Turku

EUROPE · RIVER & ARCHIPELAGO

Finland's oldest city, a river lined with permanently moored bar-boats, and the gateway to Europe's largest archipelago.

The plan

Turku Castle

A 700-year-old fortress at the river mouth — the country's biggest medieval building.

River boat bars

Old ships permanently moored as pubs; a summer evening institution.

The Archipelago Trail

A 250km loop of islands linked by free ferries — Finland's best road trip, by bike or car.

Turku Cathedral

The mother church of Finland, from the 1300s.

Ruissalo island

Oak woods, a spa and the summer festival site, twenty minutes out.

Fly into

Turku (TKU), or Helsinki (HEL) plus a 2-hour train.

From the airport

Bus 1 runs from the terminal to the market square.

Getting around

Walk the riverbanks; bikes for Ruissalo and the ferries for the archipelago.

Best time to go

Jun–Aug & Dec (Christmas Peace declaration)

Cheapest months

Nov–Mar

Priciest & busiest

Jul & Ruisrock (Jul)

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