The countdown to Christmas has begun! The popular Christmas calendar in the Old Town of Ekenäs welcomes visitors from near and far again this year to admire the beautifully decorated Christmas windows.
Between the 1.-24.12.2024, clues about the location of the windows are revealed. A clue is revealed daily (in Swedish), until Christmas Eve on the Old Town in Ekenäs website.
This year you can also take part in a competition to find the logo of the Old Town Association hidden in some of the Christmas windows. If you find the logo, send an email on the same day as the window number to gamlastaniekenas@gmail.com. In the email, include the window number and your contact details. A price will be drawn among the respondents. More info about the competition here (in Swedish).
If you do not have the opportunity to visit Ekenäs, you can also follow the Christmas calendar virtually on the association’s website.
Come with the whole family on a fun and playful walk in the Old Town of Ekenäs! The Christmas calendar windows can be admired until 6 January 2025.
The holiday season is fast approaching, and it’s time to start filling your calendar with cozy and joyful activities. In Raseborg, we welcome you to enchanting markets and events, where local crafts, Christmas music, and warming delicacies create the perfect holiday atmosphere.
Raseborg is large enough to offer an impressive range of events. Some of the most popular include the opening of the Christmas Street in Ekenäs and the Fiskars Christmas Market. The traditional advent calendar in the old town of Ekenäs is also a favorite. You can find advent and Christmas-related events in Raseborg’s event calendar, which is regularly updated. Be sure to check it often to catch all the latest happenings.
Here we have gathered a variety of Christmas events in the region that create magical Christmas joy for the whole family:
Christmas Markets and Christmas Opening Ceremonies
Raseborg is continuosly developing the public transportation system to make it smoother and more accessible, also for our visitors! During the summer of 2023, the entire ticket and timetable system has been renewed and is now known as Bosse. You can take the train to Karis and then hop on the local Bosse bus to experience the versatile and exciting neighborhoods in Raseborg.
Travel to the peaceful archipelago village of Bromarv and enjoy a delicious meal at a local restaurant or explore Bromarv’s highest mountain (60m), Vaktkojberget, through a digital nature trail. There are also multiple daily bus tours to Ekenäs, where you can stroll among charming red cottages in the idyllic old town. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the newly opened art museum Chappe. Buses also conveniently take you to the historic Billnäs and Fiskars ironworks in Raseborg. Get off the bus at the ironworks to learn more about their fascinating history. Explore workshops, galleries, and historical buildings to gain a deeper insight into their cultural heritage and enjoy everything they have to offer.
All bus timetables and routes in Raseborg can be found in the new travel planner, which is part of Bosse, and you can travel on them using Bosse tickets.
Tickets
All ticket options are conveniently accessible through the Waltti Mobiili app! You can download the app for free from Google Play or the App Store. Alternatively, you can purchase a Bosse travel card, which allows you to load it with credit. These travel cards can be purchased from the Waltti online shop, R-kioski in Ekenäs or Luckan in Karis. The cost of a Bosse travel card is 5 €.
Ticket Options
Single ticket – Suitable for those travelling occasionally in the region. The single ticket is valid for 120 minutes. Single tickets can be purchased:
in Waltti Mobiili – 3,20 €
by obtaining a Bosse travel card and loading it with credit – 3,20 €
from a service point (R-kioski in Ekenäs, Luckan in Karis) – 3,40 €
on the bus with bank- or credit card – 3,40 €
Daily ticket – Suitable for those wanting to travel much under one day. The ticket is valid for 24 hours. Daily tickets cost 8,00 € and can be purchased:
from Waltti Mobiili
by obtaining a Bosse travel card and loading it with credit
from a service point (R-kioski in Ekenäs, Luckan in Karis)
on the bus with a bank- or credit card
30-day ticket – Suitable for those travelling on a regular basis. This ticket offers unlimited travel for the duration of its validity, allowing you to travel as frequently as you desire within that time frame. 30-day tickets cost 60,00 € and can be purchased:
from Waltti Mobiili
by loading the 30-day ticket on your Bosse travel card from the Waltti online shop or from a service point (R-kioski Ekenäs, Luckan Karis)
Value ticket – Suitable for those travelling a few times a week/month. With the Bosse travel card, you can load value that decreases as the card is used. With the value ticket, you can pay for single and day tickets on the bus. Value tickets can be purchased:
by buying a Bosse travel card and loading it with an optional amount in the Waltti online store
by buying a Bosse travel card and loading it with an optional amount in a service point (R-kioski in Ekenäs, Luckan in Karis)
Children aged 0-6 travel for free when accompanied by a paying passenger. Children under 7 travelling on their own need to purchase a child ticket.
PLEASE NOTE! Timetables and tickets for bus transportation going outside Raseborg are available on Matkahuolto’s website. Raseborg’s internal bus transportation is not visible on Matkahuolto.
Take the opportunity to enjoy the scenic surroundings and attractions of Raseborg and travel with Bosse, which will take you wherever you want in a comfortable and more sustainable way. Welcome to explore Raseborg with Bosse as your travel companion!
This summer, Raseborgs sommarteater presents the well-known adventure story of The Three Musketeers based on Alexandre Dumas’ novel. The family musical follows the eager d’Artagnan and his clever sister Sabine as they become embroiled in controversy, betrayal and romance. From grand Baroque pieces to modern ballads, these young heroes and their comrades – the conquering Athos, the humorous Porthos and the humble Aramis – take us on a musical adventure in 17th-century France. Don’t miss this summer’s musical, guaranteed to lift the spirits, warm the soul and offer a magical view of the castle ruins! The play will be performed between 27 June and 4 August 2024. Tickets can be purchased in advance here.
The play is in Swedish.
SUMMER THEATRE AT SVARTÅ MANOR
Theaters, concerts and stand-up performances are filling the summer stage next to the beautiful castle park at Svartå Manor. Among this summer’s performances you will find e.g., the theatre of the hilarious comedy Vaimoni on toista maata. Read more about the play and other performances here (in Finnish).
All plays and performances are in Finnish.
SUMMER THEATRE IN TENALA
Enjoy a small-scale theatre in the heart of Tenala, when SKOTT r.f. is performing a classic in a new guise on the Museigården stage – Alice i det underliga landet. The play is entertaining for all age groups and will be performed from 3 July to 28 July 2024. Buy tickets here.
The play is in Swedish.
Check out our event calendar for more tips on what’s happening in Raseborg.
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.
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.
With the summer bus you can effortlessly visit Hanko’s and Raseborg’s greatest destinations! Stop for a seaside coffee in Ekenäs or visit idyllic Billnäs Village’s brand new terrace! The bus route has been made possible through a collaboration between the city of Raseborg and Hanko.
Summer bus timetable 17.6-14.8.2021 (changes possible)
Thursday-Saturday from Hanko to Fiskars Hanko at 9:30 a.m. Ekenäs at 10:00 a.m. Karis at 10:20-10:35 a.m. Billnäs at 10:42 a.m. Pojo at 10:50 a.m. Fiskars at 10:55 a.m. Antskog at 11:00 a.m. (if needed)
Thursday-Saturday from Fiskars to Hanko Antskog at 14:55 p.m. (if needed) Fiskars at 15:00 p.m. Pojo at 15:05 p.m. Billnäs at 15:12 p.m. Karis at 15:20-15:35 p.m. Ekenäs at 15:55 p.m. Hanko at 16:25 p.m.
Raseborg’s tourist services have developed new concepts and collaboration projects in order to boost domestic tourism. Our tourism secretary Martina Rosenqvist and Anni Pöyhtäri, a graphic designer from Karis, have together designed the handy pocket-size map of Raseborg. The idea originally came from Rosenqvist, who felt that the older brochures were getting old-fashioned and had a negative environmental impact.
Maps have been a popular tourist product for a long time, especially in a city as geographically extensive as Raseborg. This map brings together a comprehensive picture of the area, with of course a broad list of the services our cities offer. On the map you’ll also find our cities and villages, sights, beaches, biking routes and guest harbors.
The goal from the beginning was to develop a map so beautiful it would be nice to look at even hung up on a wall. The map should also be handy and easy for the user. Inspiration for the retro-styled looks came from the love for old maps, and of course the will to capture the beautiful hometown at its best.
The map is now being handed out in our information points, restaurants, hotels, guest harbors and cafés.
If you want to get a sneak peek on the map itself, look at the pdf-file below, where you can see all the nice details of the illustrations. If you want the whole experience, we suggest you pick up the printed map somewhere from Raseborg.
