Get up to €50 off your staySubscribe and get up to €50 off your next stay
Browse and explore the best travel guides in Turku.
Turku is Finland's oldest city and its former capital, set on the Aura River where it meets the Baltic Sea. Founded in the 13th century, it is anchored by two great medieval landmarks: Turku Cathedral, the mother church of the Finnish Lutheran faith, and Turku Castle near the harbour.
Life centres on the riverbanks, lined with cafes, boat restaurants and museums such as Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova, where medieval ruins sit beneath a modern art gallery, and the maritime centre Forum Marinum. The renovated Market Hall, a lively food scene and a large student population give the city a relaxed, creative feel. Turku is also Finland's official Christmas City.
Turku is the gateway to one of the world's largest archipelagos, with thousands of islands reachable by bridge and ferry along the Archipelago Trail. Moomin World in nearby Naantali is a favourite with families, and overnight ferries connect the city to the Åland Islands and Stockholm.
Country
Finland
Region
Southwest Finland (Varsinais-Suomi)
Population
~205,000
Elevation
~10 m above sea level
Time Zone
EET (UTC+2), EEST (UTC+3) in summer
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Language
Finnish and Swedish
Nearest Airport
TKU (Turku), ~8 km
Airport to City Centre
~25 min by bus 1; ~15 min by taxi
Typical Cost Level
Mid-range to High
Transport Pass
Föli 24-hour ticket via app or travel card; Föli city bikes
Spring (Mar-May)
-2-13°C
Summer (Jun-Aug)
12-22°C
Autumn (Sep-Nov)
1-14°C
Winter (Dec-Feb)
-7 to -1°C
Get the latest deals, new destinations, and travel tips delivered straight to your inbox.
No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
June to August is the best time to visit Turku, with long light evenings, riverside terraces and easy access to the archipelago. December is also special, as Turku is Finland's official Christmas City and hosts the Declaration of Christmas Peace on Christmas Eve. Winters are cold and dark but cosy.
Bus 1 is the easiest way from Turku Airport to the city centre, reaching the Market Square in about 25 minutes and continuing to the harbour. A taxi takes around 15 minutes.
Walking along the Aura River is the best way to get around Turku. Most sights lie between the cathedral and Turku Castle, and Föli buses and city bikes fill the gaps. The small Föri ferry crosses the river for free, and you do not need a car unless you plan to drive the Archipelago Trail.
Two days is a good amount of time for Turku. That covers the cathedral, the castle, the riverside museums and the Market Hall. Add a day for Naantali or an archipelago island trip.
Yes, Turku is a very safe city for tourists. Crime against visitors is rare, and the riverside is pleasant to walk at any hour. In winter, the main hazard is icy pavements, so wear shoes with good grip.
On trip1, you can book hotels across Turku and pay with over 50 cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDC. trip1 covers 3 million+ hotels in 190+ countries, making it easy to find and book accommodation with crypto.
Naantali, home to Moomin World, is the most popular day trip from Turku, about 30 minutes away by bus. The Archipelago Trail loops through thousands of islands by road and ferry, Ruissalo island offers beaches and nature trails close to the city, and ferries run to the Åland Islands and Stockholm.
Archipelago bread, a dark, sweet malt loaf, is the local speciality to try in Turku. Also look for creamy salmon soup, Karelian rice pies and fresh fish from the Market Hall. The riverside boat restaurants are a classic place to eat in summer.
Entry rules, stay length and passport validity by nationality.
