Things to see and do Turku

Craft Museum or Luostarinmäki. In 1827, the town was almost completely destroyed by fire with 2,500 houses going up in smoke. Only a modest craftsmen's quarter on the Luostarinmäki hill was spared, which has since been converted into an open-air museum and has been a national heritage site since 1940. More than 30 workshops with their signs, furniture and tools are perfectly preserved there. The whole village offers a vivid picture of the customs and shops of the 18th and 19th centuries. In summer, folk dances and concerts.

Aboa Vetus (literally "Old Turku" in Swedish) is an ingenious and relevant portrayal of a medieval district. Renovation work in the early 1990s uncovered period streets and the foundations of medieval houses. A successful reconstruction that plunges us into the everyday world of the inhabitants. Opened in 1995, the museum is still evolving as excavations continue. The Ars Nova focuses on contemporary art.

The oldest building in the city of Turku is the seat of the evangelical archbishopric. Its construction, begun in 1280, was not completed until 200 years later. Originally it was built only of wood. For centuries it was one of the most important places of northern Christianity, together with Lund, Nidaros and Roskilde. At the time, it radiated on the terra incognita that was, beyond Turku, the immense Finnish territory covered with lakes and forests: from Lapland to the Russian Orthodox border. The cathedral houses a monument to the Finnish reformer and Luther disciple Michael Agricola, who later became Bishop of Turku. It was he who made Finnish a written language when it was only spoken. Today the organ concerts are impressive, don't hesitate to ask at the tourist office for the dates. The whole cathedral quarter is a magnificent neoclassical ensemble. The most imposing of its buildings, the former Academy, has a superb village hall with granite columns. The Turku Academy was for a long time the only relay of European humanism in Finland, until the change of capital in 1812 on the orders of the Russian Tsar Alexander I. From the heights of the city, there is a beautiful view of the Aurajoki River and its banks, which border the Sibelius Museum, the cultural centre, the library and the municipal theatre. The cathedral is considered one of the most remarkable historical monuments of the country.

Inaugurated in 2005, Turku's magnificent ecumenical chapel is located in the Hirvensaloet district and was designed by Matti Sanaksenaho. The altarpiece, doors and pews are the work of Kain Tapper while the stained glass windows were painted by Hannu Konola. Initially built for patients of the nearby hospital, it eventually became ecumenical. Thus, Lutherans, Catholics, Orthodox, Adventists, Baptists, Methodists, Pentecostals, the Free Church and the Salvation Army can use it. Art exhibitions, concerts and other events.

Guides who speak all languages are available through this association if you wish to take a walking tour. Ask at the tourist office, and they'll organize a tour with one of the English-speaking guides. We recommend Anu Salminen, who speaks perfect French, knows Turku by heart and, as her husband is a pastor, will teach you a lot about the religious history of the city (and of Finland in general).

In a bourgeois house built in 1700, a pharmacy preserved in its original state was set up in part of the building in the 19th century with two period laboratories. It is the oldest pharmacy in Finland and well worth a visit. At the same place, there is also the Qwensel House Museum. In it you can follow the history of the family of Joseph Pipping, a professor of medicine who lived in the building in the 18th century.

The desire of Consul Alfred Jacobsson and his wife Hélène to preserve their home in its original state to illustrate the life of the upper classes in Turku a century ago led to the creation of the very special Ett Hem Museum. One will appreciate the refined and original painted wooden furniture, typical of the region. The museum's collection also includes books by artists and sculptors of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as well as objects typical of the bourgeois interiors of the time.

One of the liveliest museums in Turku. It houses more than 700 instruments (16th-20th centuries), including some rare pieces and important archives of the great composer Sibelius, who has a whole section devoted to his work. The aim of the museum is to bring to life the history of Finnish music from the 18th century to the present day. For music lovers, this is the most comprehensive museum in the country! The advantages: concerts are given in a room with acoustics that are necessarily excellent for such a place (tickets from 4 € to 8 €).

An imposing building in the purest Art Nouveau style (1904) stands high above Vartiovuori Park. The first floor is devoted to temporary exhibitions featuring Finnish artists. Upstairs, it's more classical, with collections representing Finland's golden age in the ^19th and ^20th centuries, with works by Aleksis Gallèn-Kallela, Hugo Simberg, Wainö Aaltonen, and more contemporary artists such as Ellen Thesleff and Helena Schjerfbeck...

Turunlinna Castle was built in 1280 to defend the Hanseatic city of Turku. It is one of Finland's most important historical monuments. The passages, halls and chapels of the main castle bear witness to the fascinating history of Turku, Finland, Sweden and other Nordic countries.

The castle church dates back to the early ^18th century.

The powerful grey granite structure comprises two main buildings joined by two massive towers. On view is a large exhibition on the castle's chronology through the centuries, featuring medieval sculptures in the nuns' chapel and the Sturen church, royal visits, court pomp, the prison... Since 1881, the castle's secondary enclosure has housed a museum devoted to the history of the town and to popular arts and traditions between the ^17th and ^19th centuries. Also worth seeing is the collection of weapons and jewelry, as well as a series of beautiful period garments. Allow at least 2 hours for your visit, as the castle is huge (but you won't get lost, as many guides in medieval dress are on hand to help you). Children are not forgotten during the visit, with disguises available for them to play the squire. To better understand the history of the site and the town, we still recommend that you take the tour with a recommended guide. Audioguide in French (via smartphone). Temporary exhibitions. Café-restaurant on site.

Dating back to 1896, it features some 70 stalls selling fish, meats, cheeses, fruit and vegetables, pastries, ecological products and souvenirs. There are also numerous restaurants offering both international and Finnish cuisine. Among them, special mentions to Jascal TMII (Korean cuisine), Roots Kitchen (vegetarian cuisine) and Aschan (for its train carriages where you can sit and eat)! Ideal for a 100% local meal!

A slightly hidden tourist office, at the back of Turku's transport office (take a ticket from the machine at the entrance and wait to be called - it doesn't take long!). The friendly staff have a good stock of English-language documents, maps and other recommendations to help you organize your stay in Turku. Don't hesitate to ask their advice, especially on the best ways to get around and organize your stay. You can also buy the ritual local maps (transport and museums).

Aboard Finland's only remaining steamboat, you can explore the old town of Naantali (World of the Millennials, Ruissalo Island and Airisto). On beautiful summer evenings, you can also take part in a dinner and dance cruise to Loistokari Island. Night cruises in the middle of the summer are the best way to take full advantage of the long days, the scenery, the mild temperatures... We recommend it!

The black sailing ship, the Sigyn, launched in 1887 in Gothenburg, was bought by Finland in 1927. It is the only cargo ship with wooden sails (oak and pine) still in existence. Other ships are to be seen, such as the Suomen Joutsen (literally the "Swan of Finland"). This ship came out in 1902 from the French shipyards of Saint-Nazaire under the name of Laennec. After having circumnavigated the world 9 times, she was used as a training ship for future sailors.

Built below the large 1861 Samppalinna windmill (one of Turku's most typical sights) and surrounded by greenery. A modern white stone building presenting a panorama of various trends in contemporary painting and architecture. The national figure of sculptor Aaltonen (1894-1966) dominates the ensemble. In particular, he celebrated in stone the patriots and heroes of the young, independent Finland (see the statue of the national sportsman, Paavo Nurmi, in Helsinki or The Wooden Floaters in Tampere).

The Archipelago Trail (literally saariston rengastie) is a sumptuous patchwork of thousands of islands! This 230 km loop around the archipelago begins and ends in Turku. It will take you through magnificent natural and cultural landscapes where you will encounter 12 bridges, 9 ferries and numerous parishes.
By car, you can certainly cover the road in one day, but why hurry? Biking and hiking are great options for discovering the region at your own pace!

Would you like to enjoy a breath of fresh air and nature during your stay in Turku, by visiting a national park that's easily accessible without a car? Then go to Kurjenrahka National Park! A favorite with locals, this park offers everything you'd expect from such a place: long, beautiful hikes, accommodation and a plethora of seasonal activities. If you're here for just a day, there are five circuits (from 1 to 30 kilometers) to choose from.

If you like to discover a city through its architecture, then you'll love our ArchitecTOUR walks. These three circuits (each around three kilometers long) will allow you to admire Turku's history from building to building, on either side of the river. Easily interchangeable, you can combine them into one long walk. All departing from the center, they're ideal for a first approach or to keep you busy for a few hours!