Welcome to Your Getaway Destination
PORT OF HAMINAKOTKA port area in numbers: • 1,100 ha of land areas • 1,400 ha of sea areas • 9 km of quays • 76 berths • 90 km of railways
Finland Kotka Helsinki
St. Petersburg
Stockholm Tallinn
Copenhagen
Kiel Warnemünde
Hamina
HAMINA
KOTKA
Hamina is a small city nearby the Russian border on the Gulf of Finland by the Baltic sea. Hamina originates from the year 1653, when the town was awarded the rights to be engaged in foreign trade. It was destroyed in the Great Northern War, and rebuilt in the 1720’s when it also was given its circular town plan and the name Fredrikshamn after Frederick I, the King of Sweden, at the time when the area was a part of Sweden. The name soon gained the form Hamina in Finnish. Sweden started to fortify its eastern border against Russia, whereby Hamina became a fortress town. The fortress and the town plan were based on an Italian star-shaped Renaissance fortress from the 16th century. The Swedes started to build the fortification, and the Russians continued the fortification work in the 1740’s, when the era of Old Finland began in Hamina under Russian rule.
Kotka is a city on the Gulf of Finland, at the mouth of Kymijoki River, by the Baltic Sea, with the city centre on an island. The stories of the town begin from the stone age, and when the Vikings travelled to the east, the importance of the location for trade of the area was recognized. The Hanseatic era had its inluence in Kotka becoming an important trading place. From being a border town between Sweden and Russia, the city developed in the late 1800’s into modern times from being an important fortress town into one of the biggest industrialized towns in Finland. The city belonged previously to the Kymi Parish in the 17th century and got its town rights in the year of 1879.
Throughout centuries, Hamina has been a meeting place between the East and West, and it has been located alternately on both sides of the national frontier. This is where happy people meet each other – in the sunny streets among the old wooden houses and festivals on a summer day, on the trekking paths in the peace and quiet of the natural environment, and in the autumn and winter events filled with a special atmosphere.
The wonderful nature with the archipelago of over 400 islands, the Kymijoki River, the numerous multidimensional urban parks, dazzling history of the border town, maritime culture, outstanding cultural events, sights and friendly people welcome travellers for a memorable visit. Population: Appr. 50 000
The biggest universal port in Finland, Port of HaminaKotka, operates in both cities.
Population: appr. 20 000
A K T O K & A HA MIN HORT AND TASTY S
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S H O R E- E X
KOTKA BY LAND AND SEA Your day will consist of three different parts – a tour around Kotka, originally built as a fortress to protect St. Petersburg, a bus trip filled with history, a bit of culture, as well as a boat trip around Kotkansaari Island. The tour starts with a trip that will take you around the main island of Kotka, where the city centre is located. You will experience the internationally awarded parks from park to park of the town, known as the green living rooms, the sculpture promenade – the outdoor gallery in the heart of Kotka. Then continue to the Isopuisto Park including the Church of St. Nicholas and hear about the development of Kotka from the Viking Age to the days of today. The tour will continue to the Sapokka Marina from where you will be taken on a boat tour around the Kotkansaari island through one of the most interesting historical sceneries in Finland.
KOTKA AND THE IMPERIAL FISHING LODGE AT KYMIJOKI RIVER LANGINKOSKI You start with a short walk to a motorboat, which takes you on a trip to discover the fascinating history of Finland: it was once part of Sweden, and later became the Grand Duchy of Russia, an autonomous state within the Russian Empire. On board, enjoy the searide as your guide tells you about the era of the Vikings and Hanseatic times, and of the strong links that exist between Finland and both Russia and Western Europe. Heading upstream on the Kymijoki River, you reach the Langinkoski Imperial Fishing Lodge, originally the summer home of Tsar Alexander III, where you disembark for an imperial welcome and meet the daily life of the family that escaped the hectic life in St. Petersburg for the peace and quiet of the Kymijoki River.
KOTKA MARITIME CENTRE VELLAMO, SAPOKKA GARDENS AND LANGINKOSKI An excursion dedicated entirely to the city of Kotka to discover its history, main monuments and ancient traditions connected to maritime culture and navigation in often prohibitive conditions. You will see the Sapokka Gardens, the Finnish Maritime Museum Vellamo and Museum of Kymenlaakso and the Imperial Fishing Lodge Langinkoski. When leaving the port behind you, you will go on a sightseeing tour of Kotka, a picturesque boutique city with a long-standing maritime tradition. The first stop is a true temple of modern architecture - the Vellamo Maritime Centre, a multifunctional centre along the old quay. The facility is home to two museums. The next stop will be the Sapokka gardens. Apart from a small-boat harbour, Sapokka is also an old sea bay refurbished into a charming park area. The dominant element of the park is water: there is the sea of course, but water also flows in small brooks and ponds and in a waterfall on the south bank of the park. Then you will drive through the Kotka island and have a panoramic view of the many internationally awarded and diversified parks in the city centre when driving to the Imperial Fishing Lodge with its nature resort in Langinkoski by the Kymi River, and you arrive at the lodge a cottage built for Tsar Alexander III from Russia.
KOTKA/HAMINA AND THEIR ARCHIPELAGO BY TALL SHIP Kotka and Hamina are undeniably maritime cities with a wide maritime history and culture. On this tour you can go back in time to the great days of sail. You will be taken to the tall ship, where you step on board a century-old cargo vessel that used to sail around the Baltics bringing goods and merchandise to Finland. Today this ship has been beautifully restored and converted to carry passengers during the summer months. Once on board, you can assist the crew with the sails, or simply enjoy the views of the beautiful archipelago outside Kotka/Hamina.
ARCHIPELAGO ADVENTURE A short transfer takes you from your ship to the small boat harbour where your skipper is already waiting for you. Step on board your speed boat and enjoy a fast ride out to sea. Your adventure begins with a mini-cruise through the beautiful Finnish archipelago, during which you can also view Kotka/Hamina from a new perspective. Your boat takes you up close to the Russian Border, to view the island of Gogland belonging to Russia, where your skipper will arrange a photo-stop. Afterwards you continue to the Kaunissaari island, a small fishing village, where you can explore the network of public footpaths, view the local inhabitants’ summer cottages and enjoy the sparkling athmosphere of the island’s summer restaurant. Your return journey to Kotka will hug the coast, where you can see numerous private houses in addition to public open spaces.
DELICIOUS ISLAND TREAT Imagine experiencing the extraordinary diversity and beauty of Finnish nature and learn how to prepare a delicious Finnish archipelago dinner – all on an island. Your tour will start with a short ride from the port to the small boat harbour from where you will be taken on a boat trip to the island. The island is located by the Eastern Gulf of Finland National Park. The boat trip will take about 30 minutes and you will be entertained by the beautiful inner archipelago scenery and the stories related to the history of the region. The cooking class is conducted by top chefs who are specialized in making regional dishes of local organic produce.
EXPERIENCE THE FORTRESS TOWN HAMINA The strategic location has always played an important role for the history of Hamina. Vehkalahti county, of which Hamina was a part of, was first mentioned in documents in 1336. The main sights of the town are, amongst others, the Hamina Town Hall, the Hamina Town Museum, the Reserve Officer School, and the Hamina Fortress. Behind the gates of the old wooden city houses, you are going get to dive into the fascinating past of the fortress town Hamina with all its historically fascinating characters. The owners of the houses and gardens welcome you in their gardens. Experience the old-world city-life and take a short walk around to get to know the unique circular town of and its famous star-shaped fortress.
FINNISH MARSHLAND EXPERIENCE Experience Finnish marshland nature and explore the Valkmusa National Park. The three hours walking tour, offers you a mind healing moment in the authentic nature with its well being items. Versatile nature in the marshlands of the park takes you to the silence, peace and freshness of nature, relaxation and maybe even tastes of Finnish healthy berries. Valkmusa’s extensive natural open bogs give visitors a chance to wind down and see, hear and smell, and even taste nature all around. You can look out for wetland birds and fluttering marshland butterflies, especially in spring and summer. Maybe also find some berries growing around the moss to eat, depending on your time of visit. The nature around you hugs you independent of the season.
PARK CAPITAL BIKE RIDE OR WALK ABOUT Join the route of 5 km on and around the Kotka island and experience the lushness of the National Urban Park necklace. Dive into the beautiful, rich and abundant flower gardens, historical and cultural athmospere from park to park. You can pop into the parks you like, or travel the entire route on foot or by bike. The tour includes Sapokka Water Garden, Katariina Seaside Park, Sculpture Promenade, Haukkavuori Lookout Tower, Palotorninvuori Park, Mansikkalahti, Sibelius Park, and Redutti-Kotka herb garden. All the parks have an own significant authenticity and history.
Photo: Pekka Vainio
Exiting
EXTRAS
CATCH OF THE DAY Experience fishing at the rapids of Siikakoski. The Kymijoki River is famous for being the best salmon river in Southern Finland. Or go out on the Finnish Gulf and experience the excitement out in the archipelago.
COUNTRY EXPERIENCE ON HORSEBACK Enjoy your stay in the beautiful countryside scenery on a Finnhorse at Harju Manor and experience the beauty and silence of the nature.
TAKE A HIKE ON THE SUOMEN SALPA DEFENSE LINE The Salpa Trail offers an excellent natural setting for outdoor exercise and refreshment. Suomen Salpa is a bunker line on the eastern border of Finland. It was built during the Interim Peace between the Winter War and the Continuation War to defend Finland as a 1200 km bar against a possible Soviet invasion.
SWIMMING IN WHITE WATER RAPIDS A unique experience to try is swimming in white water rapids. A memorable experience in the Kymijoki River in a beautiful landscape.
Entertainment RIVER CRUISING OR RIVER RAFTING EXPERIENCE Experience the power of the fast-flowing and unspoilt Kymijoki River and savour traditional Finnish food on this exciting tour. As you travel down the river, you will experience at close hand some of the miracles that the wild Kymijoki River has to offer. The free-flowing stream, peaceful inlets, trees hanging over the river, fishermen waiting for their catches, idyllic fields and the vibrant sounds of nature: all of these will remain on your mind for a long time. Before your journey, enjoy a delicious lunch by the riverside. You will get to taste traditional salmon flambé and traditional Finnish coffee prepared right over a campfire. This is a ‘back to nature’ experience that you absolutely have to try.
Kotka Maritime Festival every year and Hamina Tattoo International Military Music Festival every second year attracting together over 300 000 visitors. In addition, concerts, fairs and markets among other over 100 interesting events through the season. There is more on the menu, please contact cruise@haminakotka.fi for additional information!
A N I M A H ing treats in t s e r e t in t s o M • The Town Hall • Circular old town centre and fortress • Hamina Bastion • The Monumental Flag • The Path of the Finnish Flag • Flag Tower • Reserve Officer School
• The Kotkansaari Park Trail
• Churches
• The Maritime Museum of Finland Vellamo and the Kymenlaakso Museum
• Tervasaari
• Museum Icebreaker Tarmo • The Finnish Wooden Boat Centre • Maretarium – Fantastic Aquarium House for Finnish Sealife • Langinkoski Imperial Fishing Lodge • Haukkavuori Sightseeing Tower • Island of Fort Elisabeth • Churches
...and in
KOTK A
TAST Y
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Meat, fish, root vegetables, greens and even coffee are sourced from local producers, when possible. Organic ingredients are preferred and waste is strived to be kept to a minimum. The local city centre cafés and restaurants offer a local eat & refresh experience with SPECIAL CULINARY EXPERIENCES as well
in Hamina: Lihatsu & Makkispekkis & Cinnamon Bun
andwich S n o lm a S on Soup & lm a S & o oss in Kotka: P
Photo: Julia Kivelä
FACTFILE KOTKA-HAMINA REGION Population: Appr. 70 000 Language: Finnish Currency: Euro Climate: During summer temperate or warm Ship berths at: Kantasatama, Hamina and Mussalo berthing areas Distance from Kotka centre: 700 m (Kantasatama), 8 km ( Mussalo) Distance from Hamina centre: 5 km (Hamina)
USEFUL INFORMATION
CONTACT INFORMATION
Shopping: The Pasaati Shopping Centre https://pasaati.fi/ is located on Keskuskatu 10, Kotka.
Port of HaminaKotka Ltd
Shop opening hours: Most shops are open Monday to Sunday from 10002000. Post office: Kotka: Located at Keskuskatu 11. Open 0700-2100 on weekdays, 0800-1900 on Saturdays and 1000-1800 on Sundays. Hamina: Located at Pikkuympyräkatu 14. Open 0700-2000 on weekdays and Saturdays. 0800-2000 on Sundays. Banks: 24 hour ATM machines available in the city centres.
Post address: P.O. Box 196, FI-48101 Kotka, Finland Street address: Merituulentie 424, FI-48310 Kotka, Finland Tel. +358 (0)20 790 8800 cruise@haminakotka.fi haminakotka.com Petra Cranston Project Manager, Cruise Business Tel. +358 (0)20 790 8811 petra.cranston@haminakotka.fi
Tourist office: Located at the pier/city centres. Emergency services: Dial 112
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