Summer Holiday in Kokkola

A charming coastal town exuding lovely nostalgia, Kokkola offers plenty to see for visitors of all ages. Whether you want to change scenery for a weekend or for several weeks, Kokkola is a great place to be and explore. If we were to take you on a tour of Kokkola's services and interesting places, the tour could include the following destinations, for example.

How about an inspiring moment immersed in Finnish fashion and design? Or a cozy tour around the Old Town of Neristan and the museum quarter? While strolling around, you could stop by Isokatu for coffee or a meal. Mannerheim Square, filled with beautiful flower arrangements, boasts the magnificent old Town Hall and the Statue of Liberty. For dessert, you could head to Kokkola Market Square, where you'll find ice cream stands and stalls with vendors during the Wednesday evening market.

Kokkola is an excellent choice as a holiday destination - whether you're planning a trip alone, with your partner, or with your family, or even with a larger group. Read on and gather tips for your upcoming vacation, and plan a trip of experiences tailored to your interests. Warmly welcome to Kokkola!

Paapii's factory shop is brimming with Finnish design. You can find unique gifts for yourself or for others there. The selection includes a wide range of Paapii fabrics, clothing for women, children, babies, and men, lifestyle products, pattern books, and sewing supplies. Feel free to ask questions and our staff will be happy to tell you more about the clothing factory and our products. The clothing production takes place under the same roof as Paapii's sewing factory is located just a few steps away from the store. During your visit to the factory outlet, you can also explore the unique selection of Finsket, Paapii's sibling brand. The store is open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm and on Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm.

In Kokkola, at the old charming railway station, you'll find the design store KNUT, which brings together craftsmanship and design from near and far under one roof. KNUT is a concept born from the collaboration between PaaPii Design Oy and Taito Keski-Pohjanmaa ry. Those interested in crafts and design can easily stop by the store on weekdays or weekends and pick up wonderful design gifts for themselves or loved ones. KNUT is located at Rautatienkatu 1 and is open Tuesday to Friday from 10 am to 5 pm and on Saturdays from 10 am to 3 pm.

Get inspired by the tangible gems of the record store! Located on Isokatu, the nostalgic Record Store 33 RPM offers a diverse selection of CDs and vinyl records spanning various music genres. Whether you want new or used records, you're guaranteed to find gifts for yourself and other music enthusiasts.

The early bird catches the worm and another person's old, unused items can find a new home and be a treasure to its new owner. In Kokkola, there are diverse flea markets and jumble sales where you can make fantastic finds. Aikakone and Ykköskirppis often have items for sale such as clothes, fabrics, toys, dishes, furniture and art.

Let the music resonate in your body and soul. For those enthusiastic about live music, we recommend checking out Kulttuurikorjaamo located near the center of Kokkola and its performance offerings. Kulttuurikorjaamo hosts live concerts and clubs aimed at small audiences. Check out Facebook to see what gigs might be available during your visit.

From the cozy courtyard of the Museum Quarter, you'll find buildings dating back as far as four different centuries. Take a stroll to Kokkola's Natural History Museum, known as Kieppi. Check the website of K.H. Renlund Museum to see if there are any exhibitions or events scheduled during your visit. After your museum tours, treat yourself at the nearby Waffle Café and enjoy a lovely summer day amidst beautiful historical buildings.

Café Kahvipuu is located on Isokatu, close to Mannerheim Square. Its cozy atmosphere and display case full of various delicacies invite coffee, tea, and pastry lovers to spend quality time in the center of Kokkola.

Café Saha, located in Ykspihlaja, Kokkola, is perfect for spending a relaxed summer day with coffee, treats, and cultural experiences like summer theater and music performances. For sauna enthusiasts, there's an actively heated sauna in the courtyard, and if you fancy, you can even take a swim.

In the center of Kokkola, you'll find a variety of cozy accommodation options. At Original Sokos Hotel Kaarle, Hotel Seurahuone, and Hotel Kokkola, you can enjoy restful nights in soft hotel linens and indulge in a nutritious and delicious breakfast. For those with an adventurous spirit, it's also possible to stay overnight on Tankari, the Lighthouse Island.

Small, grand houses stand side by side, nestled under the canopy of leafy trees. Full of the whispers of history and fabulous stories. Experience the delightful idyllic atmosphere of Neristan during your vacation! In the heart of the city, the Old Town Neristan boasts hundreds of wooden houses, some dating back to the 1700s. In Neristan, you can sense the bygone era and play with the idea of what this environment might have looked like if we could travel back in time hundreds of years.

The beautiful Meripuisto park area offers excellent opportunities for admiring the sea, playing in the park and engaging in various activities. Swim, play frisbee golf, do yoga, skate or relax with a book – there's plenty of space for activities in the Meripuisto Park, and you can easily reach it from the city center by bicycle. For those driving, there is ample parking available around the park.

Spend a relaxing beach day at Vattajanniemi's sandy beach, located about 40 km from Kokkola. This stunning beach stretches over 15 km, making it one of the longest sandy beaches in the Nordic countries. Pack some snacks and a blanket, and your wonderful summer day by the sea can begin. Here, you can capture lovely family portraits and enjoy yourself until sunset. Next to Vattajanniemi is the charming fishing village of Ohtakari, where you'll find, among other things, a fishing museum and a summer café.

For cycling enthusiasts planning a day trip, Café Bryggan is worth keeping in mind. Cycle through the maritime landscape, crossing numerous bridges adorned with cozy cottages along the shoreline. The cycling route partially follows the road, Seitsemän sillan tie, through the archipelago. The road is called the Seven Bridges Road after the seven bridges that connect Pietarsaari with Kokkola through Larsmo and Öja. The journey is easy from Kokkola city center to Öja Fishing Village. There you can refresh yourself at Café Bryggan with a cup of coffee or an ice cream cone.

A scenery like from a painting – the stunning Tankar is a place worth experiencing! You can easily travel to the Lighthouse Island by taking the M/S Jenny from Kokkola Meipuisto Park. Capture beautiful photos of the charming red and white lighthouse, explore the vegetation and old buildings of the archipelago, and enjoy a picnic on the rocks while taking in the breathtaking seascape in front of you.