Things to do & places to visit in Kymenlaakso, Finland

Kymenlaakso #8 destination in Finland 2023. The average rating score is 4.39 based on 2.162 traveler reviews, of 120 attractions. Timezone: Europe/Helsinki, current date and time: Sunday, April 28, 2024, 18:34.

Top things to do (31)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Repovesi National Park (163 reviews)
- Nice nature
Sunday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM National Parks

Good paths to walk. Nice hanging bridge. Ancient historical sacred places. Beautifull quiten originall nature. See more..
5.0 Santalahti Nature Trail (15 reviews)
- Finnish nature in its best
Spent 2-3 hours Hiking Trails

The trail starts basically from our backyard, so we hike or run through it pretty often. There are two alternatives in lenght 4 or 6kms, which are marked, but if you want, there are plenty of unmarked trails to take also. The area is confined by the sea and the Santalahti golf course, so no worry about getting too lost. Just pick a direction and follow it if you lose your bearings. Here you get to see the true nature of local coastal enviroment with splendid views to the sea. Info signs are posted to point out different features that are typical to the area. Surface of the trail varies from the rock to soft/wet ground in which spots there are wooden footbridges set up. This is an easily accessible spot for individuals or families interested in nature and capable of hiking few kilometres. Just wear clothig appropriate to the weather and enjoy for a few hours. See more..
5.0 Linden Esplanade (15 reviews)
- Beautiful promenade
Spent < 1 hour Neighborhoods • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Scenic Walking Areas

This central 800-meter-long pedestrian street is bordered by two parallel rows of linden trees. The first trees were planted as early as the 19th century. Later there were many sculptures added and today it is called Kotka Sculpture Promenade. See more..
5.0 Haapasaari Island (11 reviews)
- Lovely
Islands

If you can get out there you will not be sorry. Delight at every hand. Unspoiled. We went in our yacht. See more..
5.0 Varissaari - Fort Elisabeth (10 reviews)
- Great place
Spent 1-2 hours Architectural Buildings • Islands

Very nice little place, nice with info about what happend there. Enjoyable resturant there too. Nice time going there with the boat :-) See more..
4.5 Sapokka Water Garden (261 reviews)
- The most spectacular park in Kotka
Spent 1-2 hours Parks • Gardens

The winter is not the best time to visit this park. You cannot see the 20-meter-high waterfall running down from the rocky hill. But from the hill, you have great views over the city or can explore the exhibition of Finnish stones used for buildings. The main element of this park is water which in the wintertime is usually covered by ice. You can cross the many bridges located in the park. We visited in the daytime but you can also experience the park in the dark with its special and award-winning lighting. In spring, the park erupts into life with tens of thousands of plants, which are blooming until the late autumn. See more..
4.5 Maritime Centre Vellamo (187 reviews)
- A big surprise
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Speciality Museums

For a Finnish museum this is quite big and there are loads of things to see. Personally I am not at all interrested in boats and such but this museum was still interresting and if you are into maritime stuff I am sure this will be great. I wanted to visit because I wanted to see the seamonster exhibition but that wasn't really very good. See more..
4.5 Langinkoski Imperial Fishing Lodge Museum (134 reviews)
- Wow
Speciality Museums • Historic Sites • History Museums

Visited Langinkoski with my husband and young son. This place is impressive, from the little bridges to the impressive lodge, there is something for everyone to enjoy. The rapids are great to watch. I took a walk through the woods whilst my husband was taking photographs, very quiet and peaceful. Great place to visit and take in the different scenery, looking forward to going back. See more..
4.5 World Heritage Site - Verla Groundwood and Board Mill (85 reviews)
- Even better in the evening
Spent 2-3 hours Speciality Museums • Historic Sites • History Museums

You can visit Verla Mill Museum 2 May – 30 September Tue-Sun 11:00-16:00 From midsummer until the August 15th open daily 10:00-18:00. (Closed in midsummer on Friday) Guided tours only: Tours in Finnish begin every hour on the hour. The last tour of the day is at 16:00 or 18:00. Tours in other languages (Swedish, English, German, Russian…) are available by arrangement. Admission Adults € 12 Concessions € 9 Children under 18 free entrance. See more..
4.5 Katariina Seaside Park (64 reviews)
- Great park full of attractions by the sea
Spent 1-2 hours Parks • Playgrounds

This park is easily accessed by car but also in the walking distance from the city center. There is a big free parking lot with info guides, small kiosk and bajamaja toilets. Park is facing open sea and wind could hard and cold but in the sunny day it was also hot. Park is great combination of grass, meadows, rocks, water, sculpture, planetarium, playgrounds, gym equipment, tables, benches and grilling places. It has lot to see in the compact area and all parts are in good shape. Kids enjoy nice playgrounds for sure and there's also a Moomin house. This park is best part of city and for free. You can spend here hour or two to just relax and enjoy the sea. Better facilities could be appreciated though. See more..
4.5 Sibelius Park (48 reviews)
- Beautiful central park named after the famous Finnish composer
Spent < 1 hour Parks • Gardens

“Green living room” of Kotka The Sibelius Park in the centre of Kotka, at the beginning of the Linden Esplanade of Keskuskatu, is an exquisite formal garden which is managed with a caring hand. The Sibelius Park in the middle of Kotkansaari is a "green living room" for local residents and tourists. The partly geometric and sophisticated design, old trees and beautiful summer flowers render the park especially attractive. The park was named after the world-famous Finnish composer Jean Sibelius in 1956. See more..
4.5 Hamina Old Town (47 reviews)
- Circular town plan from the 18th century and wooden buildings from the 19th century
Neighborhoods

Hamina is the city opposites. A large Google Data Center is situated there but the town itself was founded in 1653. It got the new name in 1723 and it got a circular town plan. Serious fires have disabled Hamina several times. Sometimes over 100 wooden houses were destroyed in one fire. Most remaining wooden houses are from the 19th century. They are colorful and well-kept. It is extremely interesting to walk down those streets and take a time travel to the past. There are also interesting cafeterias, museums, fortresses and monuments in the old town of Hamina. Visiting Hamina Old Town was one of my best summer days this year. See more..
4.5 Kotka Sculpture Promenade (43 reviews)
- Art walk through the city center
Spent 1-2 hours Monuments & Statues

The Sculpture Promenade of Contemporary Art with a length of approx. 2 kilometres traverses the centre of Kotka. The Linden Boulevard running parallel with Keskuskatu street won a national environmental structure award in 2001, when the first sculptures were also unveiled. In 2004, the Association of Finnish Sculptors granted the Pro Sculptura medal to the Sculpture Promenade. More than 20 sculptures have been placed between Port Kantasatama and Haukkavuori over a distance of approx. 2 kilometres. The sculptures are within a short walking distance of each other, and along the route there are cafes, restaurants, playgrounds and park benches if you wish to rest for a while. There is a separate brochure of the Sculpture Promenade. See more..
4.5 Kotka Church (42 reviews)
- Impressive church
Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites • Religious Sites

This Neo-gothic style brick church was inaugurated in 1898. The bell tower rises to a height of 54 meters. On our visit, the church was closed and we couldn't see the altarpiece painted by Pekka Halonen and the largest Baroque-style organ in Finland. See more..
4.5 Kouvola's Model Railway Museum (40 reviews)
- Thumbs up!
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Speciality Museums

The largest model railroad exhibition in Finland with engines using real whistling sounds. The museum also features a wooden steam train, one of the three existing trains with Masson engine, running through 3 rooms on rails over 2.5 meters high! Visitors have an opportunity to act as engineers for the model trains, and see the development of railroad history. The cafe Onkapannu has always fresh ground coffee and delicious pastries. Museum is loca- ted right next to the railway station. “I will always try to put trains that I believe are of interest to each visitor.” Trains run exactly the same way as VR, see how the train's safety Block system works, but on a smaller scale. The performance takes 45 minutes. See more..
4.5 Hamina Town Hall (35 reviews)
- The Centre of the Town
Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings

The town of Hamina was planned in a circular design, with the Town Hall having pride of place at the centre - a wide road circling around it and all streets then leading off it. Driving up one of the 'spokes' of this design, one cannot miss the town hall. More formal in design than many of the low wooden buildings which surround it, the town hall stands out, particularly when lit up at night and is a fitting centrepiece for what is really a small town. There is a cafe in one side (we didn't visit) which our daughter, who is living in Hamina, tells us is great for sitting outside and watching the world go by. Other than that, it really is the symbol of the layout of the town. A good photo opportunity and accessible from anywhere in Hamina. See more..
4.5 Salpa Line Museum (28 reviews)
- Strongly recommend
Spent 2-3 hours Speciality Museums

The 1200 km long Salpa Line is one the strongest and best preserved lines of fortifications in Europe built during the Second World War. The most heavily fortified part of the Salpa Line is situated in between the Gulf of Finland and Lake Saimaa, where also the Salpa Line Museum of Miehikkälä is located. Several hectares wide heavily fortified museum area has originally been meant to serve as a defence centre for a company. You may examine the fortification works on guided tours in magnificent landscapes of forest and rock. There is a café and restaurant serving the visitors in the public serving area. The museum boutique offers for sale a wide variety of related literature and handiworks. Museum is open for groups by reservation all year round. See more..
4.5 Arboretum Mustila (26 reviews)
- Such a large and old arboretum
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Nature & Wildlife Areas

At the beginning of June seems to be good time to visit, because rhododendrons and azaleas are flourishing. Arboretum is older than 100years and the oldest trees are such a big. See more..
4.5 Statue of Varvara Shantina (24 reviews)
- Not much to see
Sunday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Monuments & Statues

The statue of Varvava is a must see target in Hamina. In fact the statue itself is not that impressive but the story behind it is - and it is an atomic part of Hamina. See more..
4.5 Main Building of Military School (21 reviews)
- Presents Good Photo Opportunities
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings • Military Bases & Facilities

Hamina can be described as a military town and so possesses this rather impressive military building, fronting onto a parade ground and with statues and canon around the four sides. If you approach from the town hall, then you walk along a path lined with flags and past some canon; a path then takes you off to the side and leads to the Bastion (fortress). We are keen photographers, particularly my other half, and this building and surrounding environment certainly presents lots of good photo opportunities. See more..
4.5 Riverside Park (21 reviews)
- Parks Are the Reason to Visit Kotka
Spent 1-2 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas • Parks

In this little town in East Coast Finland there are many beautiful parks to visit. How about packing a picnic basket or some sausage and wood or coal and grill your food by the Kymijoki river? Before or after you could make a small walk and check what is blooming this time. See more..
4.5 St. Nicholas Orthodox Church (21 reviews)
- Beautiful church
Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites • Historic Walking Areas • Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals

St. Nicholas Orthodox Church is located in Isopuisto Park. It was completed in 1801 and is the oldest building in Kotka. The church was built in Russian Neo-classicism style. On our visit, the church was closed. So we couldn't see the interior. See more..
4.5 Saint Peter and Saint Paul Cathedral (19 reviews)
- Gold and ikonies
Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals

Fascinating to see so different way of remembering our God. A lot of gold and a place where women can't step into. See more..
4.5 Bunker Museum (16 reviews)
- Interested in history ... don’t miss this
Spent 1-2 hours Military Museums • Speciality Museums • History Museums

Experience the Virolahti Bunker Museum which exhibits the construction of the great Salpalinja defense line against Russia during the WW2 in the 1940’s. The museum, which was established in 1980, is also an authentic part of a defense station from the WW2! The museum's exhibition area includes an indoor exhibition, a short film about the construction of the Salpalinja defense line (duration 15 min, language versions available in English, Swedish, German, and Russian) and the fortification area located in the outdoor museum area: 3 illuminated reinforced concrete bunkers, a ball dugout, a wooden dugout, and a collection of different cannons. Cafe serves guests during the museum’s opening hours. This almost 1200 km long defense line starts from the Virolahti region, located on the coast of the Gulf of Finland, and continues all the way to the Arctic Ocean! Information about the regular and exceptional opening hours is available on website. Open for groups year-round upon request. See more..
4.5 Kaunissaari Island (16 reviews)
- Nice small Island
Islands

Island is a popular destination for fishing and cmaping enthusiasts. See more..
4.5 St. John's Church (15 reviews)
- Light outside, dark inside
Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Religious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals

Light colored church is wooden dark inside. I liked the color of the outside when we had wedding here. The stairs gave us troubles when we buried my mother. This it not usually preferred for funerals, but some of the normally used chapels where renovated during that time. The designers had problems how to make air conditioning equipment invisible on the roof.. See more..
4.5 Pyhtaa Church of Saint Henry (13 reviews)
- Unique medieval church
Churches & Cathedrals

This church ls located at Pyhtää, maybe short 5km side trip from main highway. The church is unique, because it has survived its life without modifications since 1460s. Only one door has been added and structural supporting pillars. The bell tower was built next to it 1820. It has not been destroyed during wars that has moved the border in the neighbourhood. Also window decoration and structure is quite uncommon. Summary: highly recommended, worth that detour. See more..
4.5 Museum of Aviation (11 reviews)
- Third museum of our trip to Finland
Spent < 1 hour Speciality Museums

Warm welcome by the custodians of this museum. Well kept and preserved aircraft including a Gloster Gladiator in flying condition. See more..
4.5 Kouvola Tube Radio Museum (10 reviews)
- Very interesting museum
Sunday: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM Speciality Museums

This museum is situated in the Museum Quarter of the Kaunisnurmi area. The museum displays about 300 of the most spectacular and special radios from the 1920s to the 1960s. While the museum tells the story of the history of radio, it also tells about the way people lived in Kouvola at that time. The furniture and other things are matching with the radios. Every room has an interesting commentary that can be heard from the radios by pushing a button. See more..
4.5 Ankkapurha Cultural Park (9 reviews)
- SO BEAUTIFUL
Spent 1-2 hours Civic Centres

The heart of Ankkapurha is Anjala manor with its park and garden. On the other side of the Kymijoki river you can enjoy Industrial Museum and Tehtaanmaki residential district designed by famous Finnish architect, Alvar Aalto. Ankkapurha offers a vast variety of free activities, such as hiking, frisbeegolf and garden picnic. See more..