Satakunta is on the western coast where the sand meets the sea and the wind tells stories of old sailors. This is a land of massive dunes and old wooden towns with a long maritime history that stretches back to the Middle Ages. The landscape is flat and open with wide river valleys that flow toward the Gulf of Bothnia through fertile soil. You find yourself at the famous Yyteri beach where the sand stretches for miles and the dunes rise like small mountains. The breeze is salty and the views are endless.
The city of Rauma is a world heritage site with its maze of narrow streets and colorful wooden houses that are still lived in today. You can explore the old harbor of Pori or drive to the rocky island of Repo-saari for a taste of authentic coastal life. The roads lead you past ancient burial mounds and vibrant farm fields that produce much of the food for the country. You find many local stands selling fresh berries and potatoes in the summer months for a healthy snack. The stone churches in this region are among the oldest.
Satakunta is a place for those who love the ocean and the history of the coast during their travels. You can find quiet spots in the archipelago or walk the long sandy paths that follow the shoreline. The region provides a sense of space and a connection to the sea that is very grounding. It is a landscape that has been shaped by the rising land and the retreating waves over thousands of years. It is a perfect destination for a coastal road trip with a relaxed vibe and plenty of historic sites to discover.
Satakunta highlights
- Old Rauma Walk through the largest wooden old town in the north and explore the narrow streets and local lace shops. It feels like a living museum with people still living in the colorful houses.
- Yyteri Beach Drive to Pori to walk along six miles of white sand dunes that look like they belong in the south of Europe. It is the most famous beach in the country and a hub for summer sun and sports.
- Sammallahdenmäki See a massive collection of bronze age stone burial cairns hidden in the woods. The mystery of the ancient stone structures is a quiet and powerful experience for visitors.
- Ahlström Ironworks Explore a massive industrial estate in Noormarkku that features world class architecture and beautiful gardens. It is a place where history and modern design meet in a very grand and green setting.
- Kylmäpihlaja Lighthouse Take a boat from Rauma to a rugged island where the lighthouse has been turned into a cozy hotel and restaurant. The sea views and the salty air are the ultimate coastal experience for travelers.
- Pori Jazz Market Visit the city in July to experience one of the oldest and most famous jazz festivals in the world. Even outside the festival the Kirjurinluoto park is a massive and beautiful spot for families.
- Jämi Hill Follow the road to this high sandy ridge for a view over the surrounding forest and a chance to try indoor skiing. The area is a hub for aviation and outdoor sports with many quiet forest trails.
- Vuojoki Mansion Visit one of the most beautiful empire style manors in the country surrounded by old oak trees and gardens. The grand rooms and the local history make it a very elegant stop on your coastal route.
- Säppi Lighthouse Take a guided tour to an island inhabited by wild moufflon sheep and see the tall brick lighthouse tower. It is a hidden gem for those who want to see a different side of the western archipelago.
- Eura Viking Centre Learn about the rich iron age history of the region in a center that shows how the local Vikings lived and traded. The burial finds and the replica items are a great look at the ancient past.
The local Four
History of Satakunta
The history of Satakunta is one of the oldest in the north, a tale of the "Sea People" who built their lives on the rugged western coast. In the medieval era, Rauma became a vital port. Its wooden streets filled with the sound of many languages as ships from across Europe arrived to trade. The local women became world famous for their intricate lace making, a skill brought home by sailors that turned a small town into a center of artisan craft. This wooden old town is a living relic of those golden days of trade.
Further inland, the province holds the secrets of the Bronze Age at Sammallahdenmäki. Here, ancient people built massive stone cairns to honor their dead, creating a mysterious landscape of boulders that has stood for over three thousand years. This shows that Satakunta has been a center of human life and culture since the dawn of history. The fertile river valleys like the Kokemäenjoki were the highways of the past, allowing the first farmers to settle and build the massive stone churches that still stand as guardians of the fields.
Today, the region is a mix of this ancient history and the wild beauty of the coast. The dunes of Yyteri have been a landmark for travelers for centuries, once used by sailors to navigate and now by road trippers seeking the sun. As you drive through the open fields and old ironworks villages like Noormarkku, you see a province that has always looked to the sea for its fortune. It is a history of lace, stone and the salty breeze of the Gulf of Bothnia.