Day trip from Helsinki: The small and charming town of Loviisa
There’s something truly captivating about Loviisa. It’s small but lively, beautiful without being postcard-perfect, peaceful yet far from dull.
Best explored on foot and at a relaxed pace, Loviisa is a place to soak up the atmosphere. With a population of around 14,500, it offers something for everyone: quirky cafés, small boutiques, exciting events, historic fortresses, Baltic Sea beaches, and stunning natural surroundings.
Named after a queen, Loviisa falls into a Sleeping Beauty-like slumber in winter. While some restaurants, cafés and shops close during the low season, the town’s nature spots and streets remain open to all.
Loviisa is easily reached from Helsinki by bus in less than an hour and a half.
The old town that was saved
Loviisa’s main attraction is its Old Town, located right next to the city centre. Visitors can stroll along cobbled and sandy streets, admiring well-preserved wooden houses from the 18th and 19th centuries. The area has remained almost entirely intact, making it internationally significant and truly unique in Finland. It’s remarkable to think that the entire area was nearly demolished in the 1970s! The old towns of Ekenäs, Porvoo and other coastal wooden districts almost had the same fate!
Modern apartment blocks were already planned, and some buildings were torn down before a recession brought development to a halt. That’s when a small but determined group stepped in to defend the area’s heritage. Today, many Old Town homes are lovingly maintained by residents who moved to Loviisa from elsewhere, drawn by the town’s charm and its rich architectural history.
Find out more: https://www.visitkotkahamina.fi/en/charming-old-loviisa/
Walk, reflect – and spot the drops!
Forget the rush and explore Loviisa slowly and mindfully. Several themed walking routes invite visitors to reflect, wander, and discover:
1. The Myllyharju Trail begins at the church fountain and winds past rhododendrons up to a lookout tower with sweeping views over the sea and the Old Town. Finnish composer Jean Sibelius once sought inspiration here. The trail ends at Plagen Beach, where you can swim year-round.
2. Kuningattarenkatu features aphorisms in Finnish and Swedish displayed along the street – if you need a translation, just ask a friendly local. Look out for park benches with engraved love poems on the backrests.
3. The Ehrensvärd Nature Trail takes you through the Rosen and Ungern fortresses and local woodlands. From there, you can continue along the scenic coastal path towards Laivasilta.
4. Onneli and Anneli fans can follow a special route visiting filming locations and playhouses from the beloved Finnish children’s TV show.
5. Spot the drops! Loviisa’s unique architectural detail, the teardrop-shaped window ornament, dates back to the 1700s and is now featured in local knitwear designs – including socks, mittens, and even dog sweaters. You can buy crafts with this pattern or knit your own. Artist Tapio Haapala’s sculpture Loviisa Drop can be found at Kuningattarenranta.
Step inside historic homes (with permission!)
In August, visitors get a rare opportunity to step into dozens of historic homes and gardens during Loviisan Wanhat Talot (Loviisa Heritage Homes event ). The event draws thousands of fans of traditional Finnish homes and heritage. At the same time, the town fills with flea markets, antique fairs, local food stalls, and warm community spirit. Around 40 properties typically open their doors. For many, this is an annual tradition – a chance to see restoration progress and reconnect with familiar faces.
A second opportunity comes in December, when the Old Houses of Loviisa Christmas event brings festive magic to town.
Read more: loviisanwanhattalot.fi (in Finnish)
Salt barns and Baltic breezes
Loviisa’s Laivasilta area was once a bustling port, with sailing ships heading to destinations like Spain. Nearby Salt Square served as a key trading post for salt, spices, and Mediterranean goods.
Today, Laivasilta is a lively summer meeting place for boaters, travellers, and locals. The red salt barns (or warehouses) now house restaurants, cafés, artisan shops, and galleries. On the terraces, visitors enjoy local delicacies and cold drinks, soaking up the sea breeze and watching boats drift by.
Summer highlights include relaxed Sunday jazz sessions and Saltfest, an August waterfront music festival that attracts top Finnish artists.
A thousand sorrows and cakes in a chapel
Loviisa’s café scene is full of distinctive spots, but few are as intriguing as Tuhannen Tuskan Kahvila (Café of a Thousand Sorrows), located in a former speakeasy.
Housed in an 18th-century building in the heart of the Old Town, this café oozes atmosphere. On sunny days, its charming courtyard – filled with espalier apple trees and fluttering butterflies – is the perfect retreat.
The café serves delicate bébés, savoury pies, coffee in porcelain cups – and smunkkis, Loviisa’s take on the savoury doughnut.
Tip: Don’t go if you’re in a hurry. The service is unhurried, but that’s part of its charm.
Try also these:
Loviisan Kappeli
A glass pavilion-style café Loviisan Kappeli dates back to Tsar Alexander’s reign. Originally serving spa guests mineral water and punch, it’s now known for its scone brunches.
Helgas vegan café
A cosy spot in a former guesthouse, Helgas is furnished with upcycled décor and a homey vibe.
Favorit Café & Teashop
A bohemian favourite Favorit is known for its wide selection of teas and relaxed local crowd. The cafe is located in a charming 19th centure building and it is open every day of the week. At least in summer.
Loviisa’s flea markets and boutiques
Loviisa’s charm lies in its absence of big shopping centres. The most atmospheric boutiques are clustered around Aleksanterinkatu and Kuningattarentie.
For vintage lovers and treasure hunters, these three flea markets on Mariankatu are a must:
Suurkirppis
Suurkirppis is voted as one of Finland’s best flea markets, offering homeware, curiosities, and antique gems.
Raikun Kauppa
A nostalgic dive into Finnish history, Raikun kauppa is filled with vintage furniture, retro finds, and collector’s items.
Loviisan Antique Vintage and Krinti
Loviisa Antique Vintage specializes in antique furniture and rugs. It is located in Mariankatu 31. A quirky boutique Krinti is housed in Vanha Meijeri (Old Dairy), selling both new and vintage items.
Also worth exploring:
Loviisa Church
This neo-Gothic church is visible from afar and dominates the townscape.
Silent history in the cemetery
The old cemetery on the eastern ridge dates back to 1748. On the western side lies the Orthodox cemetery and its natural burial ground, where wooden crosses are left to decompose naturally – a striking symbol of impermanence. The cemetary is located in Läntinen Harjutie 25.
Take a colour bath: Bonga Castle
A colourful, slightly eccentric gallery and studio of artist Riitta Nelimarkka, housed in a patrician manor.
Svartholma sea fortress and land fortifications
Take a ferry in summer to this 18th-century sea fortress. Expect castle ruins, a museum, and a small restaurant-café. Booking in advance is recommended.
Nearby on land, the Rosen and Ungern bastions are open year-round and free to visit.
More about Loviisa and the region around it:
https://www.visitkotkahamina.fi/en/visit-kotka-hamina-fi
https://www.loviisa.fi/ihanaloviisa/ (in Finnish or Swedish)
