Summary
Situated at the point where the River Aura flows into the Archipelago Sea, Turku is Finland’s oldest city and was the inaugural capital of the nation.
Significant national landmarks such as Turku Castle and Turku Cathedral shed light on Finland’s origins, providing insight into how esteemed cultural icons like Jean Sibelius and Wäinö Aaltonen influenced the country during the 20th century.
Moreover, the region is enriched by a multitude of small islands located adjacent to the city.
By utilizing a bicycle, one can engage in an adventurous island-hopping experience, boarding ferries to explore unique communities steeped in various traditions and heritage.
1. Turku Castle
As one of Finland’s most treasured national heritage sites and one of its oldest structures, Turku Castle was constructed in the late 1200s during Sweden’s reign over Finland.
Initially erected for the defense of Eastland, it subsequently fulfilled various functions over the centuries: serving as a royal residence, administrative hub, government seat, warehouse, and a prison until the late 1800s.
Duly renovated in 1987, it currently operates as a museum.
Children can don armor at the Knights’ Hall, and the castle interiors are adorned with period furnishings.
2. Turku Cathedral
This monumental structure serves as the official ecclesiastical seat of the Archbishop of Finland and stands as the nation’s national sanctuary.
The 13th-century cathedral is widely regarded as Finland’s most significant historical edifice.
Originally constructed predominantly from wood, it underwent a complete stone reconstruction in the 1400s.
Notably, it houses the remains of several prominent historical figures, including Karin Månsdotter, the 16th-century Queen of Sweden, whose marble sarcophagus is prominently displayed.
3. Kuralan kylämäki
Located on the eastern outskirts of Turku, Kurala features a reconstructed village from the 1950s, where actors don period clothing to portray life in the post-war era.
This attraction includes an operational farm with livestock such as chickens, sheep, and cows, ensuring an engaging experience for young visitors.
Guests can observe the traditional skills practiced at the blacksmith’s forge or take leisurely walks through the countryside with the hunting bailiff.
Participants are encouraged to engage in activities such as butter churning, hay making, or seed sowing, depending on the season.
This site also holds historical significance, as settlements have existed here since the Iron Age.
4. Forum Marinum Maritime Centre
Situated in Turku’s IX district, this riverside attraction occupies two repurposed government warehouses.
The quay is lined with heritage vessels of various sizes, inviting visitors to explore.
The highlight of the collection is the Sigyn, a three-masted merchant ship constructed in Gothenburg in 1887.
Additionally, there are several Finnish naval ships and a police boat available for exploration.
Within the historical warehouses, visitors can delve into the progression of maritime trade and warfare in Finland, while viewing further historic vessels.
5. Sibeliusmuseum
Finland’s sole music-centric museum, Sibeliusmuseum is housed in a 1960s functionalist building designed by esteemed architect Woldemar Baeckman.
Within, visitors can explore nearly 2,000 musical instruments from around the globe.
One room is dedicated entirely to Jean Sibelius, offering insights into his life, compositions, and his contribution to forging Finland’s national identity post-independence.
During spring and autumn, the museum hosts Wednesday evening concerts featuring genres ranging from folk music to jazz.
6. Ruissalo
Ruissalo Island, characterized by its rugged terrain, is located at the upper end of the Turku estuary.
It has historically been accessible from the mainland and was utilized as a hunting ground for Turku Castle during medieval times.
Later, it became a favored summer retreat for the affluent, resulting in a number of charming villas built in the 1800s.
A bike ride across the Ruissalon puistotie bridge allows for scenic views of Ruissalo’s shoreline, botanical gardens, sandy beaches, and lush oak forests.
For those wishing to extend their stay, accommodations are available within the grand villas.
7. Pharmacy Museum and The Qwensel House
This attraction offers dual significance; the Qwensel House is the oldest wooden structure in Turku, dating back to the early 1700s, during a period when the region relied on a subsistence economy.
Such well-preserved buildings are quite rare in Finland, making it a vital piece of the cultural heritage embodying interiors reminiscent of 200 years ago.
One notable resident was Josef Gustav Pipping, the country’s first professor of surgery, enhancing the relevance of the building’s 19th-century storehouse, now functioning as a pharmacy museum.
The museum features an impressive collection of vials, scales, and various instruments from the 1700s and 1800s.
8. Flowpark
Open during the summer, Flowpark provides an opportunity for both children and adults to engage in outdoor activities within a safe environment.
This eco-adventure park is designed for participants aged seven and above.
Blending harmoniously with the natural setting, the park features a variety of swings, rope bridges, monkey bars, lane jumps, and zip lines.
All guests are equipped with helmets and harnesses to ensure safety during the more challenging activities.
Even seasoned climbers may find several of the courses challenging, while ample opportunities exist for lighter activities that foster self-confidence in children, offering families a unique experience during their visit to Turku.
9. Wäinö Aaltonen Museum of Art
A prominent sculptor throughout the mid-20th century, Wäinö Aaltonen played a critical role in shaping Finnish modern culture in the aftermath of independence, akin to the contributions of Jean Sibelius.
This modern art museum adjacent to the Aura River honors Aaltonen’s legacy and showcases the city of Turku’s expanding art collection, which increases by approximately 60 pieces annually.
Within the galleries, eleven of Aaltonen’s sculptures are prominently featured, in addition to several of his paintings and graphic works, allowing visitors a glimpse into his creative process through preliminary sketches.
Aaltonen also amassed a collection of around 16,000 books during his lifetime, all of which are available for exploration at the museum library.
10. Riverbank dining
If you find yourself feeling hungry, the riverbank in Turku offers a myriad of dining options with various establishments creating a vibrant culinary district.
Notably, a diverse range of cafés and restaurants cater to all preferences and budgets.
For those seeking an introduction to Nordic and Finnish cuisine, Pinella serves exquisite dishes such as pan-fried Arctic char and gravlax.
Alternatively, if you’re in the mood for continental cuisine, Sergio’s, an Italian bistro housed in a historic wooden mansion, provides classic dishes and outdoor seating when the summer weather allows.
11. Turku Archipelago
Where does one begin? The Archipelago Sea adjacent to Turku consists of an astonishing 40,000 islands, many of which are no larger than a tennis court.
The larger islands are readily accessible by a variety of ferries operating continuously.
Numerous islands are interconnected by bridges, making bicycle hire a superb means to navigate and fully appreciate the pristine natural beauty of the archipelago.
For the truly adventurous, the Archipelago Trail presents a designated 250-kilometer cycling route that guides cyclists to islands such as Pargas, Nagu, and Houtskär via a combination of roads and ferry rides.
As you traverse, you will notice that each island has its distinct character, particularly in terms of the prevalent native language, whether Finnish or Swedish.
12. Naantali
Located just 17 kilometers from Turku, this town thrives during the summer months, even hosting the president who resides at the granite Kulturanta manor house in July or August.
Readers familiar with Tove Jansson’s works will appreciate Moomin World, where children can be introduced to these iconic characters.
Moomin World stands out for its absence of mechanical rides, opting instead for themed games and interactive activities centered around beloved figures such as the Groke and the Hattifatteners.
The centerpiece, a five-storey Moomin House, is an authentic representation of the one found within the literature.
13. Turku Events
Many visitors to Turku are surprised by the abundance of events occurring year-round.
However, the vibrant summer season is when activities reach their peak.
Music enthusiasts can select from seven prominent festivals during June, July, and August.
Among these is Ilmiö, a single-day event that showcases over 50 live performances within a 14-hour timeframe.
Ruisrock, celebrated in early July, holds the distinction of being Finland’s oldest rock festival, set against the scenic backdrop of Ruissalo Island.
Recent attendees have included notable artists such as The National, Ozzy Osbourne, and Morrissey.
14. Adventure Park
As the largest urban park in Finland, Kupittaa Park was the first to undergo deliberate landscaping.
The amenities available are remarkable: the park features a Finnish baseball stadium (Pesäpallo), a BMX course, a skate park, two open-air swimming pools, and an ice hockey arena.
If you’re searching for an engaging and active experience for children, Adventure Park is an excellent choice.
This expansive play park has an educational focus, offering opportunities for children to participate in theatre performances, music workshops, splash in a gentle stream, and enjoy inflatable bouncy castles.
15. Föri City Ferry
In the city center, visitors can cross the Aura River for free using this ferry.
Although it is not a major attraction, the crossing only takes a few minutes to traverse the approximately 75 meters between Tervahovinkatu on the east bank and Wechterinkuja on the west side.
Nonetheless, it is an experience worth having when visiting Turku.
The ferry operates year-round, extending its hours during the summer.
During particularly cold winters, an ice bridge is created when the river freezes sufficiently.
