Turku · With kids

A stone castle at the river mouth with towers, dungeons and dressing-up rooms. Rewarding from about five; allow two hours and take the bus back.

At Naantali, twenty minutes west, open through the summer. It is a walk-through storybook rather than a ride park — perfect for two to eight, dull for teenagers.

Sandy and shallow at the tip of Ruissalo island, with pine woods behind and a bus from the centre. Busy in July, empty otherwise.

A maritime museum with real ships moored outside, including a barque and a minelayer you can board in summer. Good for six upwards.

The Föri crossing entertains toddlers indefinitely at no cost, prams travel free on Föli buses, and the archipelago ring road makes a slow ferry-hopping day.