The Outdoor Guide to Vaasa, Finland’s sunniest city!
Outdoor destinations
You can find many nice trails in the vicinity of Vaasa. The site has coordinates as well as pdf maps. The trails are well-marked and come with an information map and board at the beginning of the trail. If you own a car or bike, I can suggest the Ojenin luontopolku which is a nice 4 km loop with an open fire pit in the middle, which makes it ideal for adventures with children. There is a large forest trail that could be utilized for cross-country skiing on Vaskiluoto island.
The Kvarken archipelago which is Finland’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site is a wonderful place to watch birds, go on an excursion with your family or for an exciting backpacking trip. To access it, you will require a bike or a vehicle (walking across the highway could be risky) however, the payoff is well worth it.
Do you like water sports? That’s fine. Vaasa is home to at least of a dozen fine beaches, with the one at Hietasaari probably being the easiest to access and most popular. The Vaasa SUP Station is also located there and is a fantastic opportunity to lease the SUP board and experience Stand Up Paddling. The sunset photos of their paddles look amazing and you should check out their Instagram feed. Hietasaari during winter is a fantastic location to begin Nordic Skating on The Baltic. Or, you can get your kite-surfing equipment on and go for a ride on the Etelainen Kaupunginselka.
It is simple to climb outside in Vaasa. 27 Crags has you covered and provide a guide to the best climbing and bouldering around the town. If you actually prefer climbing with a rope, Falkiin Kallio is the closest to a crag worth mentioning and you can take the ferry to Umea where there are larger and longer routes! Winter is a good time to get an ice slam at Hostvesi crag. Hostvesi crag.
Skiing in Vaasa is also possible at the close Ojberget Ski Centre. You can go skiing. fi to see if it is open. However, the slopes are only 45 m high and 325 meters long. Don’t expect to be able to ski far. But, in town, there are 14 cross-country skiing pistes which means if you come here in winter, and want to kick’n’glide get your skis on!
There are numerous places to go kayaking or pack rafting near the town. However, be aware of the dangers around the harbour. Varppi permits you to hire a rowing boat or kayak even if you don’t have one. The Kvarken Archipelago and one of the rivers are better places to paddle. And if you prefer a shorter cruise, also that is possible in summer and the post boat offers the most beautiful cruise as it was sailing since 1679.
You are welcome to take long bike rides. You don’t need to be concerned about climbing long distances because there’s so much cycling. We are near the Baltic and therefore, expect winds. As it goes, there’s a headwind. You can also cycle around the town, riding along the shoreline. This lets you see some beautiful views from Vaasa and also stop off at Strampen to enjoy a slice of Ice cream or Toast Skagen. If you’re looking for some singletrack to shred look up the trail on the Vaasanseudun MTB website.
Nice parks for a pick to go with include the Satamapuisto adjacent to Kuntsi and the neighbouring Hovioikeudenpuisto as well as Hietasaari, the tiny island just in front of Vaasa.
In case of Rain In the event of rain: Indoors, Outdoors
There are a lot of sports halls and gyms in Vaasa but you will need a membership to exercise in these. The best option if the weather isn’t cooperating is the nice swimming hall of Vaasa, which has a 50 m pool for good workouts along with a jump pool, as well as a few pools for kids. Since it is Finland it is evident that there is an excellent Sauna as well!
The climbing club is housed in the Watertower of Vaasa. It is open on Wednesdays and Sundays, from 18 to 20 hours. Two walls are in place: one is 17m long and has an overhang of a few metres, and the other is 20m high. Another wall is in construction.
The museum of modern art Kuntsi is worth a visit if enjoy art. There’s the equally lovely Tikanojan taidekoti which is a nice spot to spend time. The Pohjanmaa Museum actually contains four museums. Of them, the Terranova natural science exhibit is a great opportunity to get to know more about the Kvarken Archipelago.
There are a few outdoor activities in Vaasa however the annual Outdoor Recreation Day which is usually held in February is an occasion to go to. Learn about ice climbing and nordic touring skating, as well as learn more about winter activities in the region.
Outdoor shopping
Vaasa’s offerings in terms of outdoor gear are good. Don’t expect to find equipment from Arc’teryx Patagonia, Norrona, Primus or Helsport in town, but it is possible to find Fjallraven, Haglofs, Salomon et and so on. You can find them in the Intersport shop just from the main square. The Hypermarkets just one notch away from the centre have equipment for outdoor use including fishing gear backpacks and sleeping pads.
On the other hand, there are at least a half dozen Bike Shops in Vaasa, with Pyoraliike Viertola in Rauhankatu 20 being my personal favourite. They have Pelago Bicycles as well as are friendly & professional, and also offer second-hand bikes.
As far as I can tell there is no option to rent equipment in town, but you can always check the kuin oma website to rent equipment in Finland.
Sleeping outdoors & indoors
Stealth camping in Vaasa is no problem whatsoever. There are plenty of forests and parks close to the city centre so camping isn’t a problem. You can also choose to cycle out to Pilvilampi to camp or visit one of the numerous beaches. You can trust the Everymen’s Rights of Finland. Simply stay at least 100 m away from a home and you’ll be fine.
If you prefer to sleep indoors, then check the Airbnb listings in Vaasa, there are currently 28 houses, flats and rooms in town which range from cozy old wooden homes to contemporary apartments with a sea view. Hotels B&Bs, Cottages and hotels can be found on the Vaasa website. If you’re planning to camp, then the Top Camping Vaasa area is the only choice.
Food and Cafes
Which cafes are the best in Vaasa They all close on Sundays. There is no reason for a café to be open on Sundays in our small town. I don’t know the reason they shut down however they remain open on Sundays, on the days they do. But any other day of the week they are open to your visit, and it’s hard to choose which one of these cafes is my favourite.
Konsulinnan Kahvihuone offers a delicious lunch, including salad tables and the top coffee in town. Also, you can get an additional cup of their coffee for free. The old building is an incredible atmosphere and their cakes are delectable. Sweet Vaasa makes tasty cakes and salads, and the Othello Bakeries also sell excellent traditional cakes and pastries. The Wasa Konditoria located in the market hall of the past has an excellent atmosphere and also sells goods from Finland’s best bakery, Aroma. Aroma is a little outside of Kvevlax. It’s a fantastic spot to stop to enjoy a coffee-during trip on your bicycle. Cafe Raawka is a must on your list if you are a fan of raw food. It’s on my top 10 list for this weekend’s Cafe trip!
Magokoro is Vaasa’s Sushi Restaurant and my preferred option for a tasty lunch in the centre. The sushi is fresh and delicious and will make you wish you’d had ordered a second one. The Pizzabistro Marco Polo provides the finest variety of pizzas to eat. Warm and welcoming, tasty pizzas, and friendly staff make this a fantastic location to begin your evening. Tom Yum Thai, a Thai restaurant that makes delicious food with helpful staff, is my go-to spot to eat Asian food. I haven’t been to Villd yet however, I’m planning to go there while it’s still in Vaasa through the close of October. For a distinctive Finnish dining experience, local cuisine is sourced from the Baltic and forest regions.
Microadventures!
Are you seeking more than an afternoon in Vaasa Ride a bicycle to Isokyro and then visit the Kyro Distillery Company and taste the worlds best Gin for Gin & Tonic! This small distillery may also allow you to have some food and enjoy live music. However, it is recommended to visit their website for reservations. table.
If you’re more than a few days in town , you should visit the Kvarken Archipelago which is Finland’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site and discover the way that the land rises up from the ocean, and see a white-tailed eagle, and traditional boat sheds. It’s a great destination to spend your summer as well as well as winters, and surely will make you feel like you’re in a remote, wild region.
Meteoria Soderfjarden may be the largest meteorite crater in Finland. Right in the middle is a bird-watching tower, which you can observe the cranes and other birds pass through in the autumn and spring. Meteoria is the most important area for feeding and resting for cranes in Finland and is an excellent spot to observe the birds. There’s also a museum right next to the tower, and it’s simple to reach by bike or car.
Stundars includes more than 60 historic buildings from the area, including a windmill and the house of a fisherman. It’s possible to visit the museum during the summer months, when it’s open or at special occasions like the handcrafts festival. It’s accessible by a trail from the Meteoria. It’s situated close to Sundom which is a small village located just a few kilometers from Vaasa.
How to move around the city, and also to Vaasa
Vaasa’s center is so small that it will take you just 15 minutes to walk from the Railway Station in Hietasaari to the Swimming Hall in Palosaari. It takes approximately 25 minutes walking from the Swimming Hall in Palosaari to the Railway Station in Vaasa. Vaasa does not have a convenient way to borrow a bike. Additionally, there are some buses that have drivers who believe they’re in a rally vehicle. It is better to walk than to take the buses.
Vaasa can be reached by plane the fastest and economical way. Vaasa is a small airport that offers excellent service, and it takes only 35 minutes away from Helsinki. If you’d like to experience more of Finland, travelling by bus is an option. It can be done via Matkahuolto or the cheapest Onnibus. The Finnish Railways is an excellent option if you want an affordable, but reliable transportation. If you’re located in Sweden you can also fly from Stockholm to Vaasa, or use the Wasaline Ferry from Umea for a more relaxed way to arrive in town.
