Hanko

Hanko is the southernmost town of Finland with an eventful past and a charming atmosphere. On Ferryhopper, you can find useful information about must-see places, local delicacies, and ferries to Hanko and book your tickets easily and quickly!

The picturesque coastline and the town of Hanko

Vacation in Hanko

Hanko is a lovely resort town and a popular summer destination. It has a beautiful spa, ideal for relaxation and wellness. There, you can find seafood restaurants by the sea, cafés, shops, museums, and old towers.

The best time to visit Hanko in Finland is the months of July and August when temperatures can reach up to 20°C. During the winter, temperatures can drop to -10°C so if you are planning to travel to Finland between December and February, make sure to bring warm clothes and thermal pants.

How to get to  Hanko

You can travel to Hanko by plane, car, bus, or ferry. The nearest airport to Hanko is Turku Airport (TKU). It is about 85 km away connecting the oldest city and the former capital of Finland with both domestic and international flights.

Also, you can reach the port town of Hanko by bus. There are frequent connections between Hanko and the capital of Finland, Helsinki. Also, the town is connected to Karis also known as Karja by bus. If you’re driving to Hanko from Helsinki, keep in mind that it is about a 2-hour ride, depending on the weather.

Alternatively, you can travel to Hanko by ferry from Nynäshamn (Stockholm) in Sweden. You can also book a cabin for a comfortable trip while enjoying the fascinating crossing and the breathtaking views from the ferry’s dock. Therefore, if you're planning to travel by ferry you can find more information about ferry routes and schedules from/to Hanko.

What to do in Hanko

Hanko is a charming town ideal for both nature lovers and holidaymakers. You can learn all about its eventful past by visiting its museums and exploring its stunning natural landscapes with a long walk parallel to its amazing coastlines. 

After a stroll along the shoreline, you can go window shopping in the traditional shops and the modern boutiques. Enjoy a cup of coffee in one of the cozy cafés in the idyllic Hangonkylä Harbor. 

Also, you can visit the marketplace of Hanko to try local delicacies and buy some souvenirs made from driftwood and recycled material.

Traditional fishermen huts in Hanko

Sightseeing in Hanko

Hanko is a charming town with a fascinating history, impressive buildings, stunning natural landscapes, parks, and museums. Here you can find a list of the top 9 sightseeing in Hanko: 

1. Hanko Water Tower (Hangon vesitorni), the imposing red tower offering stunning views over the cape of Hanko and the Baltic Sea
2. Tulliniemi Nature Path, a shelter for many endangered species located in the southernmost point of Finland
3. The Immigration Monument, in memory of about 400,000 Finns forced to immigrate from Hanko to the United States, Canada, or Australia in the late 1800s.
4. The Hanko Front Museum, including an exhibition with ten wartime artillery pieces and providing a good overview of the events of the Second World War
5. Gunnarstrand, one of the most traditional small genuine areas in Hanko
6. The Hanko Museum with exhibitions about the town’s fascinating history
7. The Path of Love, a scenic path situated on the cliffs of Puistovuoret 
8. Pike's Gut, with more than 640 carvings of seafarers writing their names, coats of arms, and short stories on the rocks 
9. Russarö Lighthouse, situated on the island of Russarö near Hanko  

The imposing Water Tower of Hanko

Nightlife in Hanko

The nightlife in Nynäshamn is relatively quiet. However, you will find a few pubs to enjoy local beer and wine near the port area. 

Food in Hanko

Finland's traditional dishes mainly consist of meat (reindeer, pork, beef), fresh fish and vegetables. During your stay in Hanko, make sure to try these delicious Finnish delicacies:

• lihapiirakka (minced meat pie with rice, onion, and eggs)
• lohikeitto (salmon soup)
• kalakukko (fish pie)
• salmiakki (salted licorice)
• ruisleipä (bread with rye flour)
• korvapuusti (cinnamon buns)

The traditional Finish dish of salmon soup, lohikeitto 

Tips

Here are some useful tips for your stay in Hanko: 

• The sauna is part of the Finnish culture. Therefore, you can plan a traditional sauna evening with your friends and experience the relaxing methods of the Finnish people for health and well-being.
• Since Finland is quite windy, make sure to pack something windproof to stay warm.
• Finland’s currency is the euro (EUR) and you can pay by card or cash. However, make sure that you have cash with you at all times in case card payment is not available. You can also exchange money at a bank or a currency exchange office in Helsinki or another big city before visiting Hanko.

Useful information about Hanko

Hanko is a great destination for a weekend getaway and a beautiful town to relax and enjoy a few days in a spa for a hot sauna. The town offers many options for saunas, restaurants, cafés 

As for accommodation, you can choose between modern boutique hotels, wooden villas, motels, pensions, or camping sites about 4 km from the town center. 

Related to healthcare, there is a medical center in Hanko located very close to the center of the town.

Important phone numbers for your stay in Hanko

Here are some useful contacts for your trip to Hanko: 

• Hanko Port Authority: +358102355000
• Hanko Medical Center: +358192203555
• Turku Airport (TKU): +358207084717
• European emergency number: 112
• Sea rescue: +35802941000
• Tourist office: +3580192203414

Transportation in Hanko

Considering its small size, Hanko is easy to explore on foot. You can also use the bus or rent a bike to easily move around the town and explore its stunning natural landscapes and trails.

Ports in Hanko 

The port of Hanko is located at the southernmost point of Finland and has direct ferry connections to the port of Nynäshamn in Sweden.

Hanko ferry: schedules and tickets

There are up to 7 weekly ferry connections between the port of Hanko in Finland and Nynäshamn in Sweden. The Nynäshamn-Hanko ferry route is operated by Stena Line and ferry ticket prices start at €70.

There is usually an overnight ferry departing from Nynäshamn (Stockholm) around 20:00 and arriving in Hanko in Finland at 10:00, the following morning.

The Finnish flag waving on a ferry near the port of Hanko

Where to book ferry tickets to Hanko online

On Ferryhopper, you can find all available ferry routes to and from Hanko on our Map of ferries, compare prices, and departure times and book cheap ferry tickets to Hanko online at no extra cost.