Jakobstad: Wooden House District, Gardens and Fäboda

Discover Jakobstad through a wide range of experiences: the protected wooden houses of Skata, the gardens within the city, and the natural surroundings of Fäboda. Whether you’d rather stroll through a historic district, visit exhibitions, or spend time by the shore, these highlights can help you choose where to stay.

Jakobstad at a glance

• Skata is Finland’s largest continuous wooden-house district and comprises 40 blocks.
• At the Malm House, exhibitions bring to life the rooms of the late 19th century and Jakobstad’s maritime heritage.
• Nanoq opened in June 1991 as Finland’s first Arctic museum.
• The Fäboda hiking trail network is about 40 kilometres long in total, and shorter routes are also available.
• The Old Harbour brings together a beach, forest, and a small marina, as well as a large playground.

Skata and Jakobstad’s history

Skata is a distinctive starting point if you want to explore Jakobstad on foot and discover its architectural history. The district comprises 40 blocks and is considered Finland’s largest continuous wooden-house district. It has been protected since 1982 and has largely retained its original condition. The district is best appreciated on foot as a cohesive whole: its houses and streets create its historic character, rather than any single exhibition venue.

The Malm House also offers several ways to explore the city’s history. Exhibitions feature period rooms from the late 19th century, ship portraits, and ship models. Two rooms are devoted to Jakobstad’s history. Local history and maritime heritage thus come together under one roof. If you’re interested in the industrial past, the Strengberg Tobacco Museum offers a different perspective: it traces the history of the tobacco factory, from its beginnings as a small spinning mill to its position as Finland’s largest tobacco producer at the start of the 20th century.

Another historic garden is the Aspegren Garden. It is one of Finland’s oldest rectory gardens and forms an exceptionally well-preserved garden environment in Scandinavia. At the Old Harbour, red-painted traditional boathouses tell the story of the harbour area. These places offer different points of interest: the Malm House brings together house history and seafaring, the tobacco museum focuses on industrial history, and the garden and harbour offer historic surroundings.

Gardens, a stage, and special visits

The Skolträdgården Botanical Garden displays plants in a variety of forms and colours across approximately 1.35 hectares. The plants are on display from early May to late autumn, giving visits a clear seasonal focus. In the school garden, ramps connect the different areas and make it easier to move freely through the park. There is also a permanent outdoor stage, built in 1992. It is used for major Jakobstad celebrations, including Jakobs Dagar; the event programme may vary.

Guided tours of Rosenlund are available by prior booking. Various events are also held there. If a guided visit is part of your plans, remember to book in advance; don’t assume that events will be part of the programme on a particular travel date.

Fäboda: trails, rocks, and activities

Fäboda offers several ways to spend time outdoors. The hiking trail network is about 40 kilometres long in total, and shorter routes are also available. An accessible nature trail has two sections: the first is 170 metres long, and the second is about 600 metres. So you can choose between longer hiking trails and two much shorter sections of the nature trail.

There are different ways to enjoy the area: the Fäboda hiking trail can be used for mountain biking, and the forests are suitable for cross-country skiing. Children have their own nature trail, with nature-themed activities, animal sculptures, and a balance course. These specific options can help you plan your day if exercise, nature observation, or an activity for younger visitors is a priority.

Fäboda also has quieter attractions. You can admire the smooth rocks, enjoy the sea air, and watch the sunset from the shore. If you’re looking for an active stay, the trails and sports opportunities are the main draw; if you’d rather plan a quieter moment, the rocks and shore offer another reason to spend time outdoors.

The Old Harbour and choosing the right accommodation

The Old Harbour is a recreational area with a beach, forest, and small marina. A large playground adds to what’s on offer. Together with the traditional boathouses, it makes for a place where leisure and harbour history sit side by side. Its character differs from Skata’s: protected wooden houses define that district, while the beach, forest, and harbour shape the Old Harbour area.

When choosing your accommodation, it’s worth deciding what you want to focus on first: do you want your stay to centre on historic exhibitions and gardens, or are Fäboda and outdoor activities your priority?

Discover more destinations: Larsmo, Vaasa, Vörå, Korsholm, Lappfjärd, Ylihärmä, Isokyrö and Iskmo.

Frequently asked questions about Jakobstad

What’s the best way to explore Skata?

The best way to explore Skata is on foot. The district comprises 40 blocks and has been protected since 1982; it has largely retained its original condition.

What shorter trails are available in Fäboda?

The Fäboda hiking trail network is about 40 kilometres long in total and also offers shorter routes. There is also an accessible nature trail with two sections, measuring 170 and about 600 metres.

What can you see at the Malm House?

The exhibitions feature period rooms from the late 19th century, as well as ship portraits and ship models. Two rooms are devoted to Jakobstad’s history.

When are plants on display at the Skolträdgården Botanical Garden?

The plants are on display from early May to late autumn. The garden covers about 1.35 hectares.

For the broader travel overview: Ostrobothnia.