We begin the day with a maritime touch at Marina Café Laituri. Located at the heart of Sapokka’s small boat harbor, Café Laituri offers delicious homemade savory and sweet treats. During coffee time, the guide will share insights about Kotka and the history of its parks.

From Café Laituri, we move on to the adjacent Sapokka Water Park. The water park is the most awarded park in Finland. The prevailing element of this park, loved by both locals and visitors, is water: besides the nearby sea, it flows in small streams and ponds, with a nearly 20-meter-high waterfall roaring on the southern slope of the park. In spring, the park blooms with tens of thousands of bulb flowers and continues to dazzle with colors until late autumn. In early summer, azaleas and rhododendrons bloom splendidly. The park hosts over a dozen animal-themed sculptures by Hannele Kylänpää. The Rose Terrace area and its surroundings feature seven sculptures by Eero Hiiros.

The guided tour continues to Katariina’s Sea Park. This area was transformed into a maritime park after the cessation of oil port operations at the turn of the millennium. The characteristic of Katariina’s Sea Park is the feeling of spaciousness and freedom. Visitors walk across a wide area, enjoying the fresh sea breeze between different parts of the park.

In addition to stunning cliffs and sea views, the park offers much more to see and experience. At the highest point of the park stands Fort Katariina, the central fortress of the former Ruotsinsalmi fortress city, which the National Board of Antiquities has renovated. The southern tip of the peninsula features a islet, and its metal bridge can be heard “singing” during stormy weather. The anchor placed on the islet dates back to a sailboat from the 1800s. Furthermore, a contemplative labyrinth has been constructed in the park. Walking the labyrinth is said to be a spiritual experience, which one may find calming or invigorating!

Along the walking route, you can admire the ‘Tammisotilaat’ land art installation. In the naval Battle of Ruotsinsalmi fought in 1789–1790, an estimated 80 ships were sunk as the Swedish and Russian fleets clashed off the coast of Kotka. In the early 20th century, oak parts of wrecks were recovered from the sea. You’ll get to admire echoes of history!

Leaving Meripuisto, we’ll make a stop at one of Kotka’s newest parks. Pionipuisto boasts about 250 different varieties of peonies, mainly blooming in June. The autumn foliage of peonies is also charming. Pionipuisto is one of the largest of its kind in Europe, attracting admirers from all over Finland and the world.

On our way to Kotka’s city center, we’ll visit the beautiful Fuksinpuisto. Best known for having some of Finland’s most beautiful azaleas, which you should come to admire when they bloom in early summer. In the park, you can also explore plant species suitable for home gardens. The area features many ground-covering plants, berry bushes, apple, pear, cherry, and plum trees, as well as various clematis species. Additionally, the park is adorned with perennials such as irises, geraniums, daylilies, peonies, lilies, columbines, and perennial vines. Samuli Aaltonen’s artwork ‘Siivekkäät’ with dragonflies and butterflies adds more color to the lush park.

Lunch is served in the old red brick building at Restaurant V. Located in the heart of Kotka, next to the City Theater and opposite the beautiful Sibelius Park, you’ll enjoy a delicious meal in a cozy environment. After lunch, you can visit the nearby Viinibaari Jolla, where you can enjoy life’s gems. You can enjoy a glass of sparkling wine or other wine according to your preference.