Raseborg - city in the region of Uusimaa in Finland

Raseborg (Finnish: Raasepori) is a municipality of 27,000 people (2021) covering a few towns and a large rural area in Uusimaa. It is home to a medieval castle.

Understand

Raseborg was created in 2009 by consolidating the municipalities of Ekenäs, Karis and Pohja into a single one. The majority (66%) of the population speaks Swedish. A medieval castle of Raseborg located in the former municipality Snappertuna gives name to the new municipality.

• Bromarv, 59.9877°, 23.0322°. Former municipality in the western archipelago.
• Ekenäs (Tammisaari), 59.974429°, 23.435454°. Ekenäs is a coastal town at the edge of an archipelago, part of which is the Ekenäs Archipelago National Park. It has a pretty old town consisting of narrow streets of wooden houses. Ekenäs guest marina at 59° 58' 41" 23° 26' 10" is large for the size of the city and known for its beauty and good location adjacent to city centre.
• Karis (Karjaa), 60.071008°, 23.661532°. Karis is a town and railway junction on the Helsinki–Turku and the Hanko–Hyvinkää line, hub for many of the connections.
• Pojo (Pohja), 60.096092°, 23.527465°. Pojo is one of the birthplaces of Finnish metal industry. The ironworks of Billnäs was founded there around the same time as Fiskars ironworks.
• Snappertuna, 59.9982°, 23.6509°. Former municipality. 2022-11-18
• Tenala (Tenhola), 60.0586°, 23.2980°. Former municipality. 2022-06-23
• Fiskars Village, 60.133333°, 23.55°. Fiskars is known as an idyllic artisanal village destination, and location of the historic Fiskars ironworks. It is a centre of art and industrial and non-industrial design a 20-minute bus ride north of Karis. Fiskars Corporation, the oldest functioning Finnish company, was founded around the Fiskars ironworks in the 17th century. It has places to stay and dine around the year if you can afford to splurge. There are things to see, and you can buy design, artworks, modern industrial products of known Finnish brands, art and utility glass products, metal wares, clothing, jewelry, ceramics, leather goods, fair trade world products, furniture, handicrafts, artisan beers and graphic works.
• Jussarö (Jussaari), 59.826667°, 23.568333°. The only Finnish ghost town, 18 km south of Ekenäs, off the coast. Guest marina by the Hanko–Helsinki leg. A waterbus service to Jussarö is available from Baggö Marina, Baggövägen 1275.

Get in

See also: King's Road (Finland)

Karis can be reached by route 51 from Helsinki. It is located about 80 km west from the capital. After another 20 km along route 25 in direction of Hanko you will arrive in Ekenäs. From Turku you can come via highway E18 and route 52, the distance to Ekenäs is about 115 km.

Karis is a railway junction, on the Kustbanan railway between Helsinki and Turku and on the railways from Hanko and Hyvinkää (no passenger trains from Hyvinkää, though).

From time to time some of Helsinki's commuter trains have extended to Karis. There has been a political preasure to restart those services, but as of February 2022 it seems you need to take the bus if coming from Kirkkonummi or Siuntio (or backtrack to Leppävaara, where the long-distance trains stop).

There are some coaches from Helsinki, Lohja and Hanko, some going all the way to Bromarv. See Matkahuolto.

Get around

Karis and Ekenäs are connected by rail and bus. Some of the coach services from the east continue from Karis to Bromarv. From Karis you can also take the regular 20 minute bus service to Fiskars around the year. Each place is small enough to be explored on foot comfortably.

The centre of Karis is opposite (north of) the train station. The tunnel from the platforms leads you straight to Köpmansgatan, which is the shopping street (or one block to the right from it, after the changes 2019–2020?) The bridge turns right after crossing the rails, leading to the supermarkets. The "travel centre" consists of a few platforms by the town-side end of the tunnel under the railway.

For a walk in a residential area of Karis, with villas and gardens, the Svartån river and Pumpviken park, walk half a kilometre east (to the right) from the centre, e.g. along Centralgatan or Högbergsgatan. The ridge behind the station is Lojoåsen (Lohjanharju), part of the Salpausselkä terminal moraine left by the Ice Age, separating the Finnish Lakeland from the Gulf of Finland and continuing as the Hanko peninsula to south-west.

There is a route planner for bus trips.

Byabus (dead link: March 2023) (Village bus) is a dial-a-ride service that operates within Raseborg. By the village bus locals can get from their home to the nearest centre (Karis or Ekenäs). The village bus is said to be "for everyone", but it is unclear whether non-locals are included. It can be ordered via the Byabus web site (dead link: January 2023) (login required) or by calling the booking centre +358 19 289-2533 (M–F 12:00–15:00).

By bike

There is a cycleway between Karis and Ekenäs.

Raseborg has Donkey Republic bike sharing bikes at six stations: in Ekenäs at the railway station, the marina and either Novia(during school terms) or restaurant Knipan (in summer); in Karis at the travel centre (the bus platforms opposite the railway station); and in Billnäs and Fiskars. Using the bike requires an app, which allows using such bikes also in several other towns in Finland and abroad (the company is Danish).See more information from Visit Raseborg.

By taxi

See Uusimaa#By taxi for information about other companies.

• Raseborgs taxi och buss, Sparvgränd 5 B, Dragsvik (office), +358 45-128-3949, office@pikaposti.fi. Serves the Raseborg area and surroundings (Lohjaa, Ingå, Hanko, Salo, Kimitoön). Also bus and minibus charter.
• Taxi Service Hafström Roger, Pojo, +358 400-201-992. 2020-03-15
• Smartphone apps: Valopilkku, 02 Taksi

See

• Raseborg castle ruins, Raseborgs slottsväg (Fin: Raaseporin linnantie), Snappertuna, 59.991609°, 23.650998°, +358 19 234015, raseborgsslottsknekt@gmail.com. May–first half of Jun: daily 10:00–17:00; Midsummer's week–first half of Aug: 10:00–20:00; rest of Aug and weekends in Sep: 10:00–17:00. A pretty medieval castle (from 14th century). It was built near the sea shore, but due the post-glacial rise of land, it eventually lost its access to the sea and therefore also its strategic importance. Café Slottsknektens stuga (The Castle Guard's Lodge) near the ruin was open already in 1893 to serve tourists. Apart from offering refreshments, it sells tickets to the castle and provides local information. A beautiful forest path, Kärleksstigen (Lovers’ Walk), leads from the castle ruins to the folk museum "Snappertuna Forngård". Adult €5, children under 12 free
• Ekenäs Nature Centre, Strandallén, 59.976949°, 23.430152°, +358 20-564-4613, tammisaari@metsa.fi. May 2 to August 31: daily 10:00–15:00, 10:00–18:00 or 10:00–19:00 in peak season (2016). Groups also off season.. Visitor centre for Ekenäs Archipelago National Park. Information on the Baltic Sea and western Uusimaa archipelago. Also activities for children. Free 2016-12-09
• Fiskars museum, Åkerraden 9, Fiskars, 60.131969°, 23.555314°, +358 19 237013, info@fiskarsmuseum.fi. Daily 11:00-17:00. The museum shows life at the Fiskars Ironworks from the 17th century to present days. Adult €5, discount €3, under 17 years free
• Jussarö island (Jussaari), Jussarö (waterbus service from Baggö Marina, Baggövägen 1275), 59.826667°, 23.568333°, +358 400-856-544. Jussarö was a mining city where iron ore was mined once. Between 1967-2005 the island was used by the Finnish Defence Forces. The island's services in season include guest marina services operated from Café Ön, a small shop of some sorts, rent-a-sauna, guided tours and since 2016 also lodging.

Do

National Park

• Ekenäs Archipelago National Park. Part of the archipelago off Ekenäs is a national park. The larger wooded islands and the general seascape are reachable by taxi boat. A sailboat or sea kayak is ideal to explore all of the archipelago. 2016-12-09

Canoeing

• Paddlingsfabriken in Ekenäs, Gullövägen 400, Ekenäs (across the water from the centre, but the road has to circle it: Baggövägen to the south, then Jomalviksvägen to Gullövägen), 59.947048°, 23.413966°, +358 400-411-992, info@paddlingsfabriken.fi. Kayak rentals, courses, guided tours in archipelago.

Theatre

• Raseborg Summer Theatre, Raseborgs Slottsväg, +358 19 241-5035.

Skiing and hill car

• Påminne Ski, Brunkom Strandväg 1, Åminnefors (7 km north-west from Karis, towards Pojo; cannot miss it), +358 19 238-955, paminne@paminne.com. Finland's southernmost ski centre, run by a non-profit association. Rentals, ski and snowboard instruction and very affordable café with small eats and alcoholic beverages.

Hikes

• Läppträsket lake, 60.04892°, 23.65075°. Cultural and environmental path (about 2.3 km) along the Läppträsket lake. Several ancient remains and nature attractions. 2020-01-11

Events

• Faces Festival, 60.1298°, 23.5460°, +358 46 849 0653, office@faces.fi. First weekend of August (?). The Faces Festival features its usual unusual mix of all kinds of music and food from home and abroad. Also for families, which are offered camping with a swimming beach. Indoor and outdoor venues.
• Raseborgs Festspel (Raseborg Festival), 59.947048°, 23.413966°. Series of events including Raseborg's summer theatre, Midsummer festival, Medieval fair and tournaments in July, etc.
• Fiskars Antique Days, Peltorivi 7 (Old Knivefactory), info@fiskarsinantiikkipaivat.fi. A yearly event in mid-July bringing professional antique sellers with their wares and buyers together in Fiskars. 2016-04-23

Buy

Buy in Ekenäs

• Ekenäs marketplace, Radhustorget, +358 45 6155900. Local farmers' and market Wednesdays and Saturdays with fresh fish at good prices from local fishers 2016-04-22
• Kungsgatan. Kungsgatan is Finland's first pedestrian-only street and still sided by boutiques of various wares. 2016-04-22

Buy in Fiskars

Shoppes in Fiskars sell design, artworks, modern industrial products of known Finnish brands, art and utility glass products, metal wares, clothing, jewelry, ceramics, leather goods, fair trade world products, furniture, handicrafts, artisan beers, graphics and chocolate. There is also a small convenience store.

• Fiskars Shop, Fiskarsintie 22, Fiskars (Clock Tower Building,), 60.129698°, 23.542283°, +358 204 39 5612, shop.fiskars-ruukki@iittala.com. 13 May-31 Aug: daily 10:00-18:00; other times: daily 11:00-17:00. Company stores of favourite Finnish brands: Fiskars, Arabia, Hackman and Iittala.
• Rekola Brewery and Shop, Peltorivi 7, +358 40 938 1411. Rekola Brewery and Shop est 2012 offers artisan brews in the heart of Fiskars. 2016-04-23

Buy in Karis

See Get around above. Supermarkets and a pedestrian shopping street with a basic supply. The small second-hand shop near the travel centre might have some nice souvenirs.

Eat

In Ekenäs

• Piazza, Stationsvägen 6, +358 45-141-5984. 11:00–15:00. Lunch served in the loft restaurant in a building designed by Alvar Aalto. ca €10 2016-04-22
• YLP, Stora Kyrkogatan 23, nictorzon@gmail.com, peik.victorzon@gmail.com. Tu–Sa 16:00–21:00. Pizzeria by former Michelin chef. Local ingredients (including game and mushroom) from small scale producers except for salt, olive oil, coffee and wines. Pizzas may sell out before closing time. Groups of more than four should book (by e-mail) Tu–Th. In Corona times take away only. €13–18 2020-04-04

In Karis

Budget

• Pizzeria Catello, Bangatan 65 (200m from the railway station). M–Th 11:00–22:00, F Sa 11:00–00:00; Su 11:00-22:00. Excellent pizzeria with a reputation of high quality kebabs and very large and well presented pizzas with reasonable prices. 2016-08-13

Splurge

• Restaurang KW, Högbergsgatan 12, +358 44-754-9842, restaurang@restaurangkw.com. Su-Th 11:00–21:00, later on F & Sa. One of the finer dining establishments in Karis. Lunch and à la carte. 2016-04-23

In Fiskars

• Fiskars Wärdshus Hotel and Restaurant, Fiskarsvägen 14, +358 19 276-6510, warssy@wardshus.fi. Fiskars Wärdshus has been serving travellers in the village since 1836. splurge 2016-04-22

Drink

In Karis

• Art Café Serendipity, Köpmansgatan 30, +358 19 236-872. 08:30–00:00. Small eats, drinks, occasional live and recorded music, graphic arts and non-alcoholic possibilities in hearty atmosphere: a second (or first?) living room for many of the youth. Short walk north of Karis centre. The garden is lovely for refreshments in the summer and live fire in the stove keeps the house warm in the winter. 2016-04-22
• Club 18, Alingsåsgatan 37 (Karis railway station building), +358 40 0392363, granstrom.wikman@gmail.com. 12:00-02:00. Restaurant by day and one centre for social life in Karis day and night. Billiard, dart. Pizzas, burgers, hot wings. 2016-04-22

Sleep

In Ekenäs

• Hotel SeaFront, Vitsippsgatan 2 / Valkovuokonkatu 2, +358 19 246-1500, info@hotelseafront.fi. Peaceful hotel to the north of the city centre. Boat places but only for motor boats as it is north of the low railway and highway bridge. 2016-04-22
• Marine Motel and Restaurant, Kammakaregatan 4–6, +358 19 241-3833, reception@motelmarine.fi. 2016-04-23
• Stadshotellet Ekenäs, +358 19 241-3131. Hotel with 20 rooms and 2 restaurants. 2016-04-23

In Karis

• Dönsby Bed and Breakfast, +358 50-537-9584, book@donsby.net. Dönsby Bed and Breakfast is 4 km from the Karis city centre in a serene country side setting. Max 10 guests in four rooms. Classic Finnish close-sourced breakfast during summer-season; off-season guests are welcome to use the guest kitchen. 2016-04-22

In Fiskars

• Hotel Tegel, Fiskarsintie 9, +358 50-441-9179, tegel@tegel.fi. 2016-04-22
• Fiskars Wärdshus Hotel and Restaurant, Fiskarsintie 14, +358 19 276-6510, warssy@wardshus.fi. Fiskars Wärdshus Hotel and Restaurant has been serving travellers since 1836. 2016-04-22

In Svartå

• Svartå Manor (Mustion Linna / Svartå Slott), +358 19 362-31, info@mustionlinna.fi. Svartå Manor offers the most luxurious lodging in a beautiful park setting. 2016-04-23

In Billnäs

• Eden Billnäs B&B, Sjösängintie 23 (near the Billnäs ironworks), +358 40-580-0082, info@edenbillnas.fi. Offers lodging around the year. 2016-04-23

In Bromarv

• Hummeldal, Hummeldalintie 588 (25 km south-west of the centre of Ekenäs), 59.9470093°, 23.103912°, +358 40-546-2945, hummeldal@hummeldal.net. Traditional Finnish holiday cottages. You can also rent a motorboat and see domestic farm animals. 2021-03-04
• Kansjerf kulturgård, Kansjärvvägen 170 A (1.85 km from Bromarv church towards Padva along Vättlaxvägen, then 1.7 km along Kansjärvvägen; transport from Bromarv, Ekenäs or Karis by request), 59.9620°, 23.0119°, +358 44-987-0251 (08:00–20:00), info@kulttuuritila.fi. Café and restaurant 2022: Jun–14 Aug W–Sa 11:00–22:00 Su 11:00–16:00, May Sa–Su only. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Mansion with retreats and cultural events. Four rooms with beds for 3–4 persons in the main building from 1809. Shared toilets and kitchen, breakfast and linen included. Laid-back and tranquil atmosphere. One wing can be combined to a suit with own bathroom and kitchen. Arrangements for artist (with broad interpretation) on longer stays, including discount, possibly full board and perhaps a separate study. Musicians can get access to a professional studio. Restaurant with 3-course lunch and 4-course dinner (table reservations at latest the preceding day). Summer café in the garden, with lunch. Farm animals. Most info is in Finnish, but owners (the same since 1811) and other staff Swedish-speaking, some events in Swedish. Single €90, double €150, family €200; lunch of the day $13, three-course lunch €41, four-course dinner €55; yoga €17 (group) or €55–65 (private) 2022-06-23

Connect

• Prepaid data SIM cards are widely available from R-kiosks at reasonable prices. Customer convenience Wi-Fi is not very widespread due to everyone having a data plan in their phone.

Go next

• Port, marina and sunbathing city of Hanko is reachable by half-an-hour rail link from Karis railway station or by taking Main Road 25 south-west. From Hanko Port there is car and cargo ferry connection to Nynäshamn, Sweden.
• For history fans, travel east or west along the King's Road
• Lohja to the north-east on the Main Road 25