City or town
Things to see in Turku (Finland): 86 places and when to go
Turku is a city in Finland with around 176,000 inhabitants, and this site lists 86 places in and around it, mainly Nature (23), History (21), Temples (20). The best known are Turku Cathedral, Turku Castle and Iso-Heikkilä Observatory. The best time to come is December to March and June to September; also possible: April to May and October. In June there are 18 h 36 of daylight, and in December, 5 h 24. Here is what there is, when to go, how to get there and what else is nearby.
In a nutshell
- Where
- Finland · 60.4539, 22.255
- Population
- About 176,000
- Places
- 86 places on this site, in the town and around it.
- What people come for
- Nature (23) · History (21) · Temples (20) · With kids (11) · Museums and art (9) · Mountains (6)
- Best time
- December to March and June to September.
- Also possible
- April to May and October.
- Nearest airport
- HEL Helsinki (Vantaa), 150 km as the crow flies
What to see in Turku
The places in and around Turku, best known first, each with its own page: what it is, when to go and what is next to it. Distances are from the centre, as the crow flies.
- Turku CathedralCathedral in Turku, Finland1.3 km
- Turku CastleCastle in Turku, Finland2.5 km
- Iso-Heikkilä ObservatoryAstronomical observatory in Turku, Finland1.4 km
- Moomin WorldTheme park in Naantali, Finland14 km
- Turku SynagogueSynagogue in Turku, Finland667 m
- LuostarinmäkiOpen-air museum in Turku, Finland1.5 km
- Wäinö Aaltonen Museum of ArtArt museum in Turku, Finland1.0 km
- Turku Art MuseumArt museum in Finland375 m
- Kuusisto CastleMedieval castle in Kaarina, Finland13 km
- Aboa Vetus & Ars NovaMuseum of archaeology and contemporary art in Turku, Finland1.1 km
- Turku Orthodox ChurchEastern Orthodox church in Turku, Finland630 m
- St Michael's Church, TurkuChurch in Turku, Finland693 m
- MS BoreShip built in 19602.4 km
- Old Great SquareSquare in Turku, Finland1.2 km
- Sauvo ChurchChurch building in Sauvo, Finland27 km
- SigynWooden barque of 1887, now museum ship in Turku1.9 km
- ZoolandiaZoo in Lieto, Finland16 km
- KakolanmäkiHill in Turku, Finland1.4 km
- Market Square, TurkuSquare in Turku, Finland696 m
- Karuna ChurchChurch in Sauvo, Finland26 km
- Nousiainen ChurchChurch building in Nousiainen, Finland19 km
- Pargas ChurchChurch building in Pargas, Finland17 km
- Botanical Garden of Turku UniversityBotanical garden in Turku, Finland4.9 km
- VartiovuorenmäkiHill in Turku, Finland1.4 km
And the other 62, by what you come to do:
- History: FNS Karjala, Finnish minelayer Keihässalmi, St. Mary's Church, Turku, Qvidja, Turku Concert Hall, Naantali Church, Ala-Lemu manor, Karuna manor, Harjattulan kartano
- Temples: Kakskerta Church, Lieto Church, Piikkiö Church, Masku Church, Paimio Church, Raisio Church, Kuusisto Church, Filadelfiaförsamlingen i Pargas, St. Jacob Church, Paimio, Raision Vapaaseurakunta
- Museums and art: Pukkila Manor museum, Pargas Local History Museum, Kemppien tupa, Masku Museum, Nautelankoski Museum
- Nature: Puolalanmäki, Samppalinna Park, Kuusistonlahti, Ruins of Koroinen Church, Kupittaanpuisto, Luolavuori Cave, Nunnavuori, Viheriäistenaukko, Kiuksvuori, Naantalinaukko, Piikkiönlahti, Sandholmen, Vastmäki, Friskalanlahti, Krottilanlahti, Kyrkfjärden, Paimionlahti, Pakattulanluola, Raisionlahti
- Architecture: Library Bridge, Pansio lighthouse, Samppalinna Windmill
- Food and drink: Panimoravintola Koulu, Kakola Brewing Company Oy, Mallassepät Brewery, Tammiluodon Viinitila
- With kids: Holiday Club Caribia, JukuPark Turku, Holvin Alpakat, Huvilupa, Huvimaa sisäleikkipuisto, Kupittaan lintulammikko, Playa Del Raisio vesipuisto, Tuorlan Planetaario
- Beaches: Ekvalla, Harvaluoto uimaranta
- Snow: Hirvensalon Hiihtokeskus
- Hiking: Kuhankuonon retkeilyreitistö
When to go to Turku
The best time to visit Turku is December to March and June to September; also possible: April to May and October. This comes from its own places: a month counts as the town's best time when it is the best time for half of what there is to see.
- JanBest time6:13
- FebBest time8:43
- MarBest time11:20
- AprPossible14:16
- MayPossible16:55
- JunBest time18:36
- JulBest time17:52
- AugBest time15:25
- SepBest time12:31
- OctPossible9:41
- NovBetter not6:58
- DecBest time5:24
Best timePossibleBetter notHours of daylight
In June there are 18 h 36 of daylight, and in December, 5 h 24. In June, 84 of the 86 places are at their best.
When to go to Finland in general, with its festivals and peak seasons, is in its country guide.
Getting to Turku
The nearest main airport is Helsinki Vantaa Airport (HEL, Helsinki (Vantaa)), 150 km as the crow flies. How to get around Finland (train, car, bus) is in its country guide, and what to sort out before you leave is in its checklist.
Where it is (opens in a new tab)Directions (opens in a new tab)
Other towns nearby
- Röölä17 places20 km
- Aura5 places24 km
- Velkua9 places32 km
- Mynämäki8 places36 km
- Vehmaa7 places41 km
- Dragsfjärd8 places44 km
And all of Finland, in its country guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to see in Turku?
The best known: Turku Cathedral, Turku Castle, Iso-Heikkilä Observatory, Moomin World, Turku Synagogue. In all, 86 places in the town and around it, all on your trip map from day one.
When is the best time to visit Turku?
December to March and June to September; also possible: April to May and October. In June there are 18 h 36 of daylight, and in December, 5 h 24.
How do you get to Turku?
The nearest main airport is Helsinki Vantaa Airport (HEL), 150 km away. From there, directions opens the route on the map.
How do I add it to my trip?
Create a trip with Turku as the destination and these 86 places are on your map, each with its category. The ones you like go into a day's plan with one tap, and Kokai reminds you when you pass nearby.
Keep reading
- FinlandBefore travelling to Finland: 6 things worth sorting out, each with its deadline. For Spanish citizens, a Spanish ID card (DNI) is enough to get in.
- Nature436 places for nature in Finland, from Gulf of Finland to spots hardly anyone knows. Best time: June to September. Each with its own season by altitude and daylight.
- Where to travelPick what you fancy (mountains, beaches, museums…) and the months you have free, and Kokai tells you which countries to go to and what to see there.
Data from OpenStreetMap, licensed under the ODbL, from Wikidata, CC0, cities from Natural Earth and airports from OurAirports. Daylight hours are calculated from the latitude. More in credits.