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 Tourism Regions
Western Finland is the most wide-ranging slice of Finland you'll find. If you want a little beach time and a little city action on your holiday, you're on the right track. If you think a successful holiday is a combination of culture, history, excursions and amusements, the West Coast is the right choice. All you have to do is decide how long you'll stay! Geographically, Western Finland comprises an approximately 650 km coastal strip from Rauma to Oulu and extending all the way up to Iso-Syöte. The region packs in a spectacular range of landscapes, from the desert archipelago, maritime coastline and verdant countryside to Finland's southernmost fells. The most typical Western Finland landscape is low-lying plains, where farmlands, broad fields and settlements are concentrated along riverbanks. Picturesque seascapes, the shimmering sea and sunny sand beaches contribute their own aspect to the amazing variety of landscapes in the region. Even culturally Western Finland is one Finland's most unique regions. As a tourist destination, the region is an intriguing combination of old and new, past and present. Medieval timbered city districts, a common maritime history and strong Finland-Swedish traditions differentiate the region from other parts of Finland. The colourful Ostrobothnian culture impresses in both culinary and handicraft traditions as well as sights and international musical events. There's plenty to see and do in Western Finland, whether choosing from the wide range of activities in its lively cities or the more tailored offerings of peaceful villages. The outstanding setting for active endeavours is provided by nature and your own imagination.
KOKKOLA AND CENTRAL OSTROBOTHNIA Kokkola is a prestigious historic city and the provincial centre of Central Ostrobothnia. Old Kalle’s Town Walk will take you through Neristan (”Downtown”), Kokkola’s expansive old timber house district, to the K.H.Renlund Art Gallery, History Museum and Veikko Salkio Natural History collection. At Kirkonmäki in the Kaarlela district you will walk in the footsteps of Anders Chydenius (1729-1803). Kokkola is a major music city and home to the renowned Central Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra. M/S Jenny (177 seats) cruises from Kokkola to the lighthouse island of Tankar and Seven Bridges archipelago. The Mustakari Yacht Club, Tankar, Köpmanholm, Nanoq the Arctic Museum and Lohtaja’s Ohtakari Course and Camping retreat are some of the main attractions on the coast. The Peuran Polu (Deer Path) hiking trail (80 km) Perho-Lestijärvi-Reisjärvi and Lestijoki are nature tourism destinations also for recreational fishing. There are four high-class golf courses in the region. Central Ostrobothnia’s international summer events include the Kokkola Kahakka Day, Kaustinen Folk Music Festival, Kaustinen Chamber Music Week, Lohtaja Church Music Festival, Kokkola Cup and Kokkola Venetian Nights Festival. DIE 7-BRÜCKEN-SCHÄREN All our towns - Nykarleby, Jakobstad and Kokkola - are old port towns, where, over the centuries, thousands of sailing ships have been built. But where are the old wharves, the stone quays and the harbour storehouses? As a result of the remarkable phenomenon known as land uplift or land rise, our land is rising slowly from the sea! Therefore our towns have been forced to move their harbours further out, in pursuit of the retreating sea - once, twice, or three times. Indeed, Kokkola has even moved its harbour four times! 2000 years ago water covered the whole municipality of Larsmo. Even further back the whole region was below sea level. Just imagine- a visit to our area is really a visit to the bottom of the sea! SOUTHERN OSTROBOTHNIA Southern Ostrobothnia is renowned for its beautiful cultural landscapes. Pristine nature, peaceful countryside, charming provincial houses and broad fields make the region truly one of a kind. Southern Ostrobothnia offers lovers of culture high-profile cultural attractions, music and art. Summer highlights include some of Finland’s biggest events, such as Provinssirock, Tango Market Festival and Ilmajoki Music Festival. Interesting attractions in the region are buildings designed by world-renowned architect Alvar Aalto in both Seinäjoki and Alajärvi as well as a wide range of museums, such as the Ostrobothnian Museum, Civil Guard Museum and Lotta Svärd Museum. Authenticity and tradition are the hallmarks of Southern Ostrobothnian culture. The region is well-known for its generous hospitality, hearty, delicious buffets, and high-quality handicrafts. Welcome! THE MANY FACES OF THE RAUMA REGION The Rauma region is prosperous, industrial and maritime Western Finland. The region is rich in culture and history and has a strong identity. In the southernmost reaches of the FinWest area, you’ll be met by the salty spray of the Saaristomeri Sea, the romance of manor life, the unique milieux of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and viking history, all within close proximity of each other. A wide range of experiences can also be found in the Finnish Lake District, dozens of museums and numerous events. In the Rauma region you can literally dive into the depths of the sea, culture and history on land and at sea, in the city and the countryside. Welcome! ÄHTÄRI REGION The Ähtäri region is blessed with sparkling lakes, verdant forests, rolling hills and broad plains. There’s room to breathe and enjoy the peace and quiet of nature, come summer or winter. Open the whole year through, the Ähtäri Zoo is home to over 300 animals, which live in natural settings. The neighbouring Scandic Mesikämmen hotel is a sight in itself, with its ”weeping” rock halls. Situated on the shores of a lake, the hotel also has a pleasant spa and treatment centre. In the summer you can golf, hike, bike and row in the Ähtäri region. In the winter you’ll discover hundreds of kilometres of ski trails and snowmobile routes. Charming country destinations offer affordable and pleasant accommodations in an authentic milieu, with hearty local foods and friendly service. REIMA COUNTRY There’s no shortage of things to do in Reima Country: snowmobiling, paddling, nature excursions, horseback riding, golf, hunting, paintball, dining in traditional Lapp kotas, ”Korsu” (wood or earthen dugout shelters) events. In this year-round playground, you can even ski during the summer! The largest spa in the Nordic countries, Ikaalinen Spa, offers a full range of feelgood services: Water Tropic experiences, rehabilitation, excellent restaurants, good food, dancing and top-class accommodations. In the magnificent landscapes of Jämi you can exercise, hold conferences at the state-of-the-art Yritysforum or stay at the Lumihovi suite hotel. Disabled visitors can enjoy the best services Finland has to offer at the Kankaanpää Rehabilitation Centre and a wealth of experiences in Reima Country. OSTROBOTHNIA LAKELAND Open year-round, this lively tourist destination offers you unforgettable experiences as well as plenty of opportunities to stay in shape and have loads of fun. Ostrobothnia Lakeland takes care of everything related to spas, golf, summer theatre, lake cruises, museums, art, volcano exhibitions, wine and holiday dining, downhill skiing, domesticated animals, souvenirs and cottage stays. PORI Pori is the seaside Jewel of Western Finland. In Pori the spring and summer are chock full of high-profile exhibitions, festive cultural events, trade fairs, summer markets and sporting events. Pori beckons the traveller to enjoy its marketplaces, promenades, the old houses of Eteläranta, parks and, of course, Pori Jazz and Yyteri. Yyteri is the ideal holiday spot for families, with its six kilometres of child-friendly, fine-sand beaches and shallow water. Yyteri visitors are served by the Spa Hotel Yyteri, Yyteri campground and year-round cottages, surf centre, 18-hole golf course and horseback riding school. Idyllic Reposaari island, with its timber houses, has a guest harbour and the Merimesta fishing centre, which offers a splendid view of the open sea. The Satakunta Museum, Pori Art Museum, Juselius Mausoleum, historic buildings of Etelärantakatu, and beautiful parks ensure a memorable city holiday. 3 TOWNS An idyllic trio - Kaskinen, Kristiinankaupunki and Närpes. On the sunny west coast you’ll find people and villages, on which the sea and nature have left their indelible mark. A peaceful pace of life, long-standing traditions, delicacies of the sea and a wide variety of events and sights are sure to tempt. The beautiful natural surroundings offer all manner of activities the whole year round. Come see our lovely little corner! ROKUA Formed during the Ice Age Rokua’s ridgelines are a unique part of the Northern Ostrobothnian landscape. Rokua’s fresh air and extraordinary natural surroundings provide the perfect setting for holidays, backpacking, skiing and fishing. And there’s plenty to do the whole year through. The region boasts high-quality hotel accommodations and holiday rentals, ranging from luxury villas to cosy cottages. Travel Centre Suppa provides information on tourism in the region and makes reservations for accommodations and activities. Holiday rental cottages are located in Rokua, Oulujoki, Oulujärvi, Manamansalo and Paltamo. Suppa also has a café, rental conference facilities and saunas. The Rokua Fitness Centre is a full-service fitness centre and health spa. The Fitness Centre has 136 smoke-free 2 and 4-person rooms, a 500-place dance restaurant, sauna and pool complex as well as wide-ranging facilities for rehabilitation, spa treatments, conferences and exercise. Hotelli Rokuanhovi offers the visitor accommodation in its hotel, guest cottages and holiday timeshare units. The hotel has 48 beds and cottages 40 beds. There is a 30-site caravan park with electrical hook-ups for each site. The Oulu Evangelical Lutheran Parish Association Rokua Adult Education Centre is a course centre with 110 beds and educational facilities for up to 80 persons. The Oulu YMCA Campground has excellent facilities for school camps, confirmation camps, sport club camps, scout outings, etc. Accommodations for approximately 60 persons. OULU SUNSHINE AND GOOD TIMES IN THE NORTH Located on the coast of the Gulf of Bothnia, Oulu, with its population of 127,000, is the largest city in the Northern Scandinavia. It is a university town and vital centre for science, research and high technology. Oulu offers events, entertainment, culture and shopping opportunities for people of all ages. From the market square you can take a sightseeing cruise. From the jetty by the river, a boat trip will take you along the Oulujoki River to the Turkansaari open air museum. The 21st Tar Rowing event will be held on the Oulujoki River in June. The sandy beach next to the Nallikari camping area (or campground) is an excellent place to watch the summer sun set into the sea . Located just off Oulu, Hailuoto, the largest island in the Gulf of Bothnia, can be reached by car from the mainland by taking a free ferry. Interesting destinations for the whole family include Science Center Tietomaa, Zoological Museum and Botanical Gardens of the University of Oulu, and the Childrens Speed Park near the Nallikari camping area. Vaasa - Seinäjoki Region The Ostrobothnian coast and Vaasa Region offer the traveller a mixture of experiences. This is where the vast plains and the sea, countryside traditions and archipelago islands meet. Finnish and Swedish culture intermingles in small villages and cosy towns, with their timber house districts You can choose from a wide variety of accommodations, ranging from luxury spa hotels to cottages in the archipelago, from well-equipped guesthouses in the countryside to small hotels in the cities. Board one of the archipelago cruise boats to discover the archipelago and its lighthouse islands in small groups. Rent a bike to explore the countryside or the small towns along the coast. Ostrobothnia is easy for bikers -the flat land is easy to explore, riding along the small rivers and through peaceful villages. Ostrobothnia is the place to enjoy traditional dishes or sample new taste experiences, expertly prepared from fresh local produce, seafood and forest berries. In the winter cross country skiing or ice fishing are among the most popular activities. In the summer you can enjoy a rock concert, chamber music, folk music or tango. And when you’re not swaying to the strains of music there is always a fish market or village market to visit. Summer theater in Swedish and Finnish is also an important aspect oflife in Ostrobothnia. Welcome to the most peaceful, lively and authentic region in Western Finland - the Vaasa Region." ISO-SYÖTE Welcome to a true holiday paradise! Finland’s southernmost fell area at Pudasjärvi is home to Iso-Syöte and Pikku-Syöte as well as the surrounding Syöte National Park wilderness. Two full-service ski resorts and a well-maintained network of ski trails, complete with rest stops, invite the visitor to savour the joys of winter. Ski resorts Iso-Syöte and Pikku-Syöte (Syöte Centre) has over 20 pistes, ranging in difficulty from beginner to expert. On the lighted pistes you’ll find plenty of action right into the night, and you you can stop in at one of the slopeside restaurants to recharge for your next run. The ski resorts also offer loads of things to do all through the week and the year. Little adventures and big experiences. You can take part in a guided safari or take off on your own nature trek. Rental firms and hotels rent out equipment for your use. At Iso-Syöte, you can also enjoy the silent rush of a snowy dogsled run, learn how to ride a snowmobile or, in the summer, go for a hike in the natural beauty of the national park. There is a wide range of accommodations available at Iso-Syöte, ranging from summit hotel lodgings with a spectacular view to well-appointed cottages. KALAJOKI – SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE Located by the sea and surrounded by pristine Finnish nature, Kalajoki is a holiday paradise with all the modern comforts. Kalajoki is famous for its endless sandy beaches, where your family can safely splash about and enjoy the sun and the sea! A visit to the JukuJukumaa amusement park is a must, as is the adjacent SaniFani Spa, where you can enjoy the tropical warmth, come rain or shine! A wide range of accommodation can be found in Kalajoki, from high-standard cottages and hotels to farmstay accommodations and campsites. You can choose the best to suite your needs. Kalajoki offers a wide range of activities and happenings in the summer and winter. You can try golfing on an 18-hole golf course, hiking or biking on nature trails, or cross country skiing, snowmobiling or ice skating on the frozen sea, just to mention a few possibilities. Rent equipment on the spot and enjoy your holiday to the fullest. |
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