Turku region

Top experiences in Turku

Culture

Turku – the oldest city of Finland and the European Capital of Culture 2011 - has a lot to offer in terms of museums and sights. The easiest way to get to know them, is with the Museum Walk Card, which entitles you to free entry to 12 museums in town!
Do you want to experience the city like locals do? Take a look at the Live like a local – suggestions here: https://www.visitturku.fi/en/livelikealocal
Experience the local culture together with the locals through Doerz!
Grab some fresh delicacies from the Market Hall or Market Square and head for a cruise along the Aura River with a Låna picnic boat. The boats are environmentally friendly since they are powered by electric motors. A wonderful way to experience the city from another perspective!

Outdoors

Visit the island of Ruissalo by bike, car or boat. The island has an unique and beautiful nature perfect for a day spent outdoors. The island also has a fascinating history; Ruissalo was once the hunting island for the court of Turku Castle.
Rent a bike from the Tourist Information Office and make a bike tour along the shores of the Aura River or continue all the way to the breathtakingly beautiful Turku Archipelago with more than 20.000 islands.
Get out of the city hassle and enjoy the pure nature in Kurjenrahka National Park, which is only a mere half an hour’s drive from the city. The national park can also be reached by local buses.
Enjoy the spectacular views along a kayaking tour on the sea surrounded by tens-of-thousands of islands and islets just outside Turku with Aavameri
Jump onboard one of the boats from the Aura River and take a cruise out to the Archipelago! One option is to do a dinner cruise with the old steamship Ukkopekka to the Loistokari Island

Wellbeing

Have you ever tried winter swimming in the sea combined with a Finnish sauna? Just outside Turku on Ruissalo island you have the opportunity to do it!
Relax and pamper yourself at one of the spa hotels in the region!
Be like a genuine Finn and try one of the traditional public saunas in Turku or the Archipelago, for example Forum Sauna. At Herrankukkaro in Turku Archipelago you can also find the world’s biggest smoke sauna! (NB! only for groups)
When you feel like a having refreshing dip in the middle of the city, go enjoy the outdoor pools of the Swimming Stadium on Samppalinna hill

Restaurants & cafes

The culinary scenery in Turku is blooming and new restaurants with talented chefs arise one after another. This is also why the city is gaining reputation as being the Food Capital of Finland. Did you know that Turku even has two own Food Ambassadors? Follow their delicious hints as well as other visitors’ on social media under #eatmyturku
The easiest way to experience the local food culture is with the Food Walk card. Enjoy a scenic route and try some delicious tastes along the way!
A foodie cannot miss the Market Hall – it is over 120 years old and the second oldest of its kind in Finland. Try the local specialties like Archipelago bread and various kinds of fish delicacies. Here you will also find the café Piece of Cake, which is run by Mbakery who von the title of Best Bakery in Finland 2015!
Very special phenomena about Turku is our restaurant boats, which are docked along the shores of the Aura River. Go restaurant boat hopping along the Aura River!
Want to go on a pub tour? This for sure is a good idea when in Turku – in our city can have a local beer in an old school, bank or pharmacy!

Turku in brief

Turku is the oldest town in Finland as well as the second largest and a former capital. Local attractions include the River Aura, which divides the town into two halves, the Turku Castle, the Cathedral and much more. Turku is an important cultural town with a rich history. Naantali near Turku is known as an idyllic waterfront summer town with its picturesque streets of wooden houses. Turku is also the gateway to the world's largest archipelago, the islands are situated west of the coastline between the towns of Hanko and Uusikaupunki.