City: Kymenlaakso
Top Things to do in Kymenlaakso
10 Free Things to do in Kymenlaakso That You Shouldn't Miss
Kymenlaakso (literally Kymi Valley) (Swedish: Kymmenedalen) is a region in Finland. It borders to the regions Uusimaa, Päijänne Tavastia, Southern Savonia and South Karelia. Its name means literally The Valley of River Kymijoki. Kymijoki is one of the biggest rivers in Finland with a drainage basin with 11% of the area of Finland. The city of Kotka with 55,000 inhabitants is located at the delta of River Kymijoki and has the most important import harbour in Finland. Other cities are Kouvola further in the inland which has after a municipal merger 88,000 inhabitants and the old bastion town Hamina.
Restaurants in Kymenlaakso
1. Repovesi National Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 161 reviews
Reviewed By walidr797 - Hamina, Finland
the park has endless beauty, you can walk for hours and still discover amazing spots for wonderful sights. This national park is a treasure, filled with unending greenery, lakes, hills, mushrooms, berries and so much more such as camping. You might walk for hours before realizing that you are tired.
2. Pyhtaa Church of Saint Henry
3. Haapasaari Island
4. Linden Esplanade
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By MikaelF413 - Vantaa, Finland
This central 800-meter-long pedestrian street is bordered by two parallel rows of linden trees. The first trees were planted as early as the 19th century. Later there were many sculptures added and today it is called Kotka Sculpture Promenade.
5. Santalahti Nature Trail
6. Kaunissaari Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16 reviews
Island is a popular destination for fishing and cmaping enthusiasts.
Reviewed By BeachStone2C - Helsinki, Finland
It is a 1.5-2h hour boat trip from Kotka to Kaunissaari - and it’s a free ride. The boat has restroom and seat but no services, bring your own drinks and snacks. The island is idyllic and historical. It is made for a bicycle trip around the island. There are some basic services and small museums on the island. Make sure you check the boat / ferry schedule, every weekday seems to be different.
7. Sapokka Water Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 255 reviews
Reviewed By Matkamanna - Southern Finland, Finland
Best park in Kotka, must to see place. Suitable size for lovely walk. A lot of beautiful flowers and a waterfall. Close to Maretarium, parking place may be full on summer days.
8. Hamina Old Town
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 46 reviews
Reviewed By FiftyFifty5050 - Montgomery, United Kingdom
We were staying with our daughter and partner in Hamina, who have been there since the beginning of the year, living in an apartment within the old town, in sight of the cathedral - really in the centre of the community. Wooden buildings predominate, mostly no more than two or three stories and a distinctive style. My other half thought it was reminiscent of a Chekhov play, I thought it was rather like finding oneself in the middle of a Tolstoy novel - I am sure there are famous Finnish authors who would be more appropriately quoted here. The buildings have been allowed to speak for themselves and display their beauty because, whilst shops, offices and restaurants are housed within some of them, signage is kept low key and you almost have to be at the window or door before the nature of the business becomes apparent. This only lends to the character of the streets. The town hall is literally at the centre of the town, with all other streets radiating out like the spokes of a wheel - all roads lead to the centre. This is a military town and there are parade grounds and buildings to see and the Bastion fortification - well worth a walk around.
9. Kotka Sculpture Promenade
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 42 reviews
The Sculpture Promenade of Contemporary Art with a length of approx. 2 kilometres traverses the centre of Kotka. The Linden Boulevard running parallel with Keskuskatu street won a national environmental structure award in 2001, when the first sculptures were also unveiled. In 2004, the Association of Finnish Sculptors granted the Pro Sculptura medal to the Sculpture Promenade. More than 20 sculptures have been placed between Port Kantasatama and Haukkavuori over a distance of approx. 2 kilometres. The sculptures are within a short walking distance of each other, and along the route there are cafes, restaurants, playgrounds and park benches if you wish to rest for a while. There is a separate brochure of the Sculpture Promenade.
Reviewed By MikaelF413 - Vantaa, Finland
This central 800-meter-long pedestrian street starts from Sibelius Park. The beautiful promenade is bordered by two parallel rows of linden trees. You can find many interesting sculptures along the way.
10. St. Nicholas Orthodox Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 21 reviews
Reviewed By mikaelk676 - Copenhagen, Denmark
My other brother lives just on the other side of the park. This Russian Orthodox Church was the very few of buildings which were not bombed down during the WWII. The entire city was bombed down, and so this church maintained its power as the shrine for the patron saint of sailors, helper of the poor ( all we know Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas ) and also patron saint of the island Kotka. What you go to see are the beautiful icons covered in gemstones and precious metals, and the rose oil and galbanum burning always as an eternal prayer. The ceiling with its gold stars is worth a peek, just lay down on the floor and amazement the beauty of the thousands of stars on a blue background. This church is also worth seeing for its Christmas Mass, pompous of course because it is the church of Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas, Nicholaj...and the Easter Mass with the entire community lead by gold clad priests round the church seven times...take a picnic with you and enjoy on the greens, or check if they have the fish pond, selling fresh salmon, and cure and prepare it if you want to!
