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Town in Southwest Finland, Finland
Photo: StarbucksFreak at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Kaarina (Swedish: Sankt Karins) is a town in the Finland Proper region of Finland, about 10 km east of Turku.
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Kuusiston linna
Ruins of an episcopal castle from 14th century, demolished after the Lutheran reformation, not to offer a stronghold for the Church. Nearby is Kuusisto manor, which functioned as the farm for the castle and subsequently as a residence for high-ranking governmental officials. The present main building is from 1738. The castle is accessible also by boat.
Kuusiston taidekartano
Art exhibitions and events at the former episcopal manor. Café.
Small art gallery. Events.
Hovirinnan rantapuisto
Beach with playground, outdoor gym, ice cream kiosk and traffic park.
Bird sanctuary by Lake Littoistenjärvi. Nature path (between Järveläntie and the Littoistenjärvi beach) and bird watching tower.
Cinema with bar and five auditoriums. Accessible by wheelchair. At some showings the auditorium is included in the licensed premises, and thus the age limit 18 applies regardless of the film. The non-Finnkino company has cinemas also in Turku (Diana, age limit 18), Salo (Lumo) and Laitila (Laitilankino), with the same multi-use tickets.
Bird sanctuary in a bay of the sea, part of a Natura 2000 special protection area and a great place to observe nesting and resting birds. Birdwatching towers.
Beach, dance pavilion and nature trail by Littoistenjärvi. The lake is shallow, which makes the beach ideal for smaller children. It also makes the water warm early in the summer. There are sometimes water quality problems. There's a dog haven by the beach.
Littoisten lava
Social dancing and dance courses by Sekahaku at a lakeside dance pavilion from 1950. The dance nights begin with a 1½-hr dance course included in the price, for one dance, beginning with the basics but advancing quickly with something also for advanced dancers. Live music the rest of the night: foxtrot, tango, waltz, jive, cha-cha etc., with slight overweight for the dance taught. Friendly atmosphere and many skilled dancers. Kiosk with coffee, water (free), sausage, sandwiches etc. in the dance nights, other times you should bring your own water bottle. First set of the dance proper is in random pairs (just one dance each), second men's, third women's, last mixed asking. The tango king and queen of the year perform at some dance (2026: 23 July). Separate dance courses M–W evenings and Su afternoons in season. Some courses start from the basics (perusteet M 18:00 Su 17:45, perusteita uusille harrastajille W 19:45 Su 16:00), otherwise knowing basics of the dance is assumed (keskitaso=intermediate; jatko=advanced). The "perusteita uusille" courses are primarily for those who haven't danced much at all (youth price for all). Numbered courses are sets, but attending just one part is OK. Regardless of level, some participants are skilled (mostly Sekahaku members), which eases learning. During the course, pairs are formed in a rotating system, so you can turn up alone or in a single-gender group (you may form your own pairs, but that is usually not optimal). Instruction is in Finnish, so you have to use your eyes and occasionally ask your pair.
Trails in western Kaarina. Outcrop hills, steep hillsides, lush forest, fields and seascape views. Souhuvuori prehistoric graves (a guide may be needed to find them). Memorial of the Lemu Battle of 1808. The Vaarniemi, Yli-Lemu and Ala-Lemu mansions (not open to the public, have a look from the trail). The Vaarniemi tower gives views over a large area. Lean-to shelter at Vaarniemi (firewood below the stairs from Rauvolanlahti; no fires allowed during wildfire warnings).
Rauvolaviken
Bird sanctuary. Nature path through the reed; bird watching towers. Connection to the Katariinanlaakso nature reserve in Turku. The path (Vaarniemen–Rauvolanlahden luontopolku) is part of the St. Olav Waterway and the Pyhän Katariinan polut trail network. The duckboards can be flooded at high waters, i.e. suitable footwear may be needed.
Kaarinan uimahalli
Indoor swimming pool. Also gym.
Music festival, 20,000–30,000 visitors.
Lunch buffet, home-cooked style.
Lunch buffet: salad, soup, two warm dishes and dessert.
Chinese food.
Located in the town centre. Single, double and triple rooms. Lunch restaurant.
"Leisure centre" at two former farms, with minigolf, badminton, etc. Rowing boats, canoes, bikes and motorboats for rent. Fishing and nature trips etc. Modern wheelchair enabled accommodation building (shared bathrooms and toilets) and caravan site. Wi-Fi. Restaurant: lunch in summer 12:00–14:00, otherwise à la carte (check hours). Founded 1940.
Nice villa in nice milieu. Mostly targeted at conferences, retreats and business meetings, weddings etc. The rooms are in five buildings with separate private areas. The buildings and rooms are in different style, some in line with the villa, others more modernistic, some rather simple. Activities for groups. Restaurant in summer and on request. Guest marina with water, electricity, toilets, and row boat and bikes to borrow.
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