Did the description above sound interesting? Good! Because we have put together a tour in this area that are available all year around and includes the following details:
Bothnian Coastal Route
To travel a bucket list route without too many visitors is a wonderful experience. The Baltic Sea is a special body of water. From central Europe, it almost touches the Arctic of Europe. The northern part is called the Arctic Coastland, and this Bothnian Coastal Route combines the wonderful landscapes along and close to the coastline. The mighty rivers and lakes, the archipelago, and the UNESCO World Natural Heritage site “Kvarken” between Vaasa and Umeå will lead you to wonderful experiences in clear Nordic nature.
The Arctic Coastal Route of the Baltic Sea
Iso-Syöte National Park, Ranua, Rovaniemi, Tornio & Haparanda
The journey starts in Oulu at the Gulf of Bothnia. A detour inland will lead you to the typical northern Finnish forest landscape. You reach an official reindeer breeding area and must always expect reindeer that are "unfit for traffic."
The landscape is now no longer flat but a wooded low mountain range with the Iso-Syöte National Park. The following day will lead you to Ranua with its zoo. There you can visit and meet all local animals—from the moose to the brown bear. Further on, you will cross the Arctic Circle close to Rovaniemi. After touching the Arctic Circle, the natural valley of the Torne River will take you to the only twin town on the Scandinavian Peninsula. Tornio on the Finnish side in the east and Haparanda on the Swedish side in the west work as one city in two countries with a hidden border between them. Many places reflect the shared history of the two nations—for example, the Swedish Church in Tornio. There are many fascinating stories about this twin town through the centuries.
Luleå & Gammelstaden
Later, you will travel along the bays to Luleå. Gammelstaden is a kind of “old Luleå.” The former church town tells the story of land uplift and the civilization of the north. The town was once on the sea. Since the landmass has continued to rise by a good centimetre per year since the Ice Age, some settlements "migrated" away from the sea and inland. New settlements then arose on the coast. Gammelstaden is one such example. The buildings are part of the UNESCO Cultural Heritage.
Storforsen, Skellefteå, Burträsk & Umeå
From Luleå, the route goes inland, as the Piteälven River is home to Storforsen, the largest rapids in Europe. Skellefteå is another stop at the Baltic Sea. There you will find the largest wooden building in the world to date—the Wood Hotel.
From Skellefteå, the route takes you on the secondary route to Burträsk, the birthplace of the famous Västerbotten cheese. Next up is Umeå, the largest city in northern Sweden, with 130,000 inhabitants thanks to its university and vibrant cultural scene. Umeå was voted the most liveable city in Sweden in 2024.
Replot & Vaasa
The ferry journey over the Baltic Sea, especially through the UNESCO World Natural Heritage “Kvarken,” will show you the landscape of islands between Sweden and Finland. On a comfortable and sustainable ferry, you will pass the island of Replot before reaching Vaasa.
Vaasa is located where the Gulf of Bothnia is very narrow, and the distance between Sweden and Finland is only about 50 km. A walk through Vaasa reveals differences between the cities. The square, with its Statue of Liberty, commemorates the Finnish War of Independence of 1918. In the popular tourist destination of Old Vaasa, the church and castle ruins tell the story of the city. The west coast of Vaasa is an archipelago with wonderful sandy beaches, bathing cliffs, and cycle paths. Replot, for example, is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Kvarken”—the island world between Finland and Sweden—in the provinces of Österbotten and Västerbotten.
Nykarleby, Jakobstad, Kokkola, Raahe & Oulu
The next stops are Nykarleby and Jakobstad, a former center for shipbuilding and shipping. As you continue along the coastal road, you cross the island of Hästgrund and other Baltic Sea fjords. Karleby or Kokkola is known for its large old town with many wooden houses. Following the tourist route, you reach Raahe, another Baltic Sea city, before heading to the metropolis and European Capital of Culture 2026, Oulu.
Oulu used to be famous for its wood tar and salmon, but today the city is known for IT and wellness in Finland. In summer, you can also explore Oulu from the water and set off on a harbor tour right from the market square. The combination of two Nordic countries, which seem close to each other, will also show their differences.
Welcome to an amazing journey.
Oulu can be reached by aircraft with FinnAir and Lufthansa or by modern train from Helsinki.
If you are interested in this trip or other products, you are welcome to contact the experts at Best of Scandinavia Incoming, specialists in the Nordics since 1998.
All images in this article are copyrighted by © Bothnian Coastal Route or their partners and may not be used without proper attribution. Usage is restricted to promoting the specified tour, both in print and online.
