Kirkkonummi (literally the "church meadow") was named after St Michael's church, which was built 700 years ago and is located on a hill in the centre of Kirkkonummi. The town is well-known for its diverse natural environment and historic sites. In the summer, Kirkkonummi is a particularly good destination for a sporty mini-break. In the summer, you can also visit some of the many museums and mansions in the area and find out more about Kirkkonummi and Finnish history in general.
The town offers a wide variety of outdoor activities, such as fishing, Disc Golf, cycling, canoeing, swimming, horse riding and golf. Kirkkonummi also has several hiking routes, which are a great way to enjoy some peace and quiet in natural surroundings. In the winter, Kirkkonummi offers good downhill and cross-country skiing facilities.
Kirkkonummi has several leisure areas and natural parks, so you can go hiking and enjoy the beauty of unspoilt nature. Take a day trip to Nuuksio National Park, part of which is located within Kirkkonummi. You may even catch sight of a rare Siberian flying squirrel in amongst the park's diverse nature. A special feature of the Meiko lake plateau, a nature conservation area in Myllykylä, is the oak forest. In the recreational areas of Porkkalanniemi, the entire family can enjoy exploring the rocky shoreline and rugged coastal forests, including some bronze-age burial sites. There are several beaches in the Kirkkonummi area.
The King's Road once connected Bergen in Norway to Vyborg in Russia via Sweden and southern Finland, passing through Kirkkonummi. The road was used by kings, bishops, burgesses and couriers for centuries. Several lodges, mansions and inns sprung up along the route to serve passers-by. The King's Road is clearly sign-posted and you can travel this historic route on foot or by bicycle. There are still several beautiful mansions and inns dotted along the road. Pay a visit to the Ragvalds Museum Farm, where you can find out more about Kirkkonummi's history in traditional farmstead surroundings.
You can also visit many other beautiful mansions and museums during your holiday in Kirkkonummi. Walk along the Eerikinpolku cultural trail and learn about the cultural heritage of the Eerikinkartano mansion from the 18th century. The route traverses farmland around Lake Haapajärvi and is clearly sign-posted.
Don't forget to visit Hvitträsk Museum, housed in buildings designed by architects Herman Gesellius, Armas Lindgren and Eliel Saarinen at the beginning of the 20th century. The premises were built from dark wood and natural grey stone in the national romantic style for the architects to work and live in. When you have soaked up enough cultural heritage, you can enjoy a delicious meal at the museum restaurant.
Kirkkonummi is within easy reach of Helsinki. The journey from the city takes 20–30 minutes by car and the journey from Helsinki Airport takes around 40 minutes by car. There are also good bus and train connections between Helsinki and Kirkkonummi with a journey time of 30–45 minutes. There are also direct trains from Kirkkonummi station to Turku and Siuntio. Take a day trip to Kirkkonummi or make it part of a wider-ranging holiday in southern Finland!
