Fall in love with maritime Kotka

Unpretentious, gritty and touching straight into our hearts, the coastal city Kotka passionately proclaims Miä

<3 Kotka (I love Kotka)! Its sea breezes whisper love, fairness and courage, its parks glow with a unique, brilliant splendour, and the best way to get to its heart is at the summer market with a Posso-donut coffee, under the open sea sky.

Why not start the Kotka tour from Sapokka? Get to know the Finnish aquatic nature at Maretarium, where the flounder, carp and sturgeon will amaze you with their friendliness.

Top 5 Kotka

Maritime Centre Vellamo

Sapokka Water Garden Maretarium Katariina Seaside Park

Aino and Alvar Aalto’s Sunila

Breathe in the relaxed atmosphere of the terraces of the small marina, tour the country’s most prestigious parks, each more magnificent than the last, and take a memorable selfie by the delightful waterfall of Sapokka Water Garden, in the splendour of orange, yellow, red and purple azaleas and rhododendrons.

Stroll through Mansikkalahti beach to the Katariina Seaside Park to cleanse your soul of the last remains of everyday life. In the park built around the Svensksund Fortress ruins, you can explore the miniature models of the lighthouses of the Eastern Gulf of Finland, fish, play frisbee golf, enjoy picnic lunches, lose yourself in the labyrinth and above all admire the stunning seascape, (in good weather all the way to Suursaari Island over on the Russian side). All of this is what Kotka is known for, the incredibly relaxed harbour atmosphere, the feeling of freedom brought by sea breezes and lounging in the seclusion of the most wonderful parks.

If architecture and design are your thing, Kotka offers several wonderful sites to admire, from Art Nouveau houses to stunning murals, but above all the unique and globally valuable Aalto site in Sunila. The iconic Sunila is the architect couple Aino and Alvar Aalto’s most extensive design work and it attracts tourists interested in architecture from all over the world. Sunila, a residential district located 13 kilometres from the centre of Kotka, is an excellent destination for a summer day cycling trip.

You should come to the city, especially on the last weekend of July, because then the streets are filled with carnival fun, when Kotka Maritime festival, one of the biggest festivals in our country, kicks off. In the blocks of the ‘City by the Sea’, throw yourself into the whirlwind of culture, dine in restaurants and feel the wonderfully relaxed atmosphere of a seaside town.

Explore the number one attaction in Kotka

Did you know that the biggest naval battle in the history of the Baltic Sea took place off the coast of Kotka? At the end of the 18th century, the fortress town of Svensksund, now present-day Kotka, was built. Its mission was to protect St. Petersburg, the capital of the Russian Empire at that time. However, it would be almost completely destroyed in the battles. Despite this history of war, Kotka still lives on in the amongst the ruins of Svensksund fortress which can be seen throughout the city’s parks and nearby archipelago. The shipwrecks off the coast of Kotka are being studied and photographed to increase public awareness. You can learn about the history of the Svensksund fortress town and its inhabitants at Maritime Centre Vellamo. From its architecturally impressive, wave- shaped halls, you can enjoy numerous high-quality and insightful exhibitions.

Experience top events at the Event Centre Satama

Enjoy the vibrant hub of entertainment: Event Centre Satama, set to open in August 2023 in the legendary harbour atmosphere of Kantasatama, Kotka. Designed by ALA, who are also behind the renowned Oodi Library in Helsinki, this remarkable venue features unique suspended wooden roofs which create an enchanting atmosphere for concerts, seminars, sports events, and leisure activities.

Nestled by the sea, Event Centre Satama promises an unforgettable experience uniting people in celebration and enjoyment. Get ready to be captivated by the magic of Event Centre Satama, the new epicentre of entertainment in Kotka.