HEADING FOR FINNISH LAKELAND | LOVIISA & HAMINA 🇫🇮

My amazing road trip through Finnish Lakeland starts with a drive along Finland’s south coast calling in at Loviisa and Hamina, two interesting towns between Helsinki & the Russian border.
🇫🇮 See more of my travel vlogs from Finland here → bit.ly/mwt_finland
Finnish Lakeland (Järvi-Suomi) is the largest lake district in Europe containing over 50,000 lakes and an almost endless landscape of lush forestry. My road trip in Finland’s far east will capture plenty of spectacular driving routes, hiking trails and nature. First though, we’ve got to get there!
I hired a car from Helsinki Airport and set off for Porvoo, it was late so I booked some accommodation (Motelli On Line Porvoo) to get a good night's rest. The next morning I was up early and back on the road driving along Finland’s incredible south coast towards Loviisa and Hamina.
I took a short self guided tour of Loviisa as soon as I arrived, parking close to the Stone Park in the Old Lower Town. From there I wandered through a cemetery and up onto a trail that followed the Eteläharju ridge to a red iron-made, art nouveau styled observation tower (Kukkukivi Näköalatorni). Of course I couldn’t resist climbing up to the top!
I headed into the new town and marvelled at the mighty Loviisa Church (Loviisan Kirkko) which was close to the Town Hall overlooking Loviisa Market Square (Loviisan Tori). On my way out of town I stopped off at Loviisa Fort at Garnison Park, a defensive structure built by the Swedes after their defeat in the Russo-Swedish War 1741-1743.
I continued driving east until I arrived on the circular streets of Hamina Finland - and took a quick look at the Largest Flag of Finland (Suurlippu), the so-called Monumental Flag of Finland. Hamina was built on a radial ring layout which makes walking along the streets kinda cool if not confusing!
Literally in the centre of Hamina is the beautiful yellow Hamina Town Hall (Haminan Raatihuone) which just happens to be across the street from the wonderful St John’s Church (Johanneksen Kirkko). I walked over to Hamina Market (Haminan Tori) where I spotted the Ukrainian national flag proudly flying on top of a circular tower.
My final stop was the historic Hamina Fortress (Haminan Linnoitus) which doubles up as a concert venue and the home of the Hamina Christmas Market during the winter months. According to my sources, the fortification’s casemates double up as the stalls of the market - which is a pretty neat idea if you ask me!
📖 CHAPTERS:
📖 00:00 Introducing my Finnish Road Trip
📖 02:28 Loviisa Kukkukivi Observation Tower
📖 04:06 Loviisa Old Lower Town
📖 04:48 Loviisa Market Square
📖 05:22 Loviisa Church
📖 06:44 Loviisa Land Fortress
📖 10:12 Largest Flag in Finland
📖 10:54 Hamina Wooden Houses
📖 12:06 Hamina New Town Square (Haminan Tori)
📖 12:35 Hamina Flag Tower
📖 12:54 Hamina’s Radial Pattern Streets
📖 14:32 Hamina Fortress
More Info
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🎙️ Feel free to ask any questions! All FEEDBACK and COMMENTS welcome!!
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🇫🇮 See all my FINLAND videos → bit.ly/mwt_finland
🇫🇮 See more from my Finnish Lakeland road trip → bit.ly/mwt_finnishlakeland
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Soundtrack
🎵 Mountain Spring High by Gabriel Lewis
🎵 Morning Mist by Staffan Carlén
🎵 Young by Chris Coral
🎵 Colour Me In by Tommy Ljungberg
🎵
🎵 Music by Epidemic Sound. Get a FREE month here → bit.ly/2LB53FZ

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

THANKS FOR WATCHING!! 👍 If you enjoyed the video please consider LIKING & SUBSCRIBING - they really help me out! 👍 🇫🇮 My FINLAND Travel Vlogs → bit.ly/mwt_finland | 📷 Connect on INSTAGRAM → bit.ly/mwt_instagram 📍 My videos on a TRAVEL MAP → bit.ly/mwt_map

[@mattilindstrom]

Nice to see a traveller who takes the time to see the less known places, and really takes the time do his research. My hat's off to you Mr. Whiting!

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Thank you!! Much appreciated.

[@ruthskogstrom8174]

I am a Brit and i moved to the outskirts of Lovisa almost 20 years ago. The area is very beautiful and i love living here. I look forward to following your journey around Finland. A nice video!

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Sounds really nice, I was very impressed with the town and all that I found along the south coast. Pleased to have you on board, looking forward to seeing more as I head north.

[@ScenesBySevy]

A pleasant surprise to see you have been touring Finland again. Finland's East side is not so popular outside beyond the borders, but there is a lot to see: Savonlinna, Imatra rapids, Lappeenranta, Mikkeli and of course the many lakes, it is a region with many mökki's.

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Thank you sir, it is good to be back! The thought of it being a relatively unknown part of Finland (to foreigners anyway) is what drew me to it - got a taste of the great Finnish lakes when I visited Hameenlinna a few years ago & decided to do a bit more exploring. I guess most people either visit Helsinki or Lapland so it was good to head out east! Hope all is well with you?!

[@ScenesBySevy]

@@MattWhitingsEurope I don't know if you were in Finland already, but last weekend the largest Aurora Borealis happened in the last 20 years.

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

I’ve heard some bits on the news recently. Thanks for the info - I would love to see them!

[@shaman2384]

This is awesome. Bit tired of travel videos where they just go to Helsinki :D

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Thank you, I've got some exciting adventures lined up so stay tuned! Thanks for watching.

[@bashthelegend]

Pretty unique video! As you said, not many foreigners visit these places and even fewer travel vloggers. Cool stuff.

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Thank you! One of the things I really loved about the region is that it felt undiscovered! Like I was the only one there. Love that feeling!!

[@clopec]

The history of the two cities is intertwined. The Swedes started fortifying Hamina to act as a border fortress after Sweden had lost Viborg/Viipuri to Russia in 1721. In 1740 also Hamina was lost, so Lovisa was next in turn to act as a border fortress. The Swedes never managed to finish the defenses around either city. And perhaps as a symbol of the crumbling Swedish empire, the border towns and fortifications became less impressive for each iteration. Albeit the fortifications in Hamina were actually completed by the Russians. Kotka in between the two was the border fortress of the Russians back when the border was between Kotka and Lovisa, with a land fortress in Kyminlinna and a sea fortress around the bay.

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Thanks for the information, very interesting to read some of the history. I had Kotka on my list of places to visit but unfortunately did not get time so I'll have to save that for another trip!

[@mikaellindroos1594]

Thank you for showing my hometown Loviisa.

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

My pleasure, I enjoyed taking a walk around and seeing it for myself. Lovely little town!

[@webusygaming9461]

Your views might not be massive but the quality of your work and your commitment to this channel is really impressive. Thank you for the content, always gives me the holiday blues 😂

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Thank you! Much appreciated!! Glad to hear you’re enjoying the videos 😃

[@samuelmyllyaho6066]

Many finns including me will never visit all these places so it's cool to see what our land has to offer!

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Glad I can introduce you to some of these wonderful places! Thanks for watching.

[@mikko_laitinen]

Thanks for another insightful video! One thing about Hamina to add to your story. It has been quite important town for Finnish military for more than 100 years. It has been the place for Reserve Officer´s School for a long time. Most of the reserve officers are trained there, still. I myself spent there more than half a year during my compulsory military service. The military museum is next to the garrison gates.

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Thank you for watching, very interesting to read your comment. I take it military service is still required? I bet it's quite an experience going through it, must be difficult but can totally understand why it's a thing. If I had more time I would have visited that museum, looked good.

[@CletusMcdonagh]

Glad to see travelling videos from Finland not from Helsinki. People will see the true Finland and landscapes not only the culturalmess that helsinki is trying to be. Thank you for the good video and nice editing👍🏻 You got new subscriber here

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed the video & thanks for subscribing. I know what you mean about Helsinki and Lapland, when I was researching my trip it seemed like they were the only places people ever go. When I realised how amazing Finnish Lakeland is I knew I had to go there.

[@oh2mp]

Great video again. I like very much that you always do your "homework" well and tell the watchers about history and other facts about the places etc. what you see. And you were absolutely right in the beginning. Many foreign tourists see Helsinki and Lapland ski resorts only, and that's a pity. Our country would have much more to offer. Now I'm waiting for the next episode. I am originated from that lakeland area although I've lived about 30 years in Helsinki metropolitan area now.

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Thanks very much, glad you enjoyed it! I do try to read up on places before I visit - I’m glad that comes through in the video. Looking forward to sharing more in the coming months - I’ve got some exciting plans!

[@mariamm9460]

Beautiful Church , so big , Loviisa looks amazing as well as Hamina , in both cities i haven't visited yet..hope to see them..Hamina ..20.000 people living there , thats lovely ..Beautiful flag 🇫🇮❤thank you Matt for sharing ❤😊👍

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Thanks again for watching. I really enjoyed visiting too. That circular grid plan in Hamina was like nothing I'd ever seen before and I really enjoyed my stroll through the woods in Loviisa - glad I ran into that viewing tower. Wonderful start to my trip and always good to be back in Finland!

[@mariamm9460]

@@MattWhitingsEurope you are very Welcome Matt, hope you back Finland always ..you seems to be lucky to run the places which are remarkable and historical ,,I know so little about Finland even I live in here, I like to visit places to know more,,Karjala I been traveling always as my heart needed and still need my childhood places..are you now in Finland..I haven't seen yet all your videos, but I do watch them 🇫🇮❤

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Thank you! No I've left Finland now but really enjoyed my stay. Got 2 more videos coming up so hopefully you enjoy them!

[@mariamm9460]

@@MattWhitingsEurope Matt you are more than Welcome always ..oh you left Finland, but hope you will visit again soon 😊enjoy your videos are so clear to understand what you speak, your information perfect, and quality of video pictures so great..I am so happy to find you on KZbin, will enjoy every video and pictures you share..come back 😃🇫🇮❤

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Thank you, I will definitely be back at some point but I'll likely visit another region/area. We'll see, there's so much of Finland to explore!! Thanks for taking a look at my other videos and photos over on Instagram - I don't spend all that much time on Instagram but I do like to post photos of each trip.

[@JoseyStranded]

At 9:50 you can see a wildlife bridge built over the highway.

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

I read about those, pretty cool if you ask me!

[@HyperUTS_official]

Thank you for these videos. Eastern Finland and its beauty is totallu worth seeing and exploring, but even us Finns often forget about it. I warmly recommend Kuopio, it's a beautiful city in the heart of Savonia region, and especially nice in the summer. I recommend doing a little boat cruise on the lake there, it's not very pricey.

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Thanks for the recommendation, I will keep that in mind as I head further north. It's a wonderful area for sure, all seems so remote and isolated - at times making me feel like I was the only one there!

[@Finland-SkiTeam39-40]

Very impressing and have to say as a Finn that your videos are so infomative and perfectly done. Full respect and thank you !!!

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Thanks so much, I really appreciate your comment. 👍

[@DemonicGoblin-mv4ob]

Your perspective is truly epic

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Thank you! 😀

[@annukkas]

What a nice surprise! Hamina is my childhood home town - now I live in Porvoo. The south eastern part of Finland hasn't been doing that well, since jobs have been lost (thanks to Google some are created) and the important Russian tourist haven't been around anymore. The tourists from other countries focus usually on Helsinki area or Lapland, so it's nice to get some attention for the eastern parts and towns, too. Hamina is quite charming little town by the sea which offers a lot of things to do and is doing it's best to keep itself welcoming and relevant.

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Yes I know what you mean about people only travelling to Helsinki or Lapland - I didn't realise the lake distract was there until a few years ago when I ended up in Hämeenlinna. Since then I really wanted to return and explore the region - glad I got the chance too. Shame about the lack of Russian tourists but I'm sure all will end well. Once more international travellers realise what they're missing they'll come in droves! Thanks for watching!

[@harrikoivu5016]

Hi Matt, wonderful to see you back in Finland. Looks like your trip will touch upon many places my wife and I just visited in October. Although I grew up in Ostrobothnia (West Coast) and have lived abroad for a long time now, I always enjoy visiting the Finnish Lakeland district. There are lots of videos on Helsinki and Lapland on KZbin so appreciate your fresh approach to Finland.

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Thank you very much. I thought the same about Helsinki & Lapland so was really glad to hear about Finnish Lakeland which has an undiscovered feel to it, in my eyes anyway. Such a wonderful area & everything feels so distant and peaceful - which is great! Thanks for your comment, very interesting to read.

[@tiistai9696]

Great. Finally Finland videos.

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Buckle up my friend. It’s going to be a wild one!

[@diarmaiddillon1568]

Another great video😊

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Thank you 🤗

[@WITYTRAVELS]

No one does off the normal path Finland like you! Love the black roof on that church! That IS a big flag. Never seen the Kalmar flag. The Russian flag from 1858 looks cool too.

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Thanks, I’m looking forward to finding some lakes as I head north! 😀

[@saturahman7510]

Thank you ! Greetings from Mikkeli.

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Thank you!!

[@turpasauna]

Hello to you. I've noticed a bunch of Brits getting interested in our culture lately. We welcome you! There seems to be a mutual sense of humor and understanding.

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Very true! Thanks for the welcome, always a pleasure to visit Finland!

[@CulturalBarbarian]

Finnish Lakeland is quite unknown to foreign tourists. There are a lot of remote, but nice places like Petkeljärvi near Ilomantsi or Valamo monastery between Joensuu and Varkaus. There are summer cities like Lappeenranta, Savonlinna, Kuopio (which is almost an island) and maybe even Kajaani. A lot of genuine people, small museums and wacky festivals too. International marketing is just terrible or non-existing for the most of it, even though you'll do fine with English almost anywhere.

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

I’ve got to admit that I hadn’t heard of it until I visited Hameenlinna a few years back. Some people call it the gateway to Finnish Lakeland & I loved it! So much so I’ve returned. I did feel a little bit removed from the tourist trail but that’s what I enjoyed the most! Thanks for your comment, very interesting to read!

[@TheKyykky]

There are actually 3 fortresses. Bastion Ungern and Rosen next to each other and then svartholm the seafortress. Nice to see somebody travel somewhere else than the big cities or Lapland

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Thanks for the information, very interesting. Very pleased I chose the lakes, looks like a wonderful area!

[@Nikkeloodeon]

11:02 These buildings are some of the oldest surviving houses in Hamina, being from the early 1800s, and are still inhabited today. Most of the city centre burnt down back then in the many fires the town has witnessed since most of it used to be built from wood. The one church in Hamina you didn't show in this video (Church of Maria) is also the oldest building in all of the Kymenlaakso county. It was built around 1430 to 1470, although it has been renovated from time to time. You can see its steeple in the background at 11:52.

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Thanks for the info, shame I missed that one. Sounds like an interesting place. I've visited a few other Finnish towns and villages that suffered multiple fires so Hamina is not alone - I guess it use to happen quite a lot when people tried heating dry wooden buildings.

[@Pyhantaakka]

Interesting thing about it is that it was build as renaissance "ideal city", a circular plan surrounded by a star fort. Not many of those left in Europe.

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Indeed, I can't remember seeing anything like it before. Very different from the norm!

[@finnishculturalchannel]

There's also the historical King's Road, which connected Bergen, Oslo, Stockholm and St. Petersburg, and in Finland from Åland Islands Maarianhamina to Turku and to Vyborg, and the towns and villages between. King of Sweden, Adolf Frederick, visited Loviisa (formerly Degerby) in 1752 and named it after his wife Louisa Ulrika of Prussia. When visiting the coastal towns as tourists, there's also the archipelago to consider. E.g. 25 kilometers south west of Hanko, there'e a popular day trip destination, Bengtskär Lighthouse, which was built in 1906 on the Bengtskär skerry, where it rises 52 meters above sea level and is the highest one in the Nordic countries. Finnish Lakeland is spoken as the next Lapland when it comes to tourism. Sadly the use of Saimaa Canal isn't advised at the moment. The canal connects the Lakeland with the Gulf of Finland near Vyborg, Russia. Hamina has a long tradition as a military town with its historical star-shaped fortress. The army reserve officer school and garrison are located there, inside and right outside the city. That Bastion is the location where E.g. the annual Hamina Tattoo military music festival takes place. Between Loviisa and Hamina there's Kotka city. There are E.g. parks, which have received the UK-based Green Flag Awards and one of the Finland's biggest summer festivals, Kotka Maritime Festival.

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Really interesting to read through, thanks for posting it. I hadn't heard of Bengtskär Lighthouse until you mentioned it. I can totally see why Finnish Lakeland will be the next Lapland - although the locals may not want that! Thanks again.

[@Hongaars1969]

Hi Matt. Thank you for another exciting video. True, Helsinki airport hotels very expensive. You are a (true) adventurer, visiting places that I possibly might never get visit myself. The wooden buildings remind me of structures in New Zealand. The countryside looks beautiful and remote. There must be thousands of kilometers of borderland between Finland and Russia. Generally, filming at border crossings is forbidden but if you do come near to a border crossing, it would be interesting to hear if any traffic is permitted across the border. Wising you on-going travels. Cheers Zoltán

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Thank you for your comment, I appreciate you watching! Got plans to visit the Finnish/Russian border later in the trip so stay tuned - it’s a fascinating area. I’ll also be talking about the history of the border in the next video - and visiting some unique places. Thanks again. 👍

[@Hongaars1969]

@@MattWhitingsEurope Thanks Matt. Since I may never see many of those places, I eagerly anticipate each of your uploads. I know not how these algorithms work but thankfully you somehow appeared on mine. As always, safe travels. Zoltan

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Thanks Zoltan, much appreciated. 😀

[@Pikaxsu]

[2:09] Motelli is not the name of the place where you stayed in Porvoo "motelli" means "motel". "hotel" = "hotelli" (Later in Hamina grill-> grilli and so on.)

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Thanks for the info, I didn't realise that. I stayed at the Motelli On Line, here's a link to it --> maps.app.goo.gl/a8BJNa2haWJnCsd39

[@theoneandonly57]

😊😊

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

👊

[@erkkavilhunen4916]

At kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpzRmayLhd1jgqs you can see how highway has been dug into rocky hillside. One reason is to get road more level by digging in at higher areas. Rocks exploded out from here have been moved to fill out lower areas nearby. In connection to war theme of your trip those rock faces next to highway can be used to block the road in case of invasion. Finnish army is prepared to blow up them all on to roads. This also included every bridge and tunnel on every road you travel while doing your tour. Lakes have north south orientation. In between them there are swamps which prevent use of heavy equipment. What is left for solid ground is full of large boulders dropped by ice age and endless number of trees covering whole area. Not a easy place to drive tank column through when forest speaks Finnish and is equipped with anti-tank weaponry.

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Thanks for the additional details, very useful and fascinating to read. Makes sense to have those precautions in place, sadly you never know when you might need them.

[@companyjoe]

"All the people of FInland told us it would be daft to build a huge flag pole for the sake of attracting tourism. Who's laughing now!"

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

😂😂😂 When I read it was the largest in Finland I just had to go see it!!

[@companyjoe]

@@MattWhitingsEurope You should get a medal for it. Talk to Visit Finland.

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Thank you!! I may just do that 😆

[@Mojova1]

I don't think the place was called Motelli. Motelli is just a motel in Finnish. 🙂

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Turns out it was called Motelli On Line, here's a link to it --> maps.app.goo.gl/a8BJNa2haWJnCsd39

[@Mojova1]

@@MattWhitingsEurope MD online - Motelli Motel. You might be right but it is a weird name. 😃 I am waiting for your episode where you visit Savonlinna. I have lived there 10 years and it is the best city in Finland in my opinion.

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Looking forward to sharing it in the coming weeks. My trip to Savonlinna wasn't without incident though 🫣

[@anttieskelinen1]

Not a military museum but military base. Reserve officer school.

[@Sir_Baddington]

i believe there is also a museum.

[@anttieskelinen1]

@@Sir_Baddington Not that area what he point out. There is museum of Reserve officer school and UN peace keeping museum out of the picture.

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Thanks for clearing that up, I must have confused it with the museum next door.

[@wanhapatu]

3:43 You can see the Loviisa nuclear powerplant there in the distance, 10 km away.

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Incredible, didn't realise that. Shows that it was a nice clear day. Thanks for saying!

[@hennapeltonen3137]

That drone footage is breaking Finnish law. You are not allowed to photograph or take videos of military zones from the air without permission.

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

I always check for flight restrictions before taking off and am careful to avoid flying over closed airspace.

[@hennapeltonen3137]

@@MattWhitingsEurope There is no flight restriction in Hamina. It's just global ban in whole Finnland.

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

There's no ban in Finland, however like every country there is restricted and banned airspace, for example above airports, prison and power plants. I was flying in the open category and as said I always check the airspace before taking off. Here's a bit more info --> www.droneinfo.fi/en/operations-open-category?toggle=Operation%20sub-category%20A1

[@jijlaitinen]

Rules for drones did change at the beginning of this year to more thighter than it was before. BUT, as long as you fly under 250g drone, under maximimum altitude 120m, you fly only over random people (not crowd) and respect cities specifically marked no fly zones (and airfields and such) for example in Helsinki city centre, you are basically good to go. Nice video btw 😀👍

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Thank you sir!

[@mirovii]

Have to say you look like a finnish guy

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Haha a few people have mentioned the same thing. My honourary Finnish name is Matti apparently! 😂😂