Extensive opportunities for staying downtown or taking a trip outdoors. Tykkimäki Amusement Park and the Model Railroad Museum are fun destinations for families with children. Repovesi National Park offers great views and several activities. Welcome to Kouvola, a city big on experience! This definition, used by the city’s own tourist website, sums up nicely all the different options this city has to offer. Kouvola may look like a dreary and stuck concrete cluster on the outside, but inside this city emerges as a versatile and original travel destination. Kouvola is the largest city in its region with over 80,000 inhabitants, making it a medium-sized city by Finland’s standards. You expect a city this big to pack some distinctive activities, and Kouvola delivers with a set of interesting destinations. Right in the city center is one of the most special museum sites in Southern Finland, the Kouvola Model Railroad Museum. As its name suggests, the museum consists of miniature models, which depict their real-life examples with astonishing detail. For families with children, a visit here is almost mandatory when travelling to Kouvola, but a visit is recommended to others as well. Kouvola's second popular family destination is Tykkimäki Amusement Park, the third largest amusement park in Finland. Some of the rides reach speeds of up to 70 km/h, so be prepared to hold onto your seat! Also, a word of warning from experience – Keinukaruselli, the carousel with flying little seats, should be avoided right after meals. Holiday in Kouvola – culinary trip for foodies For all the foodies, Kouvola offers many tastes, even if you simply stay around the city center. Asian cuisine and Nordic flavours are particularly well-represented in Kouvola. There are several options within walking distance, especially near the train station. A special mention goes to the playfully named Gastropub Betony (betoni means concrete in Finnish and Kouvola is known for its concrete architecture), a proper place to try some craft beers and pub food. Coffee and tea lovers should stop by Papulaari, where you can enjoy a cup of high-quality coffee made by small coffee roasteries. If you plan on a longer holiday trip and don't mind a little extra travel, you should go on a day or two trip to Repovesi National Park just over 50 kilometers from Kouvola city center. In addition to hiking, you can paddle, fish, swim and climb in the beautiful area in the summer or go skiing and ice skating in the winter. The shortest hiking trails are just a few kilometers long and are also suitable for the little ones in the family. Kouvola is much more than just concrete on the outside. There are plenty of options for an urban holiday but also for getting in touch with nature. So, grab your seat at OnniBus.com and give Kouvola a try!
