Kimitoön (Finnish: Kemiönsaari), literally Kimito Island, is a municipality in the Archipelago Sea, Finland. The main island (which gives the municipality its name) is a large coastal island with rural landscape typical for southern Finland. It is surrounded by inner archipelago and outer archipelagos of minor islands, similar to that in the rest of the Archipelago Sea.
Understand
Kimitoön as a municipality was created 2009 by joining the municipalities of Kimito, Västanfjärd and Dragsfjärd, all partly on the main island. Earlier many of the island groups and some other villages were independent municipalities. What is now the municipality of Kimitoön was the eastern part of the Åboland region (the western part, Väståboland, is now called Pargas).
- Tourist information, ☏ 358 2 426-0170, ✉[email protected].
- Villa Lande, Engelsbyvägen 8 (Kimito). M-F 12:00-17:00.
- Magasinet, Stallsbacksvägen 6 (Dalsbruk). W-F 10:30-17:30, Sa Su 10:30-16:00.
Villages
(among others)
- Kimito, a traditional rural village (or a couple of them) with a medieval church and some museums. The new centre by the main roads hosts large grocery stores and other service.
- Björkboda, village between Kimito and Dalsbruk with lock factory and museum.
- Dalsbruk, the most urban settlement of Kimitoön, nice village with ironworks and a related museum, famous for its Baltic Jazz festival. Marina.
- Hitis, island group and former municipality south of Kimitoön. The quite large village of Hitis has retained much of its traditional character. The adjacent Rosala has a Viking centre. Ferries from Kasnäs.
- Kasnäs, spa hotel, marina and ferry harbour in the south-west.
- Högsåra, island near Kasnäs, with a road ferry passage.
- Vänö, a larger remote island, ferry from Kasnäs M–F and Sun.
- Västanfjärd, in the eastern part of the main island, with two churches and some shops.
Talk
Kimitoön has a Swedish speaking majority, like the rest of Åboland. Most people also speak decent Finnish, and people know English as in the rest of Finland.
Get in
There are three roads to Kimitoön: from the north via Sauvo from national road 1 (E18) or regional road 110, both between Helsinki and Turku, from the east via Perniö over the Strömma canal (said to be the only place in Finland where tides can be observed) and from north-east along small roads via the Kokkila–Angelniemi ferry. The main village, Kimito, is some 60 km from Turku, 155 km from Helsinki via Raseborg.
There are buses of Vainion Liikenne from Turku to Kimito and Dalsbruk (€18.70) about once an hour in daytime, with a few connections e.g. to Kasnäs and Västanfjärd (check before counting on them). Buses from Helsinki more sparsely, possibly with a transfer. In addition to the normal buses, there is a bus from Helsinki 07:15 via Kimito, Dalsbruk, Söderlångvik, Kasnäs and Rosala to Hitis.
By bike you can follow the same routes as the cars, but the roads are narrow, so this is less nice if there is much traffic. If coming from the east, there is a biking route mostly avoiding the main roads, Kustrutten (description in Swedish, links, map) from Salo either via Kirjakkala, Teijo (Tykö) and Mathildedal ironworks, Teijo National Park, over the Strömma Canal and via Dalsbruk to Kasnäs with ferries to some of the islands, or via Finby and Angelniemi to Kimito and Dalsbruk. The route mostly follows small village roads, with some legs by the main roads, some through the forest. Not suited for racing bikes, but normal bikes will do.
With yacht you probably arrive via Hanko in the east or via the waters of Pargas or Nagu in the west. The main inner fairway between the Gulf of Finland in the east and Pargas, Nagu, Turku and Åland in the west and north-west goes south of Dalsbruk and Kasnäs, north of Hitis and Örö. The outer archipelago south of these is difficult to navigate and lacks official channels.
There are probably also boat connections from Hanko to Kasnäs in summer, for those who want a cruise. Vitharun has ended its services, hopefully somebody else continues them. You could also take a boat to the Bengtskär lighthouse and "return" with another boat to Kasnäs (check both legs before booking).
Get around
There are good roads on the main island (although car drivers should beware of potholes on most of them), suitable also for bikes, but they are narrow and without bike lanes, so biking in hours with much traffic is less pleasant. Check what hours to avoid.
Bus transport is sparse (see Get in). There are ferry connections to the main remote islands. The ones to Högsåra and Rosala are car ferries, on the other islands there is no parking and no road to drive. Except Kimito, most places of interest are reachable by boat with some walking.
The main island is 60 km long from north-east – Angelniemi of Salo not counted – to Kasnäs in south-west and 40 km wide from Mjösund in north-west to Lammala in south-east.
- Taxi, ☏ 358 2 432-700.
- m/s Stella, ☏ 358 40-675-6441. Ferry to the western archipelago (Vänö, Tunnhamn, Helsingholm, Vänoxa etc.) Free (?).
See
- Churches. The 1 Kimito church is a medieval stone church first documented in 1447 but there are coins from the 14th century found in archaeological excavations. The wooden 2 Hitis church was built in 1686 while 3 Dragsfjärd church and 4 Västanfjärd old church are both wooden cross churches built in 1750-1760.
- 5 The ironworks museum in Dalsbruk (Dalsbruks bruksmuseum), Tullbacksvägen 7, ☏ 358 40-721-9535, ✉[email protected]. Daily 11:00–18:00 or by request. Dalsbruk has ironworks traditions from 1686. The museum tells about the history of ironworking and worker housing. Signboards probably in Swedish only, ask about guiding in English in advance. €4/2, children under 16 free, guiding included.
- 6 The lock museum in Björkboda (Björkboda låsmuseum), Tullbacksvägen 7, ☏ 358 40-721-9535 (mobile), 358 2 466-200 (landline), ✉[email protected]. 27 Jun–5 Aug: W–Su 14:00–18:00 or by request. Björkboda has ironworks traditions since 1732. The museum tells about the local locksmith and lock factory traditions (Abloy still has a lock factory here). The museum is in a worker house from the 1840s. Signboards probably in Swedish only, ask about guiding in English in advance. The museum is administratively part of the Dalsbruk ironworks museum. €2/1, children under 16 free, guiding included.
- 7 Sagalund local museum, Museivägen 7 (Vreta, 500m from the bus stop), ☏ 358 2 421-738, ✉[email protected]. Jun–Aug daily 11:00–17:00, wintertime (main building only): M–F 09:00–16:00, Sa 10:00–13:00. Good local museum with history revival activities for children (perhaps Swedish/Finnish only). Includes houses of district court, schools and farms. Café. Nice museum shop. Groups should call in advance. €6/5/1, children under 7 free, guiding included, history revival tours €5/person, lunch €8.50.
- 8 Söderlångvik manor, Amos Andersonvägen 2 (also mooring for guests when museum open), ☏ 358 2 424-662, ✉[email protected]. Main building closed for repairs until 3 June 2021; park open for the public at all times. Mansion, museum, park, farm, café, craft and farm shop, cottage-like accommodation. The museum is primarily about Amos Anderson, but has also e.g. a large art collection from the first half of the 20th century. The mansion interiors and the park are in themselves worth a visit. €3.50, children under 18 free.
- 9 Rosala Viking Centre, Reimarsvägen 5 (in Rosala village), ☏ 358-40-218 2960, ✉[email protected]. The only runestone found from Finland was found here at Hitis in 1997 giving an idea of a Viking village as a tourist attraction. Cozy place, Viking style restaurant and an option for accommodation. Included in many tours to Bengtskär. Adult €8, children €4; accommodation €45-80/person (incl. sauna & breakfast).
Do
- Sailing with traditional sailing ship (Eugenia) (from Kasnäs, Dalsbruk or Kalkholmen (Västanfjärd)), ☏ 358 440-427-862, ✉[email protected]. Weekly to Örö, check other routes and dates. Groups of 15–34 can book trips of their own. Start usually 09:00. The original Eugenia, built 1879–1880, was one of the last Finnish ships without engine in 1951. She was a small ship sailing with coastal cargo, e.g. stone for the Bengtskär lighthouse 1905–1906. The replica was built 1997–2000. The ship is maintained by volunteers. Book in advance. Dress warmly. €48/30 for an eight hours trip including lunch (children's fare for 5–14 years old).
- Go on a sea kayaking tour
- Aavameri, ☏ 358 50 569 70 88, ✉[email protected]. Full service guided trips and supported solo expeditions with transportation from/to Turku. Also help with route planning and maps. Equipped sea kayak €40 first day, €35 consecutive days, delivery or pick up at Kimitoön €40; hiking mattresses and sleeping bags for two, tent and camping stove €56/day/night. Day tour with guide (ca 7 hours, 4–8 persons, lunch included) from Kasnäs or Rosala €95/adult, €50/child. Four days' tour with guide and tent accommodation (own food, 4–8 persons) €440/person, with accommodation indoors €560/person.
- Bjärkas golf, Västanfjärdsvägen 655 (Nivelax, Västanfjärd), ☏ 358 440-184-653, ✉[email protected]. Demos/courses available. Greenfee 16–18/9 holes/unlimited: M–F €24/16/36 Sa–Su €28/18/36, juniors (<18) -50 %; golf cart €25/round.
Events
- Baltic Jazz, Dalsbruk, ☏ 358 440 790 340, ✉[email protected]. 7–9 July 2017. Relaxed music festival annually in July. Mostly €20–25.
- Kimito Music Festival (Kimitoöns musikfestspel). Mid-July. Chamber music. Concerts at different venues, such as Söderlångvik and Sandö mansions, Kimito, Dalsbruk, Karuna, Hitis, Teijo (Tykö) and Västanfjärd churches, Dalsbruk market place and Salo art museum. Mostly €25–30.
- September Open, Dalsbruk. Harvest and handicraft markets, reenactment shows (including tournament by Rohan Tallit), related programme for children, sailing race, and evening party. Free.
Eat
There are decent or good restaurants at least in some of the See/Do/Sleep places and in Dalsbruk. Restaurants with limited supply (including places for pizza and kebab) also in Kimito and probably in a few of the other villages.
Dalsbruk
- Bruksbastun (Ruukin sauna), Parkvägen 2, ☏ 358 40-632-6646. Summer season. A sauna and café.
- Restaurang Portside, Stallbacksvägen 8, ☏ 358 2 466-1745.
Kasnäs
- Kasnäs Paviljong, Kasnäsvägen 1294, ☏ 358 2 521-0115. Has a lunch buffet and an à la carte menu with seasonal dishes.
Kimito
- Livohka (in the yard of the old former pharmacy). M–Tu F–Su. Vegan outdoor summer café. Lunch of the day from widely varying cuisines. Brunch in weekends.
Västanfjärd
- Krogen Eugenia, Kalkholmen, ☏ 358 40-840-9009.
Drink
Sleep
There are no real hotels, but there are nice places to stay overnight. Bathrooms usually shared. Be prepared to pay with cash unless you know cards are accepted. There are cottages for rent in many locations (ask around).
Accommodations below ordered by location.
Budget
- 1 Eknäs semesterby (Ekniemen Lomakylä), Campingvägen 55 (a kilometre west from the bridge from Sauvo), ☏ 358 400-325-701, ✉[email protected]. Camping, pier and cottages. Also beach, kiosk, café, sauna and cooking facilities. Boats for rent. Tent €5 2.50/person, caravan €20/night (€25 with electricity), cottages €35–60/night (with own linen; 2–6 persons), sauna €15/hour (€20 for groups not staying), rowing boat €5/hr, €40/day.
- 2 Dalsbruks camping, Olavi Hjelmans väg 16 (600m before Dalsbruk centre, by the sport courts), ☏ 358 40-661-5939. Tents and caravans. Limited service. Nature trails nearby.
Mid-range
- 3 Hostel Panget (Merikruunu), Pensionatsvägen 6, ☏ 358 2 424-553, ✉[email protected]. Former pension in Dragsfjärd. Toilets ensuite, showers in some family rooms. Breakfast and linen included. Owner change and renovation 2019–20, the restaurant and pub reopen in the winter, rooms again available from May, at least some of them more expensive than before. Also caravan lots. Guest pier Merikruunu/Kulla. single/double/... €70/93/98/110.
- 4 Labbnäs Semesterhem, Labbnäsvägen 66, ☏ 358 2 424-637, fax: 358 2 424-999, ✉[email protected]. Nice quiet location 5 km from Dalsbruk, very good local food in the catering restaurant. A rectory since the 17th century, Labbnäs was bought in the 1950s by Amos Andersson, donated to the Martha organisation and transformed into a pension. Now schools and conference groups are common guests. Rooms in the main building and as small apartments with kitchen in a modern building nearby. Events such as sing-alongs and flea markets are arranged. In wintertime there is a hole in the ice for swimming (join the weekly group, Tu 17:30 or heat the sauna and go by yourself). double €70, single €40, with kitchen €76/47, pets €10, breakfast €8/person.
- 5 Villa Merihelmi, Sjukhusvägen 6, ☏ 358 44-295-5639. 1930s house in local style, Dalsbruk. €30–45/person, extra bed €20; towels not included, breakfast €7/4.
- 6 Strandhotellet Dalsbruk, Dalsbruksvägen 694, ☏ 358 400-481-028, ✉[email protected]. Old hotel in Dalsbruk. Free Wi-Fi. €80/double, €55/single.
Splurge
- 7 Kasnäs Archipelago Spa (Kasnäs Skärgårdsbad), Kasnäsvägen 1294, ☏ 358 2 521-0100, fax: 358 2 521-0101, ✉[email protected]. Modern spa hotel by a big marina and a ferry harbour. Accommodation in small houses. single €70/90, double €90/130 (off/in season).
Stay safe
Be careful when at sea and when getting a lift on a Saturday night. Do not let children or pets into water with algal bloom. Otherwise there are few risks. The only non-obvious one is probably the ticks, which may carry TBE or Borreliosis.
Go next
- Örö, a large island with valuable nature south of Hitis. Until 2015, the island was closed for outsiders as a military base (first fort by the Russians 1915), which has retained many otherwise threatened features. There are meadows with rare butterflies, old forests and nice cliffs and beaches. Also the military history is interesting. It is now part of the Archipelago Sea National Park (from the beginning of 2015) and most army facilities have been converted for tourism use, with services arranged by private partners; minor areas are still off limits. Ferry connection from Kasnäs. Accommodation in hotel rooms, cottages (private or shared), at a campsite or in your yacht in the guest harbour.
- Bengtskär, a skerry in the outer archipelago, with the tallest lighthouse in the Nordic countries. Tours from Kasnäs via Rosala (the Viking centre) and from Hanko, with optional dinner, sauna, accommodation etcetera at the lighthouse. Service is provided also for those arriving with own boat, but the island is difficult to reach, due to location and lack of shelter.
- Mathildedal, with old ironworks, and Teijo national park, near Strömma, in the municipality of Salo