Kymenlaakso

Kymenlaakso is a region in Southern Finland named after the valley of river Kymijoki.

Cities

• 1 Kotka
• 2 Kouvola
• 3 Hamina

Municipalities

• 1 Miehikkälä
• 2 Pyhtää
• 3 Virolahti

Other destinations

National Parks

See also: Finnish National Parks

• 1 Repovesi National Park. One of Southern Finland’s most popular hiking destinations.  
• 2 Valkmusa National Park. Large mire landscape with plenty of birdwatching opportunities.  
• 3 Gulf of Finland National Park. In outer archipelago, best explored by boat.  

Understand

Kymenlaakso means "Kymi River Valley," as the Kymi River flows through the region.

The province has a population of around 180,000 people and covers an area of about 5,887 km² (2,273 sq mi). The largest cities in Kymenlaakso are Kotka and Kouvola. The province is known for its beautiful natural scenery, including forests, lakes, and the coastline.

Kymenlaakso has a strong industrial sector, with paper and pulp production being particularly important. The province is also a hub for transportation, with major rail and road connections to other parts of Finland and Russia.

In terms of education, Kymenlaakso has a number of universities and vocational schools, as well as research institutes focused on areas such as energy and the environment. The region is also home to a number of cultural institutions, including museums, theaters, and festivals celebrating local traditions.

Get in

	Note: Since autumn 2023, the border crossings by road have been closed.
	(Information last updated 01 Apr 2024)

	Visa restrictions: In response to Russia's war in Ukraine, Russian tourists are banned from entering Finland.
	(Information last updated Apr 2024)

There are no passenger airports in Kymenlaakso but frequent connections to Kouvola and the coastal cities by coach from Helsinki. Trains from Helsinki to all parts of Eastern Finland and Russia pass through Kouvola, and so do many coach lines going in that direction. If you're coming by road from Saint Petersburg and are heading for Helsinki, you will likely cross the border at Vaalimaa, east of Hamina.

If you fly in from abroad, you will mostly fly to Helsinki Airport (HEL ^IATA) and continue by coach or train. Lappeenranta (LPP ^IATA) has some international flights, most of them operated by Ryanair.

Get around

Trains of VR can be used between Kouvola and Kotka. The coach network covers most of the region (see Matkahuolto). Regional bus route timetables are available for Kouvola and Kotka regions.

The Kymenlaakso joint ticket is valid for local traffic in Kouvola and Kotka and on VR trains between Kouvola and Kotka, single ticket price is €7 and it is valid for 2 hr. You can purchase the joint ticket using the app Waltti Mobiili.

By taxi

• Kymenlaakson Taksi, ☏ +358 100-87227 (extra charge: €1.25+0.68/min+pvm). Smartphone app: Taksi Kymenlaakso. Daytime M–Sa €4.90+€1.39/2.10/km+0.49/min, nights and holidays €7.80+€1.49/2.20/km+€0.49/min; lower km fee for 1–4 persons; waiting time €56/hour, prebooking €5.50. 
• National smartphone apps: Valopilkku, 02 Taksi, Menevä, Taksini

See

Langinkoski Imperial Fishing Lodge

The Maritime Centre Vellamo in Kotka has status as national seafaring museum. Kotka also otherwise has a lot of seafaring heritage.

Off the coast of Kymenlaakso is the Gulf of Finland National Park, and a cruise, spending some time at an island such as Kaunissaari or Haapasaari, is certainly worthwhile.

• The old town of Hamina
• Kymi River and the dam near Kouvola.
• Verla Groundwood and Board Mill in Jaala, Kouvola; a former paper factory that now is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Mustaviiri, near Pyhtää, is one of the points on the World Heritage listed Struve Geodetic Arc that is among the more difficult to access. Located in the Gulf of Finland, you will need a boat to get to this point.
• Langinkoski Imperial Fishing Lodge near Kotka was known as the holiday home of Emperor Alexander III of Russia and his imperial family. Today it functions as a museum.

  

  Bunker museum in Virolahti

• Virolahti Bunker Museum, in Virolahti, is an exhibition inside a wooden building built to resemble the style of the war period in Finland. Outdoor part surrounding the museum building includes fortification sites in the forest.
• Salpa Line Museum, in Miehikkälä, has an indoor exposition and an extensive outdoor exposition (guided tour included in the entrance fee, as well as a short film).

Do

• Salpa Trail. The Salpa Trail is a 50-km one-way hiking route between Virolahti and Miehikkälä. It follows a part of the Finnish World War II defence line (the Salpa line ). Along the route there are numerous remains of bunkers, dug-outs and other fortifications and several rest-stops. They are equipped with a compost toilet, compost, a fireplace and a firewood shelter and some of them with a lean-to for an over-night stay. The Bunker museum in Virolahti and the Salpa Line museum in Miehikkälä are part of the route. 
• Have fun at Tykkimäki amusement park in Kouvola

Stay safe

Kymenlaakso region is safe. While boating, swimming or by the quay, observe usual precautions.