Idyllic surroundings
Stay in Sunila
Welcome to an unforgettable stay in Sunila, Kotka. In our flats you will find the elegance of the historical architecture designed by Alvar Aalto combined with Finnish design. There are three unique accommodation options - "Aino", "Eero" and "Alvar" - with different interior styles and modern comforts.
Our flats in Sunila, Kotka
To the flats
You can experience living in the functional buildings designed by Aalto for yourself. The spirit of Alvar and Aino Aalto is still evident today in the fusion of timeless aesthetics, the embedding of the buildings in nature and their functionality. A study visit or simply a holiday - anything is possible.
Accommodation
You can book the flats "Aino" and "Eero", each with one bedroom and living room and a floor area of 45 m2, in the terrace house "Päivölä" or the one-room flat "Alvar" with a floor area of 30 m2 on the top floor of the apartment block "Kivelä". All flats are specially furnished with a predominantly Finnish design. This also includes the crockery and cutlery in the flats and the linen provided. For architecture and design enthusiasts, literature is available in all three flats to familiarise yourself with the work of Alvar and Aino Aalto and Finnish design. All flats have WLAN and television.
The kitchens are equipped with coffee machines (filters and capsules), water boilers, microwaves, toasters, pans and everything else you need.
Location
Sunila is located next to the town of Kotka, about 130 kilometres east of Helsinki, directly on the shores of the Baltic Sea. The car journey from Helsinki Airport or Helsinki-Vantaa takes about 1.5 hours. By bus, the journey from Helsinki bus station takes about 2 hours.
Experience unique architecture and design
The cellulose factory and Sunila housing estate designed by Alvar and Aino Aalto in the 1930s is a world-famous architectural monument and the largest project realised by the famous architect couple. The functional buildings are perfectly integrated into the natural surroundings with old pine trees and form an ideal setting for the combination with Finnish design.
Now you have the wonderful opportunity not only to visit this combination, but also to stay overnight or live there temporarily and be inspired. Enjoy the unique living experience in an icon of modernity. If you would like to delve deeper into the subject, we have provided the relevant literature for you.
What is special about our flats?
In the "Aino" flat you can immerse yourself in the 1930s with lots of design by Alvar and Aino Aalto and in the "Eero" flat you live in world-famous Finnish design from the 1950s and 1960s. The "Alvar" flat has many original cupboards from the construction period and predominantly Aalto design. All flats are quiet, harmonious, inspiring...and beautiful! They are furnished with great attention to detail and high quality and offer everything for a pleasant stay.
The nearby residential neighbourhood
The Sunila housing estate, which originally belonged to the factory, comprises around 350 residential units ranging from the director's 400 m2 villa (now the Kantola Museum) to terraced houses for engineers and foremen and apartment blocks with different flat sizes from 120 m2 four-room flats to small 18 m2 one-room flats. Probably the best-known buildings on the estate are the two terraced houses "Päivölä" and "Karhu".
Today, the flats are owned by private individuals who are organised into several condominium owners' associations. The Pro Sunila association has been working for more than 20 years to preserve and enhance the neighbourhood and its surroundings.
The beautiful surroundings offer opportunities for long walks in the woods and there is a wonderful sandy beach on the Baltic Sea nearby. Sunila also offers sports facilities with outdoor weight training facilities, a new finned track and a large gravel sports field. In winter, there is a short cross-country ski trail and an ice rink.
The impressive Sunila cellulose factory is expected to close at the end of 2023. Its future is still unclear, but there are various plans that have not yet been made public.
Sunila – a pioneer of modernity
The residential area of Sunila is a pearl and a masterpiece of Finnish architecture and urban planning by architect Alvar Aalto. Sunila was mainly built between 1936 and 1939. It includes the cellulose factory located on the island of Pyötinen with the large residential area. Sunila became the largest overall project realized according to Aalto's plans.
There are about 350 apartments in the Sunila settlement. The settlement, a so-called forest settlement, is very spacious and park-like, so that nature and architecture merge.
All houses have a name. If you come from Karhula, the first terrace houses in the northern part of the area are Karhu and Päivölä. These are followed by Kontio, Kivelä and Harjula, then Mäntylä, Honkala, Kuusela, Juurela and Runkola, the Mäkelä terraced houses and finally the southernmost terraced houses Rantala, over 200 square meters in size, directly on the shore of the Baltic Sea. Within the sight of Rantala is the Villa Kantola of the former factory manager Lauri Kanto, which currently serves as a museum, conference and event space. Kantola also has a beach sauna for rent.
Each group of houses is unique and getting to know the details is also interesting for people who are less familiar with architecture.
There are also some commercial buildings in the area, such as the former heating center, garages and the so-called Aalto Maja (Aallon Maja), the former laundry and sauna building.
Shortly before the terraced houses the road turns to Sunila Pirtti. Pirtti with its sports facilities and banquet hall belongs to Sunilan Sisu. Also an interesting destination for Aalto fans; The renovation was carried out according to the Aaltos' plans.
What can you do in Sunila?
As already said, Sunila is a residential community. But not an ordinary one.
Sunila's most interesting sight is of course the architecture. You can get to know the settlement on an outdoor tour, either on your own or with a guided tour (http://www.kotkaguides.fi). You can delve deeper into architecture and design in the apartments, including by reading the literature available in the apartments.
Kantola, the representative apartment of the former factory manager Lauri Kanto, is a beautiful building with a facade renovated in 2022 between tall, old pine trees. The house can normally be visited. Even if the house is booked, a visit to the in-house park is worth it. Further information and opening times can be found at www.sunilankantola.fi www.sunilankantola.fi
Sunila's renovated, approx. 2 km long, illuminated running track, which opened in summer 2023, and the small outdoor fitness studio on Sunila's sports field can also be used free of charge.
A sandy beach just a stone's throw away!
Äijänniemi Beach, lined with old, beautiful pine trees, is located in Suulisniemi directly on the Baltic Sea. From Sunila it takes 4-5 minutes by car or bike, or about 20 minutes on foot. A trip to the beach is worthwhile all year round.
Where to go to eat and shop?
When Sunila was thriving a few decades ago, there were various shops and services in the area. The small service providers gradually closed down after the large shopping centres were built. However, the Metsäkulma K-Shop has survived. Here you can buy everything you need for your daily needs.
However, the closest place to go for lunch is right in the middle of Sunila. Korttelikoti Alvariska serves very reasonably priced home-cooked lunches from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Mon-Fri, also available to take away.
Karhula and Kotka have other pubs and restaurants. It is 11.5 km from Sunila to the centre of Kotka, and takes about 15 minutes to drive from Sunila to the centre of Kotka.
What about public transport?
It is a 3 km walk from Karhula bus station to Sunila. The taxi rank is right next to the bus station. From Karhula bus station there are several local bus lines to Sunila. Bus no. 1 Kotka-Hamina stops at Rauhala School (approx. 2.3 km). Buses 5B and 25T run along Ratakatu-Sunilantie and bus 6 runs along Hallantie from the Metsäkulma side. However, the intervals between the bus trips are quite long!
Frequently asked questions
We have collected some frequently asked questions here. If you are interested in something specific or have further questions, please feel free to contact us.
Contact UsWhat is Sunila?
Sunila is a unique residential and industrial environment designed by Alvar Aalto in Kotka, on the coast of the Gulf of Finland. Created in the 1930s, Sunila combines modernist architecture, nature and human-scale living in an exceptionally harmonious way.
Why is Sunila a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Sunila is part of Aalto Works, which was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2026. Aalto Works comprises 13 modern buildings and building ensembles designed by Alvar Aalto across Finland. UNESCO highlights their human-centred, site-specific approach and their sensitive relationship with their surroundings. (UNESCO World Heritage Centre)
What makes Sunila special?
Sunila is much more than a collection of beautiful buildings. Aalto conceived the area as a whole, bringing together architecture, forest, landscape, pathways and everyday life. Here, modernism does not stand apart from nature – it becomes part of the landscape.
Who designed Sunila?
Alvar Aalto was the principal architect of Sunila. Aino Aalto and members of Aalto's studio also contributed to the wider design process. UNESCO specifically recognises the collaborative creativity of Alvar Aalto, Aino Aalto, Elissa Aalto, the Aalto studio and their design partners within Aalto Works. (UNESCO World Heritage Centre)
How does Sunila relate to European Modernism?
Sunila emerged in the 1930s, when Modernism and Functionalism were transforming European architecture. Aalto combined international modernist ideas with Finnish building traditions, natural materials and the surrounding landscape.
UNESCO describes Aalto Works as an important synthesis of global Modern Movement ideas and local building traditions. (UNESCO World Heritage Centre)Is Sunila a museum?
No. Sunila is a living residential community. People still live in its historic buildings. This is what makes Sunila different from many architectural destinations: you do not simply look at Aalto's architecture – you experience it as part of everyday life.
Can you stay in Aalto's architectural environment?
Yes – and this is what makes Aalto-Sunila Apartments particularly special.
Guests can stay in historic Sunila and experience its architecture from within, at their own pace and in an authentic residential setting.Can visitors enter private Aalto homes?
Some buildings are private homes. During special events, however, selected private homes are occasionally opened to the public.
Even without a guided visit, you can explore Sunila on foot and experience the relationship between its buildings, landscape and nature.What is the best way to experience Sunila?
Give yourself time.
Walk through the forest, notice the architectural details, pause and take in the landscape. Sunila is not a place to rush through – it is a place to experience gradually.Why stay at Aalto-Sunila Apartments?
Because here you do not simply visit Aalto's architecture – you can live within it.
Aalto-Sunila Apartments offers a rare opportunity to experience Sunila, part of the UNESCO World Heritage property Aalto Works, as a living environment where architecture, nature and everyday life come together.
Sunilan Aalto-kodit 2024
Sunilan Aalto-kodit 2023
