Vakka-Suomi countryside

Vakka-Suomi countryside is the west coast of Finland Proper, north of the Archipelago Sea and Turku.

Understand

The area consists of several former or current municipalities: Askainen (Swedish: Villnäs), Lemu (Lemo), Lokalahti (Lokalax), Mietoinen (Mietois), Mynämäki (Virmo), Pyhäranta, Taivassalo (Tövsala) and Vehmaa (Vemo). Not all the area described here is part of the Vakka-Suomi region proper.

The name Vakka-Suomi originates from the 19th century, when a significant export of the region was vakkas, lightweight containers made out of wood.

Most of the area is coastal, with fishing and seafaring traditions, and the area includes significant archipelagos, partly counted as part of the Archipelago Sea, but parts are normal inland agricultural countryside.

The main town in the area is 🌍 Uusikaupunki (15,000 inhabitants), founded 1617 as the twelfth town in Finland. It has a nice wooden old town, seafaring traditions and a car factory. There are cruises to a few lighthouses in the archipelago. North of Uusikaupunki is 🌍 Pyhäranta. 🌍 Pyhämaa off Pyhäranta, 🌍 Kalanti to the east of Uusikaupunki and 🌍 Lokalahti to the south of Uusikaupunki nowadays belong to the town. In the inland beyond Kalanti is the other town of the area: 🌍 Laitila (8,000 inhabitants; regarded town since 1986).

South of Uusikaupunki are 🌍 Kustavi, entirely in the archipelago, but with most main islands connected by bridges, 🌍 Taivassalo, also with much archipelago, and 🌍 Vehmaa (with main village Vinkkilä), reaching to the sea only at the bay Mynälahti, but with many lakes. South of Laitila is 🌍 Mynämäki with 🌍 Karjala TL in the inland and 🌍 Mietoinen by Mynälahti, and 🌍 Askainen and 🌍 Lemu, now both part of Masku, both with some inner archipelago.

The area borders Satakunta to the north, the inland of Finland Proper to the east, Greater Turku including Raisio, Naantali proper and the Turku countryside to the south-east, the Archipelago Sea to the south, Åland to the south-west and the Bothnian Sea to the west.

Tourist information

Get in and around

Turku, 20 km south-east from Lemu, is one of Finland's main cities, with good connections by rail, road and ferry, and a minor airport. National road 8 (E8 through Finland and Norway) leads north-north-west from Turku, through the centres of Mynämäki and Laitila. Road 43 leads from the inland via Laitila and Kalanti to Uusikaupunki.

Road 192, Kustavintie, leads from Raisio (just north of Turku) via Lemu and Mietoinen around the Mynälahti bay to Taivassalo and Kustavi. Near the northern shore of Mynälahti, Y-tie (road 194) forks off to Vehmaa and Lokalahti. Road 196 leads along the coast from Taivassalo via Lokalahti to Uusikaupunki and Pyhäranta and finally to E8.

By bus

There are express coaches along the E8 and buses to Kustavi (via Taivassalo), Uusikaupunki and some other centres. For minor villages, don't rely on there being buses without checking. Timetables at Matkahuolto.

By train

Turku has connections from Tampere and Helsinki.

Regional traffic along the railway from Turku to Uusikaupunki has been planned, but as of 2021 it is used only for freight.

By boat

Southern Taivassalo reaches the fairway networks of the Archipelago Sea, with a 3.4-m fairway passing between Taivassalo and Kustavi, towards Uusikaupunki and the Bothnian Sea. A 2.4-m fairway leads to a fishing port in Mynälahti, east of Taivassalo parish village; two boating routes continue a bit farther into Mynälahti. The bay north of Naantali, reaching Askainen, Lemu and Masku, can be reached from the west via Merimasku parish village (bridge: 16.5 m) and from the south sailing on either side of Luonnonmaa of Naantali (lower bridges).

There is a boating route (2.0 m) between Pyhämaa and Pyhäranta in the north, leading in from the Bothnian Sea to their parish villages. Uusikaupunki is well-connected from the Bothnian Sea, Åland and the Archipelago Sea. A 2.6-m fairway reaches Hahtemaa of Lokalahti from the fairway west of Taivassalo.

From the Hanko–Uusikaupunki fairway, the natural points to fork away are at Velkua or north of Kustavi, unless you come via Turku and Naantali.

By bike

Eurovelo biking route EV 10 is to lead through the region. The route has been prepared but is not yet marked (nor certified). It has cycleways on some stretches, but otherwise mostly leads by regional roads, and local roads where convenient. From Turku to Merimasku it follows the Archipelago Trail, mostly along cycleways, then continues along the north fork via Askainen, Mietoinen and Taivassalo, leaves the Archipelago Trail going north through Lokalahti and arrives in Uusikaupunki. It continues north through Pyhäranta and Reila, turns east to Voiluoto and Unaja and continues on cycleway by the former road 8 to Raumo.

By taxi
See also: Finland Proper#By taxi

See
  • 🌍 Louhisaari manor (Villnäs slott), Louhisaarentie 244 (in Askainen, via the church – many navigators suggest a route over the fields), ☏ +358 295-336-971, . 2021: 15 June–August Tu–Su, July daily 11:00–17:00; free guiding in English 15:00 W Sa, July also M. Manor from 1655 with English landscape garden. The property belonged to the mighty Fleming family 1450–1791 and to the Mannerheim family 1795–1903. Birthplace of Gustaf Mannerheim. Now a museum. €10/8/4 (museum card valid; children 7–17 years); private guiding for groups €35, to be reserved. 
  • 🌍 Mynämäki museum (Mynämäen museo), Keskuskatu 19 (just south from the church), ☏ +358 50-408-5798, . Rectory hall from early 1900s, textile industry, Olavi Ahlgren art exhibition, and changing exhibitions. €3; guiding +€40. 
  • 🌍 Taivassalo local history museum (Viiasten kartanomuseo), Hakkenpääntie 290 (3 km south from Taivassalo centre), ☏ +358 50-544-8030. June–August Tu–Su 12:00–16:00 or by agreement. Local history museum in a mansion from 1779 and surrounding buildings, both on the mansion itself and general local history. Café and museum shop (postcards and books). €4, children (7–17) €3. (updated May 2022)
  • 🌍 Tavastila local history museum (Tavastilan kotiseutumuseo), Tavastilantie 11 (Tavastila, Mietoinen), ☏ +358 40-554-1435. Local history museum in old farm. Main building from mid-19th century, used as school 1882–1954. 19th century windmill from Lokalahti. The exhibition touches the school system, handicraft, home economics and agriculture. Small herb garden. Maintained by the village association. €3. 
  • 🌍 Vehmaa local history museum, Mynämäentie 157 (in the village Lahdinko). In summer Sa Su 12:00–15:00, other times by agreement. Local history museum, including stone quarrying and stone work, and an allotment croft. See also the quarry trail Tummamäen luontopolku in Do. €2. 

Churches

There are old churches in Askainen, Lemu, Lokalahti, Mietoinen, Mynämäki, Taivassalo and Vehmaa.

  • 🌍 Askaisten kirkko, Askaistentie 788 (at the start of the avenue to the Louhisaari manor). Built as manor church. Current shape from 1653, when the Fleming family resided at the manor, at the zenith of the Swedish Empire. By the church is a memorial for the "Mannerheim knights", decorated in World War II. 
  • 🌍 Karjalan kirkko, Karjalankyläntie 58. Wooden church in Gothic Revival style, built 1869. Local history museum in the yard (see above). 
  • 🌍 Lemun kirkko, Monnoistentie 18. Medieval stone church, probably built between 1460 and 1480. The 14th century stone chapel has been transformed into the sacarist. The crusifix and baptismal font are from the 13th-century wooden chapel preceding it. In the yard is a local history museum: Kemppien tupa. 
  • 🌍 Mietoisten kirkko, Kirkkotie 104. Services twice a month. Church built 1641–1643 by Henrik Klausson Fleming. 
  • 🌍 Pyhän Laurin kirkko, Kirkkokatu 3 (in Mynämäki). Third in size among medieval stone churches in Finland, probably built in the 1430s, when Magnus Tavast from Mynämäki was Bishop of Finland. Dedicated to Saint Lawrence. 
  • 🌍 Pyhän Ristin kirkko (Taivassalon kirkko), Keskustie 2 (Taivassalo centre), ☏ +358 50-595-5549. 2022: 27 June–29 July 2022 M–F 12:00–15:00; services most Sundays 10:00. 15th century "grey stone" church (updated May 2022)
  • 🌍 Vehmaan kirkko, Kirkkotie 23 (in the parish village of Vehmaa, 2.5 km west from Vinkkilä). In summer and by agreement. Services year round Su 10:00. Medieval "grey stone" church. 

Itineraries

Do
  • 🌍 Savikulma, Suorsalantie 40 (5 km north from Pyhe), ☏ +358 400-517-865, . Laajoki river by canoe or bike, the latter a 13.5 km route. B&B accommodation in flying tent for two or normal room (double, not in winter). Shared facilities. River beach, garden. Advance booking needed. Canoe: 1 hr including basic training €10, 6 hr €25, 1 day €35; bike €10. 
  • Vehmaa DiscGolfPark, Seuralantie (Vehmaa; by the sports ground north of the church). Frisbee course in wooded terrain. 
  • Summer theatre. 
  • Masku kayaking route. Kayaking route off Lemu. The 30-km ring route consists of seven 2.5–7.7 km legs in the archipelago between Askainen, Lemu, Masku, Naantali and Merimasku. As sea kayaking this is a sheltered area, but still not suitable for beginners at fresh winds. The four 2.5–4.4 km eastern legs have their endpoint on the mainland, the northernmost of them (numbered 3) is at the Kuurnanpää beach (see below). The northern part of the route features bird wetlands, don't get too close in spring and summer. 

Nature trails
  • Kolkanpolut. Hiking trails in Lemu: three routes connected by small roads, together some 20 km. The trails connect also to the hiking route network of Mietoinen. Reisvuori and Verainen each has a lean-to shelter with campfire site and dry toilet. Each of the routes features a lookout point. The Kuuvanvuori route goes through a nature reserve. 
    • 🌍 Kuuvanvuori trail, Seijaistentie 219. 
    • 🌍 Reisvuori trail (start at Lemu library). 
    • 🌍 Verainen trail, Miiaistentie 167. 
  • 🌍 Mietoistenlahti (2-km roads to the nature path from Kustavintie: east of the Laajoki bridge in Pyhe and north of the Mynäjoki bridge by Mietoinen). Bird sanctuary by the mouth of Laajoki. Bird watching towers. 
  • 🌍 Otajärvi, Kodisjoentie 425 (signage from E8 in Ihode, Pyhäranta; 6 km along minor roads), ☏ +358 20-639-4620, . Lake with rich nesting birdlife. Unmanned visitor centre on-site. As of 2021 the birdwatching tower is in bad shape and should not be used. The visitor centre, its dry toilet and the observation platform nearby are accessible by wheelchair. Free. 
  • 🌍 Oukkulanlahti, Kiuaskarintie 38 (take Monnoistentie to the south-west from the church in Lemu, information sign and parking at its extension, 3.2 km from the church). Bird wetland. Nature path to an observation tower (possibly removed for renewal as of 2021). 
  • 🌍 Tummamäen luontopolku (by the village Lahdinko in Vehmaa), ☏ +358 40-809-8303, . Nature trail by stone querry (1.6 km). Lean-to shelter, campfire site, dry toilets. Guiding by agreement, otherwise free. 
  • 🌍 Pamprinniemen luontopolku, Hauintie 259 (Ketteli, Pyhämaa). 24 hr daily, but in winter access sometimes less easy. A 4-km nature trail around the shores of the peninsula Pamprinniemi. Birdlife, seascapes, old spuce woods, old pines, posters on biblical themes. The area is on grounds of the congregation, but belongs to the Natura 2000 network (PDF map). 

Beaches and sauna
  • Askainen
    • 🌍 Pikisaari, Pikisaarentie. 
  • Lemu
    • 🌍 Kuurnanpää, Kaidantie 111 (from Lemu church Monnoistentie 2.85 km to south-west, turn left to Kaidantie, the beach is at the end of the road). 
  • Vehmaa
    • 🌍 Himoisten rantasauna, Laituritie 27 (270 m south from Y-tie ca 8 km west from Vinkkilä), ☏ +358 40-747-5761. 24 hr daily; shared sauna 16 Jun–8 Aug W–Su 18:00–21:00, 13 Aug–30 Sep F–Sa 18:00–21:00. Sauna with beach. Maintained by the local village association. Free. 
    • 🌍 Hietajärven rantasauna, Hietajärventie 34. 24 hr daily, shared sauna daily Jun–Aug 18:00–21:00, in winter Su 17:00–. Lakeside sauna with beach. Ice swimming in winter. 

Buy

Grocery stores
  • Mietoinen
    • 🌍 Pyheen kyläkauppa, Pyhäntie 3, ☏ +358 50-537-3585, . M–F 08:00–19:00 Sa 10:00–18:00. Small grocery store with café. Intends to only sell domestic, preferably local produce. 
  • Mynämäki
  • Pyhämaa
  • Taivassalo
    • 🌍 K-Market Taivassalo, Ihattulantie 2 (Taivassalo centre, 450 m south-east from the church), ☏ +358 2 844-2600. M–F 08:00–21:00 Sa 08:00–18:00 Su 10:00–18:00. Grocery store. Also postal services (Posti and Schenker). Cash withdrawal when shopping with some cards. Prepaid SIM-cards. (updated May 2022)

Eat and drink
  • Mietoinen
  • Mynämäki
    • 🌍 Jussin grilli, Lepistöntie 2 A (Mynämäki centre), ☏ +358 2 430-6123, . M–F 10:30–18:00 Sa–Su 12:00–18:00. "Speciality: ordinary grill fare". Lunch soup with salad and coffee: €7.50; sausages, burgers, burger meals etc. €1–14. 
    • 🌍 Tuomaksen Tupa (Veraisen Leipomo), Valtakatu 2 (Mynämäki centre), ☏ +358 400-365-338, . M–F 5:30–18:00 Sa 08:00–16:00; lunch M–Sa 10:30–15:00; à la carte M–F 10:30–17:00, Sa 10:30–15:00. Bakery and restaurant/café Lunch M–F €9.70, Sa 10.70; à la carte €7–16. 
  • Pyhämaa
    • 🌍 Kuppi ja tassi (Kotileipomo Taina Vuorio), Kettelintie 137 (1.4 km north of the village), ☏ +358 400-717-157, . June–mid Aug M–Sa 09:00–17:00, Su 12:00–17:00. Summer café, bakery and catering. 
    • 🌍 Pyhämaan pirtti, Pyhämaanraitti 35 (by Pyhämaa village), ☏ +358 50-537-9860, . M–Th 11:00–16:00, F 11:00–17:00, Sa 11:00–16:00, Su 12:00–16:00; lunch M–Sa 11:00–14:00; buffet Su 12:00–15:00. Most dishes based on fish, some dishes from their own catch (at least the salmon probably from elsewhere). Best offer for vegetarians probably their cheese salad. In summer also pizzas and beef. Accommodation in the yard (see Sleep) Lunch M–F €10, Sa €12; Buffet Su €25; à la carte €10–20; take away salmon soup €10/L. 
  • Taivassalo

Sleep

The sleeping options are mostly camping and cottages (most of which are unavailable in winter). There are a few B&B-like accommodations. Wild camping according to the right to access is possible, but look for larger woods, where you are unlikely to disturb passers-by, or use the designated places along hiking routes.

  • Kalanti
    • 🌍 Hiidentupa Bed and Breakfast, Levanteentie 36 (4.5 km from the parish village; signage from the Kallelantie junction on road 43 towards Laitila), ☏ +358 50-306-0871, . Kitchen and sauna available. €50+optional breakfast; linen €5/person. 
  • Lemu
    • 🌍 Reisvuori shelter (eastern end of the Reisvuori hill). Lean-to shelter on the Reisvuori route. Free. 
    • 🌍 Verainen shelter. Lean-to shelter on the Verainen route Free. 
  • Mynämäki
  • Pyhämaa
  • Pyhäranta
    • 🌍 Pyhärannan Kievari & Camping, Suojalantie 9 (600 m from the Pyhäranta village), ☏ +358 50-590-6037, +358 2 823-1786, +358 500-122-142, . Check-out: 12:00. Camping and cottages. Beach. Rowing boat available, canoes for hire. Shared sauna daily 18:00–22:00 included. Café (which works as reception) with fast food, open daily June–August, lunch W Su; karaoke or events with live music in summer weekends. Cottages (2–8 persons) €40–80, cleaning €20/40; caravan lot €12/10 +€4/2 per person, electricity €4; tent €10/5 per person, children <12 free. 
  • Taivassalo: There are cottages for rent also for single days from several businesses, many at the shore, some on islands. Here mostly other options.
    • 🌍 Fallinranta, Vaarniementie 16 (west of Hakkeenpää, Taivassalo), ☏ +358 40-703-6605, . Check-in: Su 16.00, check-out: Su 13:00/15:00. Cottages by the sea and accommodation in an old farmhouse. Running water and electricity. The farmhouse has four rooms, kitchen/living room and wood-fired sauna. Linen and breakfast ingredients included in a farmhouse stay, to be booked in advance (exclusive use). The cottages are in summer available only for whole weeks. Rowing boat and kayak or canoe included with some cottages. Small motorboats for hire (20 Hp outboard engine), to be kept at the shore of the cottage or in Hakkeenpää. The farmhouse: €60+€60/double room, extra child bed €20; cottages €750–1200/week, linen +€20/set, pet +€40/week. 
    • 🌍 Mussalo Camping, Mussalontie 356 (the island Mussalo; 5 km westwards from Taivassalo centre towards Kustavi, turn left for 3.5 km more), ☏ +358 40-764-9391, . June–August. Guest harbour. Camping by caravan or tent. A few rooms are also available. Sauna included (one for men, one for women). Twin room €40 (linen €5/person); caravan €29/20 (members/non-members); tent or boat €21 (4 persons included); private sauna €20, rowing boat 4 hr €5. (updated May 2022)
    • 🌍 Pollin piha, Lahdenperäntie 142, ☏ +358 40-547-6906, . Café from Midsummer onwards, other services by request. A few rooms at a former farm. Linen included, shared toilet. Summer café with light meals and delicacies (from Midsummer onwards). Events. Organic clothes for sale. Main business meetings and celebrations. €100–120; weekend 6 persons €850. (updated May 2022)
    • 🌍 Pyörilän tila, Helsingintie 733 (the Helsinki village, 7 km northward from Taivassalo centre, towards Uusikaupunki, then west to Helsingintie for 7.4 km more driving), ☏ +358 400-538-469, . Check-in: Before 18:00 or by agreement. Accommodation in the yard of an old farm, in new accommodation buildings (four rooms in all). No pets. Linen, sauna, kitchen and communal space included. Cash or pre-paid only. The 17th century Great Post Route from Stockholm to Turku made landfall by the Helsinki village, and a stretch of it is well preserved here, between the shore and the modern roads. Single €38, twin €63, four persons €98. (updated May 2022)
    • 🌍 Saaristo Marina, Hakkenpääntie 786 (Hakkenpää), ☏ +358 400-924-575 (marina), +358 44-986-3604 (restaurant). Marina and boatyard. Fuel, sewage emptying, showers, sauna, Floating restaurant Lilla Pärlan, with pizza and barbecue, also take-away and delivery. Camping. Harbour €15/night, visits free; pizza/beef €15–20, €36 for their exorbitant Angus/ribs/porc menu. (updated May 2022)
  • Uusikaupunki
    • 🌍 Pirkholma, Pirkholmantie 137 (Iso Pirkholma off Uusikaupunki; some 4.5 km north from the centre by Hiuntie, then 6.75 km by Lepäistentie, then 1.4 km by Pirkholmantie), ☏ +358 44-356-7233 (calls), +358 44-313-8804 (SMS), . Check-in: M Th F 14:00, check-out: Su 12:00. Seaside cottages (½–1 km from the "reception"), 2+2 persons (one for 2+4). Electricity, running water, stove, oven, tableware, indoor toilet, shower, wood-heated sauna, indoor fireplace, swimming jetty, linen included. Rowing boat in season. Pets welcome. €390–920/week (old cottage in spring/autumn–new cottage in Midsummer); off season weekend €290–340. 
    • 🌍 Rairanta, Vanhakartanontie 216 (8 km south by road; signage from Lokalahdentie), ☏ +358 2 841-7400 (landline), +358 500-825-899 (mobile), . Caravan camping, open year round. Kiosk. Child friendly beach. Rowing boats. Wi-Fi. €30/caravan. 
  • Vehmaa
    • Kesäniemi, Riihivainiontie (signage from Kustavintie, from the Vilumarket and St1 fule station 700 m east of the sound Vehmaansalmi), ☏ +358 500-820-973, +358 2 433-3462. 1 Jun–31 Aug, off season in weekends. Camping site. Caravan €30; tent €25 (max 4 persons); harbour fee €25 (max 4 persons); rented caravan €60; laundry €5. 
    • Lahtivuo, ☏ +358 400-224-793, . Rooms with hostel standard. Cottages for longer stays. 

Connect
  • 🌍 Mynämäen kirjasto, Keskuskatu 13, ☏ +358 44-783-7257, . M–Th 12:00–19:00, F 10:00–16:00 Sa 10:00–14:00. Library. Public computers and Wi-Fi. Bike to borrow (leave passport as deposit), to be return at latest 15 min before the library closes. 
  • 🌍 Vehmaan kirjasto, Vinkkiläntie 17 (in Vinkkilä), ☏ +358 44-433-2160, . M W–F 07:00–19:00 Tu 07:00–12:00 Sa–Su 07:00–18:00. Library and tourist information. Wi-Fi. PCs, ipads; scanner, printer etc. Changing exhibitions (mostly local artists). 

Go next
  • Bothnian Sea National Park – outer archipelago with lighthouse islands, birdlife and with some luck also seals; tours from Kustavi, Uusikaupunki and towns farther north.
Routes through Vakka-Suomi countryside
Pori ← Laitila ←  N  S  → Nousiainen → Turku


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