Holiday apartment in Haparanda: Archipelago, nature and culture
Haparanda opens up views of Sweden’s easternmost archipelago: the Haparanda Archipelago includes a national park with Sandskär, Selkä-Sarvi, Heikinkari, as well as smaller islands and skerries. Long sandy beaches, shallow sea bays, lush deciduous forests and a rich variety of flora and fauna characterize this area. In the national park, you can see extensive sandy beaches, abundant birdlife and clearly visible signs of land uplift. The archipelago offers opportunities for hiking, birdwatching and swimming; sport anglers can also discover many bays and shallows.
Nature and water
Riekkola-Välivaara also features a varied landscape. Different types of forest meet smaller lakes, mires and coastal meadows there. Its special location by the sea and at the same time at the mouth of the Torne River creates unique conditions through the combination of fresh and salt water. Along the coast and in the Bothnian Bay archipelago, fishing with hand-held equipment, also known as sport fishing, is free; no fishing license is required.
Seskarö Trails includes several kilometers of kayaking routes and ten rest areas. During the summer season, the area offers around 60 kilometers of marked trails for hiking and mountain biking. In winter, around 50 kilometers of winter trails and ski tracks are prepared on Seskarö. The Vuono hiking trail is around 15 kilometers long and can be used for walking, running or skiing, depending on the season. It passes through old hay meadows and by cultural-historical remains.
Culture and history
The Struve Geodetic Arc is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and consists of a chain of measurement points used from 1816 to 1855 to determine the shape and size of the Earth. Perävaara is the only Swedish World Heritage measurement point on the Struve Geodetic Arc with a preserved marker. A 400-meter-long footpath leads from a side road to the measurement point; information boards are located in the parking area, at the start of the path and at the measurement point itself.
The cultural village at Kukkolaforsen includes two water-powered mills: the lower mill, dating from around 1840, and the upper mill from the 1850s. Kukkola is also home to the Delningsboden, also known as Jakopuoti or the Bell House. It was built in 1889 and is one of the more valuable cultural-historical buildings in Kukkola. Since 2014, the Tornedalen Museum has been a joint museum for Haparanda and Tornio. Haparanda’s streets and squares feature many public artworks, including statues, sculptures and monuments.
Fishing and local traditions
At Kukkolaforsen, fishing with a long-handled landing net is a centuries-old tradition. Whitefish and salmon are the main catches in the Torne River. At the Tornedalen Fishing Museum in Kukkolaforsen, visitors can learn more about river fishing and what lies beneath the surface of the Torne River. It also describes how fish is boiled, fried, salted, smoked and dried.
Sandskär is home to the remains of shipwrecks and an old cemetery. Cultural-historical remains tell of the island’s past, when the rich herring fishing already attracted people in the 16th century. Thus, the Haparanda Archipelago brings together island nature, birdlife, land uplift and traditional fishing history.
Border and city life
HaparandaTornio is a cross-border twin city on the border between Sweden and Finland. European route E4 runs through the twin cities of Haparanda and Tornio. Border-area urban culture includes recurring community events: Sommar i parken offers daily summer activities for children and young people in July. The New Year’s celebration Happy New Twice highlights the border location between Sweden and Finland. BorderPride and Vinterglöd contribute to inclusion and a vibrant cultural life throughout the year.
In summer, excursion boats run from Cementkajen in central Haparanda to both islands of the Haparanda Archipelago. The municipality of Haparanda’s mobile Naturkartan app contains, among other things, information about nature reserves, bathing spots, fishing spots, hiking trails and snowmobile trails.
Discover places
Other local destinations include Haparanda, Kukkola and Karungi.
For the broader travel overview: Norrbotten.
Check prices, availability and amenities for your travel dates directly on Booking.com.
View accommodations and offersAdvertisement · Affiliate link to Booking.comMore destinations
More places within the same destination:
