Location: Turku
Top Things to do in Turku
Top Restaurants in Turku
Countries
Top 10 Things to do in Turku, Southwest Finland
Turku (Finnish pronunciation: [ˈturku] ( listen); Swedish: Åbo [ˈoːbʊ] ( listen)) is a city on the southwest coast of Finland at the mouth of the Aura River, in the region of Southwest Finland. Turku, as a town, was settled during the 13th century and founded most likely at the end of the 13th century, making it the oldest city in Finland. It quickly became the most important city in Finland, a status it retained for hundreds of years. After Finland became part of the Russian Empire (1809) and the capital of the Grand Duchy of Finland was moved to Helsinki (1812), Turku continued to be the most populous city in Finland until the end of the 1840s, and it remains a regional capital and an important business and cultural center.
Restaurants in Turku
1. Luostarinmaen Kasityolaismuseo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 299 reviews
Luostarinmäki is the only continuous district of wooden houses that survived the fire of 1827 in Turku. These houses are over 200 years old and still standing in their original building sites. The houses have been furnished as craftsmen’s homes and workshops, representing over 30 different trades. The museum tells the story of pre-industrial urban craftsmanship. In the summertime craftsmen come to work in the workshops. The museum is open during summer from May to August, and for the Christmas Season in December.
Reviewed By nelelohmussaar - Turku, Finland
Definitely worth a vist,historical a very cool place! We had a nice trip in luostarinmäki.The ticket price was also affordable.
2. Turku Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 677 reviews
Reviewed By Evabe13
We needed an easy place to visit near the city centre and this church is just few hundred meters from the centre. There was a nice park next to the church also. The church itself is beautiful both inside and outside. Inside there is a lot to see.
3. Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 289 reviews
The Best Museum Experience Ever! Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova combines history, archaeology and contemporary art with hands-on activities and professional guided tours. It is situated in Southwestern Finland, in Turku. The museum's guided tours introduce you to both the fascinating history of Turku, as well as the intriguing changing art exhibitions. In the summer season tours are included in the entrance fee, but they can also be reserved for groups throughout the year. The museum also provides a cosy cafeteria and a lovely gift shop.
Reviewed By Guide08573947614 - Finland, null
This place is a very unique experience. You can join a guided tour, or stroll through the exhibition all by yourself and learn a lot about the people and their lives in the Middle Ages. A real archaeological excavation to be explored! Also, they have modern art exhibitions, a shop with lots of fun items for sale, and the restaurant / cafeteria is worth visiting too.
4. Turku Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,126 reviews
Reviewed By Lilli_Hoi - Finland, null
Turku Castle was an important bastion and administrative centre when Finland was under the Swedish rule. All Finnish kids remember mid-16th century period and the reign of Duke John and Catherine Jagellon from the history books. Castle was badly damaged during the years (Fire, WWII etc) but has been lovingly restored. It is relatively sparsely furnished but displays an interesting collection of artefacts from the different periods of its history up in the ‘attic’ and has a temporary exhibition space, too. Current exhibition is about merchant etc women of Turku, very interesting. Castle is about 2.5km away from the city centre, very leisurely and family friendly bike ride along the river Aura (pre-register for Föli city bikes, from EUR 5 / day). Guided tour in English recommended as an introduction to the history, most rooms have also helpful and knowledgable attendants (dressed in historical costumes) who are happy to explain the background to the paintings and furniture not covered on the tour. All signage in English and Swedish as well. Highlight for our nine year old boy was the opportunities to dress up in historical costumes. We all have new appreciation for the Knights after having tried on their full, heavy armour! Lots of steps up and down so do wear comfortable shoes. Allow minimum 2 hours for the visit with the tour, it took us 4 hours with dressing up and a game of chess. Shop has nice souvenirs, coffee and snacks tasty in the restaurant. Highly recommended!
5. Turun Kauppahalli
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 217 reviews
Reviewed By PhilipYos - Odessa, Ukraine
This is mainly a food market. Lots of meat and fish stalls. Also places to sit down to enjoy a coffee or lunch. Right in the City center
6. Turku City Library
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 257 reviews
Reviewed By PhilipYos - Odessa, Ukraine
Local folks seems to love coming here. Great facilities for the locals. Beautiful old and New building. Nice cafe inside.
7. Pharmacy Museum and Qwensel House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 110 reviews
The Qwensel House is the oldest bourgeois housing from the autarchic times in Turku. The house was built approximately in the year 1700 to an area that was reserved for the nobility. Check for opening times online.
Reviewed By lady5000 - Sydney, Australia
I had lunch at the cafe indoors (smoked Reindeer quiche and fresh cherry juice), a visit to museum, the cake outside afterwards at the cafe again. A delightful spot to relax with friendly staff at both. The House and Pharmacy museum has a small brochure but take the book offered as it has quite a lot of information about the furnishings. I went around and asked questions if the guide but then flicked through the book at reception and revisited the rooms. The hair pictures by the daughter in the bedroom are fascinating and the special chair for ladies to sit with the bustles on their long dresses is interesting. The pharmacy section interesting too with the types of ingredients used and drying room for herbs and plants. Half price for retirees too at 3 euro so if you are retired, don't buy the museum card as cheaper to buy individually.
8. Turku University Botanical Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 74 reviews
Experience both Finnish nature and the tropical rainforest throughout the year! The collection of over 5,000 plant species is a living display of the diversity of the plant kingdom. In the 6 greenhouses, you will experience the heat and scents of the tropics and see species ranging from tiny groundcover plants to the highest trees of the rainforest. Ornamental subtropical plants bring a breath of Mediterranean air, living fossils take you to the past, and the drought-resistant succulents surprise with their ability to adapt. In the outdoor gardens (23 hectares), the landscape changes with the four seasons. There are flowering plants from April to November but, in the autumn, leaves change color and winters are amazing, too. Free entrance to the outdoor gardens, open Mon-Sun 8 AM-8 PM. Indoor gardens and café, open Tue-Sun 10 AM-5 PM. Entrance fees to the greenhouses: Adults 7€; Children (0-7) free; Pensioners, students, youth (8-19) 5€; Family ticket (2 adults and their children) 18€.
9. Turku Art Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 147 reviews
Just the sight of the granite-stone castle atop Puolalanmäki hill gives a promising indication of the treasures inside. Turku Art Museum is a jewel of the city, where, in alternating collection exhibitions visitors can spot the brushstrokes of famous Finnish painters such Helene Schjerfbeck and Akseli Gallen-Kallela. Diverse and high-quality temporal exhibitions introduce the fascinating world of art, from classics to the freshest contemporary art but museum offers also many other activities as well as beautiful atmosphere to meet and socialise. Take a seat in the museum’s super-lovely Café Victor, and enjoy the charming porcelain and warm service!
Reviewed By heidiaL5020QK
We were pleasantly surprised by how lovely this art museum is. Comparable to the Ateneum in Helsinki!
10. Forum Marinum Maritime Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 233 reviews
Reviewed By hongnhung28
We were a bit on a rush on that day so didn't manage to check out all the boats and the inside museum. Easily reachable by bus or the city bike. It is a bit far to walk from the city center. They have a nice selection boats/ships here. Very nice to visit on a sunny summer day and have some ice-cream afterwards by the river.
