Set amongst beautiful lake scenery, Valkeakoski is known for its culture and its sport, and there’s plenty on offer all year round. Explore the surrounding natural environment, marvel at the endangered plants in the conservation areas, and visit the hill fort known as Rapola Castle.
Valkeakoski lies in the municipality of Pirkanmaa, at the meeting point between Lakes Mallasvesi and Vanajavesi. Sitting on the motorway between Tampere and Helsinki, with Tampere-Pirkkala Airport just 25 miles away, getting to Valkeakoski is easy. Or why not take the scenic route and travel to Valkeakoski by boat along Finland’s inland waterways?
Valkeakoski is an excellent place for a town break. Though small, it provides great restaurants and shopping opportunities and also a number of places of cultural and historical interest. Voipaala Art Centre offers a variety of musical and cultural events as well as fantastic art exhibitions. Temporary art exhibitions can also be found at the studio home and museum – known as Visavuori – of the sculptor Emil Wikström and the national romantic cartoonist Kari Suomalainen.
If you’re interested in history, visit the Kauppilanmäki Open-air Museum, which details the lives of paper mill workers during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. You can also find the Myllysaari Museum nearby, where you can explore the cultural history of Valkeakoski. Sports fans will also be interested in the Finnish Football Museum. Another cultural attraction not to be missed is the Mannerheim Collection and Tradition Room at the Päivölä Folk High School.
Make sure to set time aside to explore your natural surroundings. The Valkeakoski area has 12 conservation areas, seven of which belong to the Natura 2000 network. Of particular note is Rapola Hill, where the ruins of a hill fort and from prehistoric times can be found. But don’t forget to enjoy some leisurely downtime by exploring the lake landscapes and the wonderful beaches nearby.
Any holiday in Valkeakoski will combine cultural highlights and relaxation with beautiful natural surroundings. Those interested in art and history will also find plenty to see and do all year round.
