Ekenäs (Tammisaari) Old Town

Ekenäs, known in Finnish as Tammisaari, is a coastal town in the municipality of Raseborg, Uusimaa, on the south-western coast of Finland. Its old town, on Gamla stan, dates from the founding of the town in 1546 and is a network of narrow lanes lined with low wooden houses painted in soft colours. The old town is free to walk and always open, and it is noted for its well-preserved 18th and 19th-century timber buildings, small gardens and quiet streets. Visitors typically walk between the harbour, the church and the central streets, stopping at cafes, craft shops and small museums, many of which keep seasonal hours. The small harbour is a social centre in summer, with cafes and boat trips running to islands, and the town is the gateway to Ekenäs Archipelago National Park. A visit takes two to three hours for a walk, and longer when combined with a boat trip. Summer is the best season, because harbour cafes and boat services operate then, while most shops close on Sundays in winter. The town is quietest on weekday mornings and busiest on summer weekends. The best photo angles are along the cobbled lanes of the old town and from the harbour back towards the wooden houses. Ekenäs is reached from Helsinki by VR train via Karis in about 1 hour 15 minutes, or by Ampers bus from Kamppi in about 1 hour 30 minutes. The station is a 10-15 minute walk from the old town. Information is available through visitraseborg.com.