1. Experience the History of Old Town Raahe
Stepping into the Old Town Raahe is like embarking on a journey through time. Old Town Raahe is one of the best-preserved wooden towns from the 1800s in Finland. It is not a museum area, but a lively district that tells the story of the town’s construction and habitation from centuries past to the present day.
Participate in the popular themed walking tours organized by Raahe Travel Guides. With a guide, you’ll explore the charming old town and learn about the lives of the former residents of Raahe, including sailors, craftsmen, and bourgeois families.
Admire the pastel-colored quarters and stop by Trade House of Lang located by the Pekkatori Square. Enjoy your coffee from a rose-patterned cup and imagine what life was like in Raahe in the 1800s. The colorful decor features many beautiful details that can be admired in the tranquil atmosphere of the café hall.
2. Excursions to the Maritime Nature
The award-winning Raahe Archipelago, named Destination of the Year 2016, opens up right from the center of Raahe. This compact city archipelago consists of about 50 small islands and islets. Spend a dream summer day on the sandy beach of Tasku, explore the unique nature formed by land uplift on the nature trail of Iso-Kraaseli, or enjoy the tranquility on the rocky shores of Kalla. Discover the unique features of the Arctic archipelago, including historical beacons from the 1800s known as "pooki" (lightless lighthouses). On the island of Iso-Kraaseli, you'll also find the historical maritime navigation center, the Pilot House, which you can book for accommodation.
Enjoying the archipelago is easy. In summer, daily cruises and Island Hopping trips take you to explore three of the islands in more detail. You can rent kayaking and paddleboarding equipment from Lappis and head to nearby islands or venture further out to the open sea. The city rowing boat Smitti is also available for free reservation throughout the summer.
3. Summer Events for Every Taste
The diverse event offering in the Raahe region will crown your summer visit. Celebrate local heritage at Pekanpäivät Summer Festival in June, and during Pyhäjoki's Local Heritage Week and Siikajoki's Village Festival in July. At the same weekend with Pekanpäivät, there will be held Raahe Festival. Enjoy maritime nature and history at Raahe Maritime Festival in July. Jazz on the Beach gathers people for music by the sea on the last weekend of July. At the end of August, Raahen Pimiät Festival concludes the summer season and welcomes autumn.
Explore the event calendar in more detail and mark the best tips in your schedule!
4. Museum Tour amidst Treasures of the Past
At the sites of Raahe Museum, the oldest local museum in Finland, you can delve into the region’s fascinating maritime history. The Packhouse Museum features items brought back by sailors from their voyages and Mikael Balt’s colorful church sculptures from the 17th century. At the Crown Granary Museum, you can meet the Old Gentleman, the world’s oldest diving suit. Upstairs in Raahe’s oldest residential building, the Sovelius House, you'll find the atmospheric Shipowner’s Home. In the authentic setting of the Old Pharmacy, the scent of medicinal herbs lingers—evoking a time when remedies were crafted entirely on-site.
Other historical cultural sites in the region include the Saloinen Local Heritage Museum and the Annala Local History Museum. The extensive Saloinen Museum complex offers experiences and exhibits from the Stone Age to the present day. In Pyhäjoki, the charming Annala museum area showcases nearly 8,000 objects that illustrate rural life before the age of tractors.
5. Popular Summer Theatre
Raahe Theatre is a vibrant amateur theater located right in the city center, on the edge of Old Town Raahe. The theater courtyard features a covered and accessible auditorium that seats 250 people. This means you can enjoy the performances come rain or shine!
This summer, you’ll get to follow the mischievous adventures of Astrid Lindgren’s beloved Emil of Lönneberga at the summer theatre courtyard. The timeless, heartfelt, and joyful story of the charming rascal from the Nieminen family and the delightful community of Katthult comes to life with a musical twist.
6. Unique Souvenirs from Craft and Gift Shops
In the local craft and gift shops, you’ll find products and decorations that reflect the spirit of the region, perfect for everyday use, shelf decoration, or to delight a friend. These souvenirs are inspired by the beautiful wooden house area of Old Town Raahe, the world's oldest diving suit "Old Gentleman," the region’s maritime history, and wooden church sculptures from bygone eras. In the shops, you'll also find the famous Raahe Dogs—decorative figures that adorn the windows of many local homes as a tribute to the town’s seafaring past.
You can find souvenirs at the Packhouse Museum and Crown Granary Museum, Kuutos-Tiimi, Trade House of Lang, and Raahe Taitopaja.
7. Satisfy your Golf Craving
When the golf bug bites, Raahentienoon Golf offers facilities to suit even the most discerning tastes in a forested environment where you won't have to spend time waiting in line. You can play a game of mini golf in Raahe, right in the backyard of the Kuntokeidas Vesipekka wellness center.
If frisbee golf is more your style, there is a large frisbee golf course in Rautiperä. Additionally, the Hietamaa Recreation Center offers a frisbee golf course, along with opportunities to play beach volleyball and try go-karting.
8. Picnic with the Family
For a picnic, head to the naturally beautiful seaside village of Tauvo in Siikajoki. Its long sandy beach that curves along the shoreline and shallow waters make Tauvo the perfect summer destination for families, sunseekers, and surfers alike. Tauvo’s waves are among the best in Northern Finland for surfing, while the gentle sandy shores are ideal for young children’s water play. Another great spot for families with children is Varessäikkä, thanks to its shallow swimming waters and gently sloping beaches. See the full list of swimming beaches here.
Right off Highway 8 in Pyhäjoki, you'll find Hourunkoski Rapids Park, a great place to take a break. Admire the rushing waters, listen to the sounds of nature, and enjoy your picnic in good company on the smooth rocks.
9. Art for the Whole Day
In the Raahe region, you'll find unique destinations for art lovers. In Pattijoki, the Matti Lepistö Sculpture Park showcases nearly 300 impressive sculptures. In Raahe’s Raatihuoneenpuisto, you'll discover Kari Juva’s Sculpture Park, where 19 artworks are framed by beautiful floral displays. More information about the statues set up throughout the region can be found here.
You can enjoy changing exhibitions year-round at the Raahe Event House's Lobby Gallery, Gallery Myötätuuli, and Praati the Living Room of Services, as well as at the Raahe Library. There are also rotating art exhibitions at the Vihanti and Pyhäjoki libraries.
A unique artwork in itself is the Church of the Holy Trinity in the heart of Old Town Raahe. Representing national romanticism and Art Nouveau, the church’s granite stones were quarried from the islands off the coast of Raahe. The altar painting is a stunning piece by Erno Järnefelt, "Jesus in the Storm."
10. Flatland Route
The landscapes of the region are traversed by the 320-kilometer-long Flatland Route cycling trail, which is suitable even for beginners due to its easy terrain. The Flatland Route connects the villages, towns, natural and historical sites, and services of the Gulf of Bothnia coastline via lightly trafficked side roads. Cycling the entire route takes from five to six days, but if you prefer, you can plan a shorter trip using route guidance.
The diverse nature of the Raahe region also offers plenty of other outdoor excursion options. Explore other hiking and cycling possibilities in the area as well!
Extra tip! Raahe Ride
Raahe Ride (Raahe-kyyti in Finnish) is a service available to passengers of all ages within the central Raahe area. The routes are directed based on customer needs. You can order a ride from your chosen stop to another stop or door-to-door. You can order a ride by using the Matkahuolto Reitit ja Liput mobile app, which you can download for free from your app store.