Activities
LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS
Kustavin Savipaja - Artisian Craft Yard
Kustavin Savipaja, Kustavis Handicrafts Farm, is a family business on the main island of Kustavis (Kivimaa) that has been making all its production entirely by hand since 1975. You can reach the workshops with shops by taking the Lossi over to Kustavi village and following the main road to Iniöntie 411 b. It's worth watching the craftsmen (glaziers, blacksmiths, potters, silver jewellery, wool and handicrafts, textiles, etc.) at work and discovering a souvenir to take home. The entire site is located on a historic farm. It is very cozy and there is a nice café with delicious Munkis (sweet yeast doughnuts), snacks and the option of Lounas at lunchtime.
Kustavin Saaristolaismuseo -Archipelago museum
The island museum "Kustavi Archipelago Museum"/ KUSTAVIN SAARISTOLAISMUSEO on our island of Vartsala gives an insight into the history and culture of the islanders and is easily accessible by bike. You can find it at Vartsalantie 256 in Etelä-Vartsala about 3.5 km from the lodge.
Opening times are:
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• Sunday 18.6.–27.8. from 12-16
• Saturday 24.6.–29.7. from 12-16
• from Tuesday to Friday 28.6.–29.7. from 11-17
• Midsummer 23.6. from 10-14. ​
Suvitori - Village market
The small village market Suvitori takes place in the main town of Kustavi on Wednesdays to Saturdays from June to August from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. At the market of the same name, like our daughter, coffee, pancakes, handicrafts and nice people invite you to stop by and do a little round. Just take the Lossi to the other side and get a taste of village life. Sometimes there is more going on, sometimes less.
Vuosnainen Nature trail
Stunning beautiful is our favorite nature trail along the granite coast of Vuosnainen. If you want to walk along the Baltic Sea over rocks and through dreamlike island forest and are looking for a wide view over the sea, then this approx. 2 km long circular route through nature is just right for you. There is also the opportunity to swim "wildly" (caution! Rocks are slippery!). Drive the island road 4.5 km to Vuosnainen. The entrance to the beautiful nature trail is to the left of Restaurant Spauna.
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Hilappa Lake & Bathingspot
Very close to the lodge (approx. 6 min by bike) is the beautiful Hilappa Lake (Hilappajärvi). The local association of our island has set up a bathing area with a small sandy beach, bathing jetty, changing room, toilet and barbecue area where you can go swimming and cool off (also suitable for small children). The view over the lake is beautiful and with a bit of luck you can see the osprey or a black-throated diver fishing. We spent many an evening there with the longing song of the black-throated diver, kindled a fire at the barbecue area or listened intently to an approaching thunderstorm. Follow the Inselstrasse towards Vuosnainen. After 2.5 km you will find a parking lot on the left side of the road next to the lake. The bathing place is in the immediate vicinity.
Klipunkari Bathingspot
Our favorite seaside bathing spot, Klipunkarin uimaranta/ Klipunkari bathing spot (Klipunkarintie 38, 23360 Kustavi), is not far from the village of Kustavi, on the main island of the municipality, Kivimaa. The child-friendly sandy and rocky beach has changing rooms, showers, the community's village sauna*, a bathing jetty with a diving board, parking spaces and a toilet. After the trip on the Lossi (yellow ferry) you cycle to the crossroads behind the church at the Sale supermarket. There you turn left and follow the main road. On the left side you will find a small blue sign to the bathing area. Follow the sign to Klipunkari Beach. Starting at the Lossi (the yellow ferry) through the village up to the beach, is 2.5 km.
*Klipunkarin Sauna
Klipunkari Sauna is the village sauna of Kustavi Municipality and is heated all year round on Mondays and Thursdays from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. This is where the villagers and one or two tourists meet to enjoy a sauna bath together. To cool down, jump into the Baltic Sea. In winter, winter swimming and diving into the ice hole are celebrated here. The changing and shower rooms are open daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. The sauna is free and sure to be an experience. Don't forget your bathing suit or swimming trunks, because nobody goes into the sauna naked here.
Animal farm in Rahi
A relaxed, clean and child-friendly small animal farm in Kustavi (Rahintie 561, Kustavi). Two hundred animals live on the farm, from cows and donkeys to snakes and various lizards. In summer, a small café also opens during the opening hours of the farm. There is also the possibility of barbecuing in the yard. So, pack some food to grill and get to the gas grill.
From the beginning of May through the summer, open daily from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Jeremias Caves
Near the Lossi is a huge natural rock formation known as the Jeremian Caves. Jeremiah's Caves include sheer rock cliffs and deep unmarked rills and crevasses, so walking in the area can be dangerous, especially in slippery weather. As the name suggests, there are several caves of different sizes in the natural rock formation, however the cave locations are not marked. One finds the way to the rock formation roughly in the middle between the Lossi and the entrance to the village. There is a parking lot opposite the path to the rocks. The Jeremiah Caves are located in a nature reserve. Please respect nature and stay on the marked trails.
Åland-Islands:
Jurmo, Åva & Brandö
If you follow the Inselstrasse westwards from the Lossi, it ends in Vuosnainen, a small picturesque harbour. From there, the MS Ådan ferry departs daily for the neighboring Swedish-speaking Åland Islands. It is worth visiting the most remote islands of the Åland archipelago, the islands of Åva, Brändö and Jurmo across the way. Jurmo has about 20 residents. There is a nice island café, a youth hostel, a beautiful swimming area with crystal clear water, great archipelago landscapes and a 3-4 km long nature trail to explore
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