Turku Archipelago| Tampere Region

Turku Archipelago

Turku is a charming university town and a major cultural and commercial centre. It was Finland’s capital (under Sweden) until 1809 and the age and grandeur of many of the buildings reveal this. The city dates from 1155 and there remain buildings from all generations up until the present day. The river Aura flows through the centre and out into the sea, making for an attractive promenade.

Turku boasts many visitor attractions including: a castle, Lutheran and Orthodox cathedrals, an attractive university quarter, and numerous fine old ships moored along the river banks. It has a vibrant cultural life with the Turku Art Museum well worth a visit and ‘Ars Nova’ (modern art) and ‘Aboa Vetus’ (medieval Turku) both housed within the Rettig Palace.

Turku has a wide variety of shops from the major retailers to the atmospheric Indoor Market (Kauppahalli) where you will find regional and national specialities.

The sea stretching from the mouth of the Aura river brings you out to the stunning archipelago. This unique collection of islands knows no comparison in Europe and barely in the world. The tens of thousands of islands, some populated, some little more than a rock, provide a stunning natural backdrop to your holiday. The sea is dotted with sailing and motorboats calling at different islands. The major islands are linked by bridges or by ferries that run frequently across the channels. Outlying and smaller islands are connected by scheduled ferries or private boat only, if very small.

The archipelago has few significant towns, however Naantali is full of old-Scandinavian charm and has a lively cultural life, particularly during the summer. Parainen and Nagu are small towns that spring into life, and are full of services, during the summer.