Kalajoki lies on the Bay of Bothnia and is a well-known travel destination, especially for holidaymakers wanting to see the sand dunes. The beach stretches for over 2 miles, offering a place to relax in the sun or walk along the duckboards. However, the town, located on the mouth of a river of the same name, is much more than just a beach resort, and visitors can discover such places as the Rahja Archipelago and the Kalla Islets. While visiting Kalajoki, don’t miss Plassi, the town’s old quarter.
Kalajoki’s reputation as a tourist spot grew back in the 1950s, when a state-run hotel was built on the dunes. It had already found favour with the locals as a beach resort, then a campsite was established there and, later, the Spa Hotel Sani and the JukuPark water park, where you can splash around and use the slides and pools. You might also like to take advantage of what the landscape has to offer free of charge and head off on your own towards the dunes. The sand dunes are around 4 miles from the town and are easy to get to by car along Highway E8.
Kalajoki’s sand dunes are the perfect place to explore an unusual landscape. Walk along the duckboards that cross the dunes – they lead to the Vihaslahti Cove. There, with a bit of luck, you will be able to watch water birds and waders from the bird tower. From here, you can walk on along the Kirkolta Kallan (literally ‘from the church to Kalla’) Cultural Trail, which explains Kalajoki’s history.
Don’t forget to include a visit to the Kalajoki Marine Nature Centre for tips on good hiking destinations and information on the region’s fascinating marine life and scenery. The Centre is an interesting place to visit for the entire family, and the kids in particular will love a trip on the Bothnia submarine for a virtual trip under the waves of the Bay of Bothnia. You can also find out more about the cultural heritage of Kalajoki and the whole region and its close connections with the sea. The Marine Nature Centre is open all year round, and there is free entry.
While on holiday in Kalajoki, you can discover the marine landscape for yourself, as a short distance south of the dunes lies the delightful Rahja Archipelago, whose unique nature has been shaped by the uplift of the land, which still continues to this day. Explore the islands by following the 6-mile boat nature trail, or visit the old fishermen lodgings. On the islet of Hevoskarilla, you can also see the small stone labyrinth that dates back hundreds of years. Also head to the outer islands of Kalla, where there is an old fisherman’s settlement and a lighthouse which was built in the 1800s.
Afterwards, make your way back to town and visit Plassi, which is an old market town on the Kalajoki estuary. Most of the area’s charming wooden houses date back to the 19th century, though the oldest were constructed at the end of the 1700s. Here you can still sense the bygone age of a thriving commercial centre.
