Hamina is a town in Kymenlaakso, in the extreme southeast of Finland.

Understand

Hamina's history dates back to the Swedish rule, when Gustav Vasa gave Hamina Castle and the surrounding land to the merchant town of Hamina in 1653.

Hamina was an important trading town located on the border between Russia and Sweden. Its inhabitants traded with both Russia and Sweden, and trade was very important to the town's economy. Hamina also had an important harbour, from which goods were transported around the world.

In the 19th century, Hamina became even more important as the postal route from Saint Petersburg to Helsinki passed through the town. Along the road there were several inns where travellers could stay and rest.

After the war of 1808–1809, the peace treaty between Russia and Sweden was signed in Hamina Castle, confirming the annexation of Finland to the Russian Empire.

In the 20th century, Hamina's importance as a trading town declined. Towards the end of the 20th century, Hamina also became an important military town with the establishment of a major garrison.

Get in

By car

Highway 7 (E18) between Helsinki and the Russian border passes through Hamina, as does the historic King's Road.

By bus

Hamina has direct buses from Helsinki, Lappeenranta and Kouvola. Local bus line 1 connects Hamina with Kotka.

Get around

By bus

Kotkanaikataulut.fi has information about local bus routes and timetables.

By bike

There is a bike sharing system using bluetooth and the Donkey Republic about €1.50/1 hr, €4/5 hr, €12/24 hr. For longer stays becoming a member is cheaper: €9 or €18/month covers all trips of less than 1 hr respectively 12 hr, also in other towns using Donkey Republic – but you need to register as member in the country of your card (available: most countries in western Europe and USA). Customer service info@kaakau.fi, ☏ +358 44 716 0644 daily 09:00–21:00. Several towns in south-east Finland use the same system, which is in use also elsewhere in Finland and abroad.

By taxi

• Smartphone apps: Valopilkku, 02 Taksi, Taksini

See

18th century map of what is today Hamina's downtown

• The circular town plan. The town plan of Hamina is quite unique, with the town hall as the middle point the streets of the city are either encircling it or leading towards it. 
• 1 Hamina fortress, Raatihuoneentori. (updated Jun 2022)

Do

• 1 Gulf of Finland National Park. Hundreds of islands and islets in the Baltic Sea outer archipelago in front of Kotka and Hamina. See also Boating in Finland#Gulf of Finland National Park.  

Eat

• 1 Haminan Seurahuone, Pikkuympyräkatu 5, ☏ +358 44 733 3101, hotelli@haminanseurahuone.fi. (updated Jun 2022)
• 2 Lounaskahvila Portinpieli, Satamantie 4, ☏ +358 40 481 9520, juhlatarjoilut.mirja.koivu@gmail.com. (updated Jun 2022)

Go next

• Kotka — Hamina's bigger brother, 26 km to the west.
• Lappeenranta — A major shopping destination for Russian tourists at the southern shore of Lake Saimaa, 88 km north.
• Russia — If you have a valid visa (or don't require one) the border crossing at Vaalimaa is about 30 km east. Nearby destinations in Russia include Vyborg.

Routes through Hamina

Helsinki ← Kotka ←	W  E	→ Vaalimaa border crossing → Vyborg (Вы́борг) → END
Helsinki ← Kotka ←	W  E	→ Vaalimaa border crossing → Vyborg (Вы́борг) → Saint Petersburg