Before you start to plan your visit to Raseborg without a car, it is important to know that traffic-related digital services do not recognize a stop called Raseborg. When you buy tickets online, you should choose e.g. Karis (Finnish: Karjaa), Raseborgs Castle Ruin, Ekenäs (Finnish: Tammisaari) or Fiskars as a destination. Here follows some examples of how to get to some popular destinations in Raseborg without a car.
At Helsinki central railway station, the train going towards Turku usually leaves from platform 12. Get on the train heading towards Turku at 8:36 am. After about 50 minutes of train ride, get off the train when the train arrives at Karis railway station in Raseborg at 9:31. To get from Karis to Ekenäs, walk past the station building towards track 1, where the small train to Ekenäs departs. The regional train departs at 9:36. Its end destination is Hanko, but it also stops at Ekenäs railway station in Raseborg where you hop off after a 13 minute ride. Now you have arrived in the beautiful Ekenäs!
The bus to Ekenäs departs from Kamppi bus station in Helsinki at 12:40 pm Mondays-Sundays during the summer. There are several bus connections per day, of which this is just one. Get on the Ampers bus heading towards Hanko, which usually departs from platform 16. The bus ride takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes, so you’ll arrive in Ekenäs in Raseborg at 14:10. In Ekenäs, the bus stops at Ekenäs bus station, next to the railway station.
You are now in Ekenäs in Raseborg, at Järnvägsgatan. Opposite the railway station and bus station where you arrived, you will see, among other things, an S-Market. If you follow Torngatan that goes past the store, you’ll come to Stationsvägen. If you follow Stationsvägen up the hill you will reach Ekenäs center. The road leads into Ekenäs pedestrian street and to town square. At the town square you can continue down to the harbour, the beach, the park and its restaurants, cafes and more. You can also walk to Ekenäs Old Town and walk through the small streets, see Ekenäs Church and enjoy the small-town idyll. To the west of the town square is Raseborg museum and Raseborg’s tourist info. More tips on what to see and do in Ekenäs during a day visit.
You can also travel from Ekenäs to its neighbouring rural areas of Tenala or Snappertuna, where the mighty Raseborg’s Castle ruins can be visited. A fun way to get to these areas is for instance by bike. Bicycle rental points and more tips on cycling in Raseborg.
Journey home
The regional train or bus from Ekenäs railway station to Karis railway station leaves at 18:02 and arrives in Karis at 18:15. At the train station, the train back towards Helsinki soon departs at 18:28 from track 2.
If you prefer to return by bus, a bus leaves from Ekenäs bus station at for example 15:35 and arrives at Kamppi bus station in Helsinki at 17:05.
2024: Turku-Ekenäs
By train (Monday-Sunday)
From Turku railway station, the train departs to Helsinki at 8:31 am. This train stops at Karis railway station in Raseborg at 9:26. To get from Karis to Ekenäs, walk past the station building towards track 1, where the small regional train to Ekenäs departs. The regional train departs at 9:36. Its end destination is Hanko, but it also stops at Ekenäs railway station in Raseborg where you hop off after a 13 minute ride. Now you have arrived in the beautiful Ekenäs!
Bus routes between Turku and Ekenäs are unfortunately not available.
Read more about activities in Ekenäs and its surrounding areas under “In Ekenäs“.
2024: Helsinki-Fiskars
Helsinki-Fiskars by train + bus, Monday-Sunday
To get to Fiskars in Raseborg from Helsinki, you should get on the train at Helsinki central railway station at 8:36 am. The train usually departs from platform 12. The train heads towards Turku, and stops at Karis railway station in Raseborg after a 55 minute train ride. Get off at Karis railway station, where the train arrives at 9:31 am. Follow the sign in the tunnel towards the city center and the bus station. At the end of the tunnel, you’ll see the bus station in front of you. Hop on Raseborg’s public transport buses Bosse towards Fiskars, departing from Karis Travel Center at 9:40. After travelling for about 30 minutes, the bus arrives at Fiskars Village center at 10:10. You are now at the town square in Fiskars. There are multiple bus departures to Fiskars on both weekends and weekdays. Tickets can be easily purchased by downloading the Waltti mobile application on your phone.
At 13:50 the bus departs back from Fiskars bus stop at the town square to Karis travel center. You’ll be at Karis bus station at 14:20. The train back to Helsinki leaves at 14:28. Make your way back to the travel center by going through the tunnel, and then up to track 2, where the train to Helsinki usually departs. Have a nice travel home, and welcome back!
Fiskars Village is a small but culturally and historically very rich village. Fiskars Village is known as a center of Finnish design and art. More about Fiskars Village and its attractions on Fiskars Village website.
Fiskars is blooming with wonderful, small craft shops, cafes and restaurants. You will find them along Fiskarsvägen next to the river, as well as on the smaller streets next to the town square. At Åkerraden you can visit Fiskars Museum, where you can get acquainted with the village and its history through themed exhibitions, time travel, workshops and events. In addition, we recommend for those interested in art to look into Onoma‘s art exhibition or KWUM ceramics museum.
2024: Turku-Fiskars
By train and bus (Monday-Friday)
The journey from Turku to Fiskars in Raseborg starts at Kupittaa railway station. Hop on the train heading towards Helsinki, which departs at 8:31 am. After approximately 1 hour of train ride, get off the train at Karis railway station in Raseborg, where the train arrives at 9:26. At the platform, go down to the tunnel and follow the signs pointing towards the city center and towards the bus station. At the end of the tunnel, you’ll see the bus station in front of you. Hop on Raseborg’s public transport buses Bosse towards Fiskars, departing from Karis Travel Center at 9:40. After travelling for about 30 minutes, the bus arrives at Fiskars Village center at 10:10. You are now at the town square in Fiskars. There are multiple bus departures to Fiskars on both weekends and weekdays. Tickets can be easily purchased by downloading the Waltti mobile application on your phone.
There will be buses going from Fiskars to Karis for the whole afternoon, but please remember to check if the bus timetables work with the departure time of the train you’re planning top take. A journey home could look for example like this: at 13:50 the bus departs back from Fiskars bus stop at the town square to Karis travel center. You’ll arrive at Karis bus station at 14:20. Go through the tunnel towards the train station and up to track 3, where the Turku trains usually depart. The train arrives at 14:32. Get on the train and have a nice journey home. Welcome back to Raseborg!
City Bikes in Raseborg
City bikes have arrived in Raseborg too! We have bike stations in Karis, Fiskars, Ekenäs and Billnäs. The bikes are a handy and affordable way to get to know the nature and different villages of Raseborg. Why not perhaps take a train to Karis, and after that jump on a bike and pedal along the beautiful Railbank route to see both Billnäs and Fiskars? Learn more about the practicalities of using our city bikes here.
In Raseborg you have all you need for a perfect fishing trip. Whether you’re after a chill boating trip with a few tosses of a fishing rod or weeks living a fisher’s life out in the sea, we’ve got you covered! If you don’t have a boat of your own, you can hire one from a local entrepreneur. Raseborg also offers you several fishing trip organizers, who will tailor you all inclusive fishing trips with the newest equipment for both small and bigger groups.
Tips for a perfect trip
We’re happy you’ve picked Raseborg as your destination! Raseborg arcipelago’s small islands and bays are unique in their beauty – we know you will fall in love with them. From our waters you’ll catch for example pike, pike-perch, burbot and whitefish. Remember to also step ashore! You’ll find hidden treasures you don’t want to miss.
In Raseborg there are several guest harbors that will get you in the real archipelago atmosphere. How about dropping by for a coffee in the beautiful Sommaröstrand or in the archipelago village Bromarv? If you fancy exploring the fascinating, lush archipelago nature, make a stop on the national park’s largest island Älgö. There you’ll find a nature trail, a lookout tower and a charming old fisher’s house. The old mining island Jussarö is also certainly worth a visit – the island has a fascinating history as an army base, but the island also surprises with the beauty of its nature. If you want to see more ascetic archipelago environment, visit the islands of Fladalandet or Mondermagan, the previous one protected as a culturally invaluable landscape.
If you want to go camping in the archipelago, you have numerous options. Further from the mainland, you can camp for example in Fladalandet or Mondermågan. You can also camp in other islands per the everyman’s rights. Remember in all cases to check beforehand where camping is allowed, because in some areas of the national park camping is prohibited. There’s also one camping site with broad services in the archipelago, in Kopparö, and another in Ekenäs.
Are you longing for a fishing trip, but don’t own a boat? We’ve got you covered! You can either rent a boat for yourself, or book a guided fishing trip from a professional fisher. Find out more of the fishing services in Raseborg here.
There are local restrictions and rules for fishing in Ekenäs and Raseborg area. Here you’ll find the map, restrictions and instructions Metsähallitus has made about fishing in Ekenäs archipelago national park (Finnish and Swedish). If you need translation or clarification, contact eraluvat@metsa.fi or call the Metsähallitus service number +358 (0)20 69 2424.
Instructions for fishing
What licences and fees do you need to pay for fishing in Raseborg? The fisheries management fee is required in Finland, if you are between 18-65 years old and will be fishing with lures or traps or crayfishing. The amount of the fee for year 2020 is 45€/ year, 15€ / week and 6€/ day, and it entitles you to fish in nearly the whole country using one rod. In some areas and cases however, anglers will also require the permission of the owner of a given water area. The proceeds from the fisheries management fee are used to manage fishing waters and fish stocks, as well as providing advice to anglers and monitoring fishing activity. For more information, please check eraluvat.fi. You can also email eraluvat@metsa.fi or call the Metsähallitus service number +358 (0)20 69 2424.
You don’t need to pay the fee if you’re only ice fishing, hook and line fishing or fishing with a simple herring rig. However, in some areas fishing with these means can also be prohibited or restricted.
Angling with more than one rod and trap fishing require a fishing permit in addition to paying the fisheries management fee. These permissions are sold by the owner of the water area. There are also restrictions in Raseborg’s archipelago in protected water areas, rapids and running waters with migratory fish stocks, and other special locations. Find out about the restrictions here (Finnish and Swedish) and more information here.
Are you a local and wishing to fish with traps? Find out information about fishing permits in Raseborg’s water areas here (Finnish and Swedish).
Take care of your safety
Remember to mind yours and your crew’s safety! Before heading out to sea, make sure you have the skills and equipment you need. Make sure someone that stays on the shore knows where you’re headed and when you plan to return, and always check the weather forecast beforehand. Find out more about safety and responsibility here.
Remember to consider other boaters and the people living on the shores. Locals thank you for keeping a distance to their cottages and docks! When fishing, remember also to keep at least a 50m distance from marked traps, and take care of the beautiful archipelago nature.
Fishing etiquette
On the water, remember to follow the good fishing etiquette. For example the following is good to keep in mind:
Make sure you have the required permissions. Make sure that when needed, you can show you’ve paid the required fees etc.
Pay attention to other boaters and locals.
Remember that the parking lots and docks are used by everyone.
Fish only as much as you will eat.
Avoid fish planting areas.
Make sure to stun and cool your catch right away.
Take care of the environment, so it’ll always stay as beautiful as it is.
From this article you’ll find ideas and information about accessible places to visit in Raseborg. This list doesn’t contain every sight or service in Raseborg, but we tried to conclude a list with the most important and interesting sights of our town. Feel free to contact the companies you’re interested in, as there certainly are accessible places in addition to the ones listed in this article. Welcome to charming Raseborg!
The fascinating old ironworks Fiskars Village is filled with interesting cultural and historical attractions. The village was one of Southern Finland’s most important ironworks, and is nowadays known as the center of art, design and cultural life of whole Finland. This article contains information over many of the most interesting sights of the village.
Museums & Workshops
There are several interesting museums and art exhibitions in Fiskars. The Karin Widnäs ceramics museum and gallery KWUM has a ramp on the entrance. According to the owner people with wheelchairs have gotten in. The Onoma exhibition in Kuparipaja is also accessible by wheelchair, and in both of these museums the lighting is good.
Unfortunately Fiskars Museum is inaccessible to some visitors, as there are several narrow staircases and poorly lighted rooms in the museum. There are stairs at the entrance, and the yard is also non-accessible. Nevertheless the staff of the museum is eager to help visitors, and it is also possible to book a tailored guided tour or presentation for visitors with special needs. Some of the exhibition rooms can be experienced trough the senses of touch, smell and sound. As you may need a personal assistant for visiting the museum, assistants are welcomed for free. Please contact the museum staff in advance if you have more questions – find more information from their web page here.
Fiskars Village is filled with various artists’ and artisans’ workshops and ateliers. Out of these at least the Bianco Blu glassblowing workshop has a smaller threshold, and the door can be opened for bigger wheelchairs. The same goes with the Paatero ceramics workshop on the other side of the village. The smithy’s workshop is non-accessible due to a high threshold.
Restaurants & cafés
The popular restaurant Kuparipaja, that combines local foods with modern design is entered through a door with quite a small threshold – however there have been visitors that have made it in fine nevertheless. The terrace is accessible with wheelchair, and upstairs you can go by lift. There is also an accessible toilet in the restaurant. The famous and traditional restaurant Fiskars Wärdshus has in the side entrance only a small threshold, and the terrace doesn’t have any stairs in it. The cozy Café Antique can be accessed by wheelchair from the other side of the building through Onoma Shop.
Stay the night
Hotel The Torby is committed to promoting equality and accessibility. Yet you might need an assistant, for the thresholds can be quite high in an old building as such. Hotel Fiskars Wärdshus is unfortunately inaccessible due to numerous stairs. Around the Fiskars Village area there are also several cottages rented for tourists. If you wish to stay overnight in a cottage, please contact the person renting it.
Moving around in Fiskars
There are public toilets around the village in several locations. Accessible toilet rooms can be found for example next to the market field and in the old barracks building on the main street Fiskarsvägen. There are several parking areas, the most popular being the ones next to the Town Hall and the other next to the market field. There are also several benches, perfect for resting and admiring the views, for example along the river that flows through the beautiful village.
Ekenäs
Ekenäs is an idyllic seaside town that will charm you with its beauty! Here you’ll get to experience the historical milieu and stories from the fascinating Old Town, and get to sense the atmosphere of the lively small town Ekenäs now is known as. Ekenäs was founded in 1564 by the order of the Swedish king Gustav Vasa and has therefore a long and interesting history.
Museums & Galleries
Raseborgs museum is a popular attraction in Ekenäs. The museum presents regularly changing exhibitions, as well as permanent exhibition about the artist Helene Schjerfbeck and Raseborg’s history. The exhibitions are partly accessible for visitors with special needs, even though some of the rooms have poor lighting. Unfortunately the museum doesn’t have brochures or other texts in Braille. All the doorways of the museum are at least 85 cm wide and the thresholds max. 2,5 cm high. You can also loan a rollator at will, and use the accessible toilet.
Right next to the Raseborg Museum is the new, award-winning museum Chappe, where you can admire modern and contemporary art in Ekenäs. Chappe is an accessible museum with an accessible entrance from Gustav Wasas gatan. The museum’s three floors can be easily accessed by elevator, and the spaces are designed to facilitate movement with both a cane and a walker. Walkers can be borrowed from the ticket office. There are benches around the exhibition halls, but you can also borrow a lightweight chair to carry with you.
Hanko Front Museum of military history is a terrific attraction for history-lovers. The museum is located precisely where the front line of the Finnish-Soviet Continuation War in 1940’s and is therefore especially fascinating. The museum building has a ramp on the entrance, and the parking lot is located right next to the museum. The museum exhibits also old trenches, and if you’re interested about their accessibility you should contact the museum staff.
Next to the Raseborg museum the Gallery Elverket, presenting various changing exhibitions, can be entered nicely via a door with a small threshold. There’s also an accessible toilet available. There’s also two more galleries with entrances without stairs in Ekenäs, Lilla Galleriet on Gustav Vasas Gata and Gallery Perspective near the library of Ekenäs.
In addition to these sights, the church of Ekenäs can be visited via a ramp by the side door, since the main entrance has three stairs. However you may need assistance, since the ramp needs to be brought from inside the church. There’s an induction loop for hearing-impaired people.
Restaurants & cafés
Most of the restaurants in Ekenäs are accessible by wheelchair, even though some places might have higher thresholds. You can find an accessible toilet from at least the seaside restaurant GH Fyren and Ekenäs library in which you’ll find the vegetarian restaurant Hemma Hos Rastachef. By the Northern Harbor the popular restaurant Albatros is accessible with a wheelchair. The Pub Niska summer restaurant is inaccessible due to three stairs at the entrance and interiors with poor lighting.
Next to the Radhustorget market area the café Cafferiet has an entrance suitable for wheelchairs, and offers delicious lunch salads. Café Schjerfbeck on the opposite side of the market square has three stairs on it’s entrance, and next to it the Café Carl de Mumma has a terrace with a staircase, however it’s possible to go in the café. There are no accessible toilet facilities on these cafés.
Stay overnight
Motel Marine, which is located on perfectly in central Ekenäs near the beach, offers according to the owner one hotel room equipped for people with special needs. The room has a ramp, the doors are wide and the toilet is accessible. The motel’s restaurant and its terrace are also accessible. In addition to this, Hotel Sea Front can be entered accessibly, but there are no rooms equipped for special needs. The other hotels in town are non-accessible. If you’re interested about sleeping on a cottage, please contact the person renting it.
Ekenäs Camping is a camping site near the center of Ekenäs and the beautiful Ramsholmen nature park. The area is partly accessible: the reception and restaurant building is accessible, and there’s an accessible toilet in the building. However, there’s unfortunately a small threshold to the terrace. The toilet building of the camping site has a ramp, and there’s a shower chair in the accessible bathroom. However, the kitchen building is inaccessible due to an over 10cm threshold. The rental boats are relatively easy to be entered, for they’re in the nearby lawn.
Nature areas
The beautiful pearl of Ekenäs, protected forest area Ramsholmen is an excellent place for refreshing your mind. The lush park has been the local’s favorite for hundreds of years – for example the famous artist Helene Schjerfbeck has spoken admiringly of the area in her letters. The area consists of two islands and a cape, from which the cape Hagen and the first island, Ramsholmen are accessible. From the parking lot the journey starts with about 300m of gravel road, and after that the road turns into broad paths, easy to move on. Going from Hagen further to Ramsholmen, we’ll cross a bridge shown in the picture above. After this the path divides. The paths are wide and the altitude doesn’t change much. There are also benches along the way for resting with beautiful views. You can tailor the length of your visit by yourself, since the paths divide on several directions. Further in Högholmen area the paths turn narrower and more challenging.
From Ekenäs about eight kilometers towards Hanko, the beautiful Dagmar’s Park nature area surprises with it’s beauty. The crown of the park is its natural spring, which as well as the whole area is named after the Russian empress Dagmar or Maria Fedorovna, who fell in love with the beautiful bay on her cruises. The wide path starts from the parking lot going towards the spring and the beach, however accessing the beach can be difficult for the path is quite steep and turns narrower. Nevertheless the paths divide up on top of the hill into several directions and are easy to move on. In total the paths are a few kilometers long, and along them you’ll get to see beautiful views out to the sea. Unfortunately there’s no accessible toilet on the area: there’s a ramp to one of the toilets, but the toilet space is small and there are no armrests. Check out the map of the area from this link.
Moving around
There are no public toilet facilities in downtown Ekenäs on public places expect for portable toilets. The closest accessible toilets are in Ekenäs library, in Raseborgs museum and in the restaurant GH Fyren. There are several benches across the town, mostly near the shore along for example Västvallen and Skepparträdgården and Stallörensparken parks.
In addition to the accessible parking lots by the grocery stores, there are parking lots reserved for visitors with special needs on Radhustorget parking area and the parking lot in front of GH Fyren restaurant.
Sommarö & Öudden nature path
If you long for the archipelago, take a trip to the picturesque Skärlandet island and Sommaröstrand! The summer café and bistro Skärgårdsbageri & bistro offers self-baked delicious artisan products, which you can enjoy while admiring the view over the small guest harbor. There’s an accessible toilet on the sauna facilities of the café. However entering the inner facilities of the café can be challenging due to a high stair.
There’s a real nature treasure in Skärlandet island: the Öudden nature path, which was designed precisely for people with disabilities. The path passes for example a beautiful water lily pond. Since the path is a part of the arboretum area you’ll get to admire diverse plant species. At the end of the path there’s a garden for people with visual impairments, equipped with texts in Braille and a relief map of the arboretum. There are several parking lots nearby, the closest very near the path.
Karis
In Karis the Restaurant KW offers diverse quality food in an elegant setting. The restaurant rooms can be entered from behind the building via a ramp, and there’s also an accessible toilet. Hotel-restaurant Socis unfortunately doesn’t offer accessible stays. Neither does the Dönsby B&B near Karis due to several stairs both inside and at the entrance. Art Café Serendipity isn’t accessible due to several staircases in the restaurant and on the entrance. The cozy B&B Eden in Billnäs ironworks village is accessible, but as for wheelchairs, only smaller ones fit in and only with assistance.
Near the city center of Karis, the beautiful Pumpviken park area is perfect for recreation. The park stretches around the meandering Svartån river, and the wide paths are easy to move on. Along the paths there are benches for resting and admiring the lush vegetation – and perhaps even birdwatching! A specialty of the area is a quite wide hanging bridge, which connects the different parts of the park. Crossing it isn’t however necessary for seeing the whole area.
Near Karis lies a golfer’s dream, the Nordcenter Golf & Country Club. The club has a reputation of being one of the finest and most challenging golf courses in whole Finland. Therefore it’s a must-see for golfers! The area is partly accessible. The club’s parking lot is even, and the restaurant has an accessible toilet. However the entrance of the restaurant isn’t accessible. The locker rooms as well as the showers are suitable for people with disabilities. The range area is accessible, there are golf cars for use and of the courses the Benz course is accessible. The Fream course has quite an uneven terrain.
Svartå Manor
The magnificent Svartå Manor is one of the most prestigious manors in Finland. The estate was built in the 1700’s and has therefore an interesting history. The manor building itself is architecturally terrific, and the large garden area is also worth visiting, as it is well known for its beauty. During a visit make sure to take a look at the menu of the award-winning Restaurant Slottskrogen.
Svartå Manor operates as a hotel as well as a museum. The hotel unfortunately doesn’t offer rooms equipped for visitors with special needs, but the downstairs rooms are accessible for example with a wheelchair. The restaurant has an accessible toilet and has large rooms with quite a lot of space. The Manor museums first floor is accessible with large rooms with good lightning. Accessing the second floor requires climbing some stairs. Nonetheless the museum staff offers guided tours also just for the downstairs area, and even though you won’t experience the whole manor, they’ll teach you the same stories and anecdotes as for all!
The large English styled garden of the Manor is an arboretum-like park and one of the biggest private parks in Finland. The paths are wide and well-kept, and therefore nearly the whole area is accessible. How does for example a water lily pond sound like?
Raseborg’s Castle Ruins
Near the idyllic countryside village of Snappertuna lies one of the most exciting historical sight in Raseborg, the Raseborg Castle ruins. The castle was built in 1370’s to protect the coast and monitor the coastal trade lines. The original idea was for the castle to compete with Tallinn from being the most important trade center of the Baltic Sea. After it was abandoned in 1558 and has later been restored into what it looks like now.
There’s a Castle Taxi taking tourists to the castle and back. The taxi has a wheelchair seat and can be booked in advance. You can alternatively arrive by car to the nearby parking lot, where it’s about 300 meters path to the castle area and the ticket sale. The entrance of the castle courtyard is accessible via a broad bridge. However there are steep stairs and poorly lighted rooms in the interiors. The castle can therefore be admired from the courtyard.
The nearby Slottknektens stuga is a historical restaurant. It can be accessed with assistance as the hill before it is quite steep. There isn’t an accessible toilet in the restaurant, as the nearest is by the ticket sale. Unfortunately the Forngården museum in Snappertuna isn’t accessible, for the houses are old and poorly lighted.
In Snappertuna, further towards the coast from the castle, is the small forest area of Uusimaa Recreational Area Association, Kolaholmen. Kolaholmen is suitable for a short visit when you’re passing by the area. There’s a splendid archipelago view, a small sandy beach and some old, foreign tree species. The path to the beach is short, wide and flat.
Tenala & Bromarv
Tenala is a small countryside village near Ekenäs. Traveling past, you should definitely check out the local cheese shop, Frimans Diversehandel. The shop in addition to locally made cheese sells also diverse tools and artisan products. In addition to it, the cozy Restaurant Bakfickan is accessible with a wheelchair, however it doesn’t have an accessible toilet.
In the beautiful archipelago village of Bromarv the restaurant Theodors and the restaurant Strandbistro in the harbor are worth stopping by. Both the interior and the terrace of Theodors and Strandbistro are accessible for example by wheelchair. There’s also an accessible toilet in Theodors.
Near Bromarv the Sandviken nature area surprises with its beauty. Sandviken is part of the Uusimaa recreational area association’s areas, and has splendid views over the bay and Turku archipelago. There are no services on the area, but the paths are quite easy to move on as they are wide and even. Read more here.
Guided tours
Raseborg has a large amount of professional guides offering themed guided tours on different villages and areas. By taking a tour you’ll dive into the stories and history of the area, and experience your surroundings on a completely different way than before. It is also possible to book a tailored guided tour specifically for your or your group’s needs. The tours can be made for example suitable for people with wheelchairs, guidings made in sign language or suitable for people with different disabilities. We recommend contacting the Western Uusimaa guideclub’s Viveca Blomberg, who will brief you about the different possibilities.
General information
There are several taxi companies that provide wheelchair spaces, for example Menevä and Raseborgs Taxi & Buss (web page in Swedish and Finnish).
If you’re traveling with a guide dog, you might be in need of veterinary aid. Read more about the veterinaries in Raseborg here.
This article doesn’t list every enterprise in Raseborg, and the information on it might change over time – yet we plan to update it regularly. This list has been concluded from the information we as the tourism office got from companies by calling them directly, and it can be subject to changes. Most of the companies told us how they have usually done when for example a person with a wheelchair has visited, but we do not have precise information about the spaces and services, when it comes to all possible disabilities. Hopefully we will have more places sending us information about their own properties, so we can update this article to be more precise in the future.
We would love to get feedback from this article! You can send your feedback via email to tourist.office@raseborg.fi or call to +358 19 2892010.
Today there are still many craftsmen in Ekenäs, including shoemakers, watchmakers, furniture upholsterers and restaurateurs, carpenters, seamstresses and a framing shop. Ekenäs’ cosy bakeries and cafés are very popular, as are the market days on Wednesdays and Saturdays, especially in summer.
The streets of the Old Town are still inhabited. You can carefully look over the fences to the gardens as you stroll on the narrow alleys. So called gossip mirrors, decorative gates and window ornaments in different designs are nice details to look at. At Christmas time, those walking around the Old town can see a glimpse of a Christmas tree, an old tiled stove or a beautiful mirror door.
Stroll along the seashore
Basa Square next to Stallörsparken is a suitable starting point for a walk along Västvallen. There you can enjoy the sea views. The old shame pole in Basa Square recalls the days when public punishments were common.
At the beginning of the walk you pass the Old Sauna, a large brick building that was built in 1903. It was built as a bathhouse for the Russian high society. The building was the city’s public sauna until the late 1960s.
During the walk along the beach you can admire the Old town’s wooden houses, small boat harbours and lush parks. At Södra viken is the small, beautiful Våghus Park, with memorial stones to two Knights of the Mannerheim Cross, Tor Lindblad and airman Hans Wind. In Våghus Park you can also see when paddlers steer off to sea. In the Skepparträdgården Garden, which is a short walk away, you can ring the bell that is part of the artist Helene Schjerfbeck’s memorial.
Ekenäs is a seaside town. There are harbours of various kinds, beaches in the center of the town, and rocky beaches on Ramsholmen and Högholmen. In winter, the sea hides under the ice, but the winter bathers continue swimming at the swimming facility at Stallörsparken. About one kilometre from the center is Ramsholmen’s park forest area where both locals and tourists go to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet of nature.
In the middle of Ekenäs city center in Raseborg you can find Ekecenter, a marble and brick building designed by Alvar Aalto for Ekenäs Savings Bank. Aalto got a free rein to design the building and its interiors. The construction work began in the summer of 1967, and the building was completed already that same fall. The bank moved in and the Piazza restaurant, also designed by Aalto, opened in the second floor of the building. The restaurant is open for lunch and it also offers catering services. Inspired by Aalto, the Piazza Restaurant also offers a special Bank Manager’s menu, which includes a brief introduction to the fascinating history of the building.
Villa Skeppet
Alvar Aalto, picture taken by Göran Schildt.
Villa Skeppet is another building representing the characteristic style of Alvar Aalto. The history of the building originates from the friendship of Alvar Aalto and the author Göran Schildt. Aalto and Schildt met for the first time already while studying, but they did not become close friends until many years later. They were both interested in e.g. Mediterranean culture and made several trips together.
When Göran Schildt lost his home, Villa Itaka in Helsinki, the architect friend offered to design a new home for Schildt. Schildt only had to choose a suitable lot. He chose a quiet place close to nature in his wife Christine’s hometown Ekenäs. Aalto designed Villa Skeppet as a gift for the couple. The planning and construction of the villa was done in 1969-70, the building being the last home Aalto designed. After Aalto’s death in 1976, Göran Schildt wrote a multipart biography of his good friend.
In Villa Skeppet Alvar Aalto carried out many of the distinctive ideas and design solutions that he had developed over the years. Aalto was inspired by Göran Schildt’s great passion for sailing and Mediterranean culture and made this part of Villa Skeppet’s design. The most outstanding feature of the building is the sail-like roof, which connects the two different parts of the building. The living room is characterized by large windows overlooking the beautiful garden and the sea, as well as by an open fireplace sculptured by Aalto himself.
In 2018, Villa Skeppet was donated to the Christine and Göran Schildt Foundation. The foundation opened the villa for the public in December 2020.
Visiting the buildings
The Ekenäs Savings Bank building can be viewed at Stationsvägen 6, 10600 Raseborg. The entrance of Restaurant Piazza is located in the passage between Ystadsgatan and Stationsvägen.
Villa Skeppet can be admired from the outside at Snäcksundsvägen 8, 10600 Raseborg. You can visit the house by booking a guided tour here. Please note that it is not allowed to enter the property.
Alvar Aalto Route
The Alvar Aalto Route connects all sites designed by Alvar Aalto’s architectural office into a fascinating cultural travel route across Europe. Together with the Ekenäs Savings Bank building and Villa Skeppet, Raseborg can proudly be part of the route. In addition to destinations in Finland, you can visit Aalto’s masterpieces in countries such as Estonia, Germany, France, and Italy.
Here are our best tips for experiencing history in Raseborg:
Visit the charming seaside town of Ekenäs
Photo: Johan Ljungqvist
Start from the Tourist service point in Raseborgs Museum, and pick up a map and an architectural guide to the Old Town. Make your way to Linen Weaver’s Street (Linvävaregatan), the oldest street in the city. Here, the streets have stayed frozen in time since the 16th century. The street names such as Hatter’s Street (Hattmakaregatan), Linen Weaver’s Street (Linvävaregatan), Cloth Weaver’s Street (Handskmakaregatan), Smith’s Street (Smedsgatan) and Tanner’s Street (Garvaregatan) reveal the skilled artisan tradition of Ekenäs, and describe how the townspeople made a living hundreds of years ago. Peek into the grey stone church, built in the 1680s, and scope out the valuable communion cup from the 1600s. Cross the market square and wander onto Kungsgatan (King’s Street), the oldest pedestrian street in Finland. Turn right about halfway up, and visit Wi-Box café for beautifully crafted pastries and confectionery.
The meticulously restored Svartå Manor with its unique park and White Guide Nordic-listed restaurant is a must-see. Today Svartå Manor functions as a museum, and the interior is restored to its original state with its different tiled stoves, Gustavian furniture and of course the original parquet floors. Book a guided tour to see all the rooms. Or, take a stroll in the beautiful park. It is a true retreat for the soul with its winding paths, romantic bridges, statues, and the unique water lily path over the water. Round out the day with some fine dining in the lovely Slottskrogen restaurant.
Raseborg Castle
Raseborg’s castle, photo Johan Ljungqvist
Turn back time at the stately Raseborg Castle ruins near the historic village of Snappertuna with its beautiful little church. Pop into Slottsknektens stuga, Finland’s first tourist cottage which was built in 1893 right next to the castle, and enjoy some lunch or a cup of coffee. You can then participate in a guided tour, or explore the nooks and crannies of the castle on your own. Or, pack a picnic and relax on the lawn in the shade of the ruins. The castle is usually open from late April until the end of September, when the castle goes to sleep for the winter.
Historical villages of Fiskars and Billnäs
Time stands still at the former ironworks villages of Fiskars and Billnäs. Experience these villages as they once were. The villages offer a cultural landscape with beautiful architecture, historical industrial buildings, rivers and rapids, well-maintained parks and intriguing events.
Fiskars Village, photo Ahmed Alalousi
Upon arrival in Fiskars, you will pass some old houses; among these the Assembly Hall and the hotel and restaurant Fiskars Wärdshus, after which the village road opens up. The buildings connected to the production of iron are lined up along the road: the Granary, The Old Mill, Copper Smithy, Hotel Torby, and the Glass Studio. Participate in a child-friendly DIY workshop, or visit a glassblower and blow your own glass figurine before taking a lunch break in the charming bookstore Café Antique. Try their delicious soup, or the aromatic cinnamon rolls with some coffee.
Billnäs village, photo Ahmed Alalousi
Billnäs village is located in a beautiful area by the Svartå river and the old King’s Road. The fascinating village has, like Fiskars, had a central role in the establishment of Finnish industry, and has been gradually restored. Visit Billnäs Chocolate Factory and taste their delicious hand made chocolate. You can also witness the production processes through glass windows that separate the shop from the factory.
Malmbacka charcoal village
Malmbacka charcoal village is a short drive from the Raseborg Castle Ruins. Here you can learn how charcoal was produced in the 17th and 20th centuries for the use of the ironworks in Western Uusimaa. The area contains three old charcoal hearth bases, one of which has been restored. You can book guided tours and overnight stays in huts or simple log cabins all year round, but in September the kilns are lit again and you can experience the magic of the past. Read more about Malmbacka: malmbacka.fi
Already in the 14th century, the King’s Road has stretched from Bergen, Norway. Then following an old postal route going via Oslo to Stockholm, Sweden. From there it runs further to Mariehamn on the Åland islands, in Finland. The route continues through the archipelago to Turku and via coastal areas of Southern Finland. Finally all the way to Vyborg and St. Petersburg in Russia.
The kings and their couriers, bishops and burgesses, artists and armies have traveled the road. The road supposedly was built as a trail for chargers between Turku and Vyborg Castles. Later, the road was used as a postal route. The route went from village to village. Manor houses, farms, guest houses, taverns and inns where travelers were able to stay and dine popped up along the way.
In Raseborg, the King’s Road runs via Tenala towards Pojo parish village when coming from Turku. Pojo was once an important hub with i.a. manor houses, ironworks, inns, harbours, and a lookout hill. From Pojo village the road continues to Fiskars Village. Which today is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Raseborg.
After Pojo church, the King’s Road runs through Billnäs Village along the Svartå River. At Karis Kroggård the road branches off to northern and southern parts. The northern King’s Road passes through Svartå to Lohja and further to Siuntio. There the southern branch takes you to Ekenäs and Raseborg Castle Ruins. Then continuing to Fagervik and further to Ingå and Siuntio. There the northern and southern branches are reunited.
