What should we do today? The best day trips from Vaasa.

How about a day trip?

Looking for a full-day adventure? Around Vaasa, you’ll find fun excursions in every direction. Do you want to experience nature in the UNESCO World Heritage Archipelago or hike forest trails while spotting wildlife? Are you interested in great stories and delicious drinks? Or are you craving some high-speed thrills? Maybe even a quick trip to Sweden for the day?

We’re making life easier for you—no need to Google! We’ve gathered the best tips for a day trip from Vaasa. These destinations are easily reached by car, and you’ll be back in time to enjoy the evening in Vaasa. Now all you have to do is choose where to go!

Archipelago nature like nowhere else

Over 150 football fields of new land – every year! That’s how fast the land in the Kvarken Archipelago is rising due to the last Ice Age. This shallow archipelago is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its distinctive moraine ridges, seen from above, resemble a washboard.

You can reach the World Heritage area by car via Finland’s longest road bridge, the Replot Bridge. Next to the bridge, you’ll find the World Heritage Gateway visitor center. The best place to admire the unique archipelago landscape is in Svedjehamn, Björköby, where you’ll also find an observation tower and several hiking trails.

During summer, we also recommend visiting one of the archipelago’s high-quality restaurants or charming cafés – how about a sea buckthorn shot or a smuggler’s beer?

Utsikt över morän landskap från Saltkaret utsiktstorn i Svedjeham.n

Where: Replot och Björköby, Korsholm
Distance by car from Vaasa city center: 20 min to Replot bridge, 45 min to Svedjehamn.

Drinks from rye and stories with strength

How did a sauna-born idea become an international success story, and why did they start distilling rye whisky and gin in an old dairy? At Kyrö Distillery’s visitor center in Isokyrö, everything revolves around stories and unique drink experiences. During a guided tour, you’ll see the distillery’s equipment and hear its fascinating history. In the tasting session, you’ll learn to recognize the signature flavors of different drinks.

Kyrö Distillery also has its own restaurant serving locally produced food, as well as a cocktail bar offering drinks named after local places and landmarks (a Napue, please!). A day trip here requires plenty of time – and maybe even a designated driver!

Where: Oltermannintie 6, Isokyrö
Distance by car from Vaasa city center: 40 min.

Thrilling experiences for every taste

Who in your group is the biggest daredevil? Now we’ll find out what your sister, dad, or friends are made of! Finland’s largest and most diverse amusement park, PowerPark, guarantees activities for all ages and senses. Out of the park’s 40 rides, there’s at least one you can’t miss – the high-speed wooden roller coaster Thunderbird, ranked the tenth-best wooden coaster in the world.

PowerPark also features an internationally approved go-kart track, an 18-hole mini-golf course, a 5D cinema, an arcade, and much more – even for those who aren’t fans of high-speed thrills.

One more tip: start your journey home with a stop at the Road House shopping center. At Gelato Dolce’s ice cream bar, you can get artisan ice cream – with an ice cream in hand, the drive home feels much shorter!

Where: Alahärmä
Distance by car from Vaasa city center: 1 hour.

Nature experiences with furry friends of all kinds

Playful bears and howling wolves – at Ähtäri Zoo, you’ll meet furry friends of all kinds, right in the heart of nature. Put on a pair of comfortable shoes, walk the zoo’s forest trails, and end the day at Farmen, where you can get to know various farm animals and learn about traditional rural life.

A visit to Ähtäri Zoo is a nature experience that visitors of all ages can enjoy and learn from. During your visit, you can bring your own picnic, stop by a café, or enjoy a tasty meal at Hotel Mesikämmen’s family restaurant. The hotel also features a spa and a bowling alley.

In the summer, we also recommend a visit to the Flowpark climbing park or a refreshing swim and a round of mini-golf at Zoo Camping.

Where: Ähtäri
Distance by car from Vaasa city center: 2 h 10 min.

To Sweden and back in a single day

(If you’re traveling from Sweden, this trip works in reverse – but make sure to make a stop in Vaasa!)

What if your day trip from Vaasa took you all the way to Sweden? With Wasaline’s ferry, the trip to Umeå takes just 3.5 hours, meaning you have plenty of time for a round trip in a single day.

The cultural city of Umeå offers activities and sights for everyone – music, museums, shopping, restaurants, cafés, and a completely different natural landscape than what you’ll find on this side of the Kvarken. You can enjoy the archipelago scenery right from the ship’s deck as you depart from Vaasa. The quiet, environmentally friendly ferry Aurora Botnia is an attraction in itself.

Onboard Wasaline’s ferry, you can enjoy high-quality food and drinks at sea prices. The archipelago buffet is very popular, and there is often live music during the trip.

Where: Vaasa to Umeå, Sweden
Distance from Vaasa city center: 5 min by car to Vaasa harbor terminal, 3.5 hours by ferry to Umeå.

Stay in themed rooms and relax on the rooftop terrace

After a day full of activities, it’s nice to return to the hotel. Right by Vaasa’s Market Square, in the Rewell shopping center, you’ll find the warm-hearted Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna.

An overnight stay at Vaakuna becomes a unique experience when you choose one of the hotel’s themed rooms. How about sleeping in the archipelago room, the cloud room, or the art gallery?

The hotel is also home to several restaurants, and in the summer, you can’t miss the rooftop terrace on the ninth floor, where you can admire the view over central Vaasa. Vaakuna is also a great starting point for exploring the surrounding area: guests of all ages can borrow bicycles from the reception.

Where: Close to Vaasa market square
Where to park the car: There is ample parking available at parking house “Toriparkki“, which is located right next to the hotel.