Rauma – a city with two UNESCO World Heritage Sites and a beautiful archipelago
Rauma – a city with two UNESCO World Heritage Sites and a beautiful archipelago
Rauma, Finland’s third oldest town, is exceptional on both national and international scale. Two of the seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Finland are in Rauma.
During the Travel Fair, Rauma can be found on booth 6p40, along with the other coastal towns of Satakunta region, Pori and Eurajoki. The booth is located at the Finnish Archipelago area.
Double the World Heritage
The UNESCO World Heritage site Old Rauma is an extensive and uniform wood-built town and a living town district where historical heritage lives on in perfect harmony with modern commerce and local residents. You’ll find an ample range of high-quality cafes, restaurants, and charming little boutiques there. The idyllic ambience is complemented by museums, lovely gardens, a marketplace, and the impressive medieval Church of the Holy Cross.
The second World Heritage Site is the Bronze Age burial site called Sammallahdenmäki. This unique area reflects the religious beliefs and burial practices in Finland in the Scandinavian Bronze Age and early Iron Age (1500–500 BCE). Spanning about a kilometer, the area features almost 40 burial cairns of different shapes and sizes.
Archipelago and Bothnian Sea National Park
Seafaring has for centuries brought an international flavor to the life of this idyllic city. Nowadays the Rauma archipelago is the heart of the Bothnian Sea National Park. The island destinations in the Rauma archipelago provide a wide range of accommodation, restaurant, and sauna services. There are regular water bus connections to the islands during summer season.
One of the high lights is Kylmäpihlaja lighthouse island. The lighthouse reaches up to the heights on rocks shaped by winds and waves. The view from the observation deck and hotel rooms is breathtaking. The lighthouse houses a hotel with rooms in the lighthouse itself as well as a modern and compact sea-view cottages on the shore, restaurant, café, and sauna.
Rauma has several sauna facilities where you can enjoy relaxing heat and a refreshing swim in the sea at any time of the year. From modern sauna raft to traditional lake-side sauna, Rauma has perfect locations for you to take a deep dive into Finnish sauna culture.
Unique culture all year round
The enchanting Christmas time creates a magical ambiance in the city. The narrow cobblestone streets are infused with lights and the windows of the beautiful wooden houses are dressed in Christmas decorations. December in Rauma is a time of concerts, festive lights, and events for all ages. Rich in atmosphere, the city’s markets feature local flavors, aromas, and traditions in the form of handicrafts, delicacies, and other products.
The lively cultural scene throughout the year adds to the attraction of Rauma. Craft skills have always been appreciated in the city. Artists of various disciplines have found a creative setting for their studios and workshops in Rauma.
Lacemaking is an important tradition in Rauma. The tradition dates back to the 16th century and today, the tradition is still alive and well with active lacemaking communities in Rauma and with the traditional city festival Lace Week, which will be celebrated between 19th and 27th of July in 2025. In addition to workshops and demonstrations, the festival program features exhibitions, concerts, and theatre performances for the whole family.
For more information
Irene Villanen, Tourism Manager, tel. +358 40 180 9786
