Kaarina (Swedish: Sankt Karins) is a town in the Finland Proper region of Finland, about 10 km east of Turku. The neighbouring municipality of Piikkiö has now merged with this one.
Understand
The municipality is named after the Katariina church that is in turn named after Catherine of Alexandria (Saint Catherine of the Wheel).
From a rural community, Kaarina has grown to 32,000 inhabitants and has been a town since 1993. Many of the inhabitants work in Turku. Though officially monolingual, Kaarina has a growing Swedish minority of about 5%, with its own comprehensive school.
The former main village of Kaarina (Nummi) has been part of Turku since 1939. The present Kaarina has a few distinct centres. Kuusisto was annexed to Kaarina 1946 and Piikkiö 2009. Littoinen was the biggest settlement in the 1960s, with some industry and a train station (now out of use, on the Turku–Helsinki railway). The modern centre is where the road to the archipelago (Saaristotie, Skärgårdsvägen) used to start, by the then main road to Helsinki.
The remains of a 12th-century church were found in Ravattula in 2013. This is the oldest known church in Finland. The Kaarina parish is mentioned 1309 and the wooden predecessor of the Katariina church was taken into use in 1351.
- Tourist Information, Lautakunnankatu 4 (City Offices, street level), ☏ 358 2 588-4010. M 09:00–17:00, Tu–Th 09:00–16:00, F 09:00–15:45.
Get in and around
- See Turku#Get around for information about fares and tickets
Kaarina is well connected to Turku. The former main road from Helsinki (now regional road 110) passes by the Kaarina and Piikkiö centres. The motorway from Helsinki also goes through Kaarina, but at a distance from the centre. Road 10 (from Hämeenlinna) passes through the northern parts of the municipality (by Auranlaakso and Ravattula).
By bus
Most coaches from Helsinki to Turku (even most express buses) leave the motorway in Kaarina and use the former main road to drive by the Kaarina centre. The nearest stop is "Paraisten tienhaara", the next express stop "Piispanristi" at the Turku border.
Kaarina takes part in the Turku region "Föli" bus cooperation, which means bus tickets are treated as if Kaarina was part of the same municipality as Turku, Raisio, Naantali, Rusko and Lieto. Most regional buses (such as to Pargas, Kimito and Salo – look for line numbers or a "Föli" sign) can be used with the same tickets as long as you stay in the Föli area. A single ticket with two hours unlimited transfer costs €3 (children 7–14 €1.50). For other ticket options, see Turku#By bus.
The main bus lines from Turku to Kaarina centre are number 7 (from Naantali via Turku) and 801 (Turku to Pargas). Also e.g. 701 and 702 (Piikkiö, Kimito, Salo) pass by Kaarina centre and can be used in the same manner. Lines 2B and 2C go from Turku to Littoinen, line 6 from Naantali via Turku along road 10 to Lieto. Internal buses (often minibuses) have a number prefixed by "K". These latter zigzag by any residential areas on their way, so are good for a kind of sightseeing, but not very fast, and have limited schedules.
The Föli route planner is useful for getting around by bus in Kaarina.
By bike
Kaarina has good bike routes by the main roads. Distances are suitable for bike trips, but for getting around you have to budget quite some time, as the points of interest are spread around.
By taxi
- Taxidata, Taksi Länsi-Suomi, iTaksi: see Turku#By taxi
- Smartphone apps: Valopilkku, 02 Taksi
See
- 1 Kuusisto Castle (Kuusiston linna), Linnanrauniontie 633, ☏ 358 20-639-4620, ✉[email protected]. 24 hours daily; no winter maintenance. Ruins of an episcopal castle from 14th century, demolished after the Lutheran reformation, not to offer a stronghold for the Church. Nearby is Kuusisto manor, which functioned as the farm for the castle and subsequently as a residence for high-ranking governmental officials. The present main building is from 1738. The castle is accessible also by boat. Free.
Do
- 1 Skywatching in Tuorla observatory and planetarium.
- 2 Littoistenjärvi beach, Vanha Littoistentie 150. Beach, dance pavilion and nature trail by Lake Littoistenjärvi. The lake is shallow, which makes the beach ideal for smaller children. It also makes the water warm early in the summer. Dances Thursday nights middle May to early September (dance course/dance 18:00/19:30–23:00, €12). Bird watching tower by the nature trail.
- 3 Järvelä wetland, Järveläntie (near Lake Littoistenjärvi). Bird sanctuary by Lake Littoistenjärvi. Nature path and bird watching tower.
- 4 Kuusistonlahti, Lyhdyntie (eastern part of Kuusisto island south of Kaarina centre). Bird sanctuary in a bay of the sea, part of a Natura 2000 special protection area and a great place to observe nesting and resting birds. Birdwatching towers.
- Hovirinta Beach Park (Hovirinnan rantapuisto), Uimarannantie. Summer season 15 Jun–31 Aug, Winter swimming Oct–Apr. Beach with playground and traffic park. Free. Fees for sauna, etc..
- Pyhän Katariinan polut. Trails in western Kaarina. Outcrop hills, steep hillsides, lush forest, fields and seascape views. Souhuvuori prehistoric graves (a guide may be needed to find them). Memorial of the Lemu Battle of 1808. The Vaarniemi, Yli-Lemu and Ala-Lemu mansions. The Vaarniemi tower gives views over a large area. Lean-to shelter at Vaarniemi (firewood below the stairs from Rauvolanlahti; no fires allowed during wildfire warnings).
- 5 Rauvolanlahti (Rauvolaviken). Bird sanctuary. Nature path through the reed; bird watching towers. Connection to the Katariinanlaakso nature reserve in Turku. The path (Vaarniemen–Rauvolanlahden luontopolku) is part of the St. Olav Waterway and the Pyhän Katariinan polut trail network.
Events
- Saaristo Open. 2020: 4–6 June. Music festival, 20,000–30,000 visitors.
Buy
Eat
There are hamburgers, kebab, pizza and Chinese food available in Kaarina centre, and even a Nepali lunch restaurant. For fine dining, however, the common solution is to go to Turku. Nice dinners are probably also available in some former manors.
Drink
Some pubs and cafés, most people go to Turku for nightlife.
Sleep
- 1 Hotel Kivitasku, Aittakatu 1, ☏ 358 2 242-4920, ✉[email protected]. Located in the town centre, Hotel Kivitasku offers also single and triple rooms. €88.
- 2 Hostel Tuorla (Tuorlan majatalo), Tuorlantie 1, ☏ 358 2 472-6625, ✉[email protected]. €62.
- 3 Kavalto Farm (Kavaltontila), Kavaltontie 11, 21500 Piikkiö, ☏ 358 2 475-0000, ✉[email protected]. An alternative to the city hotels, Kavalto Farm offers bed and breakfast in Finnish countryside
- Lomakeskus Koivukankare, Munkkentie 251 (on Kuusisto; turn toward the church and the castle ruins, turn left after 250 m to Munkkentie, drive 2,5 km), ☏ 358 40-719-9970, ✉[email protected]. "Leisure centre" at two former farms, with minigolf, badminton, etc. Rowing boats, canoes, bikes and motorboats for rent. Fishing and nature trips etc. Modern wheelchair enabled accommodation building (shared bathrooms and toilets) and caravan site. Wi-Fi. Restaurant: lunch in summer 12:00–14:00, otherwise à la carte (check hours). Founded 1940. double €61, 3-pers €81, pet €10; caravan €25 showers €5/person; breakfast €8; à la carte: most meals €15–20, soup, hamburger or vegetarian €6–10.
- 4 Villa Wolax, Villa Wolaxin tie 40 (Kuusisto, turn left before the Kirjalansalmi bridge, drive 3 km along Vuolahdentie, turn left to Villa Volaxin tie), ☏ 358 40-533-1469 (M–F 09:00–16:00), ✉[email protected]. Nice villa in nice milieu. Mostly targeted at conferences, retreats and business meetings, weddings etc. The rooms are in five buildings with separate private areas. The buildings and rooms are in different style, some in line with the villa, others more modernistic, some rather simple. Activities for groups. Restaurant in summer and on request. Guest marina with water, electricity, toilets, and row boat and bikes to borrow. Single €90, double €140; breakfast €14 (order in advance); harbour fee €20, day visit for dinner free; private sauna €250/2 hr, €70/hr for marina guests.
Connect
Go next
- Kaarina is a good starting point for the Archipelago Trail.
- The King's Road comes from Turku and continues along the southern coast.
| Routes through Kaarina |
| END ← Turku ← | W  E | → Salo → Helsinki |
| Stockholm ← Turku ← | '  'E | → Salo → Helsinki |