- Turku was the capital of Finland until 1812, when the Russian administration moved the seat of government to Helsinki to distance the administration from Swedish influence.
- The city is home to the oldest university in Finland, the Royal Academy of Turku, which was founded in 1640.
- A unique local custom is the 'Declaration of Christmas Peace', a tradition broadcast nationally from the Brinkkala Mansion balcony every December 24th.
- Turku follows a strict 'Kiss My Turku' branding, reflecting a local penchant for self-deprecating humor and a fierce pride in the city's status as the nation's original hub.
- The city's urban layout was largely reset after the Great Fire of Turku in 1827, which destroyed nearly three-quarters of the wooden structures in the town center.
About Turku
Turku is Finland’s oldest city and former capital, uniquely defined by its medieval heritage and position along the Aura River. It serves as a gateway to the vast Archipelago Sea and maintains a strong dual-language identity with both Finnish and Swedish. Visitors can explore the 13th-century Turku Castle or experience the historical preservation of the Luostarinmäki Open-Air Museum. The city landscape blends ancient stone architecture like the Turku Cathedral with modern cultural institutions such as the Aboa Vetus Ars Nova museum.
Highlights of Turku
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Historical places
This fortress features massive stone halls and displays covering centuries of regional history.
Temples
This national shrine serves as the mother church of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland.
Museums
This museum preserves original wooden buildings in their authentic, pre-fire locations.
Museums
Visitors can walk through excavated medieval street ruins located beneath contemporary art galleries.
Museums
The museum displays a massive collection of maritime artifacts inside a historic harbor warehouse.
Museums
The collection features significant works from the Finnish Golden Age of art within an iconic hilltop building.
Historical places
The former provincial prison has been transformed into a residential and boutique hotel district.
Parks
These gardens maintain a diverse collection of sub-tropical plants and unique Finnish flora.
Top things to do in Turku
The 174 highest-rated places in Turku, ranked by travellers.
1
Historical places
Turku Castle is the oldest building in Finland still in use, with foundations dating back to the 1280s. The site evolved...
2
Temples
Turku Cathedral is the Mother Church of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland and the national shrine of the countr...
3
Parks
Kupittaa Park is the oldest and largest urban park in Turku, serving as a multifunctional recreational hub. It hosts a p...
4
Parks
Turun yliopiston kasvitieteellinen puutarha is situated on Ruissalo Island and functions as both a scientific research f...
5
Historical places
Kakolanmäki is a historic hilltop district in Turku, formerly the site of Finland's most notorious provincial prison, wh...
6
Museums
Luostarinmäki Open-Air Museum is one of the few areas in Turku that survived the Great Fire of 1827. The site consists o...
7
Museums
Aboa Vetus Ars Nova is a dual-purpose museum situated on the banks of the Aura River in Turku, combining an archaeologic...
8
Parks
Kurjenrahka National Park is defined by its extensive, pristine raised bogs and ancient coniferous forests in Southweste...
9
Venues
Turku City Theatre is the oldest municipal theatre in Finland, established in 1946. It is located on the banks of the Au...
10
Museums
Forum Marinum is a national maritime museum located on the banks of the Aura River in Turku, housed within the premises...
11
Museums
The Turku Art Museum is housed in a prominent granite building atop Puolalanmäki hill, designed by architect Gustaf Nyst...
12
Museums
The Pharmacy Museum and Qwensel House features the oldest remaining residential building in Turku, dating back to the ea...
13
Places of interest
Rhododendron Park, known locally as Alppiruusupuisto, is a specialized botanical garden located in Raisio, near Turku. T...
14
Beaches and ponds
Ispoinen Beach is a popular coastal swimming area located on the shores of the Airisto sea in southern Turku. The site f...
15
Historical places
Kuusisto Bishop's Castle serves as the only medieval bishop's residence in Finland to have its ruins preserved for publi...
16
Museums
WAM Åbo stads konstmuseum is a prominent contemporary art museum located on the southern bank of the Aura River in Turku...
17
Parks
Jukupark is an expansive outdoor water park located in the Impivaara sports area of Turku. It features a wide variety of...
18
Museums
Kylämäki Village, also known as Kurala Village Well, is a living history museum located on a prehistoric farmstead site...
19
Places of interest
Suomen Joutsen is a steel-hulled full-rigged sailing ship permanently docked in the Aura River at Turku's Forum Marinum...
20
Parks
Puolala Park is a historic English-style hillside park situated on a steep slope in the center of Turku. It was establis...
21
Amusement parks
Flowpark Turku is an ecological adventure park located within the grounds of the Skanssi shopping center, designed to be...
22
Museums
Vanhalinna Museum is situated on a steep, historically significant hill fort site in Lieto, just outside Turku, featurin...
23
Amusement parks
Zoolandia is a combined amusement park and animal exhibition located in Lieto, Finland. The facility features a variety...
24
Museums
The Turku Biological Museum is housed in a distinctive Art Nouveau villa built in 1907, specifically designed to functio...
25
Parks
Linnanpuisto, or Castle Park, is a historic green space surrounding the 13th-century Turku Castle at the mouth of the Au...
26
Venues
Turun Kesäteatteri is a long-standing open-air theater located on the historic Vartiovuori Hill in central Turku. The ve...
27
Venues
28
Venues
Linnateatteri is a renowned Finnish comedy-focused theatre located in the heart of Turku. It occupies the premises of th...
29
Venues
30
Parks
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Turku on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Turku
June to August, when the Baltic climate is at its mildest and the city's riverfront life is in full activity.
2-3 days to explore the river banks, museum district, and take a short ferry trip into the archipelago.
The city center is compact and highly walkable, supplemented by an extensive local bus network.
Stay in the riverside district near the city center for proximity to major attractions and dining, or choose the Kakolanmäki area for unique, repurposed historic lodging.
Mid-to-high range; Finland generally has high service and dining costs.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 174 curated attractions in and around Turku, ranked by traveller ratings.
Turku Castle is the highest-rated place to visit in Turku right now.
The largest category is parks, with 45 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Helsinki, Tampere, Jyväskylä.
Explore more of Finland
Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
