This coastal town in western Finland has traditional wooden houses from the 1700s, active fishing harbor, and the Fäboda beach. Home to the Arctic museum and Runebergparken.
In Jakobstad, a coastal town in western Finland, you can walk through the 1,000-species Skolparken botanical garden, explore wooden houses from 1783 in the Skata district, and learn about Arctic exploration at the Nanoq museum. The town's daily life flows in two languages - Swedish and Finnish - which you'll hear in its cafes, summer festivals, and streets.
Getting Around Jakobstad
You'll find Jakobstad along the Gulf of Bothnia, 98 kilometers northeast of Vaasa. To reach the town, take a flight to Kokkola-Pietarsaari Airport, which connects to Helsinki several times daily. You can walk between most attractions in the center within 15-20 minutes. Local buses run to surrounding areas like Larsmo, Pedersöre, and Nykarleby every 30-60 minutes.
The Skolparken Botanical Garden
At Skolparken, one of the northernmost botanical gardens in the world, you'll see around 1,000 plant species. The garden, built from 1915 to 1932, follows its original pathways and plant arrangements from the early 20th century. Visit in different seasons to see spring bulbs, summer perennials, or autumn colors. The garden stays open year-round, and you can join guided tours in summer months.
Historic Skata District
Walk through the Skata neighborhood to see wooden houses from 1783, built by sailors and their families. The streets remain just 4-5 meters wide, lined with two-story wooden buildings painted in traditional red, yellow, and white colors. While people still live in these protected houses, you can explore the public streets and photograph the well-maintained 18th-century architecture.
Cultural Events and Festivals
Visit in July for the Jakobsdagar festival, when the town fills with music concerts and market stalls for a week. In November, the Rusk chamber music festival brings performances to the Schauman Hall and churches around town. These events connect the Finnish and Swedish-speaking residents through music, food, and celebrations.
Museums and Maritime History
Learn about local shipbuilding at the Jakobstad-Pietarsaari Museum, which displays ship models and maritime tools. Drive 10 minutes outside town to the Arctic Museum Nanoq to see exhibits about polar expeditions and northern peoples. The City Hall, built in 1875 and renovated in the 1890s, contains exhibits about town history on its ground floor.
Weather and Seasonal Activities
Plan summer visits for July and August when temperatures reach 20°C (68°F) and daylight extends past 10 PM. Winter brings temperatures around -10°C (13°F) with snow from December through March. Summer evenings work well for walking tours, while winters are better for visiting museums and attending indoor cultural events.
