Autumn
Book yourself to the most idyllic wooden town in Finland
Autumn in Kristiinankaupunki
Autumn is the perfect time to enjoy Kristinestad, Finland’s only Cittaslow city, at your own pace after the hectic high season.
The Cittaslow philosophy emphasises unhurried living, local sourcing and humane, environmentally friendly and sustainable solutions. Since 1999, nearly 300 cities worldwide with fewer than 50,000 inhabitants have become Cittaslow cities.
In Kristinestad we similarly have no big events, no amusement parks nor other big happenings, but strive to promote everything local, handmade and sustainable – the authentic local experiences.
Therefore, the city is ideal for those interested in history, traditional architecture, restoration and nature. On Easter Saturday, we also have an Easter event for the whole family and the Spring Market around the same time. Details available in the city event calendar.
Note: Kristinestad is also Finland’s second only Sustainable Travel destination as certified by Visit Finland. Read more here.
Here you'll find
- A unique Nordic wooden town that’s very well preserved. Around 300 wooden houses are still left mainly in their original condition and are staying that way, because we live in them all year around. There are only two of such wooden towns left in the Nordics and the other is Røros in Norway.
- Unique museums, which we at Krepelin can arrange to be opened outside official opening hours, too.
- For birdwatchers there is the city’s North Bay area and the famous bird tower in the southern village of Sideby.
- The Bötombergen nature centre with several different hiking trails.
- For fishermen, there’s the Lappfjärd river.
- The pre-Ice-Age Wolf Cave that may be more than 74 000 years old.
With these ingredients, you can create your own autumn break, just as nature is preparing for winter.
Upon arrival
- Arrival in Kristinestad
- Check-in. Agree on programme at check-in (see below for details).
- A short city walk with for example to the city’s Digital Map. Paper maps are also available in Krepelin’s apartments and reception.
- Here you can see what the city looks like in the autumn.
- Want to visit Kristinestad under the autumn foliage? Check out Visit Finland’s “Autumn Foliage Live” that shows when the nature turns yellow and red.
- Dinner at the Crazy Cat restaurant.
Nature
- Go hiking in the Bötomberg nature centre. More info here.
- 10 minutes north of the square you will find the Pohjoislahti Nature Trail with routes of various lengths and where also lots of birds come to rest on their migration routes. The map of the trail and other hiking routes can be found here and the coordinates of the starting point here.
- A longer walk can be made to the southernmost point of Kristinestad, Kanonviken. Coordinates here.
- Try our ready-made cycling routes. In Krepelin you can borrow bikes for free and you can find the routes in here.
- For fishermen, there is the Lappfjärd river. More information on fishing permits can be found here.
Experiences
- articipate in a Ghost Walk. Our Ghost Walks are suitable for adults and individuals and is an exciting way to experience the local history. See details here.
- Eleonora Cafe serves coffee on Läntinen Pitkäkatu 8 street and Studio & Café Safir does the same on the other side of the bridge.
- On weekdays, lunch can be enjoyed in either the Jungman, Gastro or Crazy Cat restaurants.
- You can add one or more of our experience packages to your Krepelin booking. Please inquire when booking.
- City wide events, attractions, shopping and other experiences can be found here.
- Do you enjoy sauna? In Krepelin we have one and it can be booked by calling us in +358 400 987 978 or at check-in. Photos of the sauna can be found here.
Sights and shopping
- Visit the unique Lebell Merchant House, where you can see how a wealthy merchant family lived in the 18th century. Contact us in advance and we will arrange for the museum to be opened for you.
- The Maritime and Fire Brigade Museums, on the other hand, has a lot to discover about the history of the local fire brigades and maritime business.
- If you are interested in a self-guided tour to another attraction, museum or location outside opening hours, please contact us when making your booking. We can arrange for many sites to be open at short notice.
- For shopping, we recommend A. Talas Second Hand. Check opening hours here.
- At checkout you might want to buy with you a little piece of Kristinestad to go. In Krepelin’s online shop we have collected locally produced, made or purchased products and you can browse them here. You can also come and look at the products at our reception upstairs in the main building.
Reviews
“Christinae Stadh”, a hidden gem on the west coast, is an elegant wooden town that is unusually well preserved in Finland and protected from the great scourge of Nordic cities: fire. Well-kept wooden houses, mostly from the 18th and 19th centuries, regularly line the street grid, with a magnificent town hall at the centre.”
“Our own establishment, Hotel Krepelin, offers nostalgically elegant accommodation in Finland in a well-preserved former sea captain’s house from 1812. I rarely get a feeling in domestic destinations that this is almost like Europe – but now I did.”
“A beautiful old building and a friendly welcome. We’ll come here again.”
Welcome to Kristinestad!
Please check apartment availability and make booking straight in our booking system.