Bothnian Coastal Route - FREEDOMtravel Themed Roads

Writer: Peter Bergström

Bothnian Coastal Route takes you around the Gulf of Bothnia, which is the northernmost bay of the Baltic Sea, located between Sweden and Finland. The route takes you past several Unesco heritage sites, beautiful towns, historic sites, unique archipelago, exciting sights, wild rapids and beautiful nature.

Bothnian coast route

Bothnian Coastal Route runs around the entire Gulf of Bothnia, through Sweden and Finland. Along the way you will experience the Åland Sea, the Archipelago Sea, southern and northern Kvarken, the Bothnian Sea and the Gulf of Bothnia.

We travelled this route ourselves in the summer of 2023, and have visited all the places we recommend. You'll need a mobile vehicle to get around, and we'll give you suggestions for attractions and accommodation, as well as distances to your next destination.

How to travel the Bothnian Coastal Route?

We start and end in Norrtälje, but you can of course start anywhere as it is a round trip. Bothnian Coastal Route goes eastwards past beautiful Åland and into the Finnish archipelago, with smaller ferries and several stops.

Bothnian Coastal Route takes you to Turku, and there will be many nice stops all the way up to Tornio and Haparanda. Here we turn down again and take the whole coastal road south through Sweden, back to Norrtälje.

We suggest one way to get around the Bothnian Coastal Route, but you can choose to start the journey anywhere in Sweden or Finland. You can drive in any direction, and you can also shorten the journey by taking the ferry between Vaasa and Umeå, if there is not enough time. This is just one idea to experience the unique Bothnian Coastal Route.

1. Norrtälje

Norrtälje offers many activities and attractions. The idyllic archipelago town is known for its beautiful old wooden houses, charming alleys and cosy cafés. There are also several museums to explore, such as the Pythagoras Industrial Museum. Outside the city, there are plenty of nature reserves and archipelago islands to discover.

Distance between Norrtälje and Kapellskär: 22 min

READ MORE: Our best tips about Norrtälje

TIP: Kapellskär Camping and Nature Reserve

Kapellskär Camping is beautifully situated in the Riddersholm Nature Reserve, close to the coast and the Åland Sea. The campsite offers cabins and is just three minutes from the boats that take visitors along the Bothnian Coastal Route.

READ MORE: Our best tips about Kapellskär's camping and nature reserve

2. Around the Åland Islands

Åland is an autonomous, Swedish-speaking archipelago that is both beautiful and exciting to visit. You can of course explore the main town of Mariehamn, but it's also great to get to Eckerö and visit sights such as Kastelholm Castle and Bomarsund Fortress. From Åland, you can take a ferry from Långnäs to Naantali in Finland. Another option is to take a car ferry from Svinö in mainland Åland to Föglö, then ferry to Kökar and then ferry to Galby in the Åboland archipelago.

READ MORE: Our best tips about Åland

Tips: Helsingfors (Helsinki)

Known for its rich design and architecture, Helsinki is also a wonderful summer city with its outdoor cafés and boat trips. You can take a boat trip to interesting Suomenlinna, for example, or visit museums such as the Amos Rex Museum.

READ MORE: Our best tips about Helsinki

3. Turku - Bothnian Coast Road

Turku, once the largest city in Finland, is a real gem with its beautiful riverside promenade. Here you will find many nice restaurants, interesting museums and lovely excursions.

Distance between Turku and Naantali: 22 min

READ MORE: Our best tips about Turku

4. Naantali (Naantali)

Naantali is a fantastic little archipelago gem that is well worth a visit. Here you'll find charming wooden houses, cosy outdoor cafés and several great museums. You can also meet the Moomins in Moominworld.

Distance between Naantali and Rauma: 1 hr 11 min

READ MORE: Here you will find our top tips for Naantali

5. Rauma (Rauma)

Rauma is a historic town, founded in 1442. This small town charms visitors with its beautiful old wooden town and no less than two Unesco World Heritage Sites.

Distance between Rauma and Kristinestad: 1 hour 49 minutes

READ MORE: Our best tips about Rauma

Tip: Ytteri (Ytteri) sand dunes – Bothnian Coastal Road

Ytterö (Yyteri) is the longest sandy beach in Finland, at 6 kilometres. The shallow beach is located outside Pori, less than an hour north of Rauma by car. A trip here, on a nice summer day, is highly recommended! If you want to stay overnight, there is a large campsite with catering and cabins.

6. Kristinestad (Kristiinankaupunki)

Kristiinankaupunki is a picturesque Ostrobothnian town, known for its charming wooden houses and lively markets, which are organised several times a year. There are also a number of interesting museums.

Distance between Kristinestad and Närpes: 27 min

READ MORE: Our best tips about Kristinestad

7. Närpes (Närpiö)

Närpes (Närpiö) is a fascinating Ostrobothnian town that offers everything from tomato farms and local delicacies to war history and a unique Swedish dialect. Don't miss out on a visit here!

Distance between Närpes and Vaasa: 1 hr 14 min

READ MORE: Our best tips about Närpes

8. Vaasa (Vaasa) - Bothniska kustvägen

Vaasa is the centre of the Ostrobothnia region. This city offers everything from interesting museums to fantastic nature experiences in the surroundings. For example, you can start from here to experience the Kvarken Archipelago, which together with the High Coast is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Distance between Vaasa and Oravais: 36 min

READ MORE: Our best tips about Vaasa

9. Oravais (Oravainen)

Oravais (Oravainen) is just a small village, but it has a history that has dramatically influenced both Sweden and Finland. In other words, don't miss Oravais on your journey through Ostrobothnia!

Distance between Oravainen and Pietarsaari: 39 min

READ MORE: Our best tips about Oravais

10. Jakobstad (Pietarsaari)

Pietarsaari has everything from historic wooden houses and fascinating museums to scenic areas and a popular summer event, the Jacob's Days. Here you will find, for example, the beautiful Fäboda area and the Nanoq Arctic Museum.

Distance between Jakobstad and Kokkola: 35 min

READ MORE: Our best tips about Jakobstad

11. Kokkola (Kokkola)

What to do in Kokkola, Finland? This cosy coastal town offers everything from historic wooden houses to sun, swimming and boat trips. You can also take a boat trip to Lighthouse Island Tankar.

Distance between Kokkola and Raahe: 1 hr 34 min

READ MORE: Here you will find our top tips for Kokkola

Tip: Kalajoki camping

Visiting Kalajoki Camping in Finland can be a really great experience. This campsite is located on stunning sand dunes and offers a long, beautiful sandy beach for swimming.

READ MORE: Our best tips about Kalajoki camping

12. Raahe - Bothnian coast road

Raahe is a small and very charming town with a beautiful wooden house district, several interesting museums and a lovely waterfront location. You can also find the world's oldest diving suit here!

Distance between Raahe and Oulu: 57 min

READ MORE: Our best tips about Raahe

13. Oulu (Oulu)

What can you do in Oulu, Finland? Located at the mouth of the Oulu River in the Gulf of Bothnia, this city has a lot to offer. You'll find parks, museums and the beautiful Nallikari beach. You can also take an excursion by ferry to the beautiful island of Karlö (Hailuoto).

Distance between Oulu and Tornio: 1 hr 31 min

READ MORE: Our best tips about Oulu

14. Tornio and Haparanda

What can you do in Haparanda and Tornio? Two cities in two different countries, but almost intertwined with each other. This is clearly a unique place with a very special history.

Distance between Tornio/Haparanda and Kalix: 40 min

READ MORE: Our best tips about Tornio and Haparanda

TIP: Kukkulaforsen

A visit to Kukkolaforsen, which gushes into the Torne River just north of Haparanda, is well worthwhile. The rapids are a natural attraction, and there is also a lot of interesting history to learn. There are also hotels, restaurants, camping, museums and various activities.

READ MORE: Our best tips about Kukkulaforsen

15. Kalix - Bothniska kustvägen

Kalix is a small town in the north of Sweden, famous for its exclusive vendace roe. The area also offers beautiful scenery and interesting sights from the Cold War, in the form of Siknäs Fort and the submarine museum in Töre harbour.

Distance between Kalix and Luleå: 56 min

READ MORE: Our best tips about Kalix

16. Luleå

Luleå boasts a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the form of Gammelstad Church Town, but there's also plenty more to discover. For example, you can visit the Norrbotten Railway Museum and take a trip to the wild Storforsen.

Distance between Luleå and Piteå: 44 min

READ MORE: Our best tips about Luleå

TIP: Old Town Church Town (UNESCO)

Visiting Gammelstad Church Town in Luleå is a fascinating and historically interesting experience. The church town is not only charming, but also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

READ MORE:Our best tips about the church town of Gammelstad

17. Piteå

Piteå is a northern holiday paradise known for its long, fine sandy beaches, including at Pite havsbad. You may also want to try classic Pitepalt during your visit.

Distance between Piteå and Skellefteå: 59 min

READ MORE: Here you will find our top tips for Piteå

18. Skellefteå

Skellefteå offers both culture and history, as well as a lot of beautiful nature. Here you will find, among other things, the beautiful church town of Bonnstan and the lovely Bjuröklubb nature reserve.

Distance between Skellefteå and Umeå: 1 hr 47 min

READ MORE: Our best tips about Skellefteå

19. Umeå

Sometimes referred to as the city of birches, the lovely city of Umeå offers everything from rooftop bars and exciting museums to fantastic nature experiences. For example, you can stroll along the Umeälven river or swim at some of Umeå's sea baths.

Distance between Umeå and Örnsköldsvik: 1 hour 20 minutes

READ MORE: Our best tips about Umeå

20. Örnsköldsvik

Örnsköldsvik, or Ö-vik as it is known, offers everything from culture and museums to wonderful nature experiences. This is the hometown of Modo hockey and you can head to the beautiful islands of Trysunda or Ulvön.

Distance between Örnsköldsvik and Härnösand: 1 hour 16 minutes

READ MORE: Our best tips about Örnsköldsvik

TIP: Nämforsen rock carvings

Visiting the Nämforsen rock carvings in Ångermanland is a fascinating experience, partly because the nature at the rapids is fantastic, but mainly because this is one of the largest rock carving sites in northern Europe.

READ MORE: Our best tips about Nämforsen's rock carvings

TIP: The High Coast (UNESCO) – The Bothnian Coastal Route

What can you do in Höga kusten? This scenic area in Ångermanland is not only beautiful to visit, but is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you will find the Höga kusten trail, Skuleberget, Skuleskogen National Park and Slåttdalsskrevan. In addition, you can experience the open-air museum Mannaminne.

READ MORE: Our best tips about the High Coast

TIP: Hemsö Fortress

Visiting Hemsö Fortress, in the High Coast, is very interesting. There are guided tours that take you down into the once super-secret military facility hidden in the mountain.

READ MORE: Our best tips about Hemsö Fortress

21. Härnösand - Bottniska kustvägen

What can you do in Härnösand? This lovely little town, located in the High Coast, is often described as the best summer town in Norrland. Here you'll find cosy streets, beautiful nature and several exciting museums, such as the Härnösand Car Museum.

Distance between Härnösand and Sundsvall: 44 min

READ MORE: Our best tips about Härnösand

22. Sundsvall

What can you do in Sundsvall? This city, sometimes referred to as Drakstaden, offers the beautiful and grand district of Stenstan. Here you can also experience Södra berget, with outdoor activities, and Norra berget, with an outdoor museum. Or why not sunbathe and swim on Alnön?

Distance between Sundsvall and Hudiksvall: 1 hr 4 min

READ MORE: Our best tips about Sundsvall

23. Hudiksvall

Hudiksvall (Glada hudik), which is the largest town in Hälsingland, is beautifully situated on the coast. Here you will find a charming environment with boathouses and the opportunity for great nature experiences in the surroundings.

Distance between Hudiksvall and Söderhamn: 38 min

READ MORE: Our best tips about Hudiksvall

Tip: Celebrate a Swedish Midsummer along the Bothnian Coastal Route

In Hälsingland there are many opportunities to celebrate a traditional Midsummer Eve. Just 15 minutes from the centre of Hudiksvall, for example, is Forsa Forngård, with several 18th-century houses, which give the feeling of celebrating a beautiful Swedish Midsummer. Try the cheesecake from Hälsingland that is sold on site. Don't miss this if you're travelling the Bothnian Coastal Route at the end of June.

Tips: Hälsingegårdar (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

There are seven unique Hälsinge Farms that are part of the UNESCO World Heritage, located inland between Hudiksvall and Söderhamn. Take the opportunity to see beautiful paintings and wallpapers from the houses on your trip around the Bothnian Coastal Road!

READ MORE: Guide to the UNESCO Hälsinge Farms

24. Söderhamn

Söderhamn is a coastal and pleasant town, with lovely surroundings. Here you will find several nice fishing villages, such as super charming Skärså fishing village. In addition, you will find nice beaches and nature reserves.

Distance between Söderhamn and Gävle: 57 min

READ MORE: Our best tips about Söderhamn

TIP: Axmar pier & mill

Axmar Brygga is a lovely seaside restaurant - with a very popular caravan park - beautifully situated on the east coast, right next to the historic Axmar Mill. It's a great place to make a stop on your way through Sweden.

READ MORE: Our best tips about Axmar brewery and mill

25. Gävle - Bothniska kustvägen

Gävle is the largest city in Norrland and the 14th largest city in Sweden. Here you can discover the beautiful Boulongerskogen park and visit interesting museums such as the County Museum and the Prison Museum.

Distance between Gävle and Öregrund: 1 hr 21 min

READ MORE: Our best tips about Gävle

TIP: Sandbanks (Beaches)

Stop by and just enjoy the fine-grained sand and a lovely sea swim!

TIP: Rullsand Sea Baths & Camping

Rullsands camping is a nice campsite outside Gävle, with a lovely sandy beach. Definitely worth one or more visits!

READ MORE: Our best tips about Rullsands sea bathing

TIP: Ängskär sea bath – Bothnian coastal road

Ängskärs havsbad is scenically located on the Hållnäs peninsula in north-eastern Uppland. Here you can enjoy beautiful nature and lovely cliffs by the sea.

READ MORE: Our best tips about Ängskär's sea bathing

TIP: Leaves

Lövstabruk in Uppland is one of the so-called 'vallonbruks' in Sweden, a historic ironworks dating back to the 16th century. It was once the largest ironworks in Sweden, owned by the de Geer family for 13 generations. Today, the mill is a popular tourist destination with attractions, exhibitions and an inn.

READ MORE: Our best tips about Lövstabruk

TIP: Forsmark Mill – Bothnian Coastal Road

Forsmark's mill in Roslagen is one of the many beautiful Walloon mills in the area. Iron was once produced here, and in the 17th century the Walloons came from Belgium to improve production. Today the mill is a great place to visit with historic buildings, an English park, a restaurant and a café.

READ MORE: Our best tips about Forsmark Mill

26. Öregrund

Öregrund is a real gem in Roslagen with charming alleys, beautiful old wooden houses and a harbour full of boats and restaurants. Here you can enjoy a pleasant holiday atmosphere and watch the sun sink over the sea.

Distance between Öregrund and Grisslehamn: 59 min

READ MORE: Our best tips about Öregrund

27. Grisslehamn

Grisslehamn is located on Väddö in Roslagen and is a charming little town, which is lively thanks to the Eckerölinjen line that allows people to cruise to Åland. There's camping, a marina, a spa hotel and a cosy little fishing harbour with restaurants. You'll also find the Albert Engström Museum here and you can cross over to the small island of Singö.

Distance between Grisslehamn and Väddö: 15 min

READ MORE: Our best tips about Grisslehamn

28. Väddö - Bottniska kustvägen

Väddö havsbad och camping on Väddö is a campsite with a sandy beach, surrounded by beautiful nature. Although the campsite is quite simple, it offers beautiful surroundings.

Distance between Väddö and Norrtälje: 39 min

READ MORE: Our best tips about Väddö

Back to the starting point Norrtälje

Bothnian Coastal Route Part 3 – video