Hauensuoli

Turku & Finland's South Coast


This narrow strait between Tullisaari and Kobben is a protected natural harbour where ships from countries around the Baltic Sea once waited out storms. The sailors killed time by carving their initials or tales of bravery into the rocks, earning the area the nickname ‘Guest Book of the Archipelago’. Some 600 carvings dating back to the 17th century remain. Hauensuoli can be reached by charter taxi boat or on a cruise from Hanko.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Turku & Finland's South Coast attractions

1. Monument of Liberty

2.49 MILES

Where Bulevardi meets the beach is the Monument of Liberty, commemorating the landing of liberating German forces in 1918. The monument was taken down…

2. Hangon kirkko

2.5 MILES

Originally built in 1892, this neo-Gothic church was damaged in WWII but has been thoroughly renovated.

3. Water Tower

2.53 MILES

Zip up the lift to the top of the 50m-high water tower on Vartiovuori Hill for sweeping views across town and out to sea.

4. Neljän Tuulen Tupa

3.67 MILES

On Little Pine Island, 1.5km east of the town centre, is the House of the Four Winds, where locals snuck swigs of ‘hard tea’ during the Finnish…

5. Rintama Museo

13.76 MILES

Original trenches, bunkers and artillery guns remain at the site of some of the worst Winter War fighting, 19km northeast of Hanko. Also here is a…

6. Hitis

14.75 MILES

About 8km south of Kasnäs, the island of Hitis (Hiittinen) harbours a charming wooden church. The free ferry MS Aura runs up to eight times daily from…

7. Bengtskär Lighthouse

15.41 MILES

Towering 52m above the waves 25km offshore from Hanko, the Nordic countries' tallest lighthouse was built in 1906 to protect ships from the perilous…

8. Rosala Viking Centre

17.51 MILES

Rosala isn't just a museum but a Viking village, complete with homestead, chapel and moored Viking ship. An introductory video provides an informative…