Vaasa is a city located on the west coast of Finland. It is the capital of Ostrobothnia, one of the country’s 19 regions.
Vaasa is one of the most important bilingual cities in the country. Finnish (71.5% of the population) and Swedish (24.9% of the population) are the two most widely spoken languages in the city of Vaasa.
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Things to see and do in Vaasa
In Vaasa, we can find many important buildings, such as the city market or the Trinity Church.
Nature also plays an important role, so it is possible to enjoy different routes through its forests and natural parks.
Ostrobothnian Museum
The Ostrobothnian Museum presents the history of the region to its visitors. A visit to the museum is a must if you want to learn about the Ostrobothnia region and its capital.
Vaasa Market Square
The market square is the centre of Vaasa’s city life. With its many bars and terraces, the square is one of the most popular meeting places for Vaasa’s inhabitants during the summer.
The Finland’s Statue of freedom is located at the northern end of the market square. It was unveiled in the summer of 1938. The statue depicts two “white soldiers” after victory in the Finnish civil war.
Kuntsi Museum of Modern Art
Kuntsi Museum of Modern Art was opened in 2007 and is located in a former customs warehouse in the city’s inner harbour.
The museum has one of the most important collections of contemporary Finnish art in the country.
Ruins of Old Vaasa
Old Vaasa is located about 6 km southeast of the present-day city. It is the ruins of the first city of Vaasa, which burned down in 1852.
Next to the ruins is also an 18th-century court building, the only one to survive the destruction caused by the fire. It became Korsholm Church when the reconstruction of the town began at its present location.
Tikanoja Art Museum
The Tikanoja Art Museum is a traditional art museum located in the former home of local businessman Frithjof Tikanoja. The museum was opened after Tikanoja’s death in 1964 when he donated his private collection of works to the town.
Tikanoja’s collection includes works by world-renowned artists, including Pablo Picasso, Paul Gauguin, Edgar Degas and Henri Matisse. There are also works by important Finnish artists such as Maria Wiik, Albert Edelfelt and Tyko Sallinen.
Trinity Church
Trinity Church, also known as Vaasa Church, is an important Lutheran church located in the heart of Vaasa city centre.
The church was designed by Carl Axel Setterberg and its construction was completed in 1862. The building has an English Gothic style. Inside, the nave has 900 seats and the crypt has 130 seats.
Stundars Agricultural Handicraft Museum
Stundars Agricultural Handicraft Museum is located in Korsholm, next to the ruins of the old town of Vaasa.
The museum consists of a total of 70 buildings in which you can discover what country life was like in the early 20th century in the Ostrobothnia region.
How to get to Vaasa
It is possible to reach the city of Vaasa by different means of transport. The most convenient is by plane, as the journey time is shorter. Vaasa Airport has daily connections to Helsinki and Stockholm.
All trains from Helsinki to Oulu and Rovaniemi stop at Seinäjoki. From there, numerous trains run directly to Vaasa. There are also trains connecting the city of Vaasa with Jyväskylä, although these are less frequent.
By bus, it is possible to reach Vaasa from a large number of locations in Finland. The boat is another alternative to reach the city, as there is a ferry line that crosses daily from the Swedish city of Umeå.
How to get around the city
The city of Vaasa is not very big and most of the things to see are within walking distance. The main attractions, including the shopping centre and nightlife, are concentrated around the market square.
The local bus service will allow you to travel to different parts of the city and to municipalities near Vaasa. Buses usually run every 30-60 minutes, depending on which line you want to use. Taxis are also available, although they cost considerably more than buses.
Where to stay in Vaasa
Vaasa has plenty of hotels and hostels to stay in. Most of them are located right in the city centre, so you won’t have to worry about getting around the city.
Please note that some of the accommodation is only open during the summer, so you will need to pay special attention if you plan to visit Vaasa during the rest of the year.
Where to eat in Vaasa
There are plenty of fast-food places in Vaasa where you can eat for less than 10 euros. If you’re on a bigger budget, we recommend you go to any of the more traditional restaurants in the city centre to try traditional dishes from the city and the region.
We hope our tourist guide to Vaasa will help you prepare for your trip to the city. We invite you to share this article on social media using the buttons below. And if you have any questions, you can use the comments section to ask them.