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In Tornio you can enjoy long, light summer nights and you can see and experience the sights and services of two countries in the international twin city of TornioHaparanda. Here Finnish, Swedish, and Tornio River Valley cultures complement each other. When you cross the border remember that you are entering a different time zone. Finnish time is one hour ahead of Swedish time. The currency also changes from euros to Swedish crowns. You can pay with euros, but your change will be in crowns. To avoid handling crowns, use a bank card.
The Summer Services have been arranged in the village of Liakka, about 10 kilometers northeast of the center of Tornio. Liakka is a cozy rural village with 330 inhabitants that has retained a natural agricultural environment.
Sweden’s King Gustav II Adolf founded Tornio already in 1621. Many memorials of war from the city’s long 375-year history can be found in the area: www.sotamuistomerkit.fi
There are three churches in Tornio. The oldest is Hedvig Eleonora’s church, i.e. the Tornio church (built in 1684-1686) situated in Suensaari in the center of Tornio. It is one of of the most notable examples of Finnish wooden church architecture from the 1600s. The main church of Tornio’s parish, Alatornio church, is located in Parasniemi by the Tornio River. It is one of the oldest church sites in the North Calotte. The first church was built on this site perhaps already in the 1200s. The current stone church was built in 1794-1797. The wooden Karunki church in Tornio’s Karunki was built in 1815–1817.
The old Keminmaa church, i.e., St Michael’s church is also worth visiting. It is the second northernmost medieval stone church in Finland and has been preserved in its original form.
For more information about Tornio, go to:
See Tornio by taking a 1½-hour walk around the city:
Tornio’s botanical park is a three-hectare area with over 300 species of trees and about 200 different perennials. Walk along gravel paths and admire the column-like spruce trees. There is a children’s playground near the entrance.
Address: Kallioputaankatu, Tornio
There are suitable hiking trails for hikers of all ages in Tornio and the surrounding area. They include Alkunkari in Tornio and Riekkola in Haparanda. Accessibility is taken into consideration in many ways on the Kätkävaara nature trail in Tervola.
For more information about hiking trails on the Finnish side, go to:
Peräpohjolan ulkoilureitistöt: www.ulkoilureitistot.fi
This naturally beautiful outdoor area is located just two kilometers south of the center of Haparanda. It is a nice place to walk or jog in the summer. The 3½-kilometer trail has info signs (in Finnish, Swedish, and English) as well as scenic points and a lean-to.
Home page: www.haparanda.se/riekkola
At the Aine Art Museum you can see the art collection of the Veli ja Eila Aine Art Foundation, which includes Finnish art from the early 1800s to the present day.
Address: Torikatu 2, Tornio
Home page: www.tornio.fi/aine
This cultural-historical museum presents the history of the Tornio River valley along both sides of the border between Finland and Sweden. You can become familiar with traditional livelihoods, food culture, the local identity, and the history of the cities of Tornio and Haparanda. You can also listen to the local languages and dialects.
Address: Keskikatu 22, Tornio
Home page: www.tornio.fi/index.php?p=museo
This is a play world with many kinds of activities: slides, a ball pool, climbing frames, trampolines, and a ball cannon. The play world also has a coffee shop and Europe’s largest candy store.
Address: Norrskensvägen 4, Haparanda
Home page: www.candyworld.se
Kukkolankoski on the Tornio River is Finland’s largest rapids; they are 3500 m long and their vertical drop is 13.8 m. The rapids are located 15 km north of TornioHaparanda. The traditions of the fishing villages include dipnet fishing for whitefish. You can buy freshly fried whitefish on site.
Address: Kukkolaforsen 184, Haparanda; Koskitie, Tornio
Home page: www.kukkolankoski.fi
At the Perämeri Park you can familiarize yourself with the unique seascape and nature heritage landscapes formed by land uplift. The Park is well suited for a one- or two-day enjoyable visit by experienced boaters.
For more information about the Perämeri region go to:
www.luontoon.fi/perameri/palvelut
Tornio swimming hall: Viidankatu 22 A, Tornio, www.tornio.fi/uimahalli
Kemi swimming hall: Meripuistokatu 28, Kemi www.kemi.fi/uimahalli
Haparanda swimming hall: Åkergatan 1, Haparanda www.haparanda.se/simhall
See the area’s public swimming beaches at: www.tornio.fi/Uimavesi
Uitonranta: Pirkankatu 45, Tornio
Kiviranta beach : Kivirannantie 12, Tornio
Takajärvi beach: Takajärvi, Kemi
Mansikannokka beach: Mansikkanokka, Kemi
Seskarö beach, Sweden, Seskarö
