Lomakylä Santalahti

Turku & Finland's South Coast

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On the island of Mussalo, Santalahti has a huge range of cottages and conifer-shaded campsites. Shoreline and forest nature trails (each 2.5km long) weave through the property. Bikes and stand-up paddle boards are available for hire. Don't miss the unique 'cave sauna', a smoke sauna with heated pool and fireplace, all in a natural cave facing the glorious sea.

Santalahti is 5km west of central Kotka. The resort offers a shuttle bus (adult/child €3.50/2.20), which runs into town up to three times a day in season.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • The Vellamo Maritime Centre.

    Merikeskus Vellamo

    3.62 MILES

    In a tanker-sized, wave-shaped building with walls of metal and printed glass, this state-of-the-art dockside museum recounts Finland’s seafaring life…

  • Emperor Alexander lll fishing lodge Langinkoski.

    Langinkoski Imperial Fishing Lodge

    3.64 MILES

    Situated 5km north of Kotka amid the salmon-rich Kymijoki's rapids, this rustic wooden lodge was built in 1889 for Tsar Alexander III. Most of the…

  • Svartholma Sea Fortress

    Svartholma Sea Fortress

    19.77 MILES

    Situated 10km offshore from Loviisa, this four-bastion fortress was built in 1748 to protect against further Russian invasion after Swedish losses in…

  • Kotkan Saaret

    Kotkan Saaret

    5.31 MILES

    The smattering of islands off the coast of Kotka are former military outposts, some of which are now open to the public. Several boat trips depart from…

  • Hamina Bastioni

    Hamina Bastioni

    14.74 MILES

    The ruins of the 18th-century Hamina Bastion include 3km of crumbling stone walls that would have made a star-shaped fortress. The bastion comes alive for…

  • Maretarium

    Maretarium

    3.38 MILES

    Kotka's modern Maretarium has more than 20 giant fish tanks representing various bodies of water. The Baltic tank is the largest, with local sea life fed…

  • Sapokka Vesipuisto

    Sapokka Vesipuisto

    3.07 MILES

    Sapokanlahti is a natural inlet in central Kotka that provides the setting for the tranquil, award-winning Sapokka Water Garden. The centrepiece is the…

  • Ruotsinpyhtää Church

    Ruotsinpyhtää Church

    14.62 MILES

    In 1743, when the Treaty of Åbo split the village of Pyhtää in two, the local church ended up on the eastern (Russian) side of the border. Shortly…

View more attractions

Nearby Turku & Finland's South Coast attractions

1. Sapokka Vesipuisto

3.07 MILES

Sapokanlahti is a natural inlet in central Kotka that provides the setting for the tranquil, award-winning Sapokka Water Garden. The centrepiece is the…

2. Kotkan Kirkko

3.13 MILES

Kotkan kirkko's distinctive steeple is visible throughout town. Inside the neo-Gothic church there’s artful woodcarving, a resounding baroque-style organ…

3. Maretarium

3.38 MILES

Kotka's modern Maretarium has more than 20 giant fish tanks representing various bodies of water. The Baltic tank is the largest, with local sea life fed…

4. St Nicholas Orthodox Church

3.43 MILES

Towering above Isopuisto Park, the 1801 St Nicholas Orthodox Church is Kotka’s only building to survive the Crimean War. It's believed to be the work of…

5. Merikeskus Vellamo

3.62 MILES

In a tanker-sized, wave-shaped building with walls of metal and printed glass, this state-of-the-art dockside museum recounts Finland’s seafaring life…

6. Langinkoski Imperial Fishing Lodge

3.64 MILES

Situated 5km north of Kotka amid the salmon-rich Kymijoki's rapids, this rustic wooden lodge was built in 1889 for Tsar Alexander III. Most of the…

7. Kotkan Saaret

5.31 MILES

The smattering of islands off the coast of Kotka are former military outposts, some of which are now open to the public. Several boat trips depart from…

8. Orthodox Church of Sts Peter & Paul

14.6 MILES

Topped by a classic onion dome, the 1837 Orthodox Church of Sts Peter & Paul is the work of architect Louis Visconti, who designed Napoleon’s mausoleum.