Houtskär

A ferry stop on Houtskär, next to a traditional wooden building. — Photo: Visit Pargas

Situated between Korpo and Iniö on the Archipelago Trail, Houtskär consists of roughly 700 islets. Rich with culture and tradition, Houtskär is renowned for its unique dialect and picture-perfect villages. The area is also celebrated for its remarkably varied landscapes; some islets have lush forests, while others further out to sea are bare and barren. The wildlife and plants found on Houtskär are equally diverse; there is even an orchid that grows here that is rarely seen east of Åland. Houtskär has an array of restaurants, accommodation, and activities as well as ferry and bus connections to and from Turku and Pargas.

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Get here

By bus: The Archipelago Bus travels regularly between Turku, Pargas, Nagu, Korpo, and Houtskär. It’s around a four-hour journey from Turku. More information about routes and timetables can be found on the Matkahuolto website.

By car: You can either travel via Pargas, Nagu, and Korpo, or via Naantali, Kustavi, and Iniö to reach Houtskär. Both routes are around 100 kilometres and you’ll need to take several ferries. See the ‘by sea’ section for more information.

By bike: Make your way to Houtskär by continuing along the Archipelago Trail. Check out the route here.

By sea: If you’re travelling from Korpo, hop aboard the ferry from Galtby Ferry Jetty. It’s free and it will take you straight to Kittuis Ferry Jetty in Houtskär. If you’re travelling from Iniö, you’ll need to board the ferry at Dalen Ferry Jetty. It will take you to Mossala Ferry Jetty in Houtskär. Please note that this ferry only operates during the summer and there is a charge for passengers, cars, and bikes. See below for up-to-date information on arrival and departure times.

How to get here (google maps)