Experience the City of Kotka and the unique Archipelago of Kotka and the Eastern Gulf of Finland
Kotka is located on the coast of the Gulf of Finland, approximately 90 minutes’ drive east of Helsinki, in the estuary of Kymijoki, the largest river in southern Finland. The city offers great possibilities to observe the nature and sea. For example, the Sapokka Water Garden and the magnificent Katariina Seaside Park on Kotkansaari island are great places to visit.
The Kotka – Hamina region is a beautiful and attractive tourist destination
The area is known for its events that bring together audiences from around the world. The tourist’s favorite list includes the most diverse maritime festival event in Finland, the Kotka Maritime Days, and Hamina Tattoo, which represents the best in international military music.
The Kotka-Hamina region has wonderful nature
There are over 100 miles of beach, thousands of cliffs, coves and a magnificent archipelago. You don’t have to go to nature separately, you are already in the middle of it. We will take you on memorable excursions both on land and at sea. You can choose from our beautiful waterways, our diverse hiking and trekking destinations, fast-paced rafting, fishing or just relaxing by the stunning scenery.
The Kotka-Hamina region has a diverse culture
The Kotka-Hamina region is also home to culture and attractions. The unique and award-winning architecture and magnificent exhibitions of the Maritime Center Vellamo attract tourists. The guaranteed interest of the whole family is the Finnish fish aquarium house Maretarium. In the circular city of Hamina, you can explore the magnificent Hamina Town Hall and the historic Bastion.
The Kotka-Hamina region has a history
The Kotka-Hamina region offers great views both in the recent past and beyond. The colorful history of the border region takes you on a tremendous adventure over the centuries from the perspective of several kingdoms, from the courts of Sweden-Finland to Tsarist Russia.
We welcome you to enjoy the gorgeous archipelago of the Gulf of Finland in Kotka, Hamina, Pyhtää and Virolahti!
Kaunissaari fishing village by RIBB rubber boat
We’ll take a short trip to Kaunissaari island and visit this idyllic fishing village, which has well preserved its traditions. The boat ride from Sapokka takes about 2o min. After arrival there is a visit to the Archipelago Museum, which is exhibiting an interesting collection of materials decipting life of the island. After the museum there is a fish soup for lunch at the restaurant of the island.
Trip including also lunch. The duration of the trip is approx. 4 hours
Price includes: Kaunissaari walking tour, admission fees, English speaking guide, lunch break
Price 790 €/raft (max 10 persons)
Maritime Centre Vellamo
The museums of Maritime Centre Vellamo are full of stories of the sea and the local region. A single ticket will provide you with access to the exhibitions of both the Maritime Museum of Finland and the Museum of Kymenlaakso.
Experience history in a variety of ways: listen, look, smell, touch and play. There are so many things to see and do that visitors of all ages can easily spend a full day at the museum. The duration of the trip is approx. 2 hours
City walking tour- see the higlights of Kotka with guide.
Price includes: City walking tour, admission fees, English speaking guide, coffee break. Guide 138 €/2 hours, entrance fee 12 € + coffee break 8 €
Aquarium Maretarium
In Maretarium, the fish, frogs and water creatures live in harmony with the seasons of Finnish nature. Autumn is the spawning time for salmon and trout; February for burbot; spring for pike, river lamprey, ide, bream, perch and vimba; and summer for ray-finned fish, gudgeon and zander.
The Baltic Sea basin contains over half a million litres of water, and you can also observe the daily weather changes there, from sunshine to snowfall. Whatever the season of your visit to Maretarium, there is plenty to experience. The duration of the trip is approx. 2 hours
City walking tour- see the higlights of Kotka with guide.
Price includes: City walking tour, admission fees, English speaking guide, coffee break. Guide 138 €/2 hours, entrance fee 12 € + coffee break 8 €
Langinkoski Imperial Fishing Lodge
How does a real emperor spend his holiday? By the River Kymijoki, at Langinkoski near Kotka, fishing and enjoying the magnificent nature in peace. Naturally! Welcome to sense the imperial atmosphere! The duration of the trip is approx. 2 hours.
Price includes: City walking tour, admission fees, English speaking guide, coffee break. Guide 138 €/2 hours, entrance fee 8 € + coffee break 8 €
Sapokka Water Garden and Haukkavuori lookout tower
Apart from a small-boat harbour, Sapokka is also an old sea bay refurbished into a charming park area. The dominant element of the park is water: there is the sea of course, but water also flows in small brooks and ponds and in a waterfall on the south bank of the park, nearly 20 metres in height. The park bursts into flower in the spring and continues its display of colour late in the autumn.
As the evenings grow darker, the extraordinary lighting of Sapokka really stands out. The park has utilised stone in many shapes, and climbing on top of the waterfall also reveals an area where Finnish stones are on display.
Haukkavuori Lookout Tower is located in the highest point of Kotka and the tower rises 72 meters above sea level. From the deck of the tower offers a stunning views over Kotka city and the Eastern Gulf of Finland archipelago. There are changing exhibitions at the gallery of the Haukkavuori Lookout Tower. The duration of the trip is approx. 2 hours.
Price includes: City walking tour, admission fees, English speaking guide, coffee break. Guide 138 €/2 hours, entrance fee 8 € + coffee break 8 €
Rankki – the former military island by rubber boat
Rankki retired military islands has been closed for 100 years. Now you can come visit this magnificent fortress island and visit the genuine cannon, which is still in working order.
A guided tour of the Rankki Island starts from the harbor. The tour introduces the most central buildings and the history of the island. The tour is done on foot, partly along roads and trails. The duration of the guided tour is about 1.5-2 hours. The duration of the whole trip is approx. 4 hours.
Price includes: Walking tour Rankki, admission fees, English speaking guide, lunch break.
Price 690 €/raft (max 10 persons)
River rafting Natural experience by rubber boat
Rafting trips on the River Kymi, which is has the biggest rafts in Southern Finland. Rafting on the River Kymi is truly an experience exciting and safe at the same time.
The trip consists of a short safety instruction as well as includes all equipment. If needed, guests can borrow rain jackets and shoes at the site. But during summer it is fun to get some refreshing splashes.
The duration of the trip is approx. 1,5 hours (incl. 3 rapids). Trips are being held, depending on weather conditions, in between 15.4-15.12.
After the rafting trip, you can return to the venue and enjoy a coffee break or delicious meal by the riverside.
Price: 590€/raft (max 10 persons)
Varissaari, the old fortress island
Varissaari is only 15 minutes by sea from Sapokka. Varissaari features the best seaview restaurant in Kotka – Vaakku which is open in summertime. You can enjoy some tasty local food and drinks with magnificent views to the area of the Battle of Svensksund in 1789–1790. Ship parts and cannons raised from the sunken frigate St. Nikolai remind from the time. Varissaari is a popular outdoor island and also has a beach, barbeque area, beach volley pitch and floating sauna.
The duration of the trip is approx. 4 hours
Price includes: Ferry tickets, walking tour Varissaari, admission fees, English speaking guide, lunch break 165 €
Island Ollinkarit by ferry
Rent the whole island, just for your group
is a fishing and meeting centre in front of Kotka. Island and the surrounding nature provide unforgettable facilities for meetings, family celebrations etc.
Services on the island:
– Meeting facilities
– Accommodation for max 35 persons
– Saunas
– Hot tubs
– Activities according to your wishes
– Diverse possibilities for fishing
– Delicious food
– Barbegue
– Boats
The duration of the trip is approx. 4 hours
Price includes: Rent of the island, Ferry transfers, sauna, lunch break 1900 € (max 10 persons)
Cruise by RIBB rubber boat In front of City Kotka 1 hour:
Price 360 €/raft (max 10 persons)
Transfers:
From/to Helsinki 10 – 20 €/person/one way by bus
City transfers 25 €/car 3 persons/one way
Kotka-Hamina area 80 €/car 3 persons/one way
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