Haparanda

Haparanda lies at the northern end of the Baltic Sea, on the Gulf of Bothnia at the mouth of the Torne River in the province of Norrbotten, and is Sweden’s easternmost town. Haparanda only acquired significance after 1809, when the Torne River became the new border with Finland, then under Russian rule. The town of Tornio (Swedish: Torneå), whose western suburb was the small village of Haparanda, now lay on the Finnish side of the border.
Haparanda and Tornio have nevertheless grown into a twin city on either side of the border that is virtually impossible to separate. Haparanda is the only town in Sweden where payments can officially be made in euros. A modern shared city center is being built directly on the border as a symbol of regional cooperation across national boundaries. Haparanda–Tornio is the fastest-growing region in northern Sweden and northern Finland.
Tourists, too, will find no divide between the two towns, which are presented together. Sights include historic and modern churches, small museums and water towers. The landscape around Haparanda is shaped by the Torne River and the Haparanda Archipelago. The Kukkolaforsen rapids, about 15 kilometers upriver, drop almost 14 meters over a stretch of 3.5 kilometers. Anglers, campers and adventurous swimmers will find plenty to enjoy here. Rafting on the Torne River’s various rapids is a local tourist attraction. Haparanda is especially popular in winter with visitors seeking adventure, who can enjoy dog-sled or snowmobile safaris, or a trip aboard the icebreaker Sampo. A glimpse into the everyday life of reindeer herders is part of the tourist program in Haparanda, along with winter rallies and wilderness survival courses. The golf course is unique: it spans both sides of the river, which also separates two time zones here. The annual midnight golf tournament during the midnight sun is an unforgettable experience.
The Haparanda Archipelago was declared a national park in 1995. On the larger offshore island of Seskarö, accessible by bridge, holidaymakers can enjoy a campsite and a beach. Together with its sister town of Tornio, Haparanda offers not only exclusive holiday experiences but also a wide selection of accommodation, ranging from upscale hotels and youth hostels to campsites, holiday homes and farm stays.

You can book a holiday home in Haparanda directly.