10 Tips for Summer in the Raahe Region

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).

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 the Raahe Paddling Center 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 offerings 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. At the Crown Granary Museum, you can meet the Old Gentleman, the world’s oldest diving suit. The extensive exhibits at the Saloinen Museum offer experiences from the Stone Age to the present day. In the authentic setting of the Old Pharmacy, you can smell the herbs that recall a time when medicines were made from scratch on site.

Other historical and cultural sites in the region include the Revonlahti Village House, the Annala Local History Museum, and the Saloinen Computer Museum. The Revonlahti Heritage House is a 200-year-old rectory located in a culturally significant setting in Siikajoki. In Pyhäjoki, the atmospheric Annala museum area, with nearly 8,000 items, showcases rural life before the era of tractors. The Saloinen Computer Museum invites nostalgic gamers to take a trip down memory lane.

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, prepare for plenty of laughs with Marc Camoletti’s hilarious farce Pyjama Pour Six - Don't Dress for Dinner! The play is performed in Finnish. 

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.

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.

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

Marvel at the rushing waters of Hourunkoski Rapids Park in Pyhäjoki and enjoy a picnic on the smooth rocks with good company.

Another great picnic destination is the scenic seaside village of Tauvo in Siikajoki. The long sandy beach and shallow swimming waters make Tauvo an ideal spot for a summer day with the whole family, sunbathers, and surfers. Tauvo's waves are among the best in Northern Finland for surfing. The gentle sandy shores are perfect for young children’s water play. Varessäikkä is also excellent for family summer outings with its shallow swimming waters and gentle sandy beaches.

9. A Burst of Colorful Blossoms

At Ylimattila Arboretum in Pyhäjoki, you can admire the variety of over 300 trees, shrubs, and perennials. Along the park's paths, you'll find different species of birch, conifers, apple trees, and rowans. The park is also brightened by ornamental, rose, and berry bushes.

Arkkukari Allotment Garden in Raahe is an idyllic community garden area with 24 small allotment cottages.

For inspiration and new ideas for your garden, visit the display plantings at Särkkä Perennial Nursery. In addition to their perennial production, the nursery offers a wide selection of ornamental trees and shrubs, as well as fruit and berry plants. Their collection includes both rare and native plant species.

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.