Central Turku | Explore Archipelago

Spring flowers spell out Turku and Åbo on the banks of the Aura River. — Photo: Samu Valleala

Turku is the oldest city in Finland as well as the gateway to the archipelago and the vast sea beyond. For almost 800 years, ships have sailed back and forth to the city, bringing new ideas, movements, and philosophies that have turned the one-time Finnish capital into a vibrant metropolis. Named the European Capital of Culture in 2011, Turku is bursting with museums, galleries, and festivals as well as a restaurant scene that is fast becoming a favourite among foodies. This medieval city has also evolved in harmony with nature; there are countless parks, forests, and beaches here, and the Aura River still flows through the centre. The iconic riverside is beloved by locals and there is no place like the Aura River on a bright summer’s day.

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Get here

By bus: It's easy to get to Turku from neighbouring cities on board a local Föli bus. Routes and timetables can be found on the Föli website. If you’re travelling from further afield, you can take a coach. Detailed timetables can be found on the Matkahuolto website.

By train: Travelling by train is a convenient way to get to Turku from cities like Helsinki and Tampere. Trains run almost every hour and timetables can be found on the VR website. The journey from Helsinki takes around two and a half hours, while it’s around an hour and 45 minutes from Tampere.

By car: Excellent roads and motorways mean that it’s easy to get to Turku by car. It’s about 170 kilometres from both Helsinki and Tampere. You can park your car, for example, in the car park underneath the central marketplace.

By bike: There are great bike paths that will take you straight to Turku. It’s about a 10-kilometre journey from Kaarina and eight kilometres from Raisio.

By sea: The Aura River flows through Turku, so a boat or the Föli water bus will take you right to the centre. If you’re feeling brave, you can even kayak to the city. From Naantali, you can hop aboard S/S Ukkopekka, or you can take the Tuula II water bus from Kaarina; both will leave you on the banks of the Aura River. Pick up your tickets for S/S Ukkopekka here. If you’re travelling from Sweden or Åland, both Silja Line and Viking Line will take you to Turku Harbour.

By plane: Turku has its own airport and there are domestic and international flights daily. Flag down Föli Bus #1 from the airport; it will take you straight to the centre.

How to get here (google maps)