Lying on the shore of the Gulf of Bothnia, Kokkola is an attractive traveller’s destination, with historical sights and a lively cultural life. A pleasant city break in Kokkola might start with a tour of Neristan, the old section of the town, some of which dates back to the 17th century. On the outer archipelago lies Tankar, an island with a lighthouse and is one of the city’s most popular places to visit, accessible in summer on a wonderful island cruise.
Start your holiday with a visit to the beautiful wooden buildings of the old town known as Neristan, which means ‘lower town’. Most of the houses here date back to the 1800s, but also include the Pedagogio old school building, built in the 17th century. This area of wooden buildings is fairly intact and boasts a number of lovely tiny boutiques. You can tour Neristan on your own following the Old Kalle walking route, perhaps stopping along the way for some coffee or a tasty lunch.
Neristan was planned as a neighbourhood of twelve streets and has a number of interesting museums, many of which are in the same immediate area. The K.H. Renlund Museum is a collection of buildings with a fascinating selection of artefacts, art and homes furnished in the style of various bygone eras. Visit Lassander House, come and admire the art in Roos House or even discover the home of Fredrik and Anna Drake, where four generations of the famous family of artisans lived. See the English Park and its British gunboat, captured in the skirmish in Halkokari, part of Kokkola.
You should check out what cultural events are going on during your holiday in Kokkola, as the town’s musical life is vibrant. Fans of classical music can listen to concerts by the Central Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra or top performances during the Kokkola Opera Summer Festival. Other musical entertainment is on offer in the form of the Kokkola Winter Accordion Festival or the Lohtaja Church Music Festival. Kokkola’s diverse cultural life owes something to its status as a regional centre (Central Ostrobothnia), and there is plenty for visitors to enjoy all year round.
An important aspect of Kokkola is the Bay of Bothnia, from whose rugged shores tar was once exported all over the world. Head for the sea and visit the Öja fishing village or Ohtakari, a hamlet on a tiny island where you can admire the splendid stone labyrinth. One of Kokkola’s most popular sights is the island of Tankar, with its 19th-century lighthouse, which is still in use today. Located some 9 miles offshore from Kokkola is Tankar, which is the site of a wooden church, the Sjöblom fishing hut and a seal-hunting museum.
Kokkola is easy to get to by train from the South and the North, and there are daily flights from Helsinki too. While on holiday in the area, Pietarsaari (Jakobstad) is well worth a visit. The town’s neighbourhood of Skata is full of charming wooden houses. Visitors to Kokkola could also head for the beach resorts of Lohtaja or Kalajoki, with their sand dunes, typical of Finland’s western coastline.
