The ancient city of Turku was once the capital of Finland, and a place that brims rich with history. It remains today in all of its quaint glory: River Aura winds lazily through its heart; All around, the atmospheric streets are lined with cobblestone. The oldest city in Finland is not only home to a medieval castle, but also a grand cathedral as well as numerous art museums and galleries. Here are some things you absolutely have to do while in Turku.
Admire the Exhibits of Turku Art Museum
The historic city of Turku is also known under a second name. Affectionately dubbed the “Paris of Finland”, there’s a building in Turku that could very well be the local Louvre. The Turku Art Museum is housed in an impressive 20th-century granite palace designed by famed Finnish architect Professor Gustaf Nyström, and was established in 1904. The building was specifically built to display art, and today, it is home to an expansive collection of over 6,000 artworks, making it a national treasure. Exhibits are largely constituted by works from the Golden Age of Finnish Art (1870 to 1920), contemporary pieces in surrealism and modern pop art. Stroll along the corridors and admire countless pieces of Nordic Art, then make sure to drop by Café Victor on site for a cuppa and pastries, or take your pick from their rotating lunch menu; Complete with picturesque terrace views, one can watch the city buzz quietly on below.
Go Cafe Hopping
The Finnish people take two things very seriously: saunas and coffee. Since the city of Tampere has snagged its title as Finland’s Sauna Capital, it’s only well-deserved that Turku is designated Finland’s Coffee Capital. All around the city, quirky cafés and snug coffee shops abound; The average Finn consumes 2.64 cups of coffee a day, and being visitors, it’s no surprise that one would eventually gravitate towards that count (if they haven’t already, that is). As you while your afternoon away tucked in the corner of a quaint café, you’ll definitely want to know that many of the cafés practice something known as santsikuppi: Purchasing a cup of filtered coffee will entitle you to a second refill at no charge — you have absolutely no excuse not to extend your coffee break. Don’t forget to grab yourself a pastry or a pulla, a traditional Finnish sweet bread that’s the perfect coffee accompaniment.
Sample Local Fare at Turku Market Hall
For authentic Scandinavian fare with a touch of flair, head down to Turku Market Hall. Established in 1896, Turku Market Hall operates as the second oldest market hall in Finland — naturally, that makes it a tourist favourite, and for good reason. Market halls make up a large slice of Finnish culture, alongside saunas, and there’s no better place to explore local cuisine in Turku than at Turku Market Hall: A classic must-try is a hearty bowl of traditional salmon soup served with a slice of freshly baked rye bread. Still feeling peckish? Peruse the numerous other stalls offering up nearly everything from fresh produce and cheese to sushi and pastries. Even if you’re looking for a quick bite, you’ll find that there’s something for every kind of visitor here; Although, as a general rule of thumb: visit with an empty stomach.
Stroll Along River Aura
Lovers of the free-and-easy travel style will want to try this. Turku is extremely walkable, and following the wind of River Aura through this charming city will bring one past just about every attraction of interest to the average tourist. Setting a pace that’s comfortable for you, pick a starting point — Turku Castle and Turku Cathedral sit at opposite ends of the river — then spend a lazy day walking along the riverbanks: You’ll pass by the Old Great Square, the City Library, a handful of art museums and an abundance of cafés. It makes for a stress-free itinerary and also allows you the flexibility of choosing which attraction you’d rather spend more time at. The bonus: You don’t have to worry about transport between locations, and whenever you feel like it, pop by one of the many cafés for a break.
Visit Turku Castle
While the Great Fire of Turku ran most of the city to the ground in 1827, one structure was gloriously spared and has since remained Turku’s pride and joy: The fortress of Turku Castle dates back to the 1280s, and is one of the three remaining castles of Finland. It also holds the title of being the largest surviving medieval building in the country. It’s perched at the edge of River Aura like a magnificent beacon, and well-known as a tourist favourite. Inside, the castle brims with Scandinavian history; Its whitewashed walls and cobblestone corridors are lined with dozens of spaces — huge chambers, small rooms and exhibitions documenting the history of the castle and Turku. Take your time exploring the castle’s stunning halls; For your weary feet, wander out to the castle’s expansive courtyard and into the coffee shop on site.
Perched on the southwest coast of Finland and chocked full of remnant, old-world charm, Turku exudes a laid-back atmosphere and boasts captivating views — it truly is a city that you’ll never really forget.
