National park · Finland
Örö
Örö is a day trip, not a base: take the morning ferry from Kasnäs (about 10:30, book ahead), walk the cobbled fort roads and the 12-inch battery, swim at the south beach, and leave on the afternoon boat — or stay one night in the barracks hotel to have the island after the day visitors go.Örö is a day trip, not a base: take the morning ferry from Kasnäs (about 10:30 AM, book ahead), walk the cobbled fort roads and the 12-inch battery, swim at the south beach, and leave on the afternoon boat — or stay one night in the barracks hotel to have the island after the day visitors go.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
2 km² (1 sq mi)1 sq mi (2 km²)
approximate
Established
2015
Best months
May–Jun, Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Nordic countries ↗Decide light or dark before anything else: summer trips (June–August) and aurora trips (September–March in the Arctic) need different countries, clothes and bases.
- Nordic countries ↗Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and the Faroes sell stronger alcohol only in state shops with short hours; buy before evening and before Sundays and holidays.
- Finland ↗Finland is in the EU and the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors at the first Schengen border.
- Finland ↗The land border with Russia is closed to travellers; do not plan a route across it.
- Finland ↗Everyman's rights let you walk, camp for a night and pick berries on most land, but not near homes, and not to make fires without permission.
At a glance
- Country
- Finland
- Area
- 2 km² (1 sq mi)1 sq mi (2 km²)
- About 200 ha (2 km²), roughly 1.5 km by 3 km; the island became part of Archipelago Sea National Park in 2015 (check).
- Established
- 2015
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Pargas
Örö is a small island in the Archipelago Sea National Park, off Kasnäs at the south-west end of Kimitoön, reached only by boat. It was a Russian then Finnish coastal-artillery station from 1915 until 2015, when it passed to the national park and opened to visitors; some installations are still in military use. That century of closure preserved dry heathland, sandy shores and rare shore plants, and put the island on a major Baltic bird migration route. Metsähallitus services here are run by private partners, so walking is free but ferries, beds and saunas are booked and paid for separately.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2015.
Size and age
2 km² (1 sq mi)1 sq mi (2 km²) · national park since 2015
About 200 ha (2 km²), roughly 1.5 km by 3 km; the island became part of Archipelago Sea National Park in 2015 (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Pargas.
Why go
- A former coastal-artillery island that was closed to the public until 2015, so the heathland, sandy beaches and fortifications survived intact.
- The 12-inch Obuhov battery: two 50-tonne barrels still in place, with Bengtskär lighthouse visible from the eastern gun in clear weather.
- One of Finland's better spring and autumn birdwatching stops, on a major Baltic migration route.
- Sandy shores and dry meadows that are rare elsewhere in Finland, plus butterflies and dragonflies in summer.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecAvoid
- JanFerry is weekly at best; ice and wind
- FebOff-season; few sailings
- MarCold, but early migrants arrive
- AprBird migration; pasqueflower on the heaths
- MayMigration peak; dry trails; long light
- JunWarmest sea, longest days, most facilities open
- JulWarm but the busiest weeks
- AugWarm sea; autumn migration starts
- SepBird migration and quiet trails
- OctMigrants still moving; fewer sailings
- NovGrey and wet; check the timetable
- DecFew sailings; short days
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Migrating birds (passerines, waterfowl, raptors)Apr–May, Sep–Oct · The island is on a major Baltic migration route. | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| Butterflies and dragonfliesJun–Aug | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Pasqueflower and prickly saltwort on the heaths and shoresApr–Jun · Plants rare elsewhere in Finland; do not pick. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Kasnäs (Kimitoön)
Scheduled ferry, about 10:30 out and 16:00 back in season; book ahead.Scheduled ferry, about 10:30 AM out and 4:00 PM back in season; book ahead.
1 h
From Turku
Bus to Dalsbruk, then taxi or bike 20 km (12 mi) to Kasnäs; buses to Kasnäs itself are few and do not always meet the ferry.Bus to Dalsbruk, then taxi or bike 12 mi (20 km) to Kasnäs; buses to Kasnäs itself are few and do not always meet the ferry.
3–4 h
Open the page →
From Helsinki
Bus to Dalsbruk (about 3 h), then taxi 20 km (12 mi) to Kasnäs.Bus to Dalsbruk (about 3 h), then taxi 12 mi (20 km) to Kasnäs.
4–5 h
Open the page →
From Own boat
2.4 m fairway from the north off the Utö–Hanko route; guest harbour draught 3 m. Anchoring is forbidden — unmarked cables.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Guest harbour and info point | Ferry quay, café, sauna, shop and the start of the cobbled roads. | Open to arriving visitors; the only permitted landing point for private boats. |
| Central fort area | Barracks, restaurant, hotel and the 12-inch battery, all within about 1 km (0.6 mi) of the harbour.Barracks, restaurant, hotel and the 12-inch battery, all within about 0.6 mi (1 km) of the harbour. | Open; stay on roads and trails. |
| South shore and campsite | Sparse forest campsite, then the sandy beach near the southern tip. | Open; camping only at the marked site. |
| Military zone | Installations still used by the defence forces. | Off limits. |
Sketch map
- 1Guest harbour · Ranger station≈59.810, 22.336Ferry quay, café, sauna, shop; the only permitted landing point for private boats.Map ↗
- 2Info point and shop · Headquarters≈59.810, 22.337Map ↗
- 312-inch battery · Viewpoint≈59.807, 22.339Two remaining Obuhov barrels; Bengtskär visible from the eastern gun in clear weather.Map ↗
- 4Barracks hotel · Sleep≈59.807, 22.336Map ↗
- 5Campsite · Sleep≈59.809, 22.328Map ↗
- 6South beach · Beach≈59.803, 22.323Approximate; near the southern tip, 1–1.5 km (0.6–0.9 mi) from the campsite.Approximate; near the southern tip, 0.6–0.9 mi (1–1.5 km) from the campsite.Map ↗
Take the points offline
6 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Positions are approximate, taken from the harbour and fort area, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walking the island and the trails | Free | person | No entry fee; Metsähallitus services here are run by private partners (check). |
| Return ferry from Kasnäs | EUR 30–50 (≈ US$35–60) | person | 2026 estimate; book ahead, the boat fills in summer (check). |
| Campsite | EUR 5 (≈ US$6) | person | Charged per three nights; no reservations (check). |
| Bike hire | EUR 8–16 (≈ US$10–19) | bike | Half day / full day; roads only. |
| Kayak hire | EUR 25 (≈ US$30) | kayak | 2026 estimate (check). |
| Sauna | EUR 35–60 (≈ US$45–70) | session | Private sauna, 50 min; shared turns cost less (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Ferry booking permit or guide
Guest harbour berth permit or guide
Military areas no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- €30–50≈ US$35–60
- €5≈ US$6
- €8–16≈ US$10–19
- €25≈ US$30
- €35–60≈ US$45–70
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Nationalparks.fi — Örö before you go.
Park rules
- Stay on roads and trails
- Walking off-trail is technically allowed but should be avoided; old trenches and foxholes are hidden in the vegetation.
- Do not touch military objects
- The island has been cleared, but individual pieces of military material may remain.
- Anchoring
- Forbidden around the island because of unmarked cables; use the guest harbour.
- Camping
- Only at the primitive campsite in sparse forest; backcountry camping is not allowed. No campfires.
- Motor vehicles
- Not allowed on the island; luggage can be transported to your accommodation.
- Bikes
- Rented bikes are for use on roads only.
Where to stay
In the park
Barracks hotel
Twin rooms in a former barracks by the main battery, breakfast included; from about €145.
In the park
Hostel beds and rooms
Bunk beds from about €40 and twin rooms from about €50 per person, shared kitchen.
In the park
Cottages
For 2–8 people inland from the restaurant, from about €250–300 with half price for consecutive nights; one has its own sauna.
In the park
Campsite
Primitive site in sparse forest, water and outhouse toilets, no reservations.
Near the park
Kasnäs and Dalsbruk
Mainland hotels and guesthouses if the island is full or you miss the last ferry.
Safety
Hidden trenches and foxholes medium
Military debris low
Missing the return ferry medium
Cold water and open sea medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The cobbled roads are firm and mostly level, so the harbour, restaurant and main battery can be reached with a wheelchair or pushchair.
- The beach, campsite and south shore involve sandy and uneven paths; assistance is needed.
- Luggage transport to accommodation is included, except for the campsite.
Visiting lightly
- Carry out everything you bring; the island has limited waste handling.
- Do not pick the rare shore plants or disturb nesting birds on the heaths.
- Book the scheduled ferry rather than a private taxi boat, and travel outside July if you can.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Örö?
Nothing. Walking the island and its trails is free, and camping at the primitive site costs about €5 per person for three nights. What you pay for is the ferry from Kasnäs (roughly €30–50 return, 2026 estimate), plus any accommodation, sauna, bike or kayak hire.
What are the best hikes in Örö?
The island is small, so the walks are short. The main one is the cobbled fort road from the guest harbour to the 12-inch battery and the barracks, about 1–2 km each way. Add the walk south to the campsite and the sandy beach, 1–1.5 km further. All important sights are reachable on the roads and marked trails.
When is the best time to visit Örö?
May, June and September. May and September are the migration peaks for birds, June has the warmest sea and the longest days, and July is warm but the busiest. Ferries are weekly at best from November to March, so winter visits need planning around the timetable.
How do I get to Örö?
By boat only. The scheduled ferry leaves Kasnäs on the south-west end of Kimitoön, about one hour, usually around 10:30 out and 16:00 back in season, and must be booked ahead. Off season the Finferries service runs about three times a week. Arriving by private boat, the guest harbour is the only permitted entry point.
Can I bring a car to Örö?
No. The Finferries vessel has car space but it is reserved for the company running services on the island. Park at the Kasnäs harbour car park and continue on foot; motor vehicles are not allowed on Örö.
Can I camp on Örö?
Yes, but only at the primitive campsite in sparse forest, about 0.5 km from the harbour. There is no backcountry camping, no campfires and no reservations. Water and outhouse toilets are provided, and shared showers and saunas are a short walk away.
Is Örö the same as Bengtskär?
No. Bengtskär is a separate island with a lighthouse and its own boat service, further out towards the open sea. From Örö's eastern 12-inch gun you can sometimes see the Bengtskär lighthouse in clear weather.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go