Vaasa (Swedish: Vasa) is the capital of the administrative region Ostrobothnia, Western Finland. The surrounding municipality of Korsholm (Finnish: Mustasaari) is also handled in this article.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Vaasa was an important place of governance when Finland was part of Sweden. It started in the 14th century when Korsholm castle was built near the village of Korsholm (Finnish: Mustasaari). In 1606 the village was granted city status and five years later it was renamed Wasa in honor of the Swedish royal lineage. The old names live on in the municipality that surrounds Vaasa. The old town of Vaasa burned to the ground in 1852, and when it was rebuilt it was relocated closer to the sea some six kilometers northwest from its original location.
The city is quite compact and most things to see are within walking distance. The commercial centre and nightlife are concentrated in the area around the market square. The distance to much of Korsholm, on the other hand, is some 12 km. Replot is 20 km away, Björköby 35 and Panike 45, the latter north and north-west of Replot. Single tickets can be bought by card or mobile payment or cash (€1.80 or €2.30/2.10 respectively in 2025), or by the Waltti app or card (€1.80/1.30/1.10). The eastern parts of Korsholm form zone B, requiring a two-zone ticket (€3.20 or 4.90/2.90). Vähäkyrö (Lillkyro) in the far east makes up zone C. Information about local buses can be found from Lifti.
1 Market place and Finland's Statue of freedom. The market place is the centre of the city life. Finland's Statue of Freedom, unveiled in the summer of 1938 is in the northern end of the market square – the headquarters of the Whites was in Vaasa. 2 Old Vaasa (Gamla Vasa, Vanha Vaasa) (about 6 km south east of the today's town). Ruins from the first town of Vaasa that burned down in 1852 and an 18th-century court building that survived the destruction but was redone into the Church of Korsholm when the town was rebuilt at a new location closer to the sea. The banks of the 14th-century Korsholm castle are still visible and can be found west of the Church of Korsholm. The campuses of Vaasa.
The archipelago off Vaasa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site: the Kvarken Archipelago. 1 Tropiclandia. A tropical spa with various slides, saunas and Jacuzzis. Includes also an outside area in the summer. Located on the Vaskiluoto island just outside the city centre. 2 The Water Tower. Inside the tower there is a challenging indoor climbing wall. On Wednesdays and Sundays the walls are open to the public for an entrance fee of €5. 3 Zip Adventure Park, Niemeläntie 15. Climbing park, which also offers a 5-match, bungee trampoline and archery wars. €25 for adults.
There are numerous cheap hamburger, kebab and pizza joints. At lunch time there is a huge variety of places to eat inexpensively. For the cheapest lunches head to a student lunch restaurant. A Finnish student card is required for the subsidised price, but even without it prices are very good value at around €9. 1 Hesburger, Kauppapuistikko 11. 2 Kotipizza, Rewell Center + six other places around town.. This nationwide pizza franchise was founded in Vaasa, which is one of the reasons for there being so many of these here. 3 Thai House, Vaasanpuistikko 17 (second floor in the small shopping mall). Lunch Mon–Fri 11:00–15:00. Lunch buffet €7.50. 4 Shanghai, Vaasanpuistikko 17.
There are several bars and nightclubs in Vaasa. Most restaurants have bars or pubs in connection to them and especially the summer restaurants have popular terraces to start the evening on. 1 Oliver's Inn, Kauppapuistikko 8. Describes themselves as a "party pub", which is quite true during weekends. This is the place of choice for Swedish-speaking youth. 2 O'Malley's, Hovioikeudenpuistikko 21. 3 El Gringo Music Saloon, Hovioikeudenpuistikko 15 (entrance through the alley). 4 Amarillo Bar & Restaurant, Rewell Center 101. 5 Public Corner, Hallinkuja (around the corner from the old market hall). 6 Office - The Sports Bar, Raastuvankatu 15.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
In Oct, Vaasa typically sees ~10°C daytime highs and 13 rainy days.
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