Pietarsaari / Jakobstad
Jakobstad (Swedish) or Pietarsaari (Finnish) is a charming town located on the west coast of Finland, in the Ostrobothnia region. Founded in 1642, it has a rich history and a population of 20,000.
Jakobstad is bilingual, with both Swedish (49 %) and Finnish (31 %) as official languages. Jakobstad is known or its beautiful coastal scenery along the Gulf of Bothnia, its historical buildings, its vibrant cultural life, and its many churches.
Aspegren´s Garden
Aspegren’s Garden, located just a few minutes walk away, is a historic and beautifully preserved garden that dates back to the 18th century. It was created by Provost Gabriel Aspegren and is one of the oldest vicarage gardens in Finland. The garden features formal flower beds, a rose garden, and various historical buildings.
Highlights of Pietarsaari
Skolparken - a beautiful botanical park in the city center, ideal for a walk or a picnic.
Jakobstad Museum & Malm House - Showcasing the city’s maritime history and traditional wooden houses.
Tobacco Warehouse & Galleri Bruno - Art exhibitions and cultural events in a historic tobacco storage building.
Skata - The historic wooden district, originally home to shipbuilders and craftsmen.
Nanoq Arctic Museum - A unique museum focusing on polar expeditions and Arctic history. And they have a traditional smoke sauna!
Fäboda Beach - Breathtaking sea views, sandy beaches, cliffs, and hiking trails. Accessible with wheel chair.
Lillsand Beach - A calm and family-friendly beach with shallow waters.
Our personal favorites
Café Skorpan - A cozy café and bakery with great pastries and lunches.
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Lundagård – a wonderful and unique store that specializes in traditional building materials and vintage-style home decor. A must for all enthusiasts of vintage items and traditional materials.
Music Café After Eight - A creative hub, very popular for its delicious lunches.
Station 23 - A cocktail lounge, bar, and dinner restaurant, with live music a few nights a week.
Pavis - A seaside restaurant and marina, perfect for summer lunches or dinners with a view over the harbour.
Music & Theater at the Schauman Hall - Modern concerts and performances in an acoustically refined setting.
Jakobs dagar (July 20–27, 2025) - An annual summer festival, when Jakobstad is full of music, art, performances, and events.
Rusk Chamber Music Festival (Nov 18–22, 2025) - International creativity at the darkest time of the year
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Jeriko Gård - A unique sourdough bakery and café growing their own wheat and strawberries. Jeriko Gård is located a 20 minutes drive from Jakobstad.