Kotka

The municipality has a population of around 52,000 (2020) and much of its area is made up of water. The name comes from the island Kotkansaari ("eagle island"), where the town was built and were most of its centre still lies. The former parish village Karhula, now a kind of a second centre with a number of shopping malls, is a few kilometres to the north, crossed by the E18 motorway.

By Train

Acceptably quick local trains connect Kotka to Kouvola and Lahti where you can change trains to get to Helsinki and elsewhere.

The centre of the city, the island Kotkansaari, is small enough to get around by feet. However if you need to go to other parts of the city, bus, taxi or a hire car may be more convenient.

By bus

Check bus schedules from kotkanaikataulut.fi . You can use the route planner to seek local bus routes between given locations and addresses.

Maretarium Aquarium — an aquarium displaying almost all Finnish fish species, located at Sapokankatu 2.

Sapokka Park — a water garden with ponds, trees, flowers, a waterfall and a rock exhibition.

Langinkoski Imperial Fishing Lodge and Nature Reserve — an old timber fishing lodge built in 1889 for Russian Emperor Alexander III, situated between the branches of the Kymi river with rapids and beautiful surroundings.

Maritime Centre Vellamo — home to the Maritime Museum of Finland, Kymenlaakso Museum and Coast Guard Museum, in an architectural masterpiece in the old port. Includes the icebreaker Tarmo (built 1907) and lightship Kemi.

Orthodox Church of St Nicholas — built 1799–1801, the oldest building in Kotka, featuring Neoclassical design with beautiful icons.

Haukkavuori observation tower — a former water tower converted to an observation deck with panoramic views of Kotka and beyond.

Katariinan meripuisto — a seaside park with ruins of Fort Katarina.

Yrttipuutarha Redutti — an herb garden established in a restored fortress structure.

Cruises to Kaunissaari and other islands .

Kaunissaari (literally Beautiful Island) Island is a traditional, small but still lively fisherman village. Boats from Sapokka Harbour (in front of Maretarium Aquarium) about 2–3 times a day in the summer. Tickets are sold on boats. On the island you find a very small museum, a restaurant (good fish dishes) and accommodation. Remember to taste extremely delicious salmon pastries which are sold at a kiosk near the museum. There are also cruises to the islands of Tammio (only one permanent inhabitant), Ulkotammio and Haapasaari (10 inhabitants, 25 km from Kotka).

Gulf of Finland National Park — hundreds of islands and islets in the Baltic Sea outer archipelago in front of Kotka and Hamina.

Valkmusa National Park — extensive open bogs with birdwatching, butterflies, cranberries, bird watching tower and campfire sites.

Uimala Katariina — a public swimming hall with lido. Mansikkalahti beach is nearby.

There is a list of lunch offers for each day.

Kotka has a range of bars and pubs in the city centre, particularly around the market square and Keskuskatu area. Many restaurants also serve drinks, and the summer terrace culture is lively during warm months.

Hotelli Merihovi — Keskuspuistokatu 6, basic hotel with breakfast, Wi-Fi and sauna included. Around €115.

Scandic Hotel — Hahtisaarenkatu 3, a reliable chain hotel in the centre.

Hotel 24 — Purolankatu 3, budget accommodation.

Hotel Toivola — Kiveliönkatu 1, about 2 km from the town centre.

Hotel Yöpuu — Eteläntie 227, in the southern part of town.

Pasaati shopping centre ,

Keskuskatu 10 .

A large mall in the centre of Kotka. It has shops for every taste and is particularly full of Russian shopping tourists.

• Kouvola — inland railway hub with the Verla UNESCO World Heritage mill
• Hamina — historic fortress town to the east
• Helsinki — Finland's capital, reachable by train or coach
• Gulf of Finland National Park — archipelago access from Kotka harbour