Accommodation and services

There are many accommodation options available along the St. Olav Waterway: hotels, rental apartments or privately-owned rental rooms specifically for pilgrims. Services are concentrated in villages and along ferry connections. Please take this into account when planning accommodation for your trip.

Accommodation

Find out where to stay on our digital maps at www.visitpargas.fi/outdoor
Tourist information offices can provide more information. Additional accommodation is found on AirBnB. 

Finland:

Åland:

Sweden (Vikingaleden):

Make sure that your accommodation is located along your itinerary. The aforementioned websites offer hospitality services close to the route. We recommend you reserve accommodation in advance and verify that there is free accommodation available at your destination especially during busy periods and vacation season. Outside travel season it is worth making sure that accommodation services are open for business.

Restaurant, Wi-Fi and laundry services are available in most accommodation locations.

Grocery stores

Grocery stores are mainly situated in central residential areas and villages. Smaller shops or kiosks can be found close to ferries. Grocery shopping should be planned well in advance. Most ferries on longer journeys offer small snacks or even meals.

Please use the “Tastes of the archipelago” route to find self-service farm shops and kiosks along Stages 1-5 between Turku and Korpo island. Many are only a small diversion from your route. The produce varies daily throughout the season, at some kiosks you may find ready-to-eat products like bread and jam, but they mostly offer fresh vegetables. Fishmongers sell smoked fish products that can be eaten without cooking.

Some kiosks are fairly close to hotels and BBs. Ask if you can borrow or rent a bike from where you stay the night and see if there are some fresh and tasty produce you can pick-up for a picnic. Produce is always fresh but will vary. Take some cash for the honesty box as not all have mobile payment options. 

Pharmacies

Pharmacy services are available in Turku, Kaarina, Pargas, Nagu and Korpo. In Åland there are pharmacies in Mariehamn, but Medicinskåp sell medicine also in Kökar, Sottunga and Lumparland. Along the St. Olav Waterway in Sweden, you can find a pharmacy in Grisslehamn (Medicinskåp in the ICA store), Östhammar and Öregrund.

Paying

Credit cards like Visa and Mastercard can be used to make payments in cafés, hotels and larger accommodations. Private apartments typically use cash payments. Please note that paying with the Swish app is generally used in Sweden but usually not in Finland.

There are very little few ATM machines in the Finnish archipelago and Åland. ATMs are located in the centre of Turku, Kaarina, Pargas and Nagu. In Åland you can use a cash point in Kökar and Mariehamn. Please make sure you have cash with you for the duration of your trip.

Tourist Information Offices

Tourist information offices offer helpful information about their surroundings. Please check service hours before visiting!

Internet

The mobile phone network along the St. Olav Waterway is comprehensive. Reception may vary depending on the service provider. Most accommodation services and travel offices offer a free Wi-Fi connection.

Weather

The most popular period for hiking is from May to October. The weather can be changeable. Typically, in the archipelago winters are milder and summers cooler than on the mainland. The sea can store warmth far into autumn. There is also less rain in the archipelago.

Follow the weather forecast online via the Finnish Meteorological institute: Ilmatieteenlaitos, SMHI (Swedish Meteorological and Hydrographical Institute) and Yr.no. You can also follow observations made at the Nagu weather station.

Emergencies

In case of an accident or other emergencies call the emergency number 112. The same emergency number is valid in Finland, Åland and Sweden. In non-urgent matters you can contact the police in South-West Finland (+358) 0295 440 501, in Åland (+358) 018 527100 and in Sweden (+46) 114 14.