Turku and the archipelago

Turku is the oldest city and former capital of Finland. It offers amazing opportunities to enjoy culture, history, diverse services, and devastating food experiences. The river Aurajoki is the heart of Turku. From the mouth of the river starts an archipelago of 40 000 islands and islets. It is also known as one of the most beautiful archipelagos in the world. The archipelago is perfect for daytrips or a few days for an island hopping to experience the idyllic towns. Feel and admire the beauty of its nature.
Related destinations

Destinations: Turku and the archipelago

Turku
Turku is located in the region of Southwest Finland and it is one of Finland's biggest cities.Turku is the oldest city of Finland and was founded in 1229. Turku has a compact size, perfect for exploring the exciting mixture of old and new. Several fascinating and interesting places to visit - Turku offers culture, history, art and fun attractions.

Turku

Teijon National Park

Teijon National Park

Salo
Salo is an idyllic small city, filled with exciting experiences, and a gateway to the archipelago, situated in southwest Finland only an hour and a half’s drive from Helsinki. Our highlights are Teijo National Park and the 3 surrounding Teijo Ironwork Villages. The surroundings of the Teijo ironworks villages offer a wealth of experiential recreation all year round. The maritime nature creates a spectacular setting for active holidays, and the idyllic ironworks villages of Mathildedal, Teijo and Kirjakkala take you on a fascinating journey.

Salo

Kasnäs
It is easy to enjoy yourself in the middle of the archipelago. Kasnäs is the place where the road ends and where the sea begins. The headland is a natural knotish area for those traveling to the outer archipelago, as well as for those who want to enjoy the many services of the place. A lover of archipelago views will never get tired of the scenery of the Archipelago Sea that opens from the western cliffs.

Kasnäs

Kimitoön
Kimitoön is Finland’s largest coastal island and the gate to the world’s largest archipelago, the Archipelago Sea, with its 40.000 islands. The area offers rich archipelago culture, scenic nature, silence and wildlife. The Örö fortress island, Nordic countries’ tallest and most majestic lighthouse Bengtskär, the Dalsbruk ironworks & harbour village and the Rosala Viking Center belong to the best known attractions of the area. The wilderness of the Archipelago Sea National Park is a stunning area for nature lovers.

Kimitoön

Korppoo
The big sea area that Korpo consists of has been and still is today an important working field for the inhabitants on Korpo. Especially fishing and maritime transport are important industries.

Korppoo

Mathildedal
Mathildedal Ironworks - An artesan Village, the Mathildedal Ironworks village next to Teijo National Park exudes a good-natured village atmosphere: red soil houses, ironworks, history, shops, unique taste experiences, handicrafts not found anywhere else and wonderful nature.

Mathildedal

Nagu
Nagu is a charming and lively archipelago community, there lives about 1500 inhabitants all year round but during the summer this number increases a lot because of all the summer guests that come to Nagu. Nagu consists of two main islands, Storlandet and Lillandet, and of the unique archipelago with its 3000 islands, islets and skerries.

Nagu

Parainen
Parainen offers unique experiences in the Finnish Archipelago, right next to the cities of Turku and Naantali. We have interesting routes for hiking and cycling, like The Archipelago Trail and St. Olav Waterway, a new pilgrimage route, island hopping possibilities and much more.

Parainen

Pori
Pori is a place where you will find opportunities to relax in the peace and quiet of nature by the sea and the river and experience also a cosy citylife. The Nordic region's #1 beach, Yyteri at the Finnish Archipelago, and the summer oasis of Kirjurinluoto in the city centre offer unforgettable shared moments for children and adults alike. In Pori, you will also find a local attitude characterised by determination, a unique culture and wonderful summer events such as the Pori Jazz Festival and SuomiAreena public debate forum.

Pori

Rauma
Rauma is a city with two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Old Rauma and Sammallahdenmäki burial cairns area. Rauma is one of the oldest cities in Finland and it has managed to maintain its charm and uniqueness over the years. The vibrant seaside city is known for bobbin lace and strong local identity. Since 1971 Rauma Lace Week is held in every July.

Rauma

Uusikaupunki
The beautiful seaside town of Uusikaupunki has a southern European feel to it. Experience centuries of history and the wonders of the archipelago in a safe setting.

Uusikaupunki

Rymättylä
Rymättylä allows you to enjoy the beauty of the archipelago by car, bicycle, motorbike and boat. You can also admire the scenery from the lookout tower on Karhuvuori in Aasla. Shops and other services are found in the centre of the village. The central market square hosts a market on summer Saturdays. Take a dip in the sea at Kirkkolahti beach, which also has a playground with climbing frames.

Rymättylä

Dalsbruk
The diverse ironworks village of Taalintehdas has many faces. If you miss the hustle and bustle of people, visit the market on summer Wednesdays or Saturdays. If you enjoy the outdoors, walk along the long trees over the bog of Lilla Masugnsträsket Lake and continue to the Senatsberget observation tower. Local humor thrives in the name of the village’s historic buildings.

Dalsbruk

Rosala
Two beautiful islands in the outer archipelago connected by a small bridge and a common history. The Vikings sailed here on Idäntie, which is an ancient trade route. Today, also along the road, you can get to the market place from the Viking-era. Hiittinen Church is one of the oldest and most beautiful wooden churches in Finland with its surrounding stone walls, and is definitely worth a visit. The perfect destination to connect into the *Coastal Route*: beach at Hittite and cycle 9 km to Rosala or vice versa!

Rosala

Bengtskär
Finland's southernmost tourist destination: the tallest lighthouse in the Nordic region with its dramatic history, surrounded by beautiful nature. Here the sea meets the sky. A rugged granite lighthouse looks far over the sea. The atmosphere upstairs in the lighthouse tower is unique and worth visiting on site. In Bengtskär, visitors are served by a café serving archipelago flavors, a souvenir shop and a lighthouse chapel. Alternatively stay at the lighthouse for a longer time, there is an accommodation and meeting facilities and a sauna!

Bengtskär

Houtskär
Houtskär is a part of the Archipelago Biosphere Reserve and a part of Houtskär is in the Archipelago Sea National Park area.

Houtskär

Iniö
Iniö is a small municipality, but it has a shore line of 700 kilometers in length. Iniö also consists of over 1000 islets and skerries and out of all these islets only 10 are inhabited all year round. Iniö has 194 inhabitants but in the summer this number multiplies. Summer is peak season, that is when you get to enjoy the beautiful shimmering sea and the shining sun, but also spring, autumn and winter has its charm out in the archipelago.

Iniö

Kustavi
Kustavi is a popular and lively place offering several places to visit and see in southwest Finland. The destination offers great services for groups or individual travellers. In Kustavi you can feel the nature of Archipelago.

Kustavi

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Related Routes

Shiny yellow car ferries and smaller blue and white passenger ferries, fantastic views from bridges and causeways, cute red wooden buildings, marinas brimming with sailing boats, these are all memories you will take home from The Archipelago Trail. The sea is never far away in one of the world’s most beautiful archipelagos. You will visit most of the major islands in the archipelago. Each island has its own special charm. The route meanders through historic villages where you can find plenty of things to do during the summer. (test)

Archipelago Trail route by bike

2 - 5 days

The Small Archipelago Trail is a shorter option of the main Archipelago Trail. It turns off the large trail in Nagu where you take a ferry via the remarkable Seili Island directly to Hanka in Naantali. The Small Archipelago Trail is a roundtrip that is about 120 km. The route runs through five towns, fifteen permanently inhabited islands and some smaller uninhabited islands. By cycling around the Small Archipelago Trail by bike you get flexibile during the whole way you can enjoy unbelievable sceneries Availability until 29.08.2021

Small Archipelago Trail

2 - 5 days

You can start this themed route either from the end or as mentioned, whatever fits your own schedule. The journey takes place from Noormarkku ironworks, through the villages of Leineperi, Kauttua, Teijo to Taalintehdas. The distance in one direction is about 260 km when following the straightest road. There are many cafés and restaurants along the ironwork routes, where you can sample locally produced delicacies. Historic ironworks environments and local food go well together.

Ironworks Roundtrip

3 - 5 days

Bicycle along the Finnish coastline and in the Finnish archipelago through amazing seaside landscapes. You will pass beautiful sceneries, forests, lakes, coastal beaches and small idyllic villages. You stay overnight in small hotels and B&Bs and relax yourself in Finnish saunas. Enjoy local fresh food and delicacies in the cafeterias and restaurants along the route.

Coastal route by bike

3 - 6 days

In the archipelago and the coastal area can be found something to do also for the youngest members of the family, not forgetting the parents. This route for families covers the areas of Southwest Finland and Satakunta. You can go through all the destinations or choose the ones you like best ort fit to your schedule. The route can also be done in any order. Highlights include Moomin World in Naantali, Koivuniemi Lord's MuuMaa Merikarvia, Rosala Viking Center and various activity parks in both Pori Yyteri and Turku.

Archipelago Family Trip

2 - 5 days

You will face the seaside nature and cultural encounters just by the water. Combining nature destinations and city experiences you will get most out of your journey. Every place you visit offers you options for local restaurants and cafés. In Turku and Rauma you can visit and learn about maritime culture and history in exhibitions.

Seaside experiences at the Finnish Archipelago

3 - 6 days