On Valentine’s Day, or Friendship Day as we call it in Swedish-speaking Finland, it’s important to show love and consideration to those closest to you. Perhaps you want to take your newfound love out on a date, spoil your partner, or simply show appreciation for friends and family? In Raseborg’s diverse and idyllic small-town setting, you’ll find everything you need to make the day extra special. Here are our top tips!
Stay Overnight
Valentine’s Day falls on a Friday this year – perfect for treating yourself and your partner to a romantic hotel night. Stay in a historic atmosphere at Billnäsin Ruukki Hotel or the unique boutique hotel Billnäs Gård. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the donkeys that live in the hotel’s donkey stable. If you’re in the historic Fiskars Village, you can spend the night at the stylish hotel The Torby, located in the old Finsmedjan where the workers once forged iron.
For an extra touch of luxury, you can book a night at one of Finland’s most treasured manor houses, Svartå Manor. The castle is beautifully nestled in the lush surroundings of the historic Svartå River. Don’t miss the guided tour (in Finnish) on February 15, themed “Romantic Svartå – Love Stories from Svartå Manor.” If you are in Ekenäs, it’s worth staying at one of the charming accommodations like Hotel Sea Front or Motel Marine. At Motel Marine, you can book the sauna for a low price or relax in the outdoor hot tub under the stars.
At all of these hotels, you can also enjoy a rich breakfast – is there a better way to start the day?
Yummy Moments
A restaurant visit is a classic choice for Valentine’s Day – but how do you know where to go? In Raseborg, you’ll find a wide range of restaurants offering something for every taste. Ekta Gastropub in Ekenäs is a new favorite, with a rotating menu and its own brewery producing delicious beer and cider. At the picturesque Ekenäs small boat harbor, Bistro Höijers offers a romantic atmosphere and a menu of modern classics.
For a fine dining experience, book a table at Billnäsin Ruukki Restaurant, located in one of the former industrial buildings on the ironworks site. On February 15, those who want to celebrate a bit more can also join a champagne tasting at the restaurant. Slottskrogen at Svartå Manor offers a specially designed Valentine’s Day menu by candlelight and a crackling fire. Be sure to book a table in advance to guarantee your spot. In Fiskars, Fiskars Wärdshus, inspired by French cuisine, and Kuparipaja are excellent choices. The family-run Restaurant KW in Karis is also a local favorite.
Activities
Raseborg offers a wealth of activities to add a special touch to your Valentine’s Day. Start the day by awakening mind and body with a refreshing winter swim, followed by a visit to the sauna. In Raseborg, you can rent a sauna and enjoy a winter bath at locations like Svartå and the meeting and event hotel Calliola in Snappertuna. If you prefer more relaxed activities, a visit to Finland’s oldest cinema Bio Forum or Bio Pallas could be the perfect way to spend time together.
For those interested in delving into culture and history, there are several exciting options. Explore Chappe, Raseborg’s museum, or take a stroll through the Old Town in Ekenäs. A visit to the historic villages Billnäs and Fiskars is also a must. In Fiskars, you can join a guided tour of the drink production process at the Fiskars Knife Factory. Taste beverages from all the brands produced at their facility: Fiskars Brewery, Ägräs Distillery, Noita Winery, and Suomenlinna Brewery.
Looking for a bit more action? Challenge each other to a game of bowling or test your teamwork in an escape room (in Swedish). For a creative twist to the day, try glassblowing or join a chocolate-making class where you can make delicious treats together.
Don’t miss the stunning nature during your visit to Raseborg. Spend quality time with a refreshing winter walk in areas like Västerby Outdoor Area, Gumnäs Trail, or Forest Trail Rissla. Pack some tasty food to grill at one of the barbecue spots along the trails and finish the day under the starry sky.
We hope our tips have inspired you for an unforgettable Valentine’s Day in our beautiful Raseborg!
Culture thrives in Raseborg, and the amount of our cultural events rises every year. Here are a few tips on Raseborg’s annual cultural events. Remember to check our events calendar for the most recent and relevant updates on all kinds of cultural events!
Art: crafts, design and exhibitions
Many artists have settled in Raseborg for its inspiring and peaceful environment. Their works and products can be bought in various neighbourhoods and villages, as well as in their own workshops and studios. But be sure to check opening times or call before you visit – the artists sometimes go out in search of inspiration. All sorts of products are available, including fabrics and clothing, jewellery, bags, rugs, scented candles, etc. For more information and contact details, see the crafts -category.
Handicrafts, Finnish design products, quality exhibitions and a wide range of events at Fiskars Village – fiskarsvillage.fi. Fiskars has a number of craft boutiques and is nationally known as a home for craftsmen and artists.
Handicrafts and sewing in Ekenäs e.g. Liia Jewellery and Hennas sewing studio. Tammisaari is home to a number of artists and designers whose products can be bought in Fiskars and in some cases from online shops. On the town’s promenade you can also find, for example, Werner Framing and Gallery, which makes handcrafted picture frames.
Charming retro-style movie theaters Bio Forum in Ekenäs and Bio Pallas in Karis – bioforum.fi, biopallas.net.
Events, festivals and markets
Ekenäs Film Festival in March offers high quality Nordic films at Bio Forum and Culture House Karelia.
The super-popular Antiques Days at both Fiskars and Billnäs ruuks attract thousands of visitors in July. The ruuks are located close to each other, so you can visit both events to make some great finds. See more about Fiskars Antique Days and Billnäs Heritage and Antique Days.
The artist Helene Schjerfbeck’s anniversary will be celebrated with a variety of events: schjerfbecksallskapet.fi/en.
Ekenä’s classical summer concerts have already established a firm place in Raseborg’s summer music programme. The themes of the concerts change every year. The festival’s artistic director Jukka-Pekka Saraste and the Finnish Chamber Orchestra offer an enjoyable musical experience with high-quality concerts.
Open studios throughout Raseborg at Konstrundan: you can visit the artists’ studios and get to know their works and working methods.
The Karis Book Bazaar is an annual literary event. The programme includes pop-up events, poetry, interviews with authors, etc.
Swedish-language literary festival Bokkalaset in Ekenäs: interesting people, interviews, children’s programme, workshops, evenings, etc. The event offers a great language and cultural experience in one package.
The traditionalEkenäs Autumn Market attracts around 25 000 visitors every year, making it one of the largest market events in Finland. The market has been held for over 280 years and offers delicacies, two carnivals, handicrafts and a fun programme for the whole family. The event takes place at the Tammisaari market square, right next to the swimming pool.
For food lovers, ,Raseborg’s second super event, the Slow Food Festival at Fiskars Village, is on the agenda. Launched by the Slowfood Västnyland association, the big event gathers local food lovers for a two-day event every year in early October. The event features a wide range of high-quality local and artisan products and a varied programme.
Raseborg is geographically a very wide municipality. Therefore, there is no better way to get acquainted with the area than from the bicycle saddle. Here you will find cycling routes for bothroad and mountain biking, through idyllic landscapes and partly along the old King’s Road. Along the routes you can visit cozy villages and historical sights in Raseborg.
At the Fiskars Village Trail Center, you can cycle along varied and scenic mountain bike trails. If you like long-distance cycling, we recommend the Coastal Route, that connects Raseborg, Hanko, Kimito Island and Salo.
Helene Schjerfbeck was very fond of the sea, walks in the Old Town and excursions to the Ramsholmen forest park area. She spent much of her time in Skepparträdgården park painting and watching people. Helene did, in fact, paint a lot of portraits of ordinary people with interesting facial features in Ekenäs. Nowadays the memorial The Finnish Untuned Bell, which children like to ring, is set into the park. It was created as a permanent monument to celebrate the artist’s life’s work.
Ekenäs, the hometown
Helene Schjerfbeck lived in several locations in Finland and abroad. The artist spent the summers 1918-1920 in Ekenäs, and lived permanently in the town during years 1925-1941. She chose to live in Ekenäs because she wanted to live close to the sea. Her first apartment was in the old Juslin house on Långgatan (Raseborgsvägen 2). The house was demolished a long time ago, but there is now a memorial and Helene Schjerfbeck Square. For some time Helene also lived in the yellow house next to the Fish Market in the Ekenäs Old Town as the tenant of Sigfrid Nyberg. This house still stands.
Dramatized walks with Helene Schjerfbeck
Dramatized walks are held in Ekenäs where Helene herself will guide you through the interesting phases of her own life and the history of Ekenäs. She will show you the parks and buildings that she was inspired by and tells about her friends that modelled in her portraits. For bookings, please contact cafeschjerfbeck@gmail.com.
In addition to the dramatized walk, groups can book a guide to the Schjerfbeck exhibition in Raseborg Museum, a letter read, or painting with the artist. The museum’s permanent exhibition presents Helene’s works and items that belonged to her.
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
