Things to do in Kotka
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Maritime Centre Vellamo
Relocated here from Hylkysaari off Helsinki, this maritime museum is a spectacular new museum that fittingly recounts the maritime life of Finland. The tanker-sized building has a wavelike design with a mosaic facade of photographs that’s coolly attractive. The star exhibit is the Tarmo, the world’s oldest ice-breaker (1908) that determinedly ploughed Finnish waters until it was retired in 1970. There’s a roster of changing exhibitions that showcase other sea-based memorabilia.
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Maretarium
More than an aquarium, the impressive Maretarium has over 20 giant fish tanks representing various bodies of water. The Baltic tank, for example, is the largest, with local sea life fed regularly by a diver. The water is piped in from the sea to keep the natural life cycle of fish going, so salmon spawn in autumn and in winter the freakish eelpout give birth. It’s an absorbing insight with English signage, guided tours and a theaterette.
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Museum-Ship Tarmo
The world's oldest icebreaker, the Museum-Ship Tarmo is moored at Central Harbour. Built at Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1907, it once kept Finnish shipping lanes open, and you can now go aboard and explore the cabins, bridge and engine room. In a hall nearby are another pair of vessels; a coastal patrol-boat and a lifeboat.
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St Nicholas Church
St Nicholas Church was founded in the 13th century. There are beautiful frescoes over the altar, but most striking is the Dance of Death frieze opposite the entrance door. In this frieze, grinning Reapers escort various members of society to the afterlife; all are equal in death.
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Blue
The blue neon light might not be flattering for the 30-plus crowd, but this great little bar feels more comfy than cool. There are regular bands, and DJs usually with bluesy, R ’n’ B beats, but it also just makes for a good place to shoot the breeze over a few wines.
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Kotka Church
Kotka Church is a neo-Gothic structure visible throughout town by its distinctive steeple. Inside there’s artful woodcarving, a baroque-style organ that can belt out a holy volume and a beautiful altarpiece painted by Pekka Halonen.
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Wanha Fiskari
Right by the Maretarium, this place specialises in seafood, smoking its own salmon and pan-frying a mean Baltic herring. The nautical decor is laid on but the first-rate food means you might not even notice the model sail-boats and sea doggerel.
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Sapokka Water Park
Just south of Sapokka Harbour, the Sapokka Water Park is a lovely green oasis with bridges, walking trails, gardens and the Rose Terrace garden, which is illuminated every evening. It's the perfect place to escape Kotka's more commercial side.
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San Remo
This refreshingly authentic Italian place in the middle of Finland does authentic risottos, pastas and pizzas that are best washed down with an espresso. Its upstairs location makes for a pleasant balcony meal when it’s warm.
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Archipelago Cruises
Archipelago Cruises of all types depart from Sapokka Harbour in summer, along with scheduled ferries to the outlying islands - the tourist office has timetables and details.
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Kymenlaakso Provincial Museum
Kymenlaakso Provincial Museum is the atmospherically lit museum of regional history, with exhibits from the Stone Age to the present day.
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Keisarin Kosket Oy
Several operators offer white-water rafting (also called 'rapids shooting') on the Kymijoki. Contact Keisarin Kosket Oy on the Kymijoki.
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Ravintola Duetto
Set in the ground floor of the town’s concert hall, this place is all blonde-wood sophistication with a menu of traditional Finnish.
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Yellowstone
This popular pub has a good outdoor terrace in the centre of town. Attached is the fairly tacky disco/nightclub, Livinstone.
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Kairo
A legendary old sailors boozer right down to the ships’ flags and saucy paintings, with live music and a great terrace.
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Erämys Ky
Several operators offer white-water rafting (also called 'rapids shooting') on the Kymijoki. Contact Erämys Ky.
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Ariela Café
The Ariela Café is a good lunchtime spot with filled rolls, light meals and a large terrace.
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