Idyllic Hanko - Things to See in Maritime Town
The content on this page includes affiliate links. While clicking on these links won't cost you anything extra, we may earn a modest commission from any purchases.
We travelled from Helsinki to Hanko by train and later also by car. Hanko is a place that should be visited at least twice. Read our travel story about what to see and experience in this idyllic town.
Covered in the Article
Hanko - The Sunniest and Most Southern Town of Finland
Hanko is the most southern town in Finland with less than 10,000 inhabitants. Hanko is also regarded as the sunniest town in Finland. Despite Hanko's small size, the city is a pulsating summer destination that every traveller in Finland should visit. Due to its location, Hanko is a sunny but windy coastal town. Even though the summer is the best season in Hanko, we recommend visiting the city during the other seasons.
Location
Hanko is located between Turku and Helsinki but a little souther. The closest neighbour, Raasepori, is 35 kilometres away.
Our Visit to Hanko
We have visited Hanko twice. The first time was in October by train, and the second time in May by car. The weather was perfect during both visits as the sun shone from a clear sky. Our visit in May may have been a little more rewarding because it was already summer in Hanko. In October, Hanko was preparing to face the coming winter. Hanko is a summer destination, so we recommend scheduling a trip to Hanko between May and August.
First Impression
Our first impression was that Hanko had almost scary peacefulness. Almost no one was strolling on the streets. On the other hand, it was already October, which is no longer the visiting season in Hanko. Luckily, it was easier to sense the marine atmosphere of the town when the streets were not crowded. The sea, buildings and sights got the space they deserve.
Our first impression was limited and quite fast; we noticed a lot to see in Hanko, even outside the summer months. We can hardly imagine how lively Hanko will be during midsummer. Visiting the town outside the festival months is still a good choice because you can concentrate better on the town itself. And, of course, everything will be cheaper.
What to See in Hanko?
We didn't have many expectations for our first visit to Hanko. The town is small so we could walk almost anywhere in the centre. On the second time, we came by auto, which made moving further possible. There are no parking problems in Hanko because you can park almost anywhere free of charge.
We collected Hanko's best sightseeing spots in this article.
Hanko Water Tower
Probably the first thing you pay attention to is the water tower owned by the town. The granite-covered tower was finished in 1943 and now dominates the whole centre. In the summertime, people can climb up for a nominal fee.
Since we visited Hanko outside the season, we could not climb to the top of the tower. But only seeing how the tower dominates the scenery was a fascinating experience. Next time, we will surely visit Hanko in the middle of the summer and visit the tower inside.
Hanko Church
What would be a Finnish town without a church? Also, you will find a church in the centre next to the water tower in Hanko. The church was rebuilt in the 1950s, and nowadays it is a small but showy Lutheran church.
The church and the Hanko Water Tower are the two main elements of the HankoCentree. The church has limited opening times, and unluckily, we could not visit inside. Sitting in the park around the church on a sunny day was rewarding enough for us. Starting Hanko's exploration from the water tower and the church was an easy and natural choice.
Eastern Harbour and Harbour Street
In the Eastern Harbour of Hanko, a traveller can admire luxury boats while stopping by a restaurant for a drink or lunch. Along Harbour Street (Satamakatu) are marine restaurants.
We ate a salmon menu in the Eastern Harbour. The food was quite pricey but tasty. It is good to understand that outside the summer season, the opening times of restaurants may be limited. There may be only a few choices available.
There are restaurants and bars on Hanko Boulevard. Idyllic restaurants in the Eastern Harbour may be more suitable for travellers.
Hanko Museum
Near Harbour Street, the Hanko Museum is in an old stone building. The museum was founded in 1909, and now it stores a collection of Hanko-related objects and pictures.
We visited the Hanko Museum during our first visit to Hanko, but the visit was a disappointment. The atmosphere in the museum was sluggish, and the museum was tiny. People who prefer to know more about the history of Hanko may benefit from the museum, but our interest in these details was not strong enough.
Tulliniemi Nature Path
On Tulliniemi Nature Path, you can reach the southern point of the Finnish contingent. It is possible to reach the path by driving first to the parking area of Freeport (Hanko Vapaasatama) and then walking 300 metres to the path's starting point. The signs will help in finding the right way. The nature path is 6.7 kilometres long, and many interesting plants are along the path.
In the Tulliniemi area, there is also a beach with dunes. The beach is on the southern side of Tulliniemi, but the northern side also has a beach. The windy northern beach is popular among kiteboarders.
We visited Tulliniemi's Northern Beach in May. It was windy. This is why many talented kiteboarders were riding on high waves. The sea was not suitable for swimming yet in May as the temperature was still low.
Hanko Casino
Hanko Casino was earlier called as Hangon Seurahuone. The wooden building has existed since 1878, but despite its name, it is not for gambling. In Hanko Casino, restaurants, bars, and the house can also be hired for private events. Hanko Casino is one of the most well-known buildings in the Hanko area.
We stopped by the garden of Hanko Casino to admire the building and its fountain. The building looked amazing under the sun just next to the sea. Having a drink on the terrace must be a great experience during summer days. In May, it was still too cold for that.
Love Path
No one visiting Hanko should miss the love path. The path is located on Puistovuori close to the centre. It is 1.5 kilometres long, and originally, the path was built for spa visitors in the 1800s. Hanko Casino is a practical starting point for visitors heading to the Love Path, and a sign helps them head in the right direction. The Love Path is easy to walk on the rock inside the forest. On a sunny day, the view of the Gulf of Finland is fascinating. The trees also protect visitors from the wind, which makes walking more satisfying.
We visited the Love Path in May and October. Even though both days were windy, we were surprised by how calm it was on the path. The path felt like the warmest place in Hank,o and we could have easily spent hours there. Having a picnic on the rocks is a perfect idea in summer.
Bellevue Beach
Bellevue Beach is near Hanko Casino and the Love Path. This sand beach is shallow and peaceful, ul and compared to other beaches in Finland, it is one of the best places to swim in the country. Unfortunately, the sea temperature rarely exceeds 20 degrees, so we can't still call it a paradise. If cool water does not matter, this is the best place to swim in Hanko.
During our visits, no one was sunbathing on the beach, but many people were strolling. In springs and autumns, the beach is suitable for peaceful walks while the trees are giving protection from the win,d and it feels warmer than it is.
More to See in Hanko and Near
You can't see everything on day trips, leaving many interesting things for coming journeys. We have at least two things that we would like to experience on our next trip to Hanko.
Hanko Spas
We didn't visit any spa in Hanko even though Hanko is well-known of them. We recommend looking at Hanko Regatta Spa Hotel and its sea spa. Hanko is a perfect place to enjoy spas, massages and treatments.
Bengtskär Lighthouse
If you spend many days in Hanko, you can widen your perspective by making a day trip from Hanko to Bengtskär Lighthouse, about 25 km away.
The Bengtskär lighthouse is the tallest in Nordic countries. It was built in 1906, and the top reaches 52 meters above sea level. It takes 252 steps to get the lightroom, but the view atop will be rewarding for every visitor.
How to Reach Hanko?
It is easy to reach Hanko by various transportation methods, and the travel duration from southern Finland won't be too long. We arrived at Hanko on two different occasions by train and car.
Train
From Helsinki, you can reach Hanko from any commuter train station. You must connect to a long-distance train at Pasila Station and later to a rail bus at Karjaa Station. Hanko can be reached practically from Turku, too.
A one-way ticket from Helsinki to Hanko costs less than 10 euros if booked early. Many daily connections make going and coming back during the same day possible.
Car
You can drive to Hanko by car in 2 hours from Helsinki or Turku. The roads are in good condition. Initially, you drive on a highway, and the last miles are on a regular road. The road from Helsinki ends at Hanko, so you can't accidentally miss the destination. There are many parking places in Hanko, most of which are free.
Cruises to Hanko
In summer 2021, Eckerö Line made affordable day cruises from Helsinki to Hanko and Viking Line arranged a few overnight cruises. A cruise to Hanko is a pleasant option for travellers without tight schedules, but it takes longer. Cruise ships have many services onboard, so they are almost like hotels.
Hotels in Hanko
As Hanko is a small town, few hotels exist. Airbnb is popular among travellers because you can feel like living in Hanko for a few days. A traveller seeking more self-pampering services should head to Hanko Regatta Spa. This hotel has a luxury spa and a long history.
People who are looking for hotel accommodation in Hanko are recommended to check the following well-located hotels:
- Hotel Bulevard just in the centre
- Viking Motel close to a beach
- Holiday Home Surf and Turf close to the centre and a beach
Restaurants in Hanko
Despite Hanko's small population, the town has many good-quality restaurants. It is advisable to look for restaurants close to Harbour Street and Boulevard. Distances are short, so you can easily find a nice restaurant on foot. Also, the Hanko Casino has a restaurant.
Common Questions
- Where is Hanko?
- Hanko is at the southern end of Hankoniemi, about 2 hours drive from Helsinki or Turku.
- What is the best way to travel to Hanko from Helsinki?
- It is practical to arrive at Hanko by train or car. Sometimes, there are also cruises to Hanko.
- What is the best way to travel to Hanko from Turku?
- From Turku, you can reach Hanko practically by train or car.
- Is one day enough for a visit to Hanko?
- The main sights of Hanko can be seen in one day, but if you wish to try a spa or visit the nearby areas, a few days may be a better choice.
- What are the sights of Hanko?
- We recommend HankoCentree, the Eastern Harbour, Hanko Casino and the Love Path.
Bottom Line
Despite Hanko's small size, the town is a must-see destination for people living or travelling in southern Finland. Hanko is famous for its yearly festival, Hanko Regatta, happening on the first weekend of July. The event is an internationally well-known summer festival where people from Finland and overseas gather together in a marine environment. At that time, the town also had more activities. However, visiting Hanko outside the festival is cheaper and maybe even more rewarding when everything is peaceful.
Have you been to Hanko? Tell us about your Hanko experiences below! You may also ask Finland-related questions in our Facebook group: Travelling and Living in Finland.
Add Comment
Comments