How it works
Oulu
Capital of northern Scandinavia
Finland’s fourth largest city Oulu is a gateway to urban culture as well as to the unique nature of the North. The city is located on the shores of the Bay of Bothnia – where modern business and technology meet Northern peace and exoticism.
When strolling around the city, you will soon realise how important role nature and outdoor activities play in Oulu. You can find beautiful parks all around, ski tracks are well maintained in the winter-time and the archipelago nature of the Bothnian Bay is just around the corner. With a ferry ride, you can reach the sand dune island of Hailuoto in the summertime, and in the winter you can experience crossing the frozen sea via an ice road to the island.
Even though Oulu is known for its year-round cyclists (its cycleway network is the most extensive in Finland), everything in the centre is within walking distance. Rotuaari Promenade in downtown Oulu is like an urban living room. A wide variety of high-calibre cafés and restaurants, department stores and boutiques are on offer there.
When strolling around the city, you will soon realise how important role nature and outdoor activities play in Oulu. You can find beautiful parks all around, ski tracks are well maintained in the winter-time and the archipelago nature of the Bothnian Bay is just around the corner. With a ferry ride, you can reach the sand dune island of Hailuoto in the summertime, and in the winter you can experience crossing the frozen sea via an ice road to the island.
Even though Oulu is known for its year-round cyclists (its cycleway network is the most extensive in Finland), everything in the centre is within walking distance. Rotuaari Promenade in downtown Oulu is like an urban living room. A wide variety of high-calibre cafés and restaurants, department stores and boutiques are on offer there.
Juuri sitä parasta
Kohokohtia
Observatory Cafe
History & Architecture
By the bridges of Tuira, you can visit the remains of Oulu Castle, rebuilt in 1605 by decree of Sweden’s King Carl IX. In 1875, the Oulu Marine Institute’s Observatory was built on the rock base of the castle. These days the place is where the Observatory summer café stands. The basement holds a small exhibition about the castle’s history, produced by the Northern Ostrobothnia Museum.
Cathedral
History & Architecture
Oulu Cathedral is an Evangelical Lutheran cathedral and the seat of the Diocese of Oulu, located in the centre of Oulu, Finland. The church was built in 1777 as a tribute to the King of Sweden Gustav III and named after his wife as Sofia Magdalena's church. The wooden structures burned in the large fire of the city of Oulu in 1822. The church was built again on top of the old stone walls with famous architect Carl Ludvig Engel as the designer. The restoration works were completed in 1832, but the belfry was not erected until 1845.
Wooden Town
History & Architecture
An idyllic wooden town, an old industrial milieu and a unique artists’ community await a traveller who crosses the pedestrian bridge at the Market Square. Pikisaari island still has many of its original wooden houses in place. The oldest wooden building in Oulu opens its doors visitors summer in the Seafarer’s Home Museum where you can learn many interesting facts about the lives of seafarers, a once important profession in Oulu.
Nallikari
Beach
Nallikari Beach has something to offer all year round. During the summertime, you can sunbathe, but also do many sports in the surrounding area. In wintertime, you can take a look at the popular snow sculpting competition Nallikari Snow Fest or take a picturesque walk on the ice. Nallikari beach is also a popular place in the city to spot the Northern Lights.
Hailuoto
History & Architecture
Hailuoto is the largest island in the Bothnian Bay. You can get to Hailuoto easily with your own car + ferry or a public bus + ferry. Hailuoto is a great daytrip destination from Oulu. Popular activities on the island are walking, hiking, swimming, bicycle routes, sea kayaking, geocaching, and snowshoeing and cross-country skiing during the winter. The nature of Hailuoto is diverse with it´s sand dune beaches, coastal meadows and cliff lakes constricted from the sea.
Tämä reitti kulkee kohteen läpi
Reitin varrella
Welcome to our customised route, where You will be filled with nature, long walks and wellness! In Finland we have 40 National Parks and this route gives you the opportunity to explore at least 6 of them in one single trip!
5 - 12 days
