Kouvola

The town originally emerged around the junction of the north-south and east–west rail tracks. It is one of Finland's most important rail hubs, and the main rail link between Finland and St. Petersburg goes through Kouvola. In January 2009, the six municipalities – Kouvola, Kuusankoski, Elimäki, Anjalankoski, Valkeala and Jaala – merged, accounting for the new municipality of Kouvola with a population of over 88,000, being the 10th largest city in Finland.
Verla Groundwood and Board Mill located near Jaala is a monument to the early days of the Finnish forest industry and a world heritage site since 1996.
Although Kouvola is said to be the ugliest city in Finland, there are still many sights worthy of seeing in Kouvola. Even the ugliness itself can be an experience.

By plane

The closest passenger airport is in Helsinki.

By train

There are railways to Kouvola from four directions:

• Helsinki - Lahti - Kouvola
• Kotka - Kouvola
• Pieksämäki - Mikkeli - Kouvola
• Joensuu - Imatra - Lappeenranta - Kouvola, from this direction also trains from St. Petersburg and Moscow arrive

By bus

Matkahuolto and Onnibus offer connections to Helsinki, Tampere, Jyväskylä, Joensuu, Lappeenranta, Imatra, Kotka and Mikkeli.

By car

• Highway 6 (Helsinki - Kouvola - Lappeenranta)
• Highway 12 (Rauma - Huittinen - Tampere - Lahti - Kouvola)
• Highway 15 (Kotka - Kouvola - Mikkeli)

In the city centre, the easiest way to get around is to walk. Everything is within quite a small distance, and Kouvola's main street Manski is a pedestrian zone.
If you want to go to somewhere further from the centre, you can go by bus or train. Information about local buses you can find here. There is an interactive route planner for local buses. Taxis are useful too, especially for getting back to your hotel after a long night.

• Kaunisnurmi districtWooden houses and museums.

• Verla Groundwood and Board Mill

  phone: +358 2041 52170
  address: Verlantie 295, Verla
  The museum can be visited on guided tours only, though you can see the buildings from the outside free of charge. The tours in Finnish begin each hour, the first one at 10AM. Tours in languages other than Finnish are arranged on request. You can also hike a 2 km forest trail or see rock paintings of human figures and animals made by ancient artists around 9,000 years ago.

• KymijokiKymi river, flowing through many towns and districts of Kouvola (though not the city center itself), is one of the widest rivers in Southern Finland. Giving the name to the entire region (Kymenlaakso translates to Kymi's Valley), it is one of the most important drainage rivers of the Finnish Lakeland. A swift river with many rapids, it has long been a major source of hydroelectricity (earlier on timber rafting too) and as a result of this much of the Finnish wood and paper industry has historically been concentrated in this region.

• Tykkimäki Amusement Park

  address: Kanuunakuja 2
  One of the largest amusement parks in southern Finland.

• Repovesi National ParkFormerly a site for intensive commercial forestry, the Repovesi area has now been successfully transformed into a pristine national park. Pine and birch trees dominate the park. Repovesi abounds with wildlife including bear, deer and various birds. The River Koukunjoki cuts through the park. Other streams and lakes are also situated within the parks boundaries.

Festivals

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• Kauppakeskus Veturi

  address: Tervasharjunkatu 1
  A large shopping mall next to highway 6, opened in 2012. If you feel like going on a shopping spree in Kouvola, this is probably the right place.

• Prisma

  address: Tommolankatu 9
  An older shopping mall, close to Veturi but on the southern side of highway 6.

Budget

• Nipan Grilli

  phone: +358 45 3482885
  address: Hongistontie 15
  A popular fast food joint opposite to Tornionmäki school.

• Ravintola Tabasco

  phone: +358 5 379 4000
  address: Kauppalankatu 37
  A pizzeria in central Kouvola serving pizza, kebab and steaks.

• Ravintola Maku Bistro

  phone: +358 106661020
  address: Hallituskatu 7 B
  Lunch buffet type restaurant.

Mid-range

Splurge

• Ravintola Kaisa

  address: Hallituskatu 3
  The bar under the train station, is a good option for those who want to experience a typical Finnish bar.

• Pub Old Tom

  address: Käsityöläiskatu 4
  The nearby pub Old Tom is a great place to have a drink in the summer time when the al fresco part is open.

There are three nightclubs in Kouvola as well. Of these, the first is the most popular.

• Night/Amarillo

• Tivoli

• Q Bar

  address: Salpausselänkatu 27
  formerly known as Bar&Club RedMoon

• Nightclub Riviera

  address: Keskikatu 6

Budget

• Matkustajakoti Rauhala

  phone: +358 5 5735388, +358 5 3656061
  address: Itäasemantie 17
  Basic accommodation in a guesthouse near the railway station in the village Myllykoski.

• LEO-Hotelli

  phone: +358 40 721 8169
  address: Kenraalintie 6
  A hotel in central Myllykoski

• Tykkimäki Camping

  address: Käyrälampi
  The amusement park has a campground too.

Mid-range

• Hotel Sommelo

  address: Pallokentäntie 2, Kuusankoski

• Hotelli Turistihovi

  phone: +358 5 311 5661
  address: Kouvolankatu 23
  Basic hotel 400 m from the railway station. Breakfast costs 6€ extra.

• Hotelli Kymenhovi

  phone: +358 5 375 8770
  address: Keskikatu 9
  Centrally located near the pedestrian area. Breakfast included.

• Hotelli Cumulus Kouvola

  phone: +358 5 789 911
  address: Kouvolankatu 11

Splurge

• Sokos Hotel Vaakuna

  phone: +358 20 1234 651
  address: Hovioikeudenkatu 2

• Lappeenranta — 87 km east. An old fortress and the entrance point to either the Finnish Lakeland or Russia.
• Kotka — 57 km south. Where Kymenlaakso region meets the sea. An aquarium, a maritime centre and an imperial fishing lodge.
• Lahti — 62 km west. Pretty similar to Kouvola but with the Finnish radio museum, the ski jumping towers, several parks and more shopping options.