Visit Korpo
Visit Korpo
see & do
Photo: Emilia Hoisko Photography / Visit Finland
it's good to be here all year round!
The summer months of June, July and August are filled to the brim with different activities and you can choose from summer parties, concerts, exhibitions, walking tours, tasting experiences and so on. During the rest of the year there is time for rest and everyday life, but Korpo is by no means hibernating. The local associations and entrepreneurs organize various events and activities. Take a look at the calendar of events to see what's on right now, or click on the buttons to see more information about what you can see and do in Korpo.
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welcome to the village!
The Archipelago trail is a very popular route in the archipelago, but if you turn off at Galtby towards Houtskär or towards Nagu, you'll miss a lot of Korpo! In Korpo Kyrkby (the centre) and at Verkan there are both top quality restaurants, cafés & shopping, as well as attractions such as Korpo Church and Korpo historical museum.
Stop by the village and enjoy the rich offerings of Korpo town centre.
Stop by the village and enjoy the rich offerings of Korpo town centre.
Attractions
Korpo centre
Photo: Aarón - Ubuntu Productions
Korpo Church
Photo: Aarón - Ubuntu Productions
Korpo Church
In the middle of the village stands the medieval grey stone church, the oldest building in the area. Walking around the church, you can see the old, incredibly strong stone walls, built by diligent men in the past from stone blasted from the adjacent mountain, winched up with tallies and joined into the walls so that the outside is smooth and uniform - there is neither money nor technology to build similar churches nowadays.
When you enter the church, you step back in time, in a way, several hundred years. Looking from the aisle at the position of the windows in relation to the arches and at the design of the windowless north wall, you can see details that allow you to imagine what the church looked like in the 14th century: much lower and with a completely different design from today's church, which was given its appearance in the 1430s.
The images of saints, the vault paintings and the chancel lectern bring to mind the 15th century, when the church was still a Catholic sanctuary. The old building has a rare atmosphere of sanctity, shaped by centuries of worship, prayer and hymn singing, of baptisms, weddings and funerals. It can still make itself felt to the visitor who stops for a moment and lets the details and the whole speak for themselves.
The church is usually open daily from 9 am to 3 pm, in summer all day.
Korpoström
Archipelago Centre Korpoström
Archipelago Centre Korpoström
A visitor centre for science, nature, art and culture. Here you can visit various exhibitions, enjoy a good meal with a sea view, be an archipelago researcher in the Kid’s Lab, stop by the Handicrafts workshop and purchase locally made handicraft products in our shop, as well as learn more about the Archipelago Sea Unesco Biosphere Reserve.
Österretais
Photo: Aarón - Ubuntu Productions
Barefoot Path
Photo: Aarón - Ubuntu Productions
Barefoot Path
Barefoot path is an exhibition of environmental art and site-specific works in the idyllic village of Österretais in Korpo. It invites the public to take part in the unique archipelago nature and also experience exciting contemporary art created in collaboration with the environment.
Kuggviken
Photo: Ida-Kajsa - Ubuntu Productions
Korpo Local History Museum
Photo: Aarón - Ubuntu Productions
Korpo Local History Museum
Korpo Local History museum is located within walking distance from Korpo center. In the lush farmyard of the homestead you can enjoy a moment of tranquillity and travel back in time. Visit the servant's cottage, Ida's cottage, the forge and the many different stalls with old tools and see how the Korpo people lived in the past. There is a lot of knowledge to be gained here!
Korpo Local History Museum is open daily during the season (June-August). Out of season open by appointment.
Address: Strömmavägen 39, 21710 Korpo
Activities
The whole island
Shopping
Photo: Ida-Kajsa - Ubuntu Productions
Shopping
For those who like to shop, Korpo has a lot to offer despite its small size! The lifestyle shop Amalia's Hem is already something of a shopping mecca for many long-distance travellers, but Korpo also has many other interesting shopping spots. Here you will find a list of shops in Korpo
- Amalia's Hem - an oasis for clothes, shoes, accessories and interior decoration (Center)
- Nomad Home - handmade imported Moroccan carpets and interior decoration (Center)
- Anna-Lena's Flower Shop - much more than flowers! (Center)
- K-market Korpo Handel - Korpo's grocery store nominated best village store 2021 (Center)
- BMA - building materials, hardware, clothes, toys, gardening supplies. Whatever you need, you'll find it here! (Center)
- Niinmun Design - timeless clothes made of natural materials (Teleberget)
- The Biosphere Area's Craft Shop - handmade products from the archipelago can be found in the shop located in the Archipelago Centre Korpoström (Korpoström)
- Pelle P - clothing shop at the harbour in the Archipelago Centre Korpoström (Korpoström)
- Verkan Sea Shop – clothing store at Verkan (Verkan)
- Bagar Bengt shop - delicious fresh bread, buns and pastries (Center)
The whole island
Photo: Aarón - Ubuntu Productions
Farm shops in Korpo
Photo: Aarón - Ubuntu Productions
Farm shops in Korpo
- Wattkast Meat - open by appointment. Beef and lamb. Address: Wattkastvägen 99.
- Wattkast apple - open June-November 9 a.m.-9 p.m. New potatoes (June/July), apples and apple juice (August-November). Address: Wattkastvägen 171
- Holmén's garden - open May & June every day 9-21. Summer flowers. Address: Wattkastvägen 191.
- Walldén's garden - open March-November every day 24h. Cucumber, tomato, lettuce, herbs, eggs, summer flowers and knitted garments. Address: Wattkastvägen 368.
- Korpoström Magazine - sales from 4 farms. Open: from the second weekend in June to the end of September, every day 24 hours a day Joint direct sales: alpaca products, yarn and sheepskins Seasonal: vegetables, apples and apple juice, new potatoes and strawberries. Payment by card at the self-service checkout. Address: Korpoströmsvägen 798 (21720 KORPOSTRÖM)
The whole island
Photo: Aarón - Ubuntu Productions
Live Like a Local
Photo: Aarón - Ubuntu Productions
Live Like a Local
Do you want to experience Korpo as a local? Then you should visit Korpo outside the summer season. Take a trip out to the archipelago for the weekend and meet the locals at a Pub Bingo/Quiz at Hjalmar's restaurant on a Friday night. Take a tour of the village, visit the local shops and soak up the peaceful off-season atmosphere. Perhaps you'd like to hire a bike or a kayak and explore the islands and villages?
The whole island
St Olav Waterway
St Olav Waterway
Hike through the world's most beautiful archipelago from island to island. The St Olav Waterway hiking trail runs from Turku via the archipelago to Åland, Sweden and Norway. In Korpo there are several places where you as a hiker can get food, accommodation and a St Olav stamp. Check the website for more info: https://stolavwaterway.com/
The whole island
Photo: Juho Kuva - Visit Finland
Bicycle rental
Photo: Juho Kuva - Visit Finland
Bicycle rental
Carfield has a wide range of rental bikes all year round. With Carfield bikes you can comfortably cycle from island to island and leave your bike at a different location than where you rented it.
Verkan
Photo: Karolina Harjula
Kayak rental
Photo: Karolina Harjula
Kayak rental
Newly opened Korpo Kajakbod at Verkan rent both kayaks and SUP boards. Never kayaked before? No problem! Sara & Andi can guide you so that you are safe and secure during your kayak trip.
The whole island
Archipelago Guides
Archipelago Guides
Would you like to know more about Korpo, the history of Korpo or the UNESCO Archipelago Sea Biosphere Reserve? The Archipelago Guides organise walking tours of various historical sites in Korpo during the summer. Contact them for more information and private tours - Website
The whole island
Photo: Katri Lehtola
Take the ferry
Photo: Katri Lehtola
Take the ferry
Maybe you don't have your own boat but would like to go out to sea? Then you can take a ferry! There are many ferry routes from Korpo. Here you will find more information about ferry routes and timetables.
Verkan
Photo: Joakim Honkasalo - Unsplash
Winter swim
Photo: Joakim Honkasalo - Unsplash
Winter swim
Many people have been won over by the health benefits of winter swimming. From November to April, you can go winter swimming and to the sauna on Saturdays in Verkan. One-time cost €5 and is organized by the association Folkhälsan i Korpo rf. More info
Nature experiences
Archipelago Sea National Park
Photo: Karolina Harjula
Archipelago Sea National Park
Photo: Karolina Harjula
Archipelago Sea National Park
The world's most beautiful archipelago has a landscape that constantly changes from rugged rocky islands to vibrant archipelago villages and from open sea to sheltered bays. The Archipelago Sea has more islets and skerries than anywhere else. Embark on a captivating adventure in the labyrinths of the archipelago or experience the freedom of the open sea either by your own boat, kayak or on one of the ferries! - Website
Verkan & Archipelago Sea National Park
Photo: Aarón - Ubuntu Productions
Hiking trails
Photo: Aarón - Ubuntu Productions
Hiking trails
Biosphere Trail
The Biosphere Trail is a nature trail of about 1.5 km in the Verkan area behind the school centre. The nature trail has been created by the Archipelago Sea UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in cooperation with the City of Pargas and local associations. The theme of the nature trail is the balance between nature and man. The trail highlights the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and the unique culture and nature of the archipelago. The nature trail starts at Korpo Day Care Centre and goes through the forest and over the hills to Verkan Guest Harbour.
Out in the Archipelago Sea National Park there are several nature paths. For example, Konungskär and Stora Hästö have beautiful nature paths. To get there you need to go by boat or kayak. If you don't have your own boat a taxi boat is an option, or you can rent a kayak at Korpo Kajakbod. More info here: https://www.utinaturen.fi/skargardshavet/leder
Kuggviken
Photo: Aarón - Ubuntu Productions
Public swimming beaches
Photo: Aarón - Ubuntu Productions
Public swimming beaches
In Korpo you will find a very beautiful public swimming beach at Likholmen by Kuggviken. The sandy beach is shallow and suitable for children. The beach also has tables and benches, a changing room and a jetty with a ladder from which you can dive. To get to the beach, drive past Kyrkbyn in the direction of Strömma. At the fork in the road to Hväsby, turn in the opposite direction, to the right down towards the Kuggviken boat docks. Drive past the parking lot and onto the small forest road. There you will find a small car park and from there cross the small wooden bridge and follow the path to the beach.
NOTE! In high season it may be worthwhile to look for parking further away from the beach and walk the last bit. The car park can be very crowded and there is little room to turn around and drive back if the car park is full.
The whole island
Photo: Martin Lostak - Unsplash
Geocaching
Photo: Martin Lostak - Unsplash
Geocaching
Go on a geocaching adventure in Korpo! In Korpo there are many geocaches to find.
Korpo villages
Photo: Aarón - Ubuntu Productions
Wattkast
Photo: Aarón - Ubuntu Productions
Wattkast
The beautiful island of Wattkast is reached via a bridge. Stop for a while on the bridge and enjoy the view! Wattkast is the village of farm shops; there are no less than four farm shops on Wattkast. - map
Photo: Aarón - Ubuntu Productions
Korpoström
Photo: Aarón - Ubuntu Productions
Korpoström
Korpoström is one of the villages in Korpo with the most dramatic history. As a hub for shipping, the village has seen a lot happen. Here you can download the app "Coastal Past" and go on a historical walk around Archipelago Centre Korpoström. Among other things, you will get to know more about The battle of Korpoström in 1743. In Korpoström you can also look into Korpoströms magazine and shop for local vegetables and handicrafts, or visit the Archipelago Centre Korpoström - map
Photo: Aarón - Ubuntu Productions
Rumar
Photo: Aarón - Ubuntu Productions
Rumar
The road to Rumar goes through many beautiful small villages such as Rosklax, Syvelax and Böhle. Open fields, old houses and narrow roads; the feeling when cycling through the inland villages of Korpo is special. With the sea in the distance, there is a special peace here. In Rumar you will find, for example Hanna's B&B, beautiful hills to stop and have a picnic on, and newly opened Rumar Strand with a restaurant, beach, kayak rental, marina and accommodation cottages - map
Photo: Aarón - Ubuntu Productions
Österretais
Photo: Aarón - Ubuntu Productions
Österretais
Österretais Village is one of the most visited villages in Korpo because of the popular environmental art and site-specific exhibition Barefoot Path and well-respected Hotel Nestor & Restaurant Back Pocket. In addition to these popular destinations, there are also beautiful small roads and fields to cycle or walk along - map
Photo: Aarón - Ubuntu Productions
Galtby
Photo: Aarón - Ubuntu Productions
Galtby
In addition to being a hub for the ferries to Houtskär, Norrskata and Åland, Galtby also has a café and kiosk at the ferry terminal. If you turn off towards Galtby Bay, you will soon find a charming sandy road and a few hundred metres into the road also charming Naawa Nature Camp – map
Photo: Folke Österman
Norrskata
Photo: Folke Österman
Norrskata
A stone's throw from Korpo is the island of Norrskata. You can get there by ferry from Galtby (see the timetables here) On the island there is among other things a nature path and a beautiful wooden church from the 1930s. In the former school there is a school museum that Norrskata Village Council keeps open by appointment.
Other villages to visit in Korpo: Strömma, Hväsby, Kopois, Syvelax, Rosklax, Bonäs, Karrby, Markomby, Skofatt, Kölingby & Västerkalax.
NOTE! Remember to respect other people's privacy, houses and yards! It is not allowed to enter private yards even though they are close to the road. You are also not allowed to visit private beaches, make a fire or walk in cultivated fields. If you are not sure what applies, you can read more about the every-mans-right here
Events
Photo: Aleks Talve
Korpo Sea Jazz
Photo: Aleks Talve
Korpo Sea Jazz
Korpo Sea Jazz is a bold, modern, and at times experimental jazz festival, where the program consists of contemporary jazz music with top domestic musicians. The intimate archipelago festival invites you to leave city life behind and experience the beauty of the Archipelago Sea and feel the presence of nature. Here, both the music and the sun pamper the audience! More info
Sibelius in Korpo
Sibelius in Korpo
The festival is organised by Korpo Jazz rf., which also organises the Korpo Sea Jazz festival. The festival has been profiled as a special forum for Sibelius᾿ music - at the concerts you can listen to both unusual pieces from the youth repertoire and more well-known masterpieces, often in combination, so that the different stylistic stages of the composer can highlight each other. More info
Photo: Jefferson Santos - Unsplash
Countercurrent Festival
Photo: Jefferson Santos - Unsplash
Countercurrent Festival
Motströms - Vastavirtaan Festival is a collective name for the music and other cultural events that the association Korpo Kulturgille rf organizes during the period May - September.
Photo: Lotta Tamminen
Summer start
Photo: Lotta Tamminen
Summer start
On the second Saturday in June, the local residents gather for a joint party to celebrate the start of the summer season. The summer start is a collaboration between Pro Korpo r.f., associations and entrepreneurs operating on the island. Every year, fun activities are organised by the associations and entrepreneurs, such as fashion shows, tractor exhibitions and tractor cavalcades around the village, stand-up, pop-up cafés, street food, market square sale and so on. Contact Pro Korpo r.f. for more information about the Summer Start.
The summer start is approaching! (10.06)! download the programme for 2023 here
Photo: Tingey Injury - Unsplash
Korpo Philosophy Days
Photo: Tingey Injury - Unsplash
Korpo Philosophy Days
Korpo Philosophy Days is an annual event organised in July by the Folkets Bildningsförbund r.f. For more information and programme check the website.
Photo: Aarón - Ubuntu Productions
Around Korpo
Photo: Aarón - Ubuntu Productions
Around Korpo
The Korpo Runt race for both keelboats and general-purpose boats is an open competition where everyone is welcome. The race is organised by Korpo Sjöfarare r.f..
Event calendar
Popular routes in the archipelago
Due to its size and geographical location, Korpo is a central island for many archipelago routes. Ferries depart from Galtby harbour to the Åland archipelago, as well as to Houtskär and Norrskata. The very popular "Archipelago trail" and "Small archipelago trail" and the newly opened "St Olav Waterway" pilgrimage route also goes through here. Please note that the entire Archipelago trail is only open during the season! Out of season you can visit parts of the ring road.
The Archipelago trail
Welcome to experience the magnificent archipelago of Turku and the five main islands of the archipelago town of Pargas! Each island is special and has its own charm. The route winds its way through ancient archipelago communities that offer visitors a variety of services in summer.
The Archipelago trail celebrated 25 years in 2021! Hundreds of thousands have experienced the route since its initiation in 1996, by motor vehicle, bicycle or on foot. Next summer, the 250 km long route will be open in its entirety from 12 May to 3 September 2023.
Travel by car, bus, bicycle or foot- you choose
Length: 250km (of which 220km is road)
Ferries: 8-9
Recommended time: 2-5 days
The Small Archipelago trail
On the Small Archipelago trail you can drive around the archipelago all summer long from mid-May to early September. By car, the trip can take just a day, and by bike a couple of days. If you follow the fastest route, the journey totals about 120 km. The Little Ring Road is located in the area of five towns and 2/3 of the whole road is on islands. Along the route there are 15 year-round inhabited islands and a few uninhabited islets. The Small Archipelago trail is part of the more extensive Archipelago Trail route.
St Olav Waterway
Hike through the world's most beautiful archipelago from island to island. The journey takes you from Turku Cathedral in Finland to Åland - the Islands of Peace - and on to Sweden. In Sweden you have several alternative routes to choose from for the final destination in Trondheim, Norway.
The St. Olof Seaway from Turku to Grisslehamn is both an official Olof Seaway and a European cultural route.
Korpo and the surrounding islands
The archipelago of Turku consists of more than 50,000 islands and islets. Korpo is a common place name for many islands belonging to the Korpo municipality. In addition to the main island, there are many smaller islands belonging to Korpo. The largest of these is Norrskata, but Åvensor, Brunskär, Aspö, Jurmo and Utö are also inhabited islands that can be reached by ferry either from the main island of Korpo or from Pärnäs in Nagu.
From Galtby ferry terminal in Korpo (2) you can also go on to other islands such as Houtskär (for those who e.g. take the ring road), Norrskata, as well as islands in the Åland archipelago such as Kökar, Sottunga, Överö and Långnäs harbour in Åland.
On the map you can see which islands you can go to with which ferries and where the ferries leave from. Click on the link to go to the ferry timetable.
Ferry harbours
1
Pärnäs
From the harbour in Pärnäs, Nagu you can take M/S Baldur to the following islands:
- Nötö
- Aspö
- Jurmo
- Utö
Link to Meritie.fi
2
Galtby
From Galtby you can choose between three different ferry lines:
- To Houtskär – Finferries.fi
- To Norrskata – Finferries.fi
- To Åland (Kökar / Kyrkogårdsö / Husö / Sottunga / Överö / Långnäs) – Ålandstrafiken.ax
3
Verkan
From Verkan you can take M/S Fiskö to the following islands:
Finnö / Käldersö / Elvsö / Berghamn / Lillpensar / Storpensar / Brunskär
/ Österskär / Kälö
Link to saaristolinjat.fi
Korpo is also the "door" to the Archipelago Sea National Park, which has received a UNESCO award for its unique nature. Various ferries operate to inhabited islands in the national park, including the M/S Baldur (from Pärnäs in Nagu), M/S Fiskö (from Verkan in Korpo) and M/S Falkö (from Kirjais in Nagu), but they are generally intended for residents of the islands. You can contact the ferries directly for more information. To get to the national park's nature trails on, for example, Konungsskär, Stora Hästö and Jungfruskär, you can hire local taxi boats that can take you there on request. For more information, please contact: