A Little World of Its Own: Sapokka Water Garden in Kotka

Sapokka Water Garden spreads across the area surrounding Sapokka Bay in Kotka. It’s a beautiful park where water features play a central role. My memory had long held onto an image of a tall waterfall in Sapokka, so when I arrived in Kotka for an entirely different reason and that very waterfall happened to catch my eye, I decided to take a short walk through Sapokka Water Garden while I was at it.

Sapokka Water Garden

• View on map
• Tallinankatu, Kotka
• 1,6 km from Kotka Railway Station

Kotka is a coastal city in southeastern Finland, situated on an island where the Kymi River meets the Gulf of Finland. It lies roughly 130 kilometres east of Helsinki, the train journey takes about three hours. The city is known for its maritime heritage, national urban park, and the archipelago that stretches out to sea from its shores.

We had spent the day on a trip to Haapasaari island, and it was only a short walk from the ferry harbour to Sapokka Water Garden. In between lay a guest marina and a large car park, in the corner of which Maretarium was calling out to me. But after an early morning start and a migraine beginning to press at my eye, a quick stroll through the park was all I could manage before the three-hour drive home. I’m glad I made the effort — the place was truly beautiful.

We walked past Maretarium, through the car park and past an ice cream kiosk, until we reached a small bridge. That felt like the proper start of the park. At the foot of the bridge, a horse chestnut tree was in bloom at railing height. I don’t think I’ve ever seen its flowers so close up before. It was the first moment to stop, stare, and simply admire.

Beyond a massive boulder, another bridge came into view in the distance.

I’m not well-placed to give a thorough assessment of accessibility, and I couldn’t find any specific information about Sapokka Water Garden’s accessibility online either. That said, the paths closest to the water’s edge were flat and wide.

Higher up the slope, the paths became narrower and steeper. There was a scent of azaleas in the air, and the rhododendrons were just coming into bloom. We followed these little trails for a short detour, they looked too beautiful and inviting to pass by.

A small stream trickled at our feet, flowing through a shallow pool and on towards Sapokka Bay. Sculptures, planted beds, and stone paving gave the park an atmosphere entirely its own. The energy of the city felt far away. It was like a little world unto itself, with a gentle touch of Hayao Miyazaki about it.

There were families with prams, couples out for a walk, someone walking a dog. I also noticed a couple of graduates having their photos taken in the park’s lovely surroundings. It was graduation day.

Before long we had reached the waterfall. In front of it stands an arched bridge, below which large, dark fish were gliding through the water. We could have climbed to the top of the hill as well, but my worsening headache said no. A shame — I had been wondering whether the sea might be visible from up there, and what the view would be like. From the hilltop you can continue down the other side and follow the shoreline to Mansikkalahti (“Strawbeyy Bay”) beach, and from there on to Katariina Maritime Park.

Instead, we turned back the way we had come. I made a mental note to book a hotel here one day and come back properly with time, and better health.

We made our way back to the car by a slightly different route than we had arrived. Sculptures among the plants caught my eye along the way. I was especially taken with this fox, close to the waterfall.

My real delight, though, came at the last bridge, where I spotted two large pike beneath us. I love pike when they’re alive and at peace in their own home, that is, not yanked from the water and fighting for their lives in terror. We stood on the bridge for a good while watching the pike enjoy what looked like a lazy summer’s day. Based on today alone, I give Kotka as a destination 5/5.

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