Kemi Travel Guide: An Overview

Bang in the heart of the Finnish Lapland, just south of the Arctic Circle, lies the town of Kemi, known for its Snow Castle, its timber and the fabulous view it offers of the bewitching northern lights. Kemi lies in the northwestern part of Finland, in the province of Lapin, along the Gulf of Bothnia for which it is the main seaport. The city sprawls along the mouth of the River Kemi, and dates back some four hundred-odd years, although it was formally chartered only in 1869. 

Kemi is not a city that you should visit if you’re looking for fabulous old monuments or splendid art galleries; it is, however, a city that is hard to beat if you like the great outdoors. Kemi has a number of good beaches, many of them excellent for swimming and others excellent for strolling along. Just south of the Arctic Circle, we’re not talking sun `n sand fun but gulls and sweeping breezes, when we speak of the beaches. Other than that, Kemi’s outlying areas are crisscrossed by good walking trails, paths and ski trails - perfect for stretching your legs, whether in the summer or the winter. Come winter and Kemi gears up for its most spectacular sight - the annual Snow Castle, which has been constructed in the town every winter for the past six years, and is fast becoming a major attraction. Made of snow and ice, and complete with turrets and ramparts, the castle is a crowd-puller.

Kemi’s other big attraction is the annual Comics Festival, the oldest and most famous of its kind in Scandinavia. It’s a big event, focusing on humour, both written and performed, and is great fun, whether you’re a professional or a fan.

Kemi is accessible by air: the local airport is only about 6.5 km from the city, and has regular connections to most major cities in Finland. You can also get there by train: Kemi is on the line that links Tornio to Oulu. There are ferries coming into the port from other Finnish ports, and larger vessels, both from foreign and domestic ports. Regular buses link the city to other cities, towns and villages in the country.