Raahe: Stories from a Wooden Town and the Tranquillity of the Archipelago

In Raahe, the sea is more than a view. It has shaped the town’s history, livelihoods and identity for centuries. This soon becomes apparent in Old Town Raahe , one of Finland’s best-preserved 19th-century wooden towns.

The best way to explore Old Town Raahe  is on a leisurely walk. Around Pekkatori Square, traces of the town’s prosperous seafaring and trading past remain visible. Along the way, you will find Holy Trinity Church and sea captain Leufstadius’s tobacco factory.

The museums offer a deeper insight into Raahe’s maritime history. The highlight of the Crown Granary Museum is the Old Gentleman, known as the world’s oldest surviving diving suit. At the Packhouse Museum, visitors can discover stories from the age of sail, objects brought home by sailors from around the world, and Mikael Balt’s 17th-century church sculptures.

From Town Streets to Island Stillness

In summer, some of Raahe’s most memorable experiences await offshore. Small excursion boats take visitors into the archipelago, while cruises aboard the schooner S/Y Raahen Fiia offer a taste of sailing.

An island excursion can become an overnight stay on Iso-Kraaseli, where accommodation options include a historic pilot’s cottage, a villa and a modern glass igloo. As the day draws to a close, the recipe for a Finnish summer evening is simple: a sauna, the sea and time to unwind.

Travelling along the coast, it is worth stopping at Tauvo’s long sandy beach in Siikajoki or exploring Pyhäjoki. Built in 1837, the Etelänkylä Museum Bridge in Pyhäjoki is one of Finland’s oldest surviving wooden strut-frame bridges. Nearby, the Kielosaari nature trail leads through riverside scenery. Campers and caravanners can also stay in these peaceful natural surroundings.

Art, crafts and local flavours

The charm of the Raahe region also lies in small discoveries and encounters. At Raahen Taitopaja, visitors can explore traditional craft techniques. The sculpture parks of Kari Juva and Matti Lepistö bring distinctive art to the region, while changing exhibitions at the event center Tapahtumatalo Raahe add to its cultural offering.

Local restaurants are an essential part of the experience. Stop for a fish lunch, enjoy coffee or drinks at a community cinema, or have dinner amid the atmosphere of the historic wooden town. Spend the night at a boutique hotel in Old Town Raahe and round off the day with a traditional Finnish sauna.

The region’s appeal lies partly in its manageable scale. You can fit a surprising amount into a single day without ever needing to rush.

Summer is the main season, but events bring the region to life throughout the year. Raahe Maritime Festival celebrates the town’s seafaring roots, while the Raahe Rantajatsit jazz festival brings international performers to an intimate setting. In December, the Old Town Raahe Advent Calendar turns the historic wooden town into the backdrop for one of the region’s most atmospheric traditions. Together with exhibitions, concerts, markets and local events, these offer experiences in every season.

Fact: The Raahe region

The Raahe tourism region comprises Raahe, Siikajoki and Pyhäjoki on the coast of the Bothnian Bay. Raahe is approximately an hour’s drive from Oulu and Oulu Airport. The region is easily accessible by car, bus and train, with boating and cycling offering additional ways to explore in summer.

Further information and things to do: Visit Raahe

Contact: Terhi Eteläinen, Tourism Manager