This small coastal town in southern Finland has cobblestone streets lined with wooden houses from the 1700s, a medieval church and a harbor filled with local fishing boats.
In Ekenäs, you'll walk past wooden houses from the 1700s, spot white-tailed eagles soaring over hundreds of islands, and watch films in Finland's oldest operating movie theater. The town sits between Helsinki and Turku, with 81% of Swedish-speaking residents filling cafes and streets with their language - visible on street signs and heard in daily conversations.
Walking the 16th Century Old Town
Walk along Kungsgatan, Finland's first pedestrian street, where 18th and 19th-century wooden buildings line the medieval street pattern. Look up to see the "gossip mirrors" mounted on windows - angled glass panels that let residents watch street life. Street names tell stories of past craftsmen - shoemakers, watchmakers, and carpenters - many of whose workshops still operate today. In winter, walk past windows revealing century-old tiled stoves and mirror doors, while in summer, small private gardens bloom alongside the streets.
Exploring the Archipelago National Park
Take a boat to explore the Ekenäs Archipelago National Park's hundreds of islands. Join guided tours to Jussarö island, where you can walk hiking trails and stop at the island café. The abandoned iron mine adds an industrial touch to the landscape. Inner islands support spruce and pine forests mixed with hardwoods, while outer islands host waterfowl and gull colonies. Look up to spot white-tailed eagles, and scan the outermost rocks where seals sometimes rest.
Museums and Architecture
Watch a film at Bio Forum, screening movies since 1912 in its original Art Nouveau building. Visit the EKTA museum to see works by modernist painter Helene Schjerfbeck, who lived in Ekenäs from 1925 to 1941. Two buildings by architect Alvar Aalto stand in town: the sharp angles of Ekenäs Savings Bank (1964) and the residential Villa Skeppet (1969).
Parks and Waterfront
Follow the waterfront path from Basatorget square past boat harbors and parks. Walk through Dagmar Park's (Källviken) 40 hectares of protected forest and shoreline. Stop at Våghusparken to see local war memorials, and visit Skepparträdgården garden to ring the Helene Schjerfbeck memorial bell. The path gives you clear views of boats moving between the inner archipelago islands.
Getting Around
Catch hourly trains and buses between Ekenäs and both Helsinki and Turku - the journey takes about an hour. You can walk between the Old Town, museums, and waterfront within minutes. In summer, rent kayaks or larger boats from several companies to explore the archipelago, or join organized boat tours.
