If you travel by bus or train, you can buy a special ticket for your pet. Pets are also allowed in Raseborg’s public transport buses, Bosse. You can also take your pet with you on a taxi, as long as you tell the driver in advance.
Nature trails and luscious parks
In Västerby Outdoor Recreation Center both you and your dog will feel good. You can enjoy ascents and downhills, the lush forest and good running trails. In the winter you can enjoy the snow while skiing and your dog can run beside you in the snow. If you have a puppy or children with you, we recommend the Trollskogsrundan, which is a perfect trail for the small ones.
Another nice outdoor recreation are is Pumpviken in Karis where you can walk around a beautiful lake and enjoy the view of green trees reflected in the water. It’s a very popular park and you will surely bump into other dog friends.
If you’re a fan of both the forest and the sea, we suggest visiting Ramsholmen in Ekenäs. In spring your dog can play in the forest while you pick some flowers for a pretty bouquet. You can keep walking over the bridge to Högholmen to experience steep hills and enjoy a sea view at the same time.
Please note that dogs are not allowed to run free in public places, but should be held in leash.
Dog parks in Raseborg
Ekenäs dog park. Metallduksgatan 1,10600 Raseborg. Pojo dog park. Along the road to Klockarudden in Pojo, 10420 Raseborg. Fiskars Dog Park. Fiskarsvägen, 228, 10470 Fiskars, Raseborg.
Time for a swim?
Is your dog in need of cooling itself down during a hot summer day? Then you can visit the dog’s beach in Ekenäs. If you walk from Stallörsparken along Västvallen you’ll see the little beach and hopefully your dog gets to play and have fun with other dogs in the water. Please remember that dogs aren’t allowed to swim in other public beaches.
When hunger hits
It’s important for both the dog and its owner to eat good food during the day, and in Raseborg many restaurants accept dogs in the venue and on the patio. In Ekenäs you can eat a fresh lunch at Cafferie at the market square, where they offer water to all dogs. You can also enjoy a lovely coffee break at the terrace of Café Schjerfbeck on the other side of the market square.
In the evening you can enjoy a cold drink at Baywatch while your little friend is sleeping in the shadow at the terrace. Afterwards you can have dinner at Albatros and watch the magical sunset. Albatros is a dog-friendly restaurant. The terrace of the summer restaurant Niska is also a good option for you and your dog. If in the middle of your adventures you get a craving for a snack, you can always head to Getnabben Grill in the beautiful seascape of Kopparö. If you’re on a day trip to Karis, you can head to Restaurant KW, which serves food from lunch to dinner. Club 18 in Karjaa also welcomes dogs with open arms, except on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings after 9pm, when the dance floor opens up and it’s time for the furry canines to move outside. Mustion Linna and the Restaurant Linnankrouvi also welcome dogs both inside and outside, depending on availability.
Who doesn’t want to bring their best friend when exploring the best attractions of Raseborg? You can go on an adventure to Raseborg Castle area with your dog, although not inside the castle. Your dog can also join you to Slottknektens Stuga for something to eat. Svartå Manor is another castle that welcomes dogs.
If you want to experience the archipelago it’s a great idea to book a summer cruise to Jussarö. Another way to get to feel the sea breeze is to take the ferry to Skåldö and visit Sommaröstrand. Why not share an ice cream with your dog?
Stay overnight with your dog
As Raseborg is a large area with much to see, it’s an excellent idea to stay with us for a longer time. But where could you stay with your pet friend? Several hotels and B&B:s offer dog services in different villages. In Fiskars Village Fiskars Wärdshus offers one room for people with pets. The Torby in Fiskars also offers a few dog-friendly rooms in a separate building. In Ekenäs Motel Marine and Hotel Sea Front also host dogs, but you should remember to let them know about your friend beforehand. Near Karis the cozy Dönsby B&B offers two rooms for staying with dogs. If you’re considering renting a cottage for your stay, you should ask the owner for their rules on having pets with you.
Raseborg offers a wide range of boat rental services, making it easy for both visitors and residents to explore the beautiful archipelago on their own. In Raseborg, boats can be hired from Ekenäs Camping, Gullö Gård, Elimostrand and Hummeldal – perfect for fishing or other boating activities.
This summer the boat rental company Skipperi introduces two new concepts in Raseborg: a pop-up boat rental in Ekenäs, but also a form of AirBnb rental for boats, where both private and professional boat owners can rent out their boats to others. Boat rental has been a great success in recent years and has helped more and more people to realise their dreams of a summer sailing trip or a long voyage in our beautiful archipelago.
Walking along the North Harbour in Ekenäs, you may notice two boats moored outside Hamnterrassen. They belong to the Finnish company Skipperi, founded in 2017, which has developed its concept of making the boating industry more sustainable and accessible to everyone, both in Finland and abroad.
Skipperi offers two different memberships to rent their boats
Skipperi Fleet membership is a monthly membership with three levels, giving access to boats in Ekenäs and over 20 other harbours in Finland, as well as internationally in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, New Zealand and Canada. The boats are available from May to October, depending on the weather.
The second membership is a local membership specifically for the rental boats in Ekenäs. For a one-off fee, the boats can be used during the best boating season 20 June – 11 August. In addition to the one-off fee, you pay a usage fee, which varies depending on the length and timing of the hire. You can find the local offer for Skipperi boats on their website www.skipperi.fi (only in Finnish).
The boats are equipped with everything from life jackets to a modern chart plotter. Skipper Academy training videos and practical training on the water are included, so no previous boating experience is necessary.
Rent out your boat and earn money
The second part of Skipperi’s business is to provide a platform through which both individuals and companies can rent out their own boats and make money from it. This has many advantages and benefits boat owners, renters and the tourism industry of the city. Currently, there are 755 boats available for hire through Skipperi, with a wide range of boats to choose from, both on a daily and weekly basis. Boat owners can choose their own tenants, when the boat is available for hire and what it costs.
For more information on Skipperi’s services and conditions, and detailed instructions on how to rent a boat, please visit the Skipperi website in Finnish, www.skipperi.fi.
The highlight of the route is the bridge built over the Svartån river right next to the fishway in the dam. The bridge has a vantage point from which you can admire the village in all its beauty, and perhaps even spot a fish climbing up the fishway during migration season! The information sign on the bridge teaches visitors about the efforts made to restore the population of freshwater pearl mussels in Svartån, and of the work being done to ease the journey of migratory fish up the river.
The history of Billnäs Village reaches nearly 400 years back in time. The industries of the village have in the past produced everything from iron bars to furniture and exotic fruits, and the signs of the lively industrial history are still clearly visible. One of the aims of the path is to familiarize the visitors of the historical significance of their idyllic surroundings.
The path is suitable for both bikers and hikers. Billnäs is also a part of Raseborg’s city bike network, so the path can easily be linked with for example the beautiful Railbank route reaching all the way to Åminnefors and Fiskars. There are also several resting points with tables and chairs along the route.
The opportunities of nature lovers in Billnäs are expanding, as this summer there’s a chance to rent a fat bike, an electric bike or a kayak from the village. Biking opportunities around Billnäs are numerous, and Svartån river offers wonderful scenery for paddlers.
In the spring, the city’s leafy parks, lush streets and lively playgrounds come to life again. Enjoy extended days, a warming sun and a happy mood among residents and visitors. Whether you want to enjoy the tranquility of nature or raise your heart rate on one of the city’s all hiking trails, there is something for everyone.
A sure sign of spring in Raseborg, is when the white anemones start to bloom, and transforms Ramsholmen’s forest and ground into a green-white sea of flowers. At the turn of the month April-May, the forest is filled with a beautiful scenery that few can resist. For the early-morning hiker, the park area’s birds offer the most versatile and richest bird song.
The beautiful ironworks environment in Billnäs village will also be transformed into a beautiful pink sea of flowers in May, when 300 planted ornamental cherry trees will bloom. The robust mix of historic ironworks environment and beautifully blooming pink cherry blossoms is an experience you will not forget.
In the castle park adjacent to the Svartå Manor, you can enjoy spring along winding paths, gazebos, romantic bridges and statues. When the water lilies are blooming, a walk along the water lily pad and the unusual water lilies is a beautiful addition you must not miss. The castle park is one of the largest private historical parks in Finland, located next to Finland’s first ironworks.
Celebrate the arrival of spring with a visit to the flower valley Blomdalen on Gullö. Along the 500 m long walking path, almost 35,000 daffodils of about 20 different varieties bloom. We planted the first bulbs in the autumn of 2007 and have gradually expanded. Gullö manor café is open during flowering time. The most intense flowering is usually in mid-May.
Markets and local food
Local food and organic products are commonplace in Raseborg and the city’s restaurateurs have understood the importance of local ingredients, which are used in many of the city’s restaurant kitchens. Treat yourself to delicacies in the city’s restaurants and cafés or buy some with you home.
Most of the locally produced food in Raseborg can be bought in the city’s grocery stores, markets or via the producers’ farm shops.
Markets are also arranged three days a week, all year round. In both Ekenäs and Karis you can buy directly from the producer on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and in Pojo on Fridays.
Events for everyone
During the spring, Raseborgs is filled with events for young and old. Concerts, theaters, markets, dinners – yes, even a hot air balloon ride. Have a look at our event calendar and let yourself become inspired!
Do not forget to also follow us on Facebook and Instagram for tips, ideas and inspiration.
Raseborg’s tourism services as well as the tourist information in Raseborg’s museum are closed during Easter (7.-10.4) and we will serve again as normal by phone and e-mail on Tuesday 11 April at 9-16.
During this year’s perhaps most colorful holiday, Raseborg is filled with delicacies for young and old. Visit the city’s colorful markets, fill your stomach with delicacies from restaurants and cafés and shop locally from the city’s charming shops. For the youngest, Easter hunting is arranged in Billnäs Village and in the Old Town in Ekenäs.
Whether you visit Raseborg during the day or stay for a few nights, the restaurants and cafés are happy to spoil your taste buds with fantastically good local delicacies. Stay and enjoy the food on site, or buy home local produce from the town’s markets.
Easter celebrations in the churches of Raseborg
During Easter, the city’s churches and parishes are filled with programs for young and old. On Visit Raseborg’s website you can read more about Raseborg’s seven churches and on the parishes’ websites about the programs during Easter.
In Ekenäs’ outermost archipelago you will find historical Jussarö, which has been a very well-known port for seafarers for over 700 years. The island, located in the Ekenäs Archipelago National Park, has a unique history associated with fishing, shipping, defense activities and mining.
This summer you can easily visit Jussarö from the center of Ekenäs. The approximately 2-hour boat trip starts at the summer restaurant Knipan or from the Northern Harbour and offers a beautiful archipelago view of both the inner and outer archipelago. Between 3.6–2.9.2022, you can travel to Jussarö daily, and in May and September during the weekends. Timetables can be found on Jussarös Facebook page.
During the summer, guided tours are arranged where you can become enchanted by the island’s nature, fishing, history and present. If you feel that a day trip is too short to enjoy the tranquility of the outer archipelago, you can extend your stay with an overnight stay. On Jussarö there is also Café Ön which serves freshly brewed coffee from 3.6.2022.
Tip! Make the most of your stay and explore the island together with a guide. You can also travel to Jussarö with a taxi boat.
Enjoy untouched nature this summer and go to Jussarö – the island that offers a lot to see and experience!
The Biennale that combines design, architecture and contemporary art will be organized for the second time in the unique Fiskars Village from 22 may to 4 September 2022. The Fiskars Village Art & Design Biennale program consists of three main exhibitions and a versatile parallel program. The Biennale will offer a topical, egalitarian platform for encounters between makers and enthusiasts.
All main exhibitions are located within a short walking distance from each other. Fiskars is located in the town of Raseborg about one hour’s drive west of Helsinki. You can take a bus from Helsinki to Fiskars Village or a train from Helsinki to Karjaa, which will take about one hour plus about 15 km by taxi, local bus or bicycle.
Explore the main exhibitions of Fiskarsbiennale with only one ticket. Tickets can be purchased from Onoma’s online store or on site.
On Wednesday the 8 of December 2021 the new bicycle route, taking you through Uusimaa and Kymenlaakso, was launched! During the almost 900 kilometer long route, which runs between Hanko and Kouvola, you can experience everything from are unique natural treasures, to cultural history and rural romance.
Dark Weekend is an event-filled weekend arranged by locals to celebrate our beautiful villages’ and regions’ history and fascinating stories. Arranged in Halloween, the event will offer the Western-Uusimaa hygge in the form of for example storytelling nights, themed meals, night museums and ghost adventures – not to forget the delicious, locally produced foods and drinks!
Due to the pandemic the weekend will be composed of a multitude of smaller events, arranged following the current recommendations. If you have questions about any of the events, please contact the organizer of the specific event.
The Dark Weekend is a themed event arranged together with the cities of Raseborg and Hanko, as well as local organisations, companies and event organizers. All the event organizers can freely announce their events in the cities’ event calendars, where the public will easily find all information regarding the event.
