Nature in Pori

Nature is nearby. Kirjurinluoto Island is located right next to the city centre and provides a multitude of possibilities for outdoor activities, relaxing and spending your time in natural surroundings. Yyteri and other marine resorts provide settings for a range of enjoyable experiences.

Kirjurinluoto and the sandy-bottomed beach

Located in the centre of Pori, by the Kokemäenjoki River, you will find the green oasis of Kirjurinluoto. This lush park with its flowers, ornamentals and passages has been frequented for over a century by Pori residents seeking relaxation. The park is also a family resort and access is free of charge. In addition to the services available on Kirjurinluoto, all the services provided in the city centre are within walking distance. In the middle of Pori at its most beautiful, by the Kokemäenjoki River, in the green and cosy natural park of Kirjurinluoto, only 5 minutes’ walking distance from the market square. You can reach this from Eteläranta along the Taavi pedestrian bridge or by car along the nearby bridge. The sandy-bottomed beach with its clear water is ideal for children. A multitude of services are provided in the Kirjurinluoto area, e.g. a summer restaurant, Hermanni the clown’s playground for children, a café, toilets, a mini-golf course and a kiosk. Entry to the beach is free of charge. Viksu the Rook entertains children on the Kirjurinluoto island in the summertime. www.kirjurinluoto.fi

Yyteri - marine oasis in Pori

The Yyteri beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Finland with 6 kilometres of fine sand and dunes, excellent for sunbathing and swimming. There are nature paths, biking routes, a water slide, a beach volley court, a 10-hole frisbee golf course and a surf centre. You can also go riding or golf in Yyteri. In addition to those spending an active holiday, peace loving sun bathers will find their own space on the beach. An area is reserved for naturists.www.yyteri.fi

Reposaari

Reposaari is located 32 km from the city centre. It is a small town of around 1,000 inhabitants, characterised by wooden houses. The port has always been very important to Reposaari. Its exotic plants are reminiscent of the golden era of the tall ships which brought these plants to Reposaari. Nowadays, the major ports are located in Mäntyluoto and Tahkoluoto, at the bottom of the island, but the lively, modern fishing port with its trawlers is located at the top. www.reposaari.net

Ahlainen

Ahlainen is an idyllic village located in northern Pori, by the sea. Its skilfully built wooden houses and traditional plank fences create a unique village landscape, characteristic of Ahlainen. You can travel through the natural landscape by car, bike or by hiking. The shore town built at the end of the 19th century is located in the middle of the village, by the river. The church in Ahlainen is accessible to the public in the summertime, or at other times upon request. www.ahlainen.fi

The natural heritage centre Arkki

The natural heritage centre Arkki, presents wetlands nature in Satakunta, which is unique in Finland. Make surprise findings in a decaying wall of seaweed piled on the shore by the tides and ice, and watch the ringed plover and wagtail waddling among the rocks. Experience the mysterious atmosphere of early summer nights at the river delta: accompanied by the continuous melody of nightingales and warblers through the night. Cowslips and irises glow in the first rays of the sun on the bank of the misty river. See the osprey that have found a fine nesting tree with spacious vistas, on a solitary rugged pine standing on a patch of dry land in the middle of a bog. www.pori.fi/smu/arkki.htm

Exhibition areas of the Vihertietokeskus/ Garden centre
	Satakunnan Vihertietokeskus is an information centre run by the technical services centre of the City of Pori. It serves hobby gardeners. Show gardens include the courtyard of the information centre, the Hanhipuisto show garden and the Polsa route. www.pori.fi/vihertietokeskus/

Kirjurinluoto Arena - The concert park
	Kirjurinluoto Arena, a giant arena for outdoor events located in Raatimiehenluoto, was completed in 2001. It is large enough for approximately 30,000 people. The audience can be seated on benches and or the ground sloping gently towards the stage. In addition to the concert park the Arena has a 4,000-m2 VIP area and an extensive service area for food and drink stalls.

The national city park
	The national city park is a combination of nature, park planning, history and architectural culture. The national city park ensures that there are green areas in the city centre and right next to it, which will remain accessible to the inhabitants of the city in the future.www.pori.fi/kan/kan1/puisto/

Merimesta

VIn 2001, the traditional fishing port of Reposaari was crowned by the construction of the Merimesta building. Merimesta is a prime example of how different activities can be combined in a modern way: fish is processed and sold there, there is a fish restaurant in the building and a city information desk open during the liveliest holiday season. Merimesta is open all year round. The fishing port is located at the top of the island. You can reach Merimesta by the bluff road from the mainland and by boat from the sea. www.merimesta.net

Bird observation tower

PThere is an unusually large amount of nature spots, located in the Pori area, compared with the rest of Finland. Most valued of which are the coastal bird waters: Yyteri-Preiviikinlahti, Kokemäenjoki delta and Enäjärvi, all just a few kilometres from each other. Distance from Pori city center to Meri-Pori is at the most about 15 kilometres and transport connections to the area are in very good order. www.pori.fi/ymparisto/luonto/lintutornit.html