Kouvola

The town emerged around the junction of the north–south and east–west railways. It is one of Finland's most important rail hubs, and the main rail link between Finland and St. Petersburg goes through Kouvola (no service since 2022). In 2009, the six municipalities – Kouvola, Kuusankoski, Elimäki, Anjalankoski, Valkeala and Jaala – merged, accounting for the new municipality of Kouvola as the 10th largest city in Finland.

Verla Groundwood and Board Mill, near Jaala, is a monument to the early days of the Finnish forest industry and a world heritage site since 1996.

Although Kouvola is said to be the ugliest city in Finland, there are still many sights worthy of seeing in Kouvola and its surroundings. Even the ugliness can be an experience.

Get in

By plane

The airport in

By Plane

The nearest major airport is Helsinki Airport (HEL IATA), which has good connections including intercontinental flights. You can take a train from the airport via Tikkurila to Kouvola (travel time 1.5–2 hours).

In the city centre, the easiest way to get around is to walk. Everything is within quite a small distance, and Kouvola's main street Manski is a pedestrian zone.

Kaunisnurmi district .

Wooden houses and museums.

Verla Groundwood and Board Mill

( Maailmanperintökohde Verla ),

Verlantie 295, Verla

( from the Kouvola–Heinola highway road 46 → road 369 → road 14570 ),

+358 20-415-2170 ,

[email protected] .

Early May and September: M–F 10:00–16:00 (Sa Su closed); late May to August: Tu–Su 09:30–17:00 (M closed) .

The

UNESCO World Heritage Site can be visited on guided tours only, though you can see the buildings from the outside free of charge. The tours in Finnish begin each hour, the first one at 10:00. Tours in languages other than Finnish are arranged on request. You can also hike a 2-km forest trail or see rock paintings of human figures and animals made by ancient artists around 9,000 years ago.

Adult €10, student or pensioner €8, child under 18 free .

Tykkimäki Amusement Park ,

Kanuunakuja 2 .

One of the largest amusement parks in southern Finland.

Nipan Grilli — Hongistontie 15, a popular fast food joint. M-Th 10:00-23:00, F 10:00-02:00, Sa 11:00-02:00, Su 11:00-23:00.

Ravintola Tabasco — Kauppalankatu 37, a pizzeria in central Kouvola serving pizza, kebab and steaks.

Ravintola Maku Bistro — Hallituskatu 7 B (by the railway station), 08:00-15:30, lunch buffet restaurant.

Ravintola Kaisa — Hallituskatu 3, a bar under the train station, a good option for a typical Finnish bar experience.

Pub Old Tom — Käsityöläiskatu 4, a great place for a drink in the summer when the al fresco part is open.

There are several nightclubs in Kouvola including Las Palmas, Night/Amarillo at Manski, Tivoli close to the train station, Q Bar near the city library, and Nightclub Riviera in Hansakeskus.

Matkustajakoti Rauhala — Itäasemantie 17, basic accommodation in a guesthouse near the railway station in Myllykoski. +358 5 573-5388.

LEO-Hotelli — Kenraalintie 6, a hotel in central Myllykoski. +358 40-721-8169.

Tykkimäki Camping — Käyrälampi, the amusement park has a campground.

Hotel Sommelo — Pallokentäntie 2, Kuusankoski.

Hotelli Turistihovi — Kouvolankatu 23, basic hotel 400 m from the railway station. Triple €80, double €67, single €50.

Hotelli Kymenhovi — Keskikatu 9, centrally located near the pedestrian area. Breakfast included. Double €65, single €40.

Sokos Hotel Vaakuna — Hovioikeudenkatu 2, a higher-end option.

Kauppakeskus Veturi — a large shopping mall next to highway 6, opened in 2012. Tervasharjunkatu 1.

Prisma — an older shopping mall close to Veturi on the southern side of highway 6. Tommolankatu 9.

The pedestrian street Manski has smaller shops and boutiques in the city centre.

• Kotka — port city with the Maritime Museum and Sapokka Park
• Repovesi National Park — pristine nature with hiking trails
• Lahti — lake town about an hour south
• Helsinki — Finland's capital, reachable by train in about 1.5 hours