Turku

The historical city of Turku is located on the southwest coast of Finland and is a unique holiday destination. With fantastic culinary delights, rich culture and walks along the Aura River, Turku is guaranteed to steal your heart!

On Ferryhopper, you can find the best vacation tips for the seaside city of Turku, what to do and see, and how to get there by ferry! Find the crossing that suits you best and book ferry tickets to Turku online!

Sunset view of the majestic Turku Cathedral and the city center

Vacation in Turku

Turku was once the capital of Finland, which explains its historical importance and cultural depth, dating back to the Middle Ages.

By spending a few days in Turku, you can explore beautiful locations on a bicycle, visit unique museums and participate in the city’s sustainable tourism. If you wish to explore the countless islands of the Archipelago of Turku, however, you might need at least 7-10 days to explore some of the best neighboring wonders.

How to get to Turku

Visiting Turku is nothing but smooth sailing. The city is well-connected and has an airport, a port, a bus terminal and three railway stations.

The most exciting way to approach Turku is by ferry, admiring beautiful views of the Finnish Archipelago and its scattered islands. Not only that, but ferry travel is eco-friendly, matching the city’s efforts of sustainability. You can catch a conventional ferry from Stockholm and some of the nearby islands hassle-free. Discover more about ferries to Turku below!

If you wish to arrive by plane, Turku Airport is only 8 km from the city center and is directly connected to a few European cities. Then, you can easily cover the distance by taking the Föli bus.

Lastly, taking the train to Turku is a great option if you’re traveling from Helsinki, the capital of Finland, or Russia.

What to do in Turku

With castle ruins, large fortresses, museums, venues with live music and vintage theaters, Turku has countless tricks up its sleeve! If you wish to combine history and culture with summer cruises, cycling excursions and trips to quaint towns on the coastline, Turku is for you.

The city provides visitors with numerous indoor and outdoor activities that echo the city’s cultural past, all while paving the way for a more sustainable future!

Discover the best of Turku in Finland below, including must-see monuments, entertainment options and culinary delights.

Lush greenery and calm waters at the Archipelago of Turku

Sightseeing and activities in Turku

Every corner of Turku highlights its sophisticated character. As most of the monuments of Turku are within walking (or biking) distance and are close to the city center and the Aura River, sightseeing in Turku is an effortless task. Here are the best sights in Turku:

• The impressive Turku Castle and its museum
• The famous Turku Cathedral
• The Turku Art Museum, with plenty of exhibitions in the middle of the city center
• The Old Great Square, a medieval market square near the Cathedral
• Forum Marinum, the city’s maritime museum

What about activities in Turku? For the adventurous soul, Turku is an ideal place for reconnecting with nature and discovering locations with idyllic landscapes and views. Some of the best activities in Turku are the following:

• Visit Turku’s exciting adventure parks, a great option for families with a children
• Walk along the Aura River
• Go to Ekvalla Beach for a refreshing dive
• Follow one of the numerous cycling routes
• Hike through the island of Ruissalo
• Embark on the Archipelago Trail, a 250-km-long route made for car rides or slow exploration by bike or on foot

Nightlife in Turku

City life in Turku is as diverse during the day as it is at night. There are plenty of bars, restaurants, clubs and pubs scattered around the city of Turku, offering a wide range of nightlife options. There are also multiple venues with live music, concerts and theater plays for more intimate moments.

If you wish to enjoy the calmer side of Turku's nightlife, consider going to Kino Olympia, the country’s southernmost cinema and local hidden gem dating back to 1919.

Strolling along the beautiful Aura River at night

Food in Turku

While Finnish cuisine isn’t among the most famous in the world, it’s a beautiful mix of Scandinavian, European and Russian elements that you must try! From meat-based meals to warm soups and tasty sweets, the delicacies of Turku are mouthwatering!

Here are some Finnish dishes and products to try in Turku:

• Hernekeitto (famous mushy pea soup)
• Lohikeitto (salmon soup)
• Silli (marinated herring)
• Blueberry pie
• Lingonberry pie
• Korvapuusti (cinnamon buns)
• Poronkäristys (sautéed reindeer, usually with mashed potatoes and berry sauce

Tip: if you’re all about food tourism, consider buying a Food Walk card, which gives you access to high-quality dishes and exclusive restaurant deals.

Useful information about Turku

Turku is guaranteed to satisfy all of your needs, with several visitor amenities throughout the city.

If you’re wondering where to stay in Turku, you should know that all neighborhoods are uniquely beautiful and well-developed. Still, you might want to consider staying closer to the port if you feel like joining boat tours around the Archipelago of Turku. Alternatively, the neighborhood of Martti is a great option, due to its proximity to the Aura River.

As for medical services in Turku, you can find numerous clinics, health stations and emergency services. There are also electronic diagnostic services available.

Important phone numbers for your stay in Turku

Check out some phone numbers that might prove useful during your holidays in Turku:

• Turku Port Authority: +35822674111
• Port control: +35822674122
• Turku Airport: +358207084717
• Turku central police station: +358295440501
• Emergency services: 35823138800
• European emergency number: 112

Transportation in Turku

When vacationing in Turku, don’t be surprised if you find yourself switching among many different means of transport. The city is a true paradise for cyclists, fans of walking and hiking, and those who wish to join exciting boat excursions.

Most services and attractions are within walking or biking distance. Renting an electric scooter is also an option. There is also a well-established bus network that helps you move around Turku and even explore neighboring locations, such as the island of Ruissalo (bus line 8).

If you’re planning to stay for a few days only and wish to visit other secluded areas, moving around with a car is a great alternative.

 

The scenic parks of Turku dressed in white

Ports in Turku

Turku is a popular port city in the Baltic Sea, deeming it an important center of maritime services. The port of Turku is located relatively close to the city center and is easily accessible by bus or car. Nearby, you can find visitor amenities and attractions, such as the Turku Castle.

Apart from ferries to the islands of the Archipelago Sea and to Stockholm, there are also wooden boat taxis, water buses and cruise ferries for exciting excursions and day trips. Some boats run seasonally and may depart from the Aura River, in front of the Vaakahuone Pavilion.

Turku ferry: schedules and tickets

Traveling to Turku from Stockholm is a rather popular ferry connection between Sweden and Finland throughout the year. There are also ferry routes between Turku and the Åland Islands of Mariehamn and Långnäs. The ferry routes are operated by Viking Line and Tallink.

• Stockholm - Turku ferry: there are up to 4 daily ferries from Stockholm to Turku year-round. Ferry frequency may vary depending on the season, and the estimated travel time is 12 hours.
• Mariehamn - Turku ferry: the ferry route between Mariehamn in the Åland Islands and Turku is active with several weekly crossings. Ferry crossings are usually scheduled in the morning and last around 5.5 hours.
• Långnäs - Turku ferry: there are up to 2 daily ferries on the route between Långnäs and Turku. The travel time varies between 4 and 5 hours.

Important: all ferry routes are operated by conventional ferries that have cabins and garage spaces, and offer pet tickets.

Ferry tip: if you’re first arriving in Turku and wish to travel to the Åland Islands, check out the Turku - Långnäs and Turku - Mariehamn ferry routes here!

Ferries and boats at the Aura River of Turku

Where to book ferry tickets to Turku online

The stunning seaside city of Turku awaits you! On our interactive Map of ferries, you can find all available schedules, find the one that best suits your needs and book your ferry tickets to Turku, Finland, on Ferryhopper!