This summer you can once again travel directly from Riihimäki to Ekenäs without changing trains. The regional rail service between Riihimäki and Ekenäs, which launched last summer, proved to be a great success. From 22 June to 26 July 2026, a direct connection to the unique town of Ekenäs will run every day of the week. All aboard the summer train!
Delicacies in Ekenäs
When you arrive in Ekenäs feeling hungry, your may want to head straight to one of the town’s many cozy lunch spots, all just a short walk from the train station. On your way to the town center, you’ll pass Lunch Restaurant Piazza, designed by Alvar Aalto himself, as well as the French-inspired restaurant Ribs and the local favorite, Santa Fé.
After lunch, it’s a good idea to pick up a city map to help you get around more easily. You can find one at the tourist information point located in Raseborgs museum, just about 150 meters from Ekenäs market square. This way, you will quickly grasp the town’s structure and also find out what’s going on in Ekenäs. Maps can also be downloaded from this page.
From the stairs of the old Town Hall by the market square, you can get a glimpse of the Ekenäs church tower. If you are in town on a market day, that is Wednesday or Saturday, it’s worth stopping by the square to browse the stalls and enjoy the goods offered by local vendors.
If you want to have a nice cup of coffee and maybe some local pastries, head to one of the cozy cafes by the market place.
Seaside Idyll
Follow Stora Kyrkogatan to the church, which is the heart of the Old Town. The construction of the church began already in the early 1650s, and it took another 20 years to finish the building. Damaged by the fire that raged in the Old Town in 1821, the subsequent reparation of the building transformed the church.
Outside, the church is surrounded by charming wooden houses and a small park. The trees offer a perfect hiding place from the sun.
Continue from the church park towards Basatorget. In the corner of this old market square, a pillory reminds of public punishments in the old days. After Basatorget, the next stop is Stallörsparken. There the children play in the town’s most popular playground, the Lion Park. The beach is filled with swimmers and sunbathers and all kinds of events are held.
On the other side of the beach stands one of the town’s most important landmarks, namely restaurant Knipan. It is said that when the restaurant was planned, the restaurant quota of Ekenäs was already filled and therefore the construction of Knipan wasn’t authorized. However, a loophole was found, and that is why Knipan was built on poles in the sea.
The North Harbour is located on the right side of Strandallén. Enjoy the seaside view or follow the incoming boats from the terraces and restaurants by the harbour.
The Charming Old Town
From Stallörsparken, we turn left to walk along Västvallen. Take in the sea scenery, spot swan couples and look into the winding roads of the Old Town. Turn to Linvävaregatan and enter the Old Town. Further up the street, there is a pink wooden house that is considered to be the oldest house in Ekenäs. If you are feeling thirsty, step into the charming Café Gamla Stan at Bastugatan. Enjoy tasty cakes and a cup of coffee under the apple trees in the cosy garden.
From the café, we continue to Fisktorget, where the fishermen used to gather to sell their catch. You can walk along the pier that starts from the old market square and goes around Södra viken. Make a stop in the park and ring the bell of Helene Schjerbeck’s monument.
From the park Skepparträdgården, you can see the tree tops of the Forest Park Ramsholmen. In the shadows of the trees, it’s easy to relax while listening to the birdsong. On your way to Ramsholmen, you can also admire Villa Skeppet, the last private residence designed by Alvar Aalto.
As you walk back toward the city center, you will soon see the award-winning art museum Chappe. By showing your train ticket, you will receive a sleep mask for free with your ticket purchase. The offer is valid while supplies last.
At the nearby Raseborg Museum, a new Helene Schjerfbeck exhibition opens on June 12. The artist lived in Ekenäs from 1925 to 1941, and the town served as an important source of inspiration for her work.
If you still have time, you can stroll through the charming small shops along Finland’s oldest pedestrian street, Kungsgatan. Head also back toward the beach and enjoy the selection of outdoor cafés and terraces.
During the summer, Raseborg is filled with a variety of exciting activities to explore and participate in. There is something for everyone, from music events to art exhibitions and sports competitions. Have a look in Raseborg’s event calendar to find events suited for you! Here are some highlights of this summer’s gatherings:
June 6 – Karis Day is celebrated with a folk festival in connection with Karis’ 700th anniversary!
Raseborg’s history takes you to historic ironworks, castles, villages, beautiful architecture, museums, monuments, and living cultural landscapes. There is a wealth of attractions to explore for those interested in history, as well as many opportunities to experience the rich cultural life of the city.
Guided Tours
Get to know the rich history of Raseborg and its fascinating attractions while learning more about the area through a guided tour. Themes may include the Old Town of Ekenäs, the industrial heritage of Fiskars and Billnäs, the Ekenäs Archipelago National Park, or the life and work of Helene Schjerfbeck.
You can also join the following public guided tours:
Raseborg Castle – Knowledgeable guides take you on a journey through the castle’s dramatic and colorful past.
Svartå Manor – Hear fascinating stories about the manor and its surroundings, the triumphs and tragedies of the Linder family, and secrets from times gone by.
Villa Skeppet – The last private residence designed by Alvar Aalto for his friends Göran Schildt and Christine Schildt.
Chappe – A free public guided tour is included with admission. Not available for groups. Check the schedule here.
Fiskars Knife Factory – Guided tours of the beverage production facilities, including beverage tastings (in Finnish).
Museums and Galleries
You can experience the city’s diverse art offerings by visiting our museums and galleries.
The Fiskars Village Art & Design Biennale (June 7–August 30) is a recurring art and design event that transforms the historic industrial environment of Fiskars Village into a living exhibition space. At Svartå, the art summer ART26 (July 1–August 2) brings together five Finnish visual artists whose works are spread across different parts of the grounds of Svartå Manor.
At Fiskars Museum, you can learn about the everyday and festive lives of the ironworks community from the 17th century to the present day. New this year is the Locomotive Shed, where visitors can see Finland’s oldest narrow-gauge steam locomotive, Fiskars Pikku-Pässi, in its newly restored appearance, and explore digital content presenting the locomotive and the history of the Fiskars railway. The ceramic museum KWUM in Fiskars is also well worth a visit.
Nature and Archipelago
This summer is perfect for spending quality time in Raseborg’s beautiful nature and the archipelago. You can find versatile possibilities for hiking routes, cycling trips, and visits to Ekenäs archipelago National Park, kayaking and much more.
This summer you can travel to the old mining island Jussarö in the Ekenäs Archipelago National Park by taxi boat m/s Myggen III. The boat departs from the North Harbour in Ekenäs. Check the timetables here and make a reservation by calling +358 (0)400 436 915.
Cycling is a very popular way to spend a holiday, and it is also an environmentally friendly and fun way to get exercise. In Raseborg, you can easily rent city bikes through the Donkey Republic app. There are both long and short cycling routes that wind through historically interesting places. In Fiskars, there are over 60 km of mountain biking trails at the Fiskars Village Trail Center.
A natural summer activity is, of course, a picnic and relaxing at our beaches by both the sea and lakes. If you go a bit further out into nature, you may even be lucky enough to enjoy the beach all to yourself.
Locally Produced
In Raseborg, we value clean, fair, and locally produced food. Here there is an exceptionally dense network of food experts, local producers, and organic farms. At Raseborg’s popular markets, you will find plenty of locally grown and delicious food for the dinner table.
Summer in Raseborg offers excellent restaurants and pleasant cafés. The city’s restaurateurs understand the importance of local ingredients, and they are widely used in many restaurant kitchens and bakeries.
Public Transport
With the public transportation system Bosse, you can affordably get around in Raseborg. Check timetables and plan your route using the travel guide. Bus tickets are easily purchased at R-kioski in Ekenäs, Luckan in Karis or by downloading the free Waltti mobile app.
