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EuropeFinlandOstrobothnia

Vaasa

Ostrobothnia, Finland · Europe

About Vaasa

Vaasa is worth a stop: 5 minutes from Korsholm, 35km from Kvarken Archipelago.

Vaasa is a town located in Ostrobothnia, Finland. With a population of 69,819, it is an important destination in Europe.

On a road trip, Vaasa sits in Finland, where you drive on the right. It's in the Europe/Helsinki time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Vaasa to your route.

About Vaasa

Vaasa (Finnish: [ˈvɑːsɑ]; Swedish: Vasa, Finland Swedish: [ˈvɑːsːɑ] ), formerly (1855–1917) known as Nikolaistad (Finnish: Nikolainkaupunki; lit. 'city of Nicholas'), is a city in Finland and the regional capital of Ostrobothnia, located on the west coast of the country, on the Gulf of Bothnia. Vaasa city has

Read more approximately 71,000 inhabitants, while the Vaasa sub-region has a population of approximately 112,000. It is the 14th-most populous municipality in Finland, and the tenth-most populous urban area in the country. The settlement developed from 1606 near Korsholm; King Charles IX of Sweden granted Vaasa its municipal charter in 1611, naming the town after the Swedish royal House of Vasa. During the Finnish Civil War in 1918, Vaasa briefly served as the capital of White Finland and hosted the Senate of Finland. The city has several institutions of higher education: the University of Vaasa, the Vaasa University of Applied Sciences, the Novia University of Applied Sciences, and some faculties of the Åbo Akademi University, the University of Helsinki, and the Hanken School of Economics. Vaasa is a bilingual municipality with Finnish and Swedish as its official languages. The population consists of 62% Finnish speakers, 23% Swedish speakers, and 15% speakers of other languages. The municipalities surrounding Vaasa, such as Korsholm and Malax, have a clear majority of Swedish speakers. As a result, the Swedish language maintains a strong position in the city, making it the most significant cultural center for Swedish-Finns.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Vaasa

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Vaasa?

Vaasa offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Vaasa?

Plan your road trip to Vaasa with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Vaasa as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Vaasa located?

Vaasa is located in Ostrobothnia, Finland, Europe. The coordinates are 63.0960 latitude, 21.6158 longitude.

What is the population of Vaasa?

Vaasa has a population of approximately 69,819 people, making it a town in Finland.

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Quick Information

Population
69,819
Continent
Europe
Country
Finland
Region
Ostrobothnia
Timezone
Europe/Helsinki
Coordinates
63.0960, 21.6158

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in Finland

Police
112
Ambulance
112
Fire
112
Driving side
right

Winter tyres mandatory December–February.

Full driving guide for Finland

Tags

EuropeFinlandOstrobothniaTown

Worth the detour from Vaasa

3 notable places within an hour's drive.

bridge

Replot Bridge

Finland's longest bridge, a 1,045 m cable-stayed span leaping into the UNESCO-listed Kvarken Archipelago near Vaasa. The gateway drive to a rising, glacier-sculpted island world.

18 km · about 20 min drive

natural wonder

Kvarken Archipelago

Finland's only natural World Heritage Site, where the land still rises nearly 1 cm a year after the Ice Age, spawning new islands. Drive the Replot island roads to boulder fields, stone labyrinths and wooden watchtowers.

35 km · about 40 min drive

landmark

PowerPark

Finland's largest amusement park in Härmä with unique motor-sport themed rides alongside traditional attractions.

48 km · about 55 min drive

Driving roads near Vaasa

  • 18 kmReplot BridgeFinland's longest bridge, a 1,045 m cable-stayed span leaping into the UNESCO-listed Kvarken Archipelago near Vaasa. The gateway drive to a rising, glacier-sculpted island world.

When to drive here

May to September

Far northern latitude: short daylight hours outside summer make long drives harder.

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Vaasa.

Hietalahti

🇫🇮 Finland

1 km awayPop. 4,700

Korsholm

🇫🇮 Finland

4 km awayPop. 17,176

Teeriniemi

🇫🇮 Finland

4 km awayPop. 1,500

Smedsby

🇫🇮 Finland

5 km away

Ristinummi

🇫🇮 Finland

5 km awayPop. 1,500

Malax

🇫🇮 Finland

17 km awayPop. 5,517

Replot

🇫🇮 Finland

18 km awayPop. 2,100

Laihia

🇫🇮 Finland

24 km awayPop. 8,020

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence