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Finland is a fantastic country to visit offering its visitors a great holiday. Traveling to the city soon and can’t decide which Kotka top attractions should you see first? Fear not, you are in luck.
Through this Kotka blog, I will share with you some of the most interesting things to do in Kotka.
In my opinion, 4 days in Kotka is good time to see the best that city has to offer. But if you can add 2-3 days more you’d be able to experience rather than ‘see’ that an ordinary tourist does. Here are the best things to see in Kotka along with a list of the most interesting things to do in Kotka:
1. Maritime Centre Vellamo
Maritime Centre Vellamo is a maritime museum located in the city of Kotka.
If you are into shipbuilding and sailing you will love this museum.
This intimate museum offers an exhibition of a range of maritime relics. With its varied collection, the museum dwells into the seafaring history of the region.
Address: Tornatorintie 99, 48100 Kotka, Finland
2. Maretarium
Located in the central part of Kotka, Maretarium makes for a good fun visit.
You will find the visit to Maretarium as much as educational as it is fun. The rescued sea turtles and the small sharks are one of the most interesting highlights.
An incredible sight, Maretarium scores high in the list of the best things to do in Kotka.
Address: Sapokankatu 2, 48100 Kotka, Finland
3. Valkmusa National Park
Valkmusa National Park is a forest reserve of national importance found in the Kotka region.
You’ll discover numerous rivers and lakes in the park accounting for a large of its area. As for wild life, a variety of animal and bird species is found here.
Quick Facts:
- Spread over an area of 17 km², it is difficult to take-in all in one go.
- It was in 1996 when it was established.
- Also worth seeing here include bird watching.
Address: Vastilantie 886, 49220 Pyhtää, Finland
4. Katariina Seaside Park
Katariina Seaside Park is a beautiful seaside park with landscaped gardens.
Besides, Katariina Seaside Park also makes for a popular picnic spot. There are numerous shade trees in the seaside park.
Without a doubt this wonderful seaside park is one amongst the top things to do in Kotka.
Address: Puistotie 32, 48130 Kotka, Finland
5. Valkmusa
Valkmusa is a nature and animal reserve located not far from Kotka.
If you are an outdoorsy type you’d fit right in this beautiful landscape. Start with the visitor center to help yourself get oriented.
Quick Facts:
- Spreading over an expanse of 17 km², it’s difficult to see it all in one go.
- It was in 1996 when it was established.
Address: Vastilantie 886, 49220 Pyhtää, Finland
6. Varissaari
Varissaari is a serene island, known for its scenic beauty, located out in the open sea.
You will get to see some of the fantastic views of the sea.
And to top it off, the boat trip to Varissaari itself is really enjoyable. You can also enjoy the soft sand on the pristine beach.
With so much to offer, no wonder Varissaari is one of the top things to do in Kotka.
7. Nature trail
A great way to stay active, go for Nature trail, an easily hiking that anyone can do.
8. Isopuisto
Isopuisto is a large landscaped park, an oasis of greenery, located in Kotka.
It is a good way to reconnect with nature – relax under the shady trees, watch the kids play.
It’s easy to spend an entire day here, wandering through these flourishing gardens. One of my favorite thing to do here is simply grabbing a book, and lying down on the lap of green.
Add it to your Kotka trip if you have time.
Address: Papinkatu 8, 48100 Kotka, Finland
9. Maritime Museum of Finland
Maritime Museum of Finland is a maritime museum located in the city of Kotka.
If you are into shipbuilding and sailing you will love this museum.
The museum houses some of the best nautical memorabilia including scaled model ships. Maritime Museum of Finland presents well the history of ships and navigation in the region.
Address: Tornatorintie 99, 48100 Kotka, Finland
10. Kyminlinna
Offering fantastic views of the area, Kyminlinna are the remains of an old fort perched atop a cliff.
You can follow the hiking trail which leads to this old fort. Not much to see actually only the foundation stones lying bare in this historic fort ruin.
Quick Facts:
- Easy to get to Kyminlinna is located in the northern part of Hovinsaari island in Kotka.
If you have time, it makes for a nice addition to your Kotka trip.
11. Church of Kotka
A beautiful addition to city’s architecture, Church of Kotka is a pretty old church located in Kotka.
A quiet looking cemetry adores the church ground. It is well worth to pay a small donation, as it goes towards supporting the ongoing upkeep of this piece of history.
Quick Facts:
- Brought to life by the architect Josef Stenbäck, church is a classic example of fine Gothic Revival architecture.
Address: Kirkkokatu 26, 48100 Kotka, Finland
12. Haukkavuori
If you have time, it makes for a nice addition to your Kotka trip.
Address: Keskuskatu 51, 48100 Kotka, Finland
13. Karhulan ilmailukerho Aviation Museum
Karhulan ilmailukerho Aviation Museum is dedicated to the history of aviation in the Kotka region.
The museum visually explores the military as well as civil aviation history.
It is a museum every aviation enthusiast will be ecstatic to visit. Even if you are not an expert the amazing vintage aircraft collection is bound to make an impression on you.
Quick Facts:
- The aviation museum is located at Kymi Airfield in Kotka.
- Karhulan ilmailukerho Aviation Museum was opened in 1992.0.
- The aviation museum is operated by the Karhulan Ilmailukerho who.
Address: Lentokentäntie 234, 48720 Kotka, Finland
14. St. Nicholas Church
A beautiful addition to city’s architecture, St. Nicholas Church is a house of christian worship located in Kotka.
Even while the facade is gorgeous in their own right, the inside is worth seeing as well. As this is a sacred location, anyone who want to enter are advised to cover their knees and shoulders.
Quick Facts:
- A fine example of Neoclassical architecture, the church is a center of Orthodox faith.
- The church was opened on 1799.
If you have time, it makes for a nice addition to your Kotka trip.
Address: Papinkatu, 48100 Kotka, Finland
Thanks for reading this travel blog, hope now you know plenty of must see places in Kotka. In this Kotka travel blog post, I have listed not just what to see in Kotka but also what to do.
And if you plan it well, these popular tourist attractions in Kotka can be easily covered in a short itinerary. So what are Kotka sights to see or you have already been here? Let me know in the comments along with your tips and experiences.