Old Town Raahe

Sights

Pekkatori Square

Pekkatori is one of Finland's best-preserved wooden market squares and an internationally significant cultural environment. It is the central part of Gustaf Odenwall's town plan, drawn up after the fire of 1810 in Raahe, and represents a unified market square complex in line with the ideals of the Italian Renaissance. The square is surrounded by 19th-century wooden classicist houses of bourgeois and shipowner families.

In the middle of the square stands a statue of the founder of Raahe, Count Per Brahe (known as "Pekka" among the townspeople), sculpted by Walter Runeberg in 1888. The statue is traditionally decorated with a wreath of flowers around its neck every year during the Pekanpäivät Festival.

Guided Tours

Welcome to Raahe, a town steeped in history! Raahe Tourism Guides organize varied and exciting guided tours that showcase the town's rich history, cultural heritage, and stories from different eras. The tours offer you the opportunity to deepen your knowledge of Raahe and its unique past.

Guided tours are organized throughout the year, both on foot and as bus tours using the customer's own vehicle. All tours can be customized according to the customer's wishes and needs. The walking tours are also suitable for wheelchair users with an assistant. 

Packhouse Museum

Located by the sea, the Packhouse Museum takes visitors on a journey back to the golden age of sailing ships. The exhibitions tell the story of Raahe's maritime history and display exotic objects brought back by sailors from their voyages. In the museum's impressive church hall, you can admire the Baroque-style wooden sculptures carved by Mikael Balt in the 17th century, which are part of the heritage of Raahe's old church.

The Packhouse Museum is open to visitors all year round.

Crown Granary Museum

A short walk from Old Town Raahe is the Crown Granary Museum. The museum's most famous attraction is the Old Gentleman, the world's oldest preserved diving suit. The former state grain warehouse tells the story of Raahe from prehistory to the present day, offering experiences for all the senses. In this museum, you can touch, try, and experience: you can test heavy diving equipment, lift weights with blocks, explore the giant church construction site, or pet Harmastus the seal.

The Crown Granary Museum is open all year round. 

Sovelius House

The Sovelius House is the oldest preserved residential building in Raahe. The interior museum Shipowner's Home on the upper floor takes visitors back to the world of a 1890s shipowner and merchant. The furnishings, artifacts, ship charts, and period details of this affluent home tell of the glory of the sailing ship era and the golden age of seafaring in Raahe. 

The Sovelius House is open daily from June 27 to August 3 and from December 9 to 14, when visitors can experience Christmas in a bourgeois home.

Old Pharmacy

Located in the heart of Old Town Raahe, the Old Pharmacy offers a fascinating journey back in time to the world of pharmacies of yesteryear. Behind the entrance guarded by an eagle, you will find the original pharmacy environment. There you can admire wooden medicine cabinets, glass medicine bottles, and old manufacturing equipment. The scents of the herb chamber and laboratory evoke a time when medicines were made by hand on site.

The Old Pharmacy is open daily from June 27 to August 3.

The Longest Wall in Finland

Old Town Raahe is home to a locally renowned attraction, Finland's longest wall. It runs along the corner of Kauppakatu and Saaristokatu, forming a long, continuous wall of several buildings. The wall got its name humorously when young people in Raahe began to call it the longest in Finland because of its exceptional size. Although the title is not official, the wall has become an established part of the city's cultural history and offers a fascinating photo opportunity in the idyllic setting of Old Town Raahe. 

Holy Trinity Church

The Holy Trinity Church in Raahe was completed in 1912 to replace a 17th-century wooden church that had been destroyed by fire. Designed by architect Josef Stenbäck, the church represents the National Romantic and Art Nouveau styles, and its granite stones were quarried from the Raahe archipelago with fire resistance in mind.

The interior of the church is decorated with local works of art: Eero Järnefelt's altarpiece Heräävä toivo (Awakening Hope, 1926), maritime-themed chandeliers forged by A. F. Westman from Raahe, and Matti Lammi's stained glass window Minä teen teistä ihmisten kalastajia (I Will Make You Fishermen of Men, 1988) create a dignified atmosphere. Next to the church is a heroes' grave, decorated with a statue sculpted by Ensio Seppänen in 1973. 

Raahe Theatre

Raahe Theatre is an active amateur theater right in the heart of the city, on the edge of Old Town Raahe. The theatre stages several premieres each year, featuring a diverse selection of both new and classic plays, and the program also includes children's theatre from time to time. 

The 110-year-old theatre building offers a cozy environment for both its own and visiting performers. In the summer, performances are held in an accessible, covered summer theatre courtyard with seating for approximately 250 spectators. 

Read more about the places and stories of Old Town Raahe in here. 

“The friendliness of Old Town Raahe is not superficial smiling or formal politeness – it is deeply rooted humanity, sincere caring, and quiet hospitality.” – local resident 

Restaurants and cafés 

Trade House of Lang

Located in the heart of Old Town Raahe, Trade House of Lang welcomes customers with staff dressed in 1860s attire. The historical atmosphere, warm service, and beautiful interior create a unique experience. The restaurant serves lunch from a buffet table on weekdays, and all dishes and pastries are prepared in the restaurant's own kitchen using local ingredients. The café's display case is filled daily with fresh, homemade delicacies, which are also available as gluten-free options. 

Raahen Hovi

Raahen Hovi is located on the outskirts of Old Town Raahe, and its restaurant serves genuinely delicious dishes. The menu includes juicy steaks, tasty burgers, and a local specialty, fresh whitefish. 

Kinosalonki Sofia

Kinosalonki Sofia offers culinary experiences and movies in a relaxed cinema setting. The coffee is made from carefully selected beans using a Rancilio Classe 7 coffee machine, and the changing drinks menu offers both classic cocktails and special drinks to suit the theme. Kinosalonki Sofia is a beautiful and relaxed space for movies and events. The cozy atmosphere, versatile facilities, and friendly service make it an ideal place for socializing and enjoying experiences. 

Catharina's Cellar

Katariina's Chamber, located on Rantakatu, offers a unique dining experience in a historic vaulted cellar. A wood-burning stove and candlelight create a warm, timeless atmosphere. Katariina's Chamber caters for groups and private events. The cellar has two rooms that can accommodate a total of around 15 people. There are three set menu options available, including starters, main courses, and desserts. Menus and prices are available on request by email. 

"Old Town Raahe is like a friendly old soul." – local resident

Accommodation

Trade House of Lang

The rooms at Trade House of Lang's boutique hotel take visitors back to life in the 19th century. Each room is dedicated to a person known to the Lang merchant family at the time, and the interior design reflects significant moments in their lives. For example, the Sea Captain's cabin and Miss Sofia's chamber tell stories of love, the seas, and times gone by. Guests can explore these fascinating stories with the help of an augmented reality app. Trade House of Lang is a unique café, restaurant, hotel, and shop that brings 19th-century history to life on the edge of Pekkatori Square in Old Town Raahe. 

Catharina's Chamber

Catharina's Chamber offers cozy accommodation in a historic setting opposite the seashore. Built in 1840, Catharina's Chamber served as a bakery for the main house, which was built in 1807 and located on the same plot. Today, the accommodation offers two bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, a living room, and toilet and shower facilities. Guests have access to a private terrace, barbecue facilities in the summer, and bicycles for exploring the area. The sea and the beach are just a short walk away. The city center is a five-minute walk away. 

Wanhakulma Guesthouse

Wanhakulma offers cozy and affordable accommodation in the historic Old Town Raahe area, close to the seashore and downtown services. The building, constructed in the 19th century by merchant Mikael Henrikinpoika Montin, has 16 individually decorated rooms for 1–2 people, some of which can accommodate an extra bed. All rooms have a refrigerator and TV. Shared facilities include kitchens, a lounge, shower and toilet facilities, and laundry facilities. The large courtyard offers a peaceful environment for enjoying the atmosphere of Old Town Raahe. 

Raahen Hovi

You will enjoy a comfortable stay at Hotel Raahen Hovi. You can choose between Economy, Standard, and Superior rooms, as well as VIP suites with saunas. All room types include a generous breakfast buffet. Despite its central location, the hotel has a peaceful atmosphere. The restaurant offers daily lunch specials and à la carte dishes from the Bistro menu, and guests can relax in the cozy bar with a coffee or drink. 

Villa Sinipursi

The spacious and bright one- and two-room apartments at Villa Sinipursi in the Old Town Raahe area offer a comfortable base for both short visits and longer stays. The furnished apartments are located within walking distance of the city center and the seaside hiking trails. Both apartments sleep two, and an extra bed is available on request. The well-equipped kitchen has everything you need for cooking, and laundry facilities and ironing equipment are also available. 

Stroll through the 19th-century wooden townscape and turn your nose toward the sea breeze. Discover Old Town Raahe!