Turku

Modern, lively Turku is worth a trip, especially in summer, when events and festivals draw thousands of visitors to the city.

Beyond that, the popular city on the Aurajoki river offers plenty of Finnish history and good food. A vacation in Finland's oldest city is a fine way to get to know this pretty spot on the Finnish archipelago coast.

About the city

Turku, the oldest city in Finland, has been on the map since 1229. It sits on the country's southwest coast, right on the Aurajoki river. From Helsinki, the Finnish capital, the train takes just under two hours.

The city is best known for its castle, which houses a history museum, its cathedral with a royal burial site and a museum, and the old market square lined with grand buildings.

Not least because of all this, Turku was even named European Capital of Culture for 2011, together with the Estonian city of Tallinn.

Turku Cathedral, the city's landmark

Right in the city center, next to the river and prettily surrounded by trees, is Turku Cathedral, known far beyond the city limits.

The city's most famous landmark is also Finland's national shrine and has witnessed many of the big moments in Finnish history.

The cathedral is considered Finland's oldest surviving church. It is also the main church of the Evangelical Lutheran Christians in Finland and the seat of the Archbishop of Turku.

The side chapels, built in the Middle Ages, hold the graves of many important figures from Finnish history.

More sights you shouldn't miss

Besides the landmark cathedral, Turku has several other places worth seeing for their culture and history.

Turku Castle, Turun Linna

Turku Castle was built in the late 13th century and is one of the largest surviving medieval castles in Finland.

No surprise, then, that it is one of the country's most popular tourist attractions. The ornate banquet hall and the two dungeons are especially worth a look.

Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova museum

Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova is a museum of history and contemporary art.

Visitors get to explore Finland's medieval history and culture through a well-made mix of old and new. On top of that, the museum café Aula serves a tasty jazz brunch every Saturday.

The Pharmacy Museum & Qwensel House

The Qwensel House was built in 1700, which makes it the oldest surviving wooden house in town. It is divided into the Pharmacy Museum and the pharmacist's former private quarters.

Exhibits more than 200 years old and the original laboratory and pharmacy rooms give visitors a look into the history of Finnish medicine. The 18th-century living quarters show how people lived back then.

Luostarinmäki open-air museum

How did Finns actually live in the old days? What did their houses look like? What did they wear and what did they eat?

Visitors find the answers to these and a few other questions at the Luostarinmäki open-air museum.

The handicrafts museum sits in the middle of a district of wooden houses. It is the only part of town that was spared by the great fire of 1827.

That is why the houses, some of which date from the 18th century, are in their original condition and in the same spots as back then.

With more than 30 workshops and studios, the museum shows the town's craft history and the houses the craftsmen lived in.

Forum Marinum maritime museum

The Forum Marinum sits right on the bank of the Aurajoki and covers, across 850 square meters, the history of the Finnish navy and of Finland's maritime trade, among other things.

A number of different ships are moored along the riverbank, a real treat for anyone who loves ships and seafaring.

Turku for foodies

Turku has long been considered a foodie destination. There is a wide choice of restaurants for every budget and taste, and some have become well known and very popular.

One example is MAMI, which ranks among the best restaurants in the country and is famous for its European and Scandinavian cooking. The regional fish here is especially good.

Things to do in the city

Once you have had your fill of history, Turku still has plenty more to see.

The market hall

A walk through Turku isn't complete without a stop at the popular market hall on Eerikinkatu.

It is always cheerfully busy here, and the roughly forty stalls sell traditional Finnish foods and regional specialties. The best way to soak up the atmosphere is over a cup of coffee.

The lively city center

A stroll through the busy city center takes you past historic buildings and pretty little cafés.

The shopping streets with their creative shops tempt you into more than just window shopping, and the many restaurants invite you to linger and try something new.

Districts of old wooden houses

With so much forest in Finland, building houses from wood was the obvious choice in earlier times. Many Finnish cities still have entire districts of these well-preserved wooden houses, each with a charm of its own.

Turku is no exception. The Port Arthur district is a well-preserved wooden-house quarter from the 19th century, and also one of the most expensive residential areas in town.

Seikkailupuisto adventure park

For families with children, a detour to the Seikkailupuisto adventure park in the Kupittaa district is a must. It has several freely accessible playgrounds for children between 2 and 10.

Day trips in the surrounding area

There is plenty to do around Turku too, whether on the water, on foot or by bike.

A ride on the Föli Water Bus

The Föli Water Bus, which by the way is not a bus but a ferry, lets you admire Turku from the water.

The trip along the Aurajoki starts at Martinsilta in the center of Turku and ends about 30 to 40 minutes later on the island of Ruissalo. The ferry runs from late May to mid-August.

Walking on Ruissalo island

Ruissalo is a peninsula near Turku, roughly 8 kilometers long and connected to the mainland by bridges. Along with a golf course, a bathing beach and a campsite, it offers plenty of opportunities for walking.

There are some lovely marked trails, partly through the woods. Unfortunately the signs are only in Finnish or Swedish.

You can't really get lost here, though. Either way, Ruissalo is a good place for a little break in nature when you need some distance from the city.

The Archipelago Trail

The Archipelago Trail is one of the most popular tourist routes in Finland. You can do it by car, motorbike or bicycle, though most visitors prefer the bike for the full nature experience.

The route is a network of different roads and paths linked by ferries. Along the way, the scenery keeps changing, from bare rocky terrain to lush green meadows.

Starting from Turku, the complete route covers about 200 kilometers, but you can also ride individual sections.

Beginners will enjoy the Archipelago Trail too, since there are plenty of chances to take a break, and you have to get off the bike for the ferry crossings anyway.

Popular events in Turku

Summer in Turku is also festival season. The whole city joins in, with plenty of partying and dancing at various events.

On the last weekend of June, the annual medieval market takes over the market square. The medieval atmosphere promises visitors a trip back to the "good old days".

In July, the popular Food & Wine Festival brings eating, drinking and celebrating.

Music matters in Turku. Mainly in summer, there are several music festivals for every taste.

The city's classical music festival, the Turku Jazz Festival and the legendary Ruisrock together draw tens of thousands of music fans to the city every year.

Where to stay in Turku

There is a wide range of places to stay here. Whether you want a comfortable hotel, an affordable B&B or a vacation home of your own, everyone can pick the accommodation that suits their personal taste.

Getting to Turku

• By plane: Flying is the fastest way to reach Turku. You can fly from Frankfurt to Helsinki, for example.
  Once in Finland, board the bus right at Helsinki Airport; it runs directly to Turku.

• By car: If you want to be more mobile once you arrive, traveling with your own car by sea is a good option. You can take the ferry from Travemünde to Helsinki.
  The ferry leaves Germany at 3:00 in the morning and docks in Helsinki about 27 hours later. With Viking Line or Silja Line you can also reach Turku across the archipelago by ferry from Stockholm in Sweden.

Conclusion

Turku works wonderfully for a city break with good day-trip options nearby. In summer especially, the many festivals draw big crowds. The food alone makes the city worth a visit too.

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