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Aerial view of the Iron beach on the Jussaro island, in Ekenas Archipelago National Park, Finland.

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Ekenäs Archipelago National Park

Turku & Finland's South Coast


Almost 90% of the 5200-hectare Ekenäs Archipelago National Park is water, so to explore the 1300 islands you’ll need to take a tour from Ekenäs harbour, such as an archipelago cruise with Saariston Laivaristeilyt or a kayaking tour with Paddlingsfabriken. You might also charter your own boat; the tourist office has a list of charter craft.

The most popular island is Älgö, with a 2km nature trail that takes in the island’s observation tower. There’s an old fisherman’s home that’s been converted to include a sauna and campsite facilities. There are also campgrounds on the islands of Fladalandet and Modermagan, but many other islands are off-limits to visitors, particularly the ecologically fragile outer islands. For information on the park and campground bookings, visit Naturum Visitor Centre in Ekenäs.


Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¼´Ê±¿ª½±'s must-see attractions

Nearby Turku & Finland's South Coast attractions

1. Rintama Museo

5.45 MILES

Original trenches, bunkers and artillery guns remain at the site of some of the worst Winter War fighting, 19km northeast of Hanko. Also here is a…

2. Ekenäs Church

6.89 MILES

This Old Town church is the only baroque greystone church in Finland. The original church was constructed between 1651 and 1680, but it was destroyed by…

3. EKTA Museum

6.91 MILES

The highlight of the Ekenäs museum is the exhibit on the life and art of Finnish painter Helene Schjerfbeck, with a rotating display of 30 artworks. Other…

4. Raseborg Castle Ruins

12.01 MILES

Looming on a high rock overlooking a grassy sward, the late-14th-century Raseborg Castle was strategically crucial in the 15th century, when it protected…

5. Neljän Tuulen Tupa

13.87 MILES

On Little Pine Island, 1.5km east of the town centre, is the House of the Four Winds, where locals snuck swigs of ‘hard tea’ during the Finnish…

6. Monument of Liberty

15.1 MILES

Where Bulevardi meets the beach is the Monument of Liberty, commemorating the landing of liberating German forces in 1918. The monument was taken down…

7. Water Tower

15.11 MILES

Zip up the lift to the top of the 50m-high water tower on Vartiovuori Hill for sweeping views across town and out to sea.

8. Hangon kirkko

15.12 MILES

Originally built in 1892, this neo-Gothic church was damaged in WWII but has been thoroughly renovated.