From Fiskars to Verla: Finland’s ironworks villages

Just a short drive from Fiskars lies Billnäs, founded in 1641. While production has long since ceased, the beautifully restored ironworks buildings and leafy riverside paths preserve the atmosphere of centuries past. At the heart of the village stands Billnäs Gård Manor, offering guests a blend of rustic heritage and Nordic elegance. The manor's waffles have become an (Instagram) icon. 

Summer brings antique markets and cultural events that fill the courtyards with life. Yet the village never loses its calm grace. Billnäs is for those who prefer a slower pace, where the charm is measured not in attractions, but in quiet riverside moments. 

Local tip: Don't miss a visit to the tasty local chocolatier, Billnäs Chocolate Factory.

On the southwest coast, an hour's drive from Turku beside the Teijo National Park, Mathildedal has reinvented itself as a haven for slow travellers and artisan lovers. The historic ironworks buildings now host microbreweries, bakeries, and even a charming alpaca farm. A local favourite is sourdough bread made from Finnish emmer wheat, best enjoyed with coffee on a sunny terrace.

The sea, the forest, and the creative spirit of the community all shape the atmosphere here. Whether you’re tasting craft beer from Mathildedalin Kyläpanimo, meeting alpacas, or walking coastal trails, Mathildedal invites you to stay longer than planned. If you're staying the night, try the charming Matri House or Hotel Mathildedal.

Local tip: Pet the alpacas (if you can).

Mustio (Mustion ruukki) is home to Finland’s very first ironworks, founded in 1561 with historical ties King Gustav Vasa of Sweden. Though the original structures are gone, the legacy endures in reconstructed buildings, a peaceful riverside setting, and the stately Mustio Manor – one of Finland’s best-preserved 18th-century manors.

Visitors can tour its elegant rooms, stroll English-style gardens, or enjoy candlelit dinners in the manor’s restaurant. Just over an hour from Helsinki, Mustio offers a rare glimpse into Finland’s earliest industrial heritage, wrapped in the quiet romance of manor life. 

Local tip: Stroll 500 metres down Hållsnäsvägen from the manor and take a refreshing dip in the river at the small, local Mustio ruukki beach.

Near the west coast city of Pori, the Ahlström Ironworks in Noormarkku combines history, nature, and elegant architecture. Guests can stay overnight in stately wooden villas once used by the Ahlström family – one of Finland’s most influential industrial dynasties – and dine at the elegant Noormarkku Club restaurant.

Architecture enthusiasts will find inspiration in Villa Mairea. Designed in 1938 by Alvar and Aino Aalto as a private residence for Maire and Harry Gullichsen of the Ahlström family, Villa Mairea is considered one of the masterpieces of 20th-century architecture. The house combines modernist principles with organic forms and Finnish materials from curved wooden details to stone, brick, and light-filled spaces that open directly to the surrounding forest.

Local tip: Book a tour in the popular Villa Mairea in advance. You will not be dissapointed.

Hidden in the forests of southeastern Finland, Verla is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the country’s most fascinating industrial landmarks. Founded in the 1870s, Verla produced high-quality board from wood pulp – a material that fuelled Finland’s rise as a paper industry powerhouse. Remarkably, when the mill closed in 1964, the buildings, machinery, and even workers’ homes were left almost untouched, creating a time capsule of early industrial life.

The village grew up around the mill, with a school, housing, and communal spaces shaping a self-sufficient community. Today, guided tours bring the production process to life, while exhibitions explain how paperboard from Verla was exported across the world. After exploring, visitors can stroll riverside paths, stop at the cosy café, or sample berry wines made on-site.

Local tip: Traveling with kids? Stop by at the Tykkimäki Amusement  and Action Park in Kouvola, just a 20 minute drive away from Verla.

In Karkkila, just over an hour northwest from Helsinki, Högfors offers a rawer, more industrial view of Finland’s manufacturing heritage. The ironworks were established in the early 19th century, and for generations the factory shaped not only the town’s skyline but its daily rhythm. The massive foundry halls and brick buildings still stand tall, silent witnesses to the age of iron. Today, the Karkkila Ironworks Museum Senkka tells the story of how the community grew around the furnaces, from worker housing to the heyday of enamel production.

In recent years, the old Ala-Emali enamelling plant has transformed into a cultural hub, where cafés, flea markets, concerts, and exhibitions bring the factory grounds back to life. Step into Kino Laika, a cinema and wine bar founded by Cannes-awarded director Aki Kaurismäki and writer Mika Lätti. With its retro interiors and riverside terrace, it’s a place where international cinema and small-town charm meet.  

Local tip: For something truly special, try Uunisauna, a wood-heated sauna built inside a former factory oven.