Things to Do in Turku

1. Revisit the past of the city at Luostarinmäki Handicrafts Museum: One of the best things to do in Turku, Finland, is visiting the Luostarinmäki Handicrafts Museum that features collections of local artisans' incredible works. It was an old quarter in the past, but now it has been transformed into a handicraft museum. A celebration called the Handicraft Days is held in August, wherein local artists gather to display their art form. You can also buy souvenirs for your friends and family members from the museum shop.

Location:Vartiovuorenkatu 2, 20101 Turku, Finland
Price:8 EUR per person
Timings:10 am - 6 pm

2. Soak in the beauty of Ispoinen Beach: Whether you prefer deserted shorelines, postcard-perfect sceneries, or beautiful sunset views, Ispoinen Beach will fulfill all your fancies. The beach sparkles with shallow emerald waters under the sun against the huge boulders. In summers, you'll find a kiosk selling cold drinks, coffee, ice-cream, etc. There is also a playground for the kids located on its shoreline where they can play fun games. Winter swimming in Ispoinen Beach is considered as one of the best Turku things to do due to its warm water and low currents.

Location:Rykmentintie 51, Turku 20880 Finland

3. Explore Turku Cathedral: If you're looking for the best things to do in Turku, Finland, you should definitely explore Turku Cathedral, the seat of Finland's Archbishop. This is a thirteenth-century cathedral that is considered the epicenter of the annual Christmas celebration in Finland. The famous historical figure buried at this cathedral is Karin Månsdotter, the sixteenth-century Queen of Sweden. It has public toilets, beautiful lights, sprinkler systems, breathtaking artwork, and so on. There is a museum in the southern gallery of the church that tells about church life.

Location:Tuomiokirkonkatu 1, Turku 20500 Finland
Timings:09:00 am - 06:00 pm

4. Get a taste of village life at Kuralan kylämäki: One of the best things to do in Turku is visiting Kuralan kylämäki, which is one of the best recreational centers in Turku. It has been recreated like a 1950s village in which various actors in costume give you a feel as if you're in the post-war era. It is also considered to be one of the best places to have a picnic with your family. There is a working farm here, with sheep, cows, chickens, and other animals. You can enjoy lip-smacking delicacies at the café and learn about the history of Turku by attending the archaeological workshop.

Location:Kalastajankatu 4, Turku, FI-20101, Finland
Timings:10:00 am - 06:00 pm

5. Have limitless fun at Flowpark: If you're looking for the best Turku things to do, you must visit Flowpark, a popular ecological adventure park. It has a variety of swings, monkey bars, rope bridges, cable slides, and lane jumps. Adventure trails have been beautifully built on living trees without harming them. If you're a climber, you're in for a treat as it has both tough and lighter courses that will develop your kids' self-confidence and give the entire family something different to do on your holiday.

Location:Skanssinkatu 10, Turku, 20730
Price:€23 per person
Timings:10:00 am - 08:00 pm

6. Visit Kupittaa Park: One of the best things to do in Turku is visiting Kupittaa Park, the largest urban park in Finland. It has everything ranging from running trails to grassy areas where you can have picnics and sunbathe, and a small skating area. You can also witness here a wide variety of birds like parrots, mourning doves, and cuckoo. Daily events are also organized here to keep your little ones engaged during their trip.

Price:€23 per person
Timings:04:00 am - 08:00 pm

7. Witness various art forms at Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova: Trace Turku's rich history by visiting Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova, two museums in one place in a building named Rettig Palace. Aboa Vetus features archeological finds dating back to medieval times, Ars Nova, on the other hand, exhibits contemporary arts from both international and local artists. You'll find here a shop with an extensive collection of souvenirs, and a cafe, where you can dine after exploring the property.

Location:Itäinen Rantakatu 4-6, 20700 Turku, Finland
Price:5 EUR per person
Timings:11 am – 7 pm

8. Explore Old Great Square: One of the most interesting things to do in Turku is walking through the Old Great Square, a scenic park surrounded by magnificent buildings like Turku Cathedral. The cobbled streets will recite stories about modern and medieval times and various transformation stages Turku went through. It is also known as a debate, public execution, and meeting place where people gather to attend gruesome events. The area is known to be home to fairs and cultural events and is also an important trading place.

Location:Vanha Suurtori 3, 20500 Turku, Finland
Timings:10 am – 6 pm

1. Enjoy a gastronomic food tour: One of the best things to do in Turku at night is enjoying a gastronomic food tour where a guide will accompany you telling you more about the local cuisines and food choices of Turku people. You will stop at various food joints relishing delicious cuisines and refreshing drinks.

2. Dance at Dynamo: If you want to experience the real party vibes in Turku, you must visit Dynamo that seems to be an absolute magnet for hipsters. It has a dance floor where you can dance endlessly while enjoying refreshing drinks.

3. Watch a show at Åbo Svenska Theater: End your search for the best things to do in Turku during the wee hours by visiting Åbo Svenska Theater, a popular venue for high-end theater shows. If you want to know how the scenes are shot in the theatre, you can also join their guided tours.

1. Hike around Savojärvi: Hiking around Savojärvi is considered one of the best things to do in Turku for adventure enthusiasts. The trail is about seven kilometers long, and you'll learn about the history, nature, and animals of the area during the trekking expedition.

2. Kayaking at Vepsa Island: Paddle like a pro at the beautiful beaches of Vespa Island that have rich marine life and no coral reefs. While skimming across the water in a kayak, you'll also be able to appreciate the breathtaking scenery making it one of the best Turku things to do. Thanks to the crystal clear water, you can spot marine animals like moray eels, butterflyfish, angelfish, etc.

3. Horse Riding at stud farm: Horse Riding at a stud farm is considered one of the best things to do in Turku as you get to explore the beautiful countryside while sitting on the back of the Finnish horse. The farm also has award-winning breeding stallions, where you can learn to train horses.

1. Turku Cathedral: One of the best things to do in Turku, Finland, is visiting Turku Cathedral, where annual Christmas celebrations are held.

2. Turku Market Hall: Turku Market Hall has forty-two stores offering scrumptious delicacies both from all around the world. Enjoying a lavish fare at the food stalls here is considered one of the best Turku things to do.

3. Brinkhall Manor: This is a historic manor house known to be the only remaining neoclassical style building in the city.

4. Sibelius Museum: Named after Jean Sibelius, Finnish composer, Sibelius Museum is dedicated to music and features a huge collection of historical musical instruments.

Yes, Turku is absolutely worth visiting as it is the oldest city of Finland and is dotted with various scenic attractions, museums, and cultural hotspots. You can enjoy the wilderness at the national parks, indulge in Turku's culinary treats, and visit the art museums.

- By Air: From India, regular flights fly from Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Chennai to Helsinki. There are flights to Ivalo and Turku from Delhi as well. Alternatively, you can also fly to a European city and connect via another European carrier to Finland if you're looking for a cheaper option.

- By Train: Finland is connected efficiently to neighboring countries like Denmark, Norway, Sweden, etc., and many major European destinations. Valtion Rautatiet is the state-owned network that regularly runs Finnish trains.

- By Air: Finnair airline is the national and international carrier in Finland. Other domestic airlines include Flybe, Airlink, SAS, and Norwegian. The Helsinki-Vantaa Airport receives international flights from all over the globe. Once you reach Finland, you can board a taxi to reach Turku.

December – March (Winter) is considered the best time to visit Turku to enjoy winter sports and attend the Christmas celebration. You can also explore the Christmas markets, see the spectacular phenomenon of Northern Lights, and enjoy sauna and Ice swimming.

Two days are enough to explore Turku. On the first day you can visit Kupittaa Park, Kuralan kylämäki and Flowpark. On the second day, the best things to do in Turku, Finland, are hiking around Savojärvi, exploring Old Great Square, and visiting Turku Cathedral.