Kotka Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
city in the region of Kymenlaakso in Finland
About Kotka
The municipality has a population of around 52,000 (2020) and much of its area is made up of water. The name comes from the island Kotkansaari ("eagle island"), where the town was built and were most of its centre still lies. The former parish village Karhula, now a kind of a second centre with a number of shopping malls, is a few kilometres to the north, crossed by the E18 motorway. In medieval times, the rich fishing around the river mouth attracted people from elsewhere to settle here: mainly Tavastians, but also Savonians, Karelians and even Swedish, when theVyborg(Viipuri/Viborg) castle had been built in 1293 and thereby Swedish rule had been established. The Russian border moved west to the Kymi river in 1743, and after the Svensksund battle 1790 Russia built a fortress on the island
Top Attractions in Kotka
Explore the best things to see and do in Kotka:
- ★Cruises to Kaunissaari and other islands
- ★Gulf of Finland National Park
- ★Haukkavuori observation tower
- ★Katariinan meripuisto
- ★Langinkoski Imperial Fishing Lodge and Nature Reserve
- ★Mansikkalahti
- ★Maretarium Aquarium
- ★Maritime Centre Vellamo
Where to Eat in Kotka
Must-try local food and restaurants:
- 🍴Amarillo
- 🍴Cafe Neptunus
- 🍴Canttiini
- 🍴Efes Pizzeria
- 🍴Erkan Kebab
- 🍴Hot dog stand
Where to Stay in Kotka
- 🏨Hotel Leikari
- 🏨Hotelli Cumulus Kotka
- 🏨Hotelli Merikotka
- 🏨Karhulan Hovi
- 🏨Rantakari Cottage
Kotka Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 13 sections including: