be able to select your preferred hotel and room type in the registration form. There is no need to contact the hotels nor make a separate reservation yourself.

If you have questions, please let us know.

Hotel options and rates

Click on the hotel names for pictures and more information. All prices are in EUR per room per night. Prices per person for double/twin rooms are based on two people sharing:

Hotel Pommern (main venue) 

  • Single Room – 119 EUR
  • Double/twin room – 128 EUR (64 EUR/person)

Hotel Park Alandia

  • Single Room – 140 EUR
  • Double/twin room – 160 EUR (80 EUR/person)

Hotel Arkipelag

  • Single Room, city view – 138 EUR
  • Double/twin room, city view– 168 EUR (84 EUR/person)
  • Single Room, sea view – 168 EUR
  • Double/twin room, sea view – 198 EUR (99 EUR/person)

Hotel Savoy

  • Single Room – 93 EUR
  • Double/twin room – 102 EUR (51 EUR/person)

Hotel Adlon

  • Single Room – 81 EUR
  • Double/twin room – 90 EUR (45 EUR/person)

The price also includes:

  • Large breakfast buffet 
  • Free Wi-Fi internet access

Hotel availability and room preferences will be handled as part of the registration process. Your hotel selection will be subject to availability.

Click on the picture above to get to the interactive hotel map

 
 
 
 
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About the Åland Islands

Åland is an island region located in the Baltic Sea, halfway between Sweden and Finland in Northern Europe. It is an autonomous region within the Republic of Finland, with Swedish as its only official language.

Size:  1 556 km²
Number of islands: More than 6 700 namned islands
(27 000 islands & skerries in total)
Population: 30 836 (2025)
Status: Demilitarised and neutralised since 19th century. Autonomy since 1922.
Representation in Finland’s Parliament: Åland has one seat in the Finnish Parliament.
Own parliament and legislation: The Åland Parliament (Lagtinget) has legislative powers in areas such as education, healthcare, business, environment and culture.
Own government: Led by the Premier (Lantråd), with its own ministers and local political parties.
Municipalities: 16 (6 of which are in the eastern archipelago). Each with its own elected council and local administration.
Capital: Mariehamn (approx. 12,000 residents)
Language: Swedish is the sole official language, with a distinct cultural identity and its own cultural heritage administration.
Own flag and flag days: Including Åland’s Autonomy Day on 9 June, our national day.
International country code: +358
Member of the European Union: Since 1995, with special tax exemptions
Currency: Euro (€)
Key industries: Shipping, public sector, trade and tourism, food production and construction. The tech and IT sector is growing.

European Buffet

As a yearly LINC-tradition we ask you kindly to bring something typical from your country for the European Buffet.

  • Please note that we only accept food and beverages that do not have to be cooled.
  • Please be conscious to bring products that are suitable for presenting.

Bringing food produce from other EU countries into Finland is generally unrestricted, with the exceptions:

From the EU:

  • You are generally allowed to bring in foodstuffs of animal origin from the EU to Finland without restrictions.
  • Don’t forget to take the spreading of the African Swine Fever into account, though. Due to African Swine Fever, there are at the moment restrictions about bringing meat from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Italy.

From outside the EU:

  • Bringing in foodstuffs from outside the EU is subject to restrictions, and these regulations are supervised by the Finnish Food Safety Authority Evira.
  • For example, you are not allowed to bring in meat, meat products, milk or dairy products.

Further Information:
http://tulli.fi/en/private-persons/travelling/foodstuffs
https://www.evira.fi/en/foodstuff/import-and-export/

Packing List

June is a lovely time to visit Åland, with long Nordic summer days and light nights and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. However, the weather can be changeable, particularly near the sea.

We recommend bringing:

  • Comfortable walking shoes suitable for study tours and outdoor activities.
  • Clothing for different weather conditions, including both warm and cooler days.
  • A windproof and waterproof jacket.
  • Sunglasses and sunscreen.
  • A refillable water bottle.
  • A small backpack for study tours and excursions.
  • Swimwear, if you would like to enjoy the sea or hotel facilities.
  • Traditional or national clothing for the LINC Parade (suggested)
  • Smart casual clothing for final dinner.
  • Passport or national ID card and any necessary travel documents.

We recommend dressing in layers so you can adapt to changing weather conditions throughout the day

Travelling onwards

Åland has convenient ferry connections to both Finland and Sweden, as well as connections to Estonia. Depending on your onward destination, you can choose between several routes.

To Stockholm, Sweden

There are regular ferry connections between Mariehamn and Stockholm, operated by Viking Line and Tallink Silja. You can choose between daytime and overnight sailings, depending on the route and departure date.

To Helsinki, Finland

Viking Line and Tallink Silja offer connections between Mariehamn and Helsinki. These are generally overnight sailings, making it possible to continue your journey to Helsinki the following morning.

To Turku, Finland

There are regular ferry connections between Mariehamn and Turku, operated by Viking Line and Tallink Silja. The daytime crossings are a convenient option if you are continuing your journey through Finland.

To Tallinn, Estonia

Tallink Silja operates the Stockholm–Tallinn route via Mariehamn on selected days. This offers a direct connection between Åland and Tallinn, although departures are not available every day.

By air

Mariehamn Airport also offers flight connections to mainland Finland and Sweden. This may be a convenient alternative depending on your onward destination and flight schedule.

Please check the ferry and flight timetables for your preferred travel date, as departure times and available connections vary.

Useful links:

Extend your stay

Why not take the opportunity to discover more of Åland before or after LINC 2027?

The Åland Islands have much to offer, from maritime history and medieval castles to beautiful cycling routes, local food experiences and excursions into the archipelago.

Explore Mariehamn

Discover Åland’s maritime heritage by visiting the award-winning Åland Maritime Museum and the four-masted museum ship Pommern. Take a stroll through the Maritime Quarter, with its traditional wooden boats, local crafts and charming waterfront atmosphere.

Discover history and culture

Visit Kastelholm Castle, explore the open-air museum Jan Karlsgården or discover the impressive ruins of the Bomarsund Fortress. These sites offer fascinating insights into Åland’s history.

Experience the archipelago

Explore the islands and skerries by boat, visit small harbour villages or take a ferry further out into the archipelago. Kobba Klintar, just outside Mariehamn, is a popular excursion destination with a fascinating maritime history.

Explore by bicycle

Åland is an excellent destination for cycling, with scenic coastal roads, quiet countryside and beautiful views of the sea. Stop along the way at local cafés, farm shops and small attractions.

Enjoy local food and flavours

Discover Åland’s food culture through local restaurants, cafés and producers. Look out for local specialities such as Åland pancake, black bread, locally produced cheeses and apple-based products.

For more inspiration and travel ideas, visit Visit Åland – Discover Åland.

Find out more about Åland