Kuopio Harbour

Western Finland is one of the former provinces of Finland, which were abolished in 2000 and it is situated in the south-western side of the country, offering access to the Gulf of Bothnia. It is bordered by Southern Finland, Eastern Finland and the former province of Oulu and it is divided into 7 regions and 142 municipalities.

This area is well-known for the beauty of its West Coast which is situated on the shores of the Gulf of Bothnia. This side of the coast is home to numerous old cities and traditional villages, as well as Swedish minorities. Some of the main destinations in Western Finland are the old city of Turku, Naantali, Rauma, Pori, Narpes, Vaasa, Kokkola and many more. This historic area can be reached by travellers by plane, by car, by boat or by train.

Those who are willing to discover its history and culture will be amazed by its diversity and rare beauty. The Finnish culture and history are echoed in every single corner of this area, where a mix of architectural patterns and ancient sites perfectly resonate with a natural heritage that surrounds Western Finland. Some of the main landmarks that should be visited by any tourist are the Turku Castle, the Turku Cathedral, the Pyynikk Park and Observation Tower in Tampere, the Moominworld, the Yyteri Beach in Pori, the Bengtskar Lighthouse in Rosala and many other hypnotizing objectives. History enthusiasts will encounter a great deal of historical vestiges and hidden gems that mirror ancestral times and repeated history. There are several such attractions that should not be missed while in Western Finland, such as the old town of Rauma, which has been listed as a World Heritage Site on UNESCO’s list, the Bronze Age burial site in Sammallahdenmaki, the Kvarken Archipelago, the plains of Southern Ostrobothnia, the giant kettle Pirunpesa in Jalasjarvi which is the most profound earth erosion on the continent, etc.

Sightseeing tours, boat tours and water sports are popular among active tourists, but wellness centres, spas and health clubs are also relaxation oases that can be enjoyed by visitors throughout the year. This is a fantastic destination where travellers from around the world can feed their knowledge hunger and their curiosity regarding the mysteries of northern cultures. Numerous World Heritage Sites can be encountered in these ancient territories, along with Viking remains, Celtic landscapes and electrifying panoramas. Raahe, also known as the Town of Sea Winds, is another cosy town in Western Finland, where tourists have the opportunity to embrace local culture during the Rauma Blues Festival, the Rauma Summer Jazz, etc. During the summer, sun seekers will be fascinated by some of the best beaches in Europe in Yyteri with golden sands and unspoilt dunes that are simply breath-taking.

Tourism is extremely well-developed in Western Finland and travellers will encounter luxurious hotels in all regions, as well as cosy and elegant restaurants where local dishes can be tried out, along with mind-blowing wines. Guests of this area will simply adore traditional Finnish cuisine and dishes like the Karelian Pasty, pork, beef and chicken dishes, cold smoking fish, salmon, herring, etc. Finnish desserts are worldwide famous such as pulla, cinnamon rolls, kiisseli, vispipuuro and many more. Tourists’ favourite beverages are Sima, Sahti, mulled wine, cloudberry liqueur, etc. International food lovers and those who are fascinated by northern landscapes are always welcome to spend a few days in this fascinating side of Finland