Tampere - Vaasa

• A major centre of Finland-Swedish culture.
• Kvarken Archipelago as the first natural heritage site in Finland.
• Diverse architecture reveals the city’s rich history.

Vaasa is one of the most important coastal towns in Finland and a source of pride for the Ostrobothnians. The city has played an important role in Finnish history, and the surrounding coastal area forms a natural habitat of global significance. Our holiday in Finland will continue next to the western archipelago, one of the centres of Finland-Swedish culture.

More than one in five inhabitants of the municipality are Swedish speaking, so Vaasa really is a bilingual city (no worries, they speak English there too). Vaasa is also geographically close to Finland’s western neighbour, as the Gulf of Bothnia is at its narrowest between Vaasa and Umeå, about 70 km apart. This part of the Gulf of Bothnia, known as Kvarken in Swedish and Merenkurkku (literally “throat of the sea”) in Finnish, has for centuries made it possible to move easily between Finland and Sweden.

Despite Finland's stunning nature, only the Kvarken Archipelago has reached the UNESCO International World Heritage List as a Finnish natural heritage site. The region is a globally unique demonstration of the land uplift caused by the latest ice age. Altogether the archipelago consists of thousands of unique islands, most of which are accessible either by boat, car, or bicycle. Visiting small fishing villages in this area is a must travel experience for tourists who appreciate both nature and culture!

There is also plenty to do and see in the city area of Vaasa. The diverse Ostrobothnian Museum and the Kuntsi Museum of Modern Art attract visitors with their varied exhibitions. Park areas around Onkilahti are an easy choice for outdoor activities and taking a break while exploring the city. The classic spa and water amusement park Tropiclandia is the place to go for all the swimmers and families with children.

Simply taking in all the architectural diversity of the city is a challenge. Vaasa’s building stock is a mixture of different styles and eras, which gives an idea of the city's rich history. While seeing and visiting everything on one holiday might be too ambitious, one must-see place is the Gothic-style Vaasa market hall. There you can have a lunch break in an exceptionally impressive and atmospheric setting and pick up some treats to enjoy back home.