Hanko (Hangö in Swedish) www.hanko.fi is Finland's southernmost city. It is a major recreational marina with many or most sailboats and motorboats visiting Hanko on their way west towards the Finnish archipelago or eastwards to Helsinki. Hanko is a popular town to visit in summer and a lot of tourism ensures good services and a lot of restaurants in the marina. Hanko is also a major port for exports and imports year around.
One can get to the Hanko peninsula along highway 25. The town is reached in 1,5 hours from Helsinki so it is suitable for a day trip.
Hanko is primary notable as a port. The daily car ferry to Rostock, Germany is now operated by Scandlines www.scandlines.com and has services only four times in the week. The sail boat harbor is operating in the summer and very popular.
There is limited commuter train service from Karjaa, on the main Helsinki-Turku line, or you can opt for a direct bus from either city. All options take roughly two hours.
Easiest way around Hanko is on foot. Most sights and services are close to the city center and the marina. Except during the Hangon Regatta, Taxis are also easily available and parking space is easy to find for own car.
Hanko is best known as the site of the Hangon Regatta yacht race, held yearly in early July. The race draws a large number of spectators and the entire city takes on a festive, sometime rowdy carnival atmosphere.
As Hanko is situated on a peninsula the only alternatives to get out are back by train or car along highway 25 towards Karjaa or to Germany by ferry.
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