Overview
King Adolf Frederick also visited the city in 1752 and named it after his wife Lovisa Ulrika. That’s why Loviisa is called the Queen’s Town. Loviisa is a delightful day trip destination offering visitors picturesque old town, stunning maritime views, and the opportunity to explore manor life. The city also boasts 18th-century fortress structures and the unique Strömfors Ironworks area.
We will delve into the city’s history with a guided walking tour of the fortress area and the old town, as well as a visit to the city museum. History and modernity intersect on the streets and alleys of the old town. The annual Old Houses event is a pilgrimage destination for many renovators and builders. The event, held in late summer, allows visitors to wander through “hands-on” restored houses and learn life-like stories about the joys and sorrows of renovations. Even at other times, it becomes clear in Loviisa what replacing the lower logs of a house and puttying window frames may mean.
At Bonga Castle, visitors can enjoy a unique art experience as a guide leads them through this over 100-year-old patrician mansion, home to the studio and gallery of Professor and artist Riitta Nelimarkka. The gallery features over 200 of her works, some available for purchase.
The wooden houses host beautiful shops and Bistro Kronan, which serves incredibly tasty food. Next to Kronan, there is a tiny cake shop in the courtyard, and nearby, the same entrepreneur’s cozy restaurant Degerby Gille awaits. The restaurant invites you to enjoy its comfortable interior, originally built as a manor in 1695.
Just a short walk from the Old Town, by the sea, is Laivasilta, where red salt warehouses now house restaurants, cafés, artisan shops, and galleries. It also serves as the city’s guest marina and is home to the Loviisa Maritime Museum.
Highlights of Summer 2025 in Loviisa
Loviisa Open Gardens – June 14–15, 2025
Visit lush private gardens, as locals open their peaceful green retreats to the public
Loviisa Heritage Homes – August 30–31, 2025
Explore beautifully preserved historic homes and experience the charm of old Loviisa
Suitable for
History and storytelling enthusiasts
Urban tourism enthusiasts
Collectors and lovers of old houses
Includes
Guided walking tour
Visit to the city museum
A guided visit to Bonga Castle
Lunch at Bistro & Butik Kronan
Laivasilta Pier
Group size
Possible for a group of up to 25 people
Itinerary
Cultural Tourism in Loviisa
The group gathers in front of Loviisa’s fortifications. A themed guide from Loviisa provides insights into the city’s history from the bastion era to the present day. Colonel August Ehrensvärd designed Loviisa’s fortifications in the mid-18th century to protect the eastern border of Sweden-Finland. From the fortifications, two bastions, Undgern and Rosen, remain, along with the magnificent stone house known as the Commandant’s House, which has served as Loviisa’s city museum since 1905. As you stroll through the town, the guide will share insider insights into local life in Loviisa and how the city’s atmosphere effortlessly embraces the spirit of “hygge.” Experience what it’s like to live like a local—even if just for a moment.
After a short walk, we explore the city museum independently. The museum’s permanent exhibition features artifacts related to the city’s history and offers the opportunity to learn about Jean Sibelius’s life in summertime Loviisa and Loviisa’s time as a spa town.
After the museum, the tour continues with a guided visit to Bonga Castle, where you can admire the stunning art on display. Bonga Castle is a unique gallery in the heart of Loviisa, housing the studio and exhibition space of Professor and artist Riitta Nelimarkka. The gallery features over 200 of her works, some of which are available for purchase.
Following the tour, a delicious lunch will be served at Bistro & Butik Kronan. After lunch, there’s time to head to Laivasilta, where you can explore the charming cafés, boutiques, and exhibitions hidden inside the historic red salt warehouses.
The return journey may include a guided tour of Malmgård Castle. During the castle tour, there will be an opportunity to shop at the estate’s shop.
Services included in the package
Loviisa City Museum
The Loviisa City Museum opened its doors in 1904 in the Commandant’s House, dating back to 1755. Here, visitors can delve into the depths of the great history emanating from this small town! Within the Commandant’s House, guests can admire Gustavian-style furniture, silverware, tinware, and other artifacts characteristic of Loviisa’s history. The museum also features a comprehensive exhibition shedding light on Jean Sibelius’s life in Loviisa’s summer landscapes and the city’s time as a spa destination. In the museum’s kitchen, a collection of old cookbooks is on display, offering a glimpse into the tastes and customs of bygone eras.
On the top floor of the museum, visitors can marvel at a special feature: a tin caster’s workshop showcasing the molds and tools used by Loviisa’s tin casters from 1757 to 1882.
Outside the house lies the Commandant’s Garden, where one can admire the beauty of old utility and ornamental plants in the spirit of the 1700s and 1800s.
Bistro & Butik Kronan
Bistro & Butik Kronan serves uncomplicated bistro food in the charming atmosphere of Loviisa’s city center. Guests can enjoy a glass of wine, beer, or indulge in dishes from the à la carte menu. During weekdays, the lunch menu always includes vegetarian options and flavors from different cuisines around the world. Kronan’s shop offers delicious items for gifts or take-home treats, including various beautiful interior decorations. Kronan provides a cozy gathering place where you can enjoy good food and drinks in a relaxed atmosphere.
Malmgård Manor
“Malmgård Manor” has a long history dating back to the 17th century. The manor has been owned by the noble Creutz family for over 400 years, with the current owner, Count Henrik Creutz, representing the 14th generation.
Malmgård specializes in organic farming, processing, and selling organic products. The estate also houses a brewery. The current two-story main building, constructed in the 19th century, is made of exposed brick and reflects influences from Northern French and Dutch Neo-Renaissance architecture. Guided tours of the manor are led by Count Henrik Creutz himself.
The farm shop and brewery operate year-round. In addition to the estate’s own brewery and food products, the shop offers locally sourced products from other producers in the region.
Tilapuoti ja panimo palvelevat vuoden ympäri. Puodin valikoimiin kuuluu tilan omien panimo- ja ruokatuotteiden lisäksi lähiruokatuotteita seudun muilta tuottajilta.
Bonga Castle
Visit the exhibition at the Bonga Castle in Loviisa to see artist Riitta Nelimarkka’s colorful artwork. The spacious gallery is filled with light and vibrant colors. Bonga Castle is a sight in itself – a patrician castle built in 1906 and renovated to the original classical style in 1920. It is located right next to Loviisa church and the town square.
