2024
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Kokkola, a charming seaside town in Western Finland, offers a wide range of experiences for all ages.
Kokkola, a charming seaside town in Finland, offers a wide range of experiences for all ages. Through the local tourist office, you can book guided tours of the town and surrounding area, as well as visits to Neristan, museums, cultural days with theater, fairies and antiques, or guided excursions to Villa Elba. You'll also find everything you need to prepare for your stay, with advice and recommendations from our friendly team, always happy to share their secrets about Kokkola!
Further information
Opening time and information on VISIT KOKKOLA
From June 1 to August 31, open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, Saturday 9am to 6pm. The rest of the year, open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Message from Management
Visit Kokkola offers a wealth of information about this charming town. The site is packed with valuable accommodation addresses, including hotels, cabins, campsites and villas. What's more, it offers a wealth of content dedicated to discovering local sights, such as walking tours, the market, as well as iconic places like Parc de l'Ouest, Roos House, and the Museum Quarter. You'll also find a selection of restaurants and cafés to suit all your culinary tastes. To help you plan your stay in Kokkola, the site provides brochures with valuable tips. Don't hesitate to consult them to make the most of your trip to Kokkola.
Our offers and services
Neristan - the old wooden city
The old wooden town of Neristan is a jewel in the center of Kokkola and is one of the best preserved historical wooden house areas in our country. The house-building technique radiates the traditional skills of Ostrobothnian carpenters.
The town plan dates back to the 1650s. The Neristan area covers 12 city blocks, with hundreds of wooden houses and courtyard buildings. The oldest were built in the 17th century. Over the centuries, the Neristan area has been shaped by land uprisings and fires, as well as by the development of the city, but you can still feel the spirit of the old town.
Signs that craftsmen and sailors once lived in Neristan are still clearly visible today. If you look carefully, you can see porcelain dogs in the windows. They refer to the maritime tradition, when sailors brought their wives porcelain dogs from overseas. When the master of the house was at home, his wife turned the dogs to look inside the house, but when the master was on a sea voyage, the dogs were turned outwards, as if to announce that the master of the house was traveling.
In Neristan, you can also see gossip mirrors in the windows, which transport viewers back to the 19th century, when housekeepers sat at home with embroidery on their hands and watched street happenings in the mirror.
When moving to Neristan, you can also compare the height of the stone foundations of the houses. The higher the foundation, the longer the family lived in the house.
Tourists who prefer to wander around on their own can guide themselves with the help of Visit Kokkola's free brochure. Mobile version available here. Enjoy the sights along the way and take a break in one of the charming cafés along the way for refreshments. Alternatively, join one of Neristan's guided tours and listen to fascinating stories about the old city. Let us know and we'll help you find the tour best suited to your needs.
Coast and Archipelago
Méripuisto Park: the ideal picnic spot for the whole family. The seaside landscape, vast grassy fields and barbecue area invite you to pack a picnic basket and spread out your blanket.
Ohtakari and Vattaja:The sandy beaches of Cape Vattajanniemi are around 40 kilometers from downtown Kokkola. The dune zone of Vattaja is also a valuable landscape by European standards. Vattaja is Europe's largest coastal dune area in the boreal region and, with 15 kilometers of shoreline, is also one of the longest sandy beaches in the Nordic countries.
Trullevinniemi: In summer, Trullevinniemi's sandy beaches, known as Punakalliot (Red Rocks) and Valkohieta (White Sands), attract families looking for a sunny day out with swimming and picnics. Punakalliot beach's name refers to the red-toned rocky landscape, with large boulders smoking on a hot summer's day. Both beaches have latrines, changing rooms and a campfire pit.
Laajalahti : something to see all day long! There's a nature trail in the area and two bird-watching towers. You can test your skills on a full 18-hole disc golf course hidden in the forest, or play a game of beach volleyball near the sandy shore. The magnificent dune landscape is framed by huge pine trees with duckboards separating them from the sandy beach of Laajalahti. The water is shallow at Laajalahti, making the beach perfect even for the youngest members of the family. Laajalahti beach has changing rooms, a latrine and a grill shelter.
Öja fishing village: You can also visit the Öja fishing village by boat. There's a large harbor at Öja, as well as a charming café on the jetty, open daily in summer. There's also a swimming beach, diving tower, museum and beach volleyball court. A nature trail introducing visitors to the archipelago's landscapes starts from the fishing village. Öja is also a popular cycling destination, as it can be reached via a picturesque coastal road some 15 kilometers long.
Palma: sits atop a rock. There's a deep beach, a diving tower, changing rooms, toilets and a public sauna. Winter swimming is organized at Palma and there is also a campfire site in the area.
Harrinniemi and Villa Elbe: An area with marked nature trails. At Harrinniemi, open sand, dunes, a bird tower and an ancient lighthouse. Villa Elba has facilities including a bird tower and boardwalk, which are also suitable for disabled guests. And nearby is Santahaka, with over 10 km of outdoor trails, as well as a cabin and campfire site. Good cycling trails in the area. Good parking and information panels with maps.
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