Hanko

As the Hanko peninsula must be passed by all coastal traffic, it was already an important stopover during the Viking Age. It was chartered as a town in 1874; a railway had been built because Hanko was to be a winter port for Finland and Saint Petersburg since the open sea off the peninsula freezes late. The following year a spa was built, and Hanko became a resort town, with many Russian guests. Finland was then part of the Russian Empire. The casino and the richly ornamented wooden houses of Hanko date from this time. The town developed industry, too.
When Finland became independent in 1917 and the Russian aristocracy suffered due to the revolution, the Russian tourists disappeared. After the Winter War, 1939–1940, the peninsula was leased to the USSR as military base, as demanded by the peace treaty. The border was heavily fortified and manned, and plans for a decisive strike were made on both sides at the start of the Continuation War, but actual battles were minor and the Soviets retreated in 1941. Scattered fortifications remain.
The town remains a major port for international trade, retains its industrial base, and has revived its role as a summer resort.
The tip of the peninsula serves as a stopover point for migratory birds crossing the Gulf of Finland and, hence, hosts much birdwatching.

By car

Arrival is possible via Highway 25. The town is a 1,5-hour trip from Helsinki, making it suitable for a day trip.

By ferry

Hanko is primarily a freight port, but Navirail offers passenger and car services to Paldiski, Estonia, which has connections to Kapellskär, Sweden, and Lübeck, Germany.

By yacht

The coastal fairways pass the Hanko Peninsula's tip where Hanko is situated. Seafaring, fishing and hospitality to seafarers are Hanko's heritage.
Hanko is easily reached from the sea, but there are crossing fairways and freight traffic in the archipelago and near the peninsula's tip. Parts of the archipelago are difficult to navigate when disoriented.
The Eastern Harbour (Itäsatama, Östra hamnen) is the biggest and busiest guest marina in Finland. There is another guest marina on the north side of the peninsula.

By train or by bus

All trains between Helsinki and Turku stop in Karis (Finnish: Karjaa), which is connected to Hanko by commuter train. There are coaches from Helsinki.

The easiest way around Hanko is on foot. Most sights and services are close to the city centre and the marina. Except during the Hangon Regatta, taxis and parking spaces are readily available.

• The House of the four winds

  phone: +358 19 248-1455
  address: Neljäntuulenkuja, Pieni Mäntysaari
  The House of the four winds was hosted by C. G. E. Mannerhein in 1927-1933

• Hanko Casino

  phone: +358 40-487-6409
  address: Appelgrenintie 10
  Not a real casino these days, but a lavish wooden structure with nice view of the sea. The original Hanko Sushi restaurant operates here in summer.

• Giant's kettlesThese natural rock formations are east of the Casino, on the rocks by the shore.

• Hanko RegattaThe Hangon Regatta yacht race, held annually in early July, is the highlight of the summer in Hanko. Competitors come from all the countries of the Baltic coast and, due to the numerous spectators, Hanko takes on a festive, even rowdy, carnival atmosphere.

• Swimming. Hanko has sandy beaches to the west of the city and pebbly beaches between the marina and the Casino.

• Bengtskär lighthouse

  phone: +358 2 4667-227
  Skerry in the outer archipelago, by the mouth of Gulf of Finland, with the tallest lighthouse in the Nordic countries. Tours from Hangö, with optional dinner, sauna, accommodation etc.

• Pizzeria Uno

• Classic Pizza

• OrigoRestaurant with a seafood buffet

• Hanko Sushi

  phone: +358 40-487-6409
  address: Appelgrenintie 10
  Open only in the summer. This is the first Hanko Sushi restaurant. The chain has spread to other cities.

• Roxx, the marina bar

  phone: +358 19 248-4393
  address: Itäsatama
  Roxx, the marina bar, is also open outside of the sailing season and offers drinks and snacks. Marina sauna is rentable from Roxx outside of the sailing season.

The train and National Road 25 both go to Karis via picturesque Ekenäs. From Karis, trains proceed to Helsinki and Turku.
There is a bike route, Kustrutten ("the coastal route"), to Kasnäs at the far end of Kimitoön in the Archipelago Sea. The route includes pathways in the forest, but does not necessitate a terrain bike.
Kasnäs can also be reached by boat: there is a daytime cruise thrice weekly (Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday) via Kasnäs to Örö in the Archipelago National Park. Twice weekly (Wednesday and Saturday) there is an evening cruise ending in Örö. (Check! A ship on this route has been transferred elsewhere.)
It is possible to befriend a yacht crew and join them.