Summer by the Seaside: A Day Trip to Hanko and Ekenäs in Finland

Sometimes when we travel it’s easy to stick to the capital, but then we end up missing out on gems that are so close by! That’s why today I wanted to highlight two beautiful Finnish seaside towns: Hanko and Ekenäs. These places are charming and the wooden architecture will transport you back to a bygone era, but the best part is that they are easy day trips from Helsinki! Hanko is only a 1.5 hour drive from the capital, and Ekenäs is even closer.

Things to Do, See, Eat, Drink & Experience in Hanko and Ekenäs

Hanko

I liked Hanko the minute we pulled into the harbour. The first thing that struck me were the wooden villas. Hanko thrived as a spa town in the early 1900s and this shows in the town’s architecture. Hanko is sprinkled with beautiful homes painted in cheerful pastel colours, and many of the older buildings in the town once served as bath houses, casinos, and dance halls.

Another thing that makes Hanko so special is that it sits on the southernmost tip of Finland – you can’t go any further south from here without dipping your toes in the Baltic Sea. This prime location makes it home to beautiful coastlines, including 30 kilometres worth of sandy beaches.

The town is home to the famous Hanko Regatta which takes place every July. I missed the big sailing race by a few weeks, but I could imagine how the town would come to life during this time. With its lengthy shores, there would be so many places to perch yourself and watch the race unfold.

I arrived in Hanko just in time for lunch so our first stop was Bryggan, a little restaurant on the harbour with one item on the menu: a delicious salmon, dill and potato soup served with a side of rye bread and butter. (You know your restaurant is a winner when you can have one dish on the menu and people still come!) This was followed by a hearty slice of pie as we fuelled up for a day of exploring.

Our first order of the day was to take part in a meditation walk lead by Sattva Wellness. I had never tried anything like it before, so it was an interesting experience. Our guide asked us to remain silent as we soaked in our natural surroundings. She lead us past lily ponds and down forest trails before finally arriving at Plagen, a stretch of beach lined with old-fashioned wooden beach huts. I think the aim of the walk was to disconnect from everything going on around us and to really look inwards as we strolled through nature, but I kept getting distracted by my surroundings and ended up snapping pictures instead…discretely.

From here we continued on to the Path of Love, a rocky area on the harbour which was the departure point for many Finns seeking a new life abroad. It was on this rocky area that many dances were held as friends and family bid farewell to the 250,000 Finns who left the country between 1881 and 1931 in order to seek a new life in places like Canada, the United States and Australia. I know many Finnish-Canadians back home, so it was interesting to think that many of their predecessors could have begun their journeys in this very spot.

Ready to explore the outskirts of Hanko, we hopped back on our bikes and set out on a cycling tour of Hanko’s local farms. Since we were cooking our own meal that night, we stopped at the Sjöberg Farm to pick up an assortment of organic vegetables. Because it was the last week of summer, no one was working at the farm, but it was cool seeing the ‘honesty system’ in place, so we grabbed our produce and paid by leaving our money in a little box. By the time we arrived back in town we were all famished and ready to dig in!

I would have loved to spend a few more days in Hanko – those wooden villas by the sea were just calling out to me for an extended retreat! – but from here we were off to an equally tranquil seaside town.

Ekenäs

The town of Ekenäs grew out of a small fishing village, and it has a pretty cool history. Ekenäs was actually founded back in 1546, four years before the capital of Helsinki was even around! Swedish King Gustavus Vasa was the mastermind behind this, and his idea was that both Ekenäs and Helsinki would compete for trade with the port city that is today known as Tallinn. Unfortunately, things didn’t go exactly as the king had planned and the town remained a quiet village for almost 200 years.

While Ekenäs may not have become the booming city Gustavus had hoped for, it did manage to retain its history, which makes it a great place to wander around. The Old Town is a medieval maze of crooked lanes, and many of the street corners are still marked with images of fish and sea creatures, a method that was used to name and divided the town’s quarters in the 19th century.

I spent part of the morning on a do-it-yourself architectural walk of the medieval town. The tourism office puts out little brochures with maps of the Old Town, and you can use these to wander around and pinpoint the various architectural styles found there ranging from Neo-Classical to Art Nouveau.

I also got to try a new activity during my visit: paddleboarding! While the sport has only become popular in recent years, our instructor explained that it originated around the same time surfing became popular in the 60s and 70s. Surfing instructors needed a way to be out on the water observing their students, and thus paddleboarding was born out of necessity. The sport turned out to be a lot of fun, and the best part? I didn’t fall in!

And that’s a little glimpse at Hanko and Ekenäs. I wish I had more to share, but my visits were all too brief! Maybe that’s something that you can take away; even though these two towns are easy day trips from Helsinki, there’s still plenty of reason to linger for a few more days and really soak in everything these places have to offer!

Planning Your Hanko and Ekenäs Visit: Transport, Itineraries and Practical Tips

If you want to linger a little longer than a day in these coastal towns — and there’s good reason to — here’s everything you need to plan the trip properly.

Getting There: Transport Options

Seat tip: on Helsinki–Hanko legs, grab rows 11–14 in the upper deck of double-decker carriages — panoramic Baltic glimpses without neck-craning.

A 2-Day, One-Night Itinerary

Day 1 – Hanko

Day 2 – Ekenäs

Know Your Seaside History

• Spa-town glamour: Hanko’s pastel villas date to the Russian Imperial era (late 1800s) when nobles flocked for therapeutic seawater baths. The circular pavilion by the beach? Former casino ballroom.
• War and waves: During WW2 Hanko was leased to the Soviet Navy; bullet holes still pepper the granite bunkers near Tulliniemi Nature Reserve.
• Bilingual culture: Both towns are officially bilingual Finnish/Swedish. Street signs read “Hanko/Hangö” and “Ekenäs/Tammisaari” — a cheerful “tack så mycket!” (thanks so much) earns local smiles.
• Export hub: Ekenäs shipyards once built ocean-going schooners carrying pine tar and butter to Lübeck, Riga and even Buenos Aires. Keep an eye out for anchor motifs on door knockers.

What Else to Eat Beyond Fish Soup

Hanko Beach Guide

Unique Experiences Worth Planning Ahead

1. Sea yoga on a tall ship — morning vinyasa on deck of the restored schooner Kathrina (June–Aug, ~€25 including smoothie).
2. Lighthouse sleepover at Bengtskär — 1.5 hours by boat from Hanko. Overnight on a wave-battered islet, four-course dinner of pike-perch and cloudberries, sunrise over the Gulf of Finland. Book a year ahead.
3. Historic sauna crawl — rent a fatbike and stop at three heritage wood-fired saunas between Hanko and Ekenäs, cooling down in coves along the way.
4. Foraging workshop — learn to identify chanterelles, nettle and wild thyme with a local forager, then cook a camp-stove risotto (Aug–Sept).
5. Regatta after-sail evening — even if you’re not in town for race day, cafés host “mini-regatta” Fridays in July: live jazz, wooden-boat parades and pop-up mussel bars.

Budget Guide

What to Pack for a Finnish Seaside Day

Where to Stay: Hanko and Helsinki Options

If you decide to stay overnight in Hanko rather than return to Helsinki the same day — and I’d encourage it — two well-reviewed properties include:

• Regatta Spa Hotel, Hanko — housed in a striking Art Nouveau building designed by Finnish architect Lars Sonck, just 8 minutes from the train station and 150 metres from Merikatu Beach. Pool, hot tub, sauna and in-house restaurant. The most complete overnight option in Hanko, particularly if you want the spa experience to continue after the public sauna visit.
• Villa Maija, Hanko — a boutique villa-style stay with a garden and private entrance. Consistently well-reviewed for atmosphere and personal service; a more intimate option than the Regatta for couples or anyone wanting something quieter.

For readers basing in Helsinki and doing both towns as day trips, Hotel Katajanokka — the famous converted 19th-century prison on Helsinki’s waterfront — is a characterful base that fits the historic theme of the whole trip. Harbour views and a distinctive atmosphere that’s hard to find elsewhere. Also bookable through Stay22.

Tours Worth Booking Through Stay22

Several activities in this area book out quickly in summer:

• Helsinki to Hanko archipelago boat excursion — a guided boat tour taking in the outer islands of the Hanko archipelago; a completely different perspective on the coastline than the train journey in. Good option for a one-day visit where you want a structured experience.
• Guided SUP tour around Tulliniemi — paddleboarding with a guide around the Tulliniemi sandspit and Finland’s southernmost point. Suitable for beginners; typically runs June through August. Seal sightings are common.
• Ekenäs Old Town history walk — a guided walking tour of the medieval town with a local historian covering the bilingual heritage, the fish-icon street signs, the shipyard era and the architectural styles. The kind of context that makes the self-guided wander much richer afterward.
• Traditional Finnish sauna experience — book-ahead access to a wood-fired heritage sauna with guided sea-dip protocol and lake or Baltic cooling. Available as a standalone experience or combined with other activities; worth booking in advance for summer weekends.

Hanko and Ekenäs FAQ

How do I get from Helsinki to Hanko and Ekenäs without a car?

Take VR trains from Helsinki to Hanko (about 1h45, usually one change) and to Ekenäs/Tammisaari (around 1h–1h15, often direct). Between Hanko and Ekenäs, use a Matkahuolto bus (about 45 minutes). Trains run frequently in summer — buy tickets in the VR app for saver fares.

Can I visit both towns comfortably in one day?

Yes, with an early start. Do morning in Hanko (harbour, villas, beach huts at Plagen), then afternoon bus to Ekenäs (Old Town lanes and seaside). If you want SUP, kayak, sauna and slow meals, consider one overnight to do it properly.

What’s the best time of year to go?

June–August for warm water, café terraces and long golden evenings. Early July is buzzy during Hanko Regatta. May and September are quieter with cooler dips and lower prices — pack extra layers for shoulder season.

Which beaches should I choose in Hanko?

• Plagen: Family-friendly, shallow water, classic striped beach huts.
• Bellevue: Breezier, great sunsets and wind sports.
• Tulliniemi Nature Beach: Wild and windswept — pair it with the Southernmost Point nature trail.

Where do I see the wooden villas and historic lanes?

In Hanko, stroll Appelgrenintie and Boulevardi for the pastel spa-era villas. In Ekenäs, pick up the free Old Town map from the tourist office and wander the crooked lanes with fish-icon street markers and wooden houses ranging from Neo-Classical to Art Nouveau.

What local foods should I try beyond the salmon soup?

Hanko harbour stalls do strömmingsburgare (Baltic herring sliders). Look for archipelago bread, Åland pancake, sea-buckthorn gelato and spruce-shoot lemonade in summer. Cafés and bistros in both towns lean seasonal, fish-forward and cosy.

How does sauna and sea-dip work for visitors?

Public saunas post mixed, family or separate hours. Bring a swimsuit if required (rules vary by venue), a towel and a water bottle, and shower before entering. Alternate heat with Baltic dips and keep voices low. Many saunas sell tickets online in peak summer — book ahead on weekends.

What’s the deal with Hanko Regatta?

Held in early July, it’s Finland’s iconic sailing weekend — races by day, lively harbour evenings with music and pop-up food. Book transport and rooms well in advance and expect higher prices. If you prefer calm, pick dates just before or after.

Can I rent bikes, SUPs or kayaks easily?

Yes. Hanko’s beaches offer SUP and bike rentals in season; Ekenäs marinas rent kayaks for short paddles among the islets. Reserve on weekends. Beginners are welcome and calm mornings are the best time for first-timers.

How much should I budget for a day trip?

Shoestring: €20–€35 (off-peak trains, picnic lunch). Comfort: €50–€90 (train, café lunch, sauna ticket and ice cream). Treat yourself: €120 and up (first-class train, rentals, sunset dinner). Summer weekends price higher across the board.

Is English widely spoken and what about Finnish and Swedish signage?

Both towns are officially bilingual Finnish/Swedish (Hanko/Hangö, Ekenäs/Tammisaari). English is widely understood in tourism, cafés and rentals. A cheerful “Kiitos!” (Finnish) or “Tack!” (Swedish) is genuinely appreciated.

What should I pack for a seaside day?

A light rain jacket, swimsuit and towel for sauna and sea, comfortable walking shoes, layers for breezy evenings, sun protection, a reusable water bottle and a small daypack for snacks and beach finds. Baltic weather can flip from sun to sea-mist in minutes.