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Raseborg (Finnish: Raasepori) is a municipality of 27,000 people (2021) covering a few towns and a large rural area in western Uusimaa. It is home to a medieval castle and large archipelagos.

Understand

Ekenäs in the summertime
Islands off Ekenäs

Raseborg was created in 2009 by consolidating the municipalities of Ekenäs, Karis and Pohja, reaching from the archipelago west of the Hanko peninsula (Hangö udd, Hankoniemi) to that east of it, into a single one. The majority (66%) of the population speaks Swedish. A medieval castle of Raseborg located in the former municipality Snappertuna gives name to the new municipality.

  • 1 Bromarv (former parish village 16 km west from Tenala). Former municipality in the western archipelago. 
  • 2 Ekenäs (Tammisaari). Ekenäs is a coastal town at the edge of an archipelago, part of which is the Ekenäs Archipelago National Park. It has a pretty old town consisting of narrow streets of wooden houses. Ekenäs guest marina is large for the size of the town and known for its beauty and good location adjacent to city centre. 
  • 3 Karis (Karjaa). Karis is a town and railway junction on the Helsinki–Turku and the Hanko–Hyvinkää line, hub for many of the connections. 
  • 4 Pojo (Pohja). Pojo is one of the birthplaces of Finnish metal industry. The ironworks of Billnäs was founded there around the same time as Fiskars ironworks. 
  • 5 Snappertuna (former parish village 11 km south from Karis, 16 km east from Ekenäs). Former municipality. (updated Nov 2022)
  • 6 Tenala (Tenhola) (former parish village 13 km north from Ekenäs, 14 km west from Pojo). Former municipality. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 7 Fiskars Village. Fiskars is known as an idyllic artisanal village destination, and location of the historic Fiskars ironworks. It is a centre of art and industrial and non-industrial design a 20-minute bus ride north of Karis. Fiskars Corporation, the oldest functioning Finnish company, was founded around the Fiskars ironworks in the 17th century. It has places to stay and dine around the year if you can afford to splurge. There are things to see, and you can buy design, artworks, modern industrial products of known Finnish brands, art and utility glass products, metal wares, clothing, jewelry, ceramics, leather goods, fair trade world products, furniture, handicrafts, artisan beers and graphic works. 
  • 8 Jussarö (Jussaari). The only Finnish ghost town, 18 km south of Ekenäs, off the coast. Guest marina by the Hanko–Helsinki leg. A waterbus service to Jussarö is available from Baggö Marina, Baggövägen 1275. 

Get in

The municipality is at the base of the Hanko Peninsula, south of Salo, which is on the Helsinki–Turku highway (Highway 1, E18), south-west of Lohja, likewise on that highway, and north of Hanko. The municipality includes most of the archipelago east of the peninsula, bordering that of Ingå, and some to the west, bordering that of Kimitoön and Salo. The towns are on the mainland; even Bromarv and Padva are nowadays connected to it.

The historic King's Road between Turku and Vyborg via Helsinki) does pass through Raseborg.

By car

Karis, about 80 km west from Helsinki, can be reached by road 51 from the capital via Ingå. After another 20 km along road 25 from Lohja towards Hanko you will arrive in Ekenäs.

From Turku you can come via E18: turn to road 52 towards Ekenäs in Salo. For Karis, turn from road 52 to road 111 near Tenala and drive via Pojo. For Bromarv, drive south-west from Tenala. The distance from Turku to Ekenäs is about 115 km.

By train

Karis is a railway junction, on the Kustbanan railway between Helsinki and Turku and on the railways from Hanko and Hyvinkää (no passenger trains from Hyvinkää, though). See VR

From time to time some of Helsinki's commuter trains have extended to Karis. There has been a political pressure to restart those services and a regional service via Karis to Hanko is planned, but as of March 2024 you mostly need to take the bus if coming from Kirkkonummi or Siuntio (or backtrack to Leppävaara in Espoo, where all long-distance trains stop).

By bus

There are some coaches from Helsinki, Lohja and Hanko, some going all the way to Bromarv. See Matkahuolto.

By boat

The fairways between Helsinki and the Archipelago Sea pass through the archipelago of Ekenäs. Pojo is in the narrow bay stretching inland from Ekenäs. Tenala and Bromarv are archipelago municipalities north of the Hanko peninsula. Karis is inland. The guest harbour of Ekenäs is popular.

Get around

Karis and Ekenäs are connected by rail and bus. Some of the coach services from the east continue from Karis to Bromarv. From Karis you can also take the regular 20 minute bus service to Fiskars around the year. Each place is small enough to be explored on foot comfortably.

The centre of Karis is opposite (north of) the train station. A tunnel leads to platforms 3–6, with one end at the railway station (with the station building nowadays a pub), the other at the "travel centre" consisting of a few bus platforms (and a taxi stand?). Behind the travel centre is the town centre; Köpmansgatan, which is the shopping street, starts slightly to the left, the supermarkets are to the right, where also the bridge over the railways lead.

For a walk in a residential area of Karis, with villas and gardens, the Svartån river and Pumpviken park, walk half a kilometre east (to the right) from the centre, e.g. along Centralgatan or Högbergsgatan. The ridge behind the station is Lojoåsen (Lohjanharju), part of the Salpausselkä terminal moraine left by the Ice Age, separating the Finnish Lakeland from the Gulf of Finland and continuing as the Hanko peninsula to the south-west.

By bus

Bosse is the name of Raseborg's local transport. The Waltti route planner can be used for bus trips.

By bike

There is a cycleway between Karis and Ekenäs.

Raseborg has Donkey Republic bike sharing bikes at six stations: in Ekenäs at the railway station, the marina and either Novia (during school terms) or restaurant Knipan (in summer); in Karis at the travel centre (the bus platforms opposite the railway station); and in Billnäs and Fiskars. Using the bike requires an app, which allows using such bikes also in several other towns in Finland and abroad (the company is Danish). See more information from Visit Raseborg (☏ +358 44-716-0644).

By taxi

See Uusimaa#By taxi for information about other companies.

  • Raseborgs taxi och buss, Sparvgränd 5 B, Dragsvik (office), ☏ +358 45-128-3949, . Serves the Raseborg area and surroundings (Lohjaa, Ingå, Hanko, Salo, Kimitoön). Also bus and minibus charter. 
  • Taxi Service Hafström Roger, Pojo, ☏ +358 400-201-992. (updated Mar 2020)
  • Smartphone apps: Valopilkku, 02 Taksi

See

First stage of Raseborg Castle was built in the 14th century to protect Swedish interests against the Hanseatic city of Tallinn
Mining building at Jussarö
  • 1 Raseborg castle ruins, Raseborgs slottsväg (Snappertuna), ☏ +358 19 234-015, . May–first half of Jun: daily 10:00–17:00; Midsummer's week–first half of Aug: 10:00–20:00; rest of Aug and weekends in Sep: 10:00–17:00. A pretty medieval castle (from 14th century). It was built near the sea shore, but due the post-glacial rise of land, it eventually lost its access to the sea and therefore also its strategic importance. Café Slottsknektens stuga (The Castle Guard's Lodge) near the ruin was open already in 1893 to serve tourists. Apart from offering refreshments, it sells tickets to the castle and provides local information. A beautiful forest path, Kärleksstigen (Lovers’ Walk), leads from the castle ruins to the folk museum "Snappertuna Forngård". Adult €5, children under 12 free. Raseborg Castle (Q1013619) on Wikidata Raseborg Castle on Wikipedia 
  • 2 Ekenäs Nature Centre, Strandallén, ☏ +358 20-564-4613, . May 2 to August 31: daily 10:00–15:00, 10:00–18:00 or 10:00–19:00 in peak season (2016). Groups also off season.. Visitor centre for Ekenäs Archipelago National Park. Information on the Baltic Sea and western Uusimaa archipelago. Also activities for children. Free. (updated Dec 2016)
  • 3 Fiskars museum, Åkerraden 9 (Fiskars), ☏ +358 19 237-013, . Daily 11:00–17:00. The museum shows life at the Fiskars Ironworks from the 17th century to present days. Adult €5, discount €3, under 17 years free. 
  • 4 Jussarö island (Jussaari), Jussarö (water bus service from Baggö Marina, Baggövägen 1275), ☏ +358 400-856-544. Jussarö was a mining city where iron ore was mined once. In 1967–2005 the island was used by the Finnish Defence Forces. The island's services in season include guest marina services operated from Café Ön, a small shop of some sorts, rent-a-sauna, guided tours and since 2016 also lodging. Jussarö (Q4348854) on Wikidata Jussarö on Wikipedia 

Do

  • 1 Ekenäs Archipelago National Park. Part of the archipelago off Ekenäs is a national park. The larger wooded islands and the general seascape are reachable by taxi boat. A sailboat or sea kayak is ideal to explore all of the archipelago. Ekenäs Archipelago National Park (Q2553819) on Wikidata Ekenäs Archipelago National Park on Wikipedia (updated Dec 2016)
  • 2 Paddlingsfabriken in Ekenäs, Gullövägen 400 (Ekenäs, across the water from the centre, but the road has to circle it: Baggövägen to the south, then Jomalviksvägen to Gullövägen), ☏ +358 400-411-992, . Kayak rentals, courses, guided tours in archipelago. 
  • Raseborg Summer Theatre, Raseborgs Slottsväg, ☏ +358 19 241-5035. 
  • Football: Ekenäs IF were promoted in 2023 so they play soccer in Veikkausliiga, the top tier. Their home ground Centrumplan (capacity 1900) is in Ekenäs town centre. The playing season is April-Oct.
  • Påminne Ski, Brunkom Strandväg 1, Åminnefors (7 km north-west from Karis, towards Pojo; cannot miss it), ☏ +358 19 238-955, . Finland's southernmost ski centre, run by a non-profit association. Rentals, ski and snowboard instruction and very affordable café with small eats and alcoholic beverages. 
  • 3 Läppträsket lake. Cultural and environmental path (about 2.3 km) along the Läppträsket lake. Several ancient remains and nature attractions. (updated Jan 2020)

Events

Maria Gasolina performing at 2008 Faces in Billnäs ironworks
  • 4 Faces Festival (Fiskars; 20 min bus ride from Karis bus station or festival bus (€5) from Karis' train station. There are direct connections Helsinki–Fiskars from the Kamppi bus terminal.), ☏ +358 46-849-0653, . First weekend of August (?). The Faces Festival features its usual unusual mix of all kinds of music and food from home and abroad. Also for families, which are offered camping with a swimming beach. Indoor and outdoor venues. 
  • 5 Raseborgs Festspel (Raseborg Festival) (several locations). Series of events including Raseborg's summer theatre, Midsummer festival, Medieval fair and tournaments in July, etc. 
  • Fiskars Antique Days, Peltorivi 7 (Old Knivefactory), . A yearly event in mid-July bringing professional antique sellers with their wares and buyers together. (updated Apr 2016)

Buy

Buy in Ekenäs

Ekenäs Council Hall Square (Rådhustorget) and Council Hall to left of this picture and to the right Kungsgatan, Finland's first pedestrian only street and still a vibrant shopping street with varied wares.
  • Ekenäs marketplace, Radhustorget, ☏ +358 45-615-5900. Local farmers' and market Wednesdays and Saturdays with fresh fish at good prices from local fishers (updated Apr 2016)
  • Kungsgatan (it goes up from the Radhustorget/Council House Square). Kungsgatan is Finland's first pedestrian-only street and still sided by boutiques of various wares. (updated Apr 2016)

Buy in Fiskars

View from Fiskars Village, the location of Faces Festival on the first weekend of August, a celebration of ethnic world music from home and abroad

Shoppes in Fiskars sell design, artworks, modern industrial products of known Finnish brands, art and utility glass products, metal wares, clothing, jewellery, ceramics, leather goods, fair trade world products, furniture, handicrafts, artisan beers, graphics and chocolate. There is also a small convenience store.

Buy in Karis

See Get around above. Supermarkets and a pedestrian shopping street with a basic supply. The small second-hand shop near the travel centre might have some nice souvenirs.

Eat

In Ekenäs

  • Piazza, Stationsvägen 6, ☏ +358 45-141-5984. 11:00–15:00. Lunch served in the loft restaurant in a building designed by Alvar Aalto. €10. (updated Apr 2016)
  • YLP, Stora Kyrkogatan 23, . Tu–Sa 16:00–21:00. Pizzeria by former Michelin chef. Local ingredients (including game and mushroom) from small scale producers except for salt, olive oil, coffee and wines. Pizzas may sell out before closing time. Groups of more than four should book (by e-mail) Tu–Th. €13–18. (updated Apr 2020)

In Karis

  • Pizzeria Catello, Bangatan 65 (200m from the railway station). M–Th 11:00–22:00, F Sa 11:00–00:00; Su 11:00-22:00. Excellent pizzeria with a reputation of high quality kebabs and very large and well presented pizzas with reasonable prices. (updated Aug 2016)
  • Socis, Nils Grabbegatan 6, ☏ +358 19 230-266, . M–F 10:30–17:00 (lunch to 15:00) Sa 11:00–15:00, Su closed. Hotel restaurant. Despite the name (short for societetshuset) not glamorous, although also used for business meetings and family celebrations. Pub Norris in the basement. Breakfast €5, weekday lunch €10 (students and pensioners €9.20), Sa lunch €11 (€10). (updated Apr 2023)
  • Restaurang KW, Högbergsgatan 12, ☏ +358 44-754-9842, . Su-Th 11:00–21:00, later on F & Sa. One of the finer dining establishments in Karis. Lunch and à la carte. (updated Apr 2016)
  • 1 Restaurant Geen Mamas, Skolgatan 10 (by the town hall). Vegetarian restaurant. Short changing menu with good food. Seems run by a few friends in a rather amateurish way (although well established by 2024), which may add to cosiness, but e.g. means that some dishes may run out of ingredients and some nice surrogate be improvised instead. If you tell your wishes, they are often able to adapt, but if you like chain restaurants, this is not the place for you. (updated Mar 2024)

In Fiskars

Drink

Maypole in the harbour of Bromarv

In Karis

A number of cheap pizzerias and a couple of real restaurants. Lunch also at most cafés.

  • Art Café Serendipity, Köpmansgatan 30 (short walk north of Karis centre), ☏ +358 19 236-872. 08:30–00:00. Small eats, drinks, occasional live and recorded music, graphic arts and non-alcoholic possibilities in hearty atmosphere: a second (or first?) living room for many of the youth. The garden is lovely for refreshments in the summer and live fire in the stove keeps the house warm in the winter. (updated Apr 2016)
  • Club 18, Alingsåsgatan 37 (Karis railway station building), ☏ +358 400-392-363, . 12:00–02:00. Restaurant by day and one centre for social life in Karis day and night. Billiard, dart. Pizzas, burgers, hot wings. (updated Apr 2016)

Sleep

In Ekenäs

In Karis

  • Dönsby Bed and Breakfast, ☏ +358 50-537-9584, . Dönsby Bed and Breakfast is 4 km from the Karis city centre in a serene country side setting. Max 10 guests in four rooms. Classic Finnish close-sourced breakfast during summer-season; off-season guests are welcome to use the guest kitchen. (updated Apr 2016)
  • Socis, Nils Grabbegatan 6, ☏ +358 19 230-266, . Hotel with restaurant (see above) and pub. Despite the name (short for societetshuset), the rooms are quite basic. En suite bathrooms except in the budget rooms. Pub Norris in the basement. Budget single €45, single €60, double €80, 3 persons €100; extra beds available, reduced price for longer stays. (updated Apr 2023)

In Fiskars

In Svartå

In Billnäs

In Bromarv

  • 1 Hummeldal, Hummeldalintie 588 (25 km south-west of the centre of Ekenäs), ☏ +358 40-546-2945, . Traditional Finnish holiday cottages. You can also rent a motorboat and see domestic farm animals. (updated Mar 2021)
  • 2 Kansjerf kulturgård, Kansjärvvägen 170 A (1.85 km from Bromarv church towards Padva along Vättlaxvägen, then 1.7 km along Kansjärvvägen; transport from Bromarv, Ekenäs or Karis by request), ☏ +358 44-987-0251 (08:00–20:00), . Café and restaurant 2022: Jun–14 Aug W–Sa 11:00–22:00 Su 11:00–16:00, May Sa–Su only. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Mansion with retreats and cultural events. Four rooms with beds for 3–4 persons in the main building from 1809. Shared toilets and kitchen, breakfast and linen included. Laid-back and tranquil atmosphere. One wing can be combined to a suit with own bathroom and kitchen. Arrangements for artist (with broad interpretation) on longer stays, including discount, possibly full board and perhaps a separate study. Musicians can get access to a professional studio. Restaurant with 3-course lunch and 4-course dinner (table reservations at latest the preceding day). Summer café in the garden, with lunch. Farm animals. Most info is in Finnish, but owners (the same since 1811) and other staff Swedish-speaking, some events in Swedish. Single €90, double €150, family €200; lunch of the day $13, three-course lunch €41, four-course dinner €55; yoga €17 (group) or €55–65 (private). (updated Jun 2022)

Connect

  • Prepaid data SIM cards are widely available from R-kiosks at reasonable prices. Customer convenience Wi-Fi is not very widespread due to everyone having a data plan in their phone.

Go next

  • Port, marina and sunbathing city of Hanko is reachable by half-an-hour rail link from Karis railway station or by taking Main Road 25 south-west. From Hanko Port there is car and cargo ferry connection to Nynäshamn, Sweden.
  • For history fans, travel east or west along the King's Road
  • Lohja to the north-east on the Main Road 25
Routes through Raseborg
Turku ← Salo ←  W King's Road E  → Ingå → Helsinki


This city travel guide to Raseborg is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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