Hanko is Finland's southernmost town, a narrow cape jutting into the Baltic where the sea presses in on three sides. Over 30 kilometres of sandy beaches line the shore, and the waterfront is backed by a parade of ornate wooden villas around the Eastern Harbour — built in the late 19th century for Russian nobility seeking sea air, many of them still standing and available to rent. The town has the unhurried feel of a resort that has been fashionable for a very long time.
Beyond the beaches, Hanko is serious bird-watching territory. Some fifteen migratory watch points and several nature reserves make it one of Finland's best spots for birding in spring and autumn. The Uddskatan nature reserve to the west is particularly rewarding — guided tours are strongly advised, as the terrain can be tricky. The Högholmen nature trail leads to open-sea panoramas that reward the effort.
The 1943 water tower is the best viewpoint over the town. Offshore, boat trips reach the Russarö lighthouse and the centuries-old sailors' carvings at Pike's Gut. Inland at Lappohja, the Front Museum covers the strange months in 1940-41 when the peninsula was a Soviet naval base.
Despite being a working port — cargo ships and ferries move through regularly — Hanko has held onto its resort atmosphere. Walk the harbour front, hire a bike, or simply find a stretch of beach.