Kalajoki: Dunes, Archipelago and Culture

Kalajoki combines coastal landscapes with nature, leisure and cultural experiences. Hiekkasärkät is an area of sand dunes and sandy beaches about 3.5 kilometres long; the highest dunes are almost 20 metres high. In addition to this coastal landscape, the archipelago and historic sites offer other sides of Kalajoki.

Coast and activities at Hiekkasärkät

The Hiekkasärkät tourist centre has year-round trail networks for cross-country skiing, Nordic walking, jogging and horseback riding. Several leisure activity providers offer activities there, from go-karting to windsurfing. The Hiekkasärkät maritime tourist centre also has a marine nature centre. It provides information about the nature of the land-uplift coast and offers changing exhibitions and guided tours.

The archipelago and excursions on the water

In the Rahja Archipelago, coastal nature ranges from protected forests in the inner archipelago to outer islands in the open sea. Ancient shorelines and former harbour sites bear witness to land uplift. In summer, the archipelago offers a sheltered setting for fishing, kayaking and SUP tours.

Kalajoen Latu rents kayaks at Konikarvo harbour; for information and reservations, you can call 041 313 6892. Check in advance for current rental options. For example, Maakalla can be reached by the Bon Marin or Kiira boats, as well as the two-masted galeas Ansio. Boat services are seasonal; check current departures before travelling.

In favourable conditions, you can buy smoked whitefish from local fishermen on Maakalla, caught in nearby coastal waters. Availability depends on fishing conditions and seasonal supply.

Old town and cultural history

Plassi is Kalajoki’s old town and a visitor destination with its village setting and museums. The Fishing Museum at the market square features a varied collection of objects from local working life. You can book guided tours of Plassi through the Kalajoki guides at 050 536 5519. As this booking service may change, check the current booking options in advance.

The Art Nouveau villa Havula was built in 1912 by sawmill manager Oskari Santaholma. It offers a glimpse into the life of a prosperous bourgeois household between 1910 and 1930; visitors can also learn about Kalajoki’s sawmill and industrial history there. In summer, Havula hosts exhibitions and events, including theatre performances, for example. Dates and individual events may vary.

Fiian mökki is the only surviving example of the modest living conditions of a small-scale resident of Plassi in the first half of the 20th century. Kalajoki’s local history museum offers another glimpse into the past, with accounts of earlier lives and ways of living, as well as notable people from Kalajoki.

The Maakalla Museum explains how the Kalla Islands were formed through land uplift and covers fishing, life and livelihoods of the islanders. The octagonal church on Maakalla was completed in 1780 and designed by Simon Matinpoika Jylkkä, also known as Silven. Kalajoki’s present-day brick church was completed in 1879; it was designed by Provincial Architect F. W. Lüchow.

On the Kallankarit Islands, the highest decision-making and judicial authority rests with the Karikokous. The self-government dates back to Swedish rule and is based on King Adolf Fredrik’s Hamina ordinance of 1771. The Karikokous meets annually on the Sunday closest to Jaakko’s Day, 25 July; the exact date varies.

Getting to Kalajoki

Kalajoki is located at the junction of highways 8 and 27. Several long-distance buses stop in the town; connections are available from Kokkola and Oulu, as well as from Ylivieska. The nearest railway stations are in Kokkola and Ylivieska. As timetables may change, check current departures before travelling. The Pohjanlahden Rantatie also passes through Kalajoki and was awarded national tourist road status in 2010.

Discover more destinations: Rautio, Juuma, Keskijärvi, Nivala, Hyytiälä, Ylivieska, Yli-Valli, Salmilamminkylä.

For the broader travel overview: Northern Ostrobothnia.