Kalajoki | Exploring Finland
Kalajoki is a town along the Finnish coast towards the Gulf of Bothnia, in the Northern Ostrobothnia Region of Finland. Kalajoki is home to around 12.400 inhabitants, and the area is almost unilingually Finnish-speaking. The town is probably best known for the nearby beach resort area of Kalajoen Hietasärkät, attracting visitors from near and far. The town has become a commercial center along the Motorway E8 that passes through it as it follows the Finnish coast.
A Short History of Kalajoki
Kalajoki became the seat of its parish in 1525. This was at the time an important market site for the trade of tar. The tar trade kept its importance until the end of the 19th century. The forestry industry is, however, still alive in the area. The nearby sandy beaches at Kalajoen Hietasärkät became a popular tourist destination during the 20th century, but Kalajoki had fought for recognition as a town long before that. The first attempt was made in 1865, but it would take until 2002 before Kalajoki officially became a town.
Things to Do and See
Most tourist attractions are in nearby Kalajoen Hietasärkät. There are, however, a few sights to explore in the town. There is the church, the Kalajoen kirkko, dating back to the 1870s, with its standalone belfry. Through the town flows the river that shares its name, separating the church from the main street of Kalajoentie where you can find most of the local businesses and services. Right next to the E8 is a larger commercial center with the larger department store of Tokmanni.
How to Get to Kalajoki
- Flights: There is the nearby Kalajoki Airfield, but for regular flights, you will probably have to travel to Kokkola-Pietarsaari Airport (KOK) to the south or to Oulu Airport (OUL) to the north.
- Car: Kalajoki is located along Road E8 between the larger towns of Kokkola and Raahe.
The driving distance from 5 major Finnish cities, according to Google Maps:
- Helsinki – 550 kilometers (6 h 10 min)
- Turku – 516 kilometers (6 h 10 min)
- Vaasa – 189 kilometers (2 h 20 min)
- Oulu – 133 kilometers (1 h 50 min)
- Joensuu – 399 kilometers (5 h)
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