Car & Van Hire in Kotka

Once known as Kymi, Kotka's location on the Gulf of Finland has made it an important port. Kotka's history is fairly recent; it was developed in the 19th century with the industrial revolution. As a result, Kotka was a centre of Finland's woodworking, paper and pulp industries. The city was subject to heavy bombardment during the Second World War. Most of modern-day Kotka is a result of post-war reconstruction.

You can still discover historical and architectural gems throughout the city. For industrial heritage, the Sunila pulp mill (1937) is recognised as one of Europe's most important industrial buildings. Other notable buildings of age include the Kotka courthouse (1909), the police station at Laivurinkatu 7 (1909) and Kotka secondary school (1905).

Having a long and bloody history of conflict from the Crimean War to WWII, there are numerous sea forts and stations to explore in Kotka. The Kotkan Saaret islands contain a number of 18th-century Russian fort ruins, including Fort Katarina, Fort Slava and Fort Elisabeth. These are accessible by scenic boat trips from Sapokanlahti. Further inland, Kyminlinna Fortress served to protect the town from the north.

Merikeskus Vellamo, a maritime museum, is one of Kofta's best cultural attractions. Located right on the dockside, it details Finland's seafaring heritage and contains Tarmo, an ice-breaker from 1908. Right next door, you can visit Maretarium, an exceptional aquarium with a large Baltic tank. Other noted highlights within the city include St Nicholas Orthodox Church, Kotka's oldest-surviving building (1801) and the Gothic Kotkan Kirkko from 1898.

Much of Kotka's retail therapy is found on Kotkansaari, the central island. Here, you'll find the Pasaati shopping centre, home to shops, restaurants, cafes and more. To the north, you'll find the Jussin Jättikirppis flea market, a popular place for antique hunters. Take a break from shopping by wandering around Sapokka Water Garden.

A car or van hire in Kotka is a great way to explore this vibrant region of Finland. Highlights of a road trip include the Langinkoski Imperial Fishing Lodge, built for Tsar Alexander III to hunt and fish along the River Kymi. Genteel nature, forests, lakes and rapids are also reachable to the north, from the quiet Siikakosken Arboretum to Valkmusa National Park.

Kotka is a convenient city to access as it sits on Finland's E18, an important route connecting Turku in the west with the Russian border to the east via Helsinki. Kotka connects to the E18 via National Road 15, which also provides onward travel to Kouvola, home to the Repovesi National Park.

Kotka is generally easy to navigate, with a grid road layout and ample parking. However, the very centre of the city on Kotkansaari includes many one-way roads with pedestrianised zones. Parking is generally available in designated car parks and on the street. Street-side parking can involve both meters and parking passes; the latter must be shown to avoid a ticket. It's popular to park up for the day in Kotka and explore the city centre itself on foot or by bicycle.

Much of Kotka's centre has variable speed limits of 30 to 50 km/h. These are all well-signposted. Many residential zones in Kotka see speed limits of 20 km/h, so always be mindful of signs. Once you reach the highway, speed limits reach 100 km/h, with summertime limits of 120 km/h on motorways like the E18. The limit is 80 km/h when driving in non-built-up areas. Traffic enforcement cameras are in operation around Kotka and its highways, and these are identifiable by a yellow sign with a camera.

In Finland, vehicles are driven on the right-hand side of the road, with overtaking done on the left. Always keep to the right and be mindful of pedestrians. Finnish people walk on the left-hand side of the road in rural areas. There are a few quirks to driving in Finland that you'll have to familiarise yourself with. Headlights must always be on and dimmed in appropriate situations.

As Finland and Kotka are rich in wildlife, drivers must be mindful of any animals on the road. This region is home to a variety of wildlife, including elk, deer and birds. Deer and elk are usually spotted around dusk and dawn, particularly in autumn. Be aware that they may wander, dash or jump into the road, particularly in the forested areas surrounding Kotka.

Driving in Kotka is generally even throughout the day, but there is a chance of traffic build-up during rush hours. To avoid queues, avoid driving into the city centre from 07:00 to 09:00 and from 16:00 to 18:00. You don't have to worry about road tolls with your car hire in Kotka, as these do not exist in the country.