Turku

Finland's oldest city and former capital, Turku sits at the mouth of the Turku River with a magnificent medieval castle and vibrant riverside culture. The city is essential for understanding Finnish history and offers excellent museums, restaurants, and a lively student atmosphere.

Things to do

• Turku Castle — Explore Finland's most important medieval fortress, built in the 13th century at the river mouth, with exhibits on Finnish history and royal life.
• Turku Cathedral — Visit the stunning Gothic cathedral from the 14th century, the mother church of the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church and a symbol of the city.
• Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova — Discover underground medieval Turku through archaeological artifacts and contemporary art in this unique museum built partly beneath street level.
• Turku Riverside Walk — Stroll along the picturesque Turku River lined with colorful wooden warehouses converted into restaurants, galleries, and cafés.
• Sibelius Monument — Pay respects at this striking monument dedicated to Finland's most famous composer, Jean Sibelius, set in a peaceful riverside park.
• Moomin Museum — Experience the whimsical world of Tove Jansson's beloved Moomin characters through interactive exhibits and original artwork.

Food to try

• Karelian Pasty (Karjalanpiirakka) — A traditional Finnish savory pastry with a rye crust filled with rice porridge or potato, often served with egg butter, originating from eastern Finland's Karelian region.
• Turku Crepes (Turun Pannukakku) — Fluffy Finnish oven pancakes served with jam and whipped cream, a local specialty found in riverside cafés throughout the city.
• Fresh Baltic Fish — Sample locally caught salmon, pike perch, or herring prepared simply and served at riverside restaurants with traditional Finnish sides.
• Reindeer Stew (Poronkäristys) — Tender sautéed reindeer meat served with lingonberry sauce, mashed potatoes, and pickled cucumber, a beloved Finnish comfort dish.
• Runebakkels — Turku's iconic sweet pastries filled with almond paste and topped with icing, a historical specialty that has been made in the city for centuries.

Local customs & good to know

• Student City Culture — Turku hosts the University of Turku and Åbo Akademi, creating a vibrant youth atmosphere with lively student pubs and events, especially during the spring student festival.
• Bilingual Heritage — Turku has both Finnish and Swedish-speaking communities; you'll see dual-language signage and street names reflecting Finland's historical Swedish influence.
• Coffee Culture — Finns take their coffee seriously with multiple daily breaks; embrace the local custom of kahvi (coffee) at a café as a social ritual, not just caffeine.
• Winter Swimming Tradition — Join locals at designated winter swimming spots in the river during colder months, a Finnish wellness practice taken seriously even in freezing temperatures.