Southern Finland Coast

Holiday on the Gulf of Finland

The southern Finnish coast lies about 50 to 80 kilometres from the opposite Estonian shore. Southern Finland is the most densely populated region of Finland. A string of towns extends west (Salo, Hanko, Tammissari) and east (Porvoo, Kotka, Hamina) of the capital, Helsinki. The southern Finnish Baltic coast is home to the Swedish-speaking minority. For this reason, many places also have Swedish names.

Festung Suomenlinna mit Fährschiff Photo: © visitfinland.com / Jussi Hellsten

The southern Finnish coast borders the Gulf of Finland along its entire length, at the easternmost extent of the Baltic Sea. The coastline is exceptionally rugged and indented. Some 73,000 large and small rocky islands (skerries), each covering at least 500 square metres, form part of the nearly 40,000-kilometre coastline. These natural features make Finland’s southern coast on the Gulf of Bothnia a popular Baltic Sea holiday destination. This paradise for nature lovers is also very well equipped for tourism, making the coast of southern Finland an ideal place for an active family holiday on the Baltic Sea in Finland. Accommodation for holidays in southern Finland ranges from high-end hotels to romantic holiday homes, comfortable resorts and campsites. Several rivers run through the flat hinterland behind the coast. The extensive lake district of central Finland, the largest of its kind in Europe, is about a two-hour drive away. Around half of Finland’s population lives along the southern Finnish Baltic coast. The Helsinki metropolitan area, including the cities of Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen, is home to 1.3 million people. Helsinki (Helsingfors), founded in 1550 when Finland was part of Sweden, did not become the Finnish capital until 1812, when Finland was part of Russia. Until then, Turku had been Finland’s most important city.

A holiday on the Baltic coast of southern Finland combines unique, unspoilt natural scenery—with its many secluded bays, islands and beaches—with proximity to metropolitan areas boasting modern infrastructure. These are ideal for browsing and shopping, as well as exploring Finland’s rich history.

Hamina / Fredrikshamn

A holiday in Hamina means enjoying a relaxing and exciting family holiday on the Baltic Sea along the Finnish coast, whether in one of the many hotels or in holiday homes and campsites around the city of Hamina.

Hanko / Hangö

The town of Hanko itself, together with the scenic surroundings of the southwestern Finnish archipelago in the Baltic Sea, offers ideal conditions for an active family holiday on the Baltic coast. This is true all year round, as winter holidays also have their appeal on this stretch of the Finnish Baltic coast.

Kotka

With its attractions, wide range of opportunities for family-friendly active holidays on the Baltic Sea, and many accommodation options, including hotels and holiday-home complexes, the city of Kotka on the Gulf of Finland is an ideal destination for a Baltic Sea holiday in Finland.

Porvoo / Borgå

With its convenient location on Finland’s Baltic coast, urban atmosphere, attractive surroundings and wide range of accommodation—including hotels, holiday homes and campsites—Porvoo is an ideal base for a relaxing, active family holiday in Finland.

Tammisaari / Ekenäs

The archipelago off the coast of Tammisaari comprises around 1,300 islands and offers an ideal setting for a varied and relaxing holiday on Finland’s Baltic coast. All kinds of leisure activities are available here, from swimming, camping, fishing, boat or ship trips through the archipelago, cycling, golf, Frisbee, hiking and horse riding in summer to ice skating and ice fishing in winter.