Hanko is Finland’s southernmost town, a major port, and the main beach destination on the southern cost of Finland in the summertime . It is a major recreational marina with most boats visiting Hanko on their way between Helsinki and the Finnish archipelago towards Stockholm. Restaurant, accommodation and other services are very good, thanks to the busy tourism of the town.
Access : Coordinates: 59.833333, 22.966667 / By car : One can get to the Hanko peninsula along highway 25. The town is reached in 1,5 hours from Helsinki so it is suitable for a day trip. By sea : Hanko is a notable port and has Finland’s biggest and best known marina, a meeting point of the Baltic Sea. Marina main season is from the beginning of June until the end of August, but there is limited service also outside this season. Navirail (.com) offers a ferry service for passengers and cars to Paldiski, Estonia. By train or by bus : There is limited commuter train service from Karjaa train station in Raseborg where all trains on the main Helsinki-Turku line stop, or you can opt for a direct bus from either city. All options take roughly two hours.
Get around : Easiest way around Hanko is on foot or by bike. Most sights and services are close to the city center and the marina. Except during the Hangon Regatta, Taxis are also easily available, and parking space for cars is usually relatively easy to find.
Attractions : The House of the four winds (Neljan tuulen tupa), Neljantuulenkuja, Pieni Mantysaari, Cafe and a lunch restaurant owned by C. G. E. Mannerheim (a former president of Finland) in the 1920ies. The wooden building has been renovated to its former state. Situated on a beautiful rocky outcrop about 1 kilometer from the center of Hanko.
Hanko casino, Appelgrenintie 10 (By the shore east of the marina).
Bengtskar lighthouse, (Waterbuses for Bengtskar depart from the small boat marina).
Activities : Hanko is best known for its beaches and as the site of the Hangon Regatta yacht race, held yearly in early July. The race draws a large number of spectators and the entire city takes on a festive, sometime rowdy carnival atmosphere.
There are several nice beaches, with beautiful and clean sand, along the shores of the peninsula, especially on its south side. Many of the beaches are perfect for families with small children, as the water is shallow (often only 20 to 40 cm, or around one foot) tens of meters from the shore, and gets reasonably warm on sunny and warm summer days.
Go next : Ekenas / Karis / Helsinki / Turku /
