Turku Things to Do Tips by sabsi Top 5 Page for this destination

Sigyn

The wooden tall ship "Sigyn" found its last port of call at Aurajoki in Turku. Under Swedish flag she sailed over the world's oceans from 1887 to 1939. Today she is a museum ship and part of Forum Marinum, the maritime museum of Turku.

Address: At river Aura which also means Linnankatu ;)

Suomen Joutsen

Just a few metres after you have passed the Sigyn you will get to another tall ship, the Suomen Joutsen (Finnish Swan). This one was built in France in 1902. It was used as a navy training ship until the second world war and then again from 1949 until the 80s. In 1991 the Suomen Joutsen was given to Turku and now serves as museum ship as part of the Forum Marinum.

Address: At river Aura which also means Linnankatu ;)

A boat trip to Vepsä

This is the trip through the archipelago which we took - basically because we were too late to go on the other trip. It was a wonderful option though so I don't know if the other one would have been nicer ;)

We took a boat to Vepsä which is a small wild island in the archipelago of Turku. Unfortunately we could only take the last boat there which leaves Turku at 5 so that we had to go straight back because it was also the last boat from Vepsä back to the mainland. So I can't tell you anything about Vepsä other than that it has Mökkis and that it looks like heaven for a weekend away ;)

However, the boat trip was really nice!! It takes approx. 1 hour to Vepsä and obviously 1 hour back. You pass by the museum ships at Aurajoki, then the port and after that all you pass by is Finnish nature at its best - woods, wooden houses, saunas, beaches, rocks etc etc.

We were almost on our own on the boat so that we could enjoy the scenery and the Finnish music on the boat very intensely ;-)

Directions: The boat leaves at river Aura near Puistokatu.

A trip by steamboat Ukkopekka

This is the normal trip though the archipelago every Turku tourist takes I guess. The M/S Ukkopekka is an old steamboat (actually the only steamboat st the Finnish coast) which takes you on archipelago trips to Naantali.

There are just two sailings every day in summer and as we arrived in Turku too late we missed the boat. But I bet our archipelago trip was at least as nice - yet a bit shorter. And we even met the Ukkopekka on our way...

Address: Boats start from Aurajoki near Puistokatu

Website: http://www.ukkopekka.fi

Minelayer Keihässalmi

The Minelayer Keihässalmi is another museum ship of Forum Marinum. It was built after second world war and then it was the first minelayer of the Finnish navy.

I don't know about you but I like to see these boats when they are used as museum boats. Like this they can't mess up anything ;)

Address: At river Aura which also means Linnankatu ;)

The archipelago

The archipelago off Turku's coast is for me the most beautiful area of town. You shouldn't miss a trip through the archipelago by boat when visiting Turku. I'll show you two options for such a trip in the next tips.

It's beautiful to pass by all those little islands with their beautiful wooden houses and little saunas at the shore. You will see a lot of typical Finnish forests, yachts and the most beautiful nature you can imagine! Don't miss it!

Address: Boats start from Aurajoki near Puistokatu

At Aurajoki

Aurajoki is the river that runs through Turku. Along the river you will find many nice cafe terraces, old and new ships, the legendary ferry "föri", fountains and statues and a wonderful summer atmosphere.

I took this picture for Steve Tilly actually because I immediately thought it looked like "Silly Tilly" ;-)

Directions: You can't miss it. The rivers runs along Linnankatu ;)

Port Buildings

Another not so helpful tip of nice architecture ;-) In the port opposite Turku Castle you will find these beautiful wooden houses. I guess they might have been storage houses but I'm not so sure about it. What I know is that they are beautiful :)

Address: Linnankatu (not again ;)

Turku Card

Because of my work I got a Turku Card for 24 hours for free. So I had the chance to try out what you can do with it. Here's my opinion about it:

I put the Helsinki Card under tourist traps and the Turku Card under "Must See Activities" because I think that the one in Turku might be more valid for your stay in Turku. However, maybe I just think so because I know Helsinki quite well and it was the first time for me in Turku.

The 24 hours card costs 21€. With it you can visit a lot of the museums for free, you can use public transport, get special deals in shops and restaurants and even the sightseeing tour is free with it. Turku is small enough to see a few museums in a day and to go on an organised sightseeing tour hence I think the card is worth it.

I used the card for public transportation and the castle. We wanted to use it in a restaurant and for a sightseeing tour as well but unfortunately we were too late for the tour and in the end we were running out of time for the restaurant. So I didn't use it enough - just like in Helsinki. But I think I could use it better than there...

Directions: You can buy the card at the tourist information at Aurakatu.

Website: http://www.turkutouring.fi/turkucard.phtml?taso=0&kieli=englanti&path=TURKU+CARD

Town Hall

Next to the tourist information there's Turku's town hall. I fell in love with the design of it's doors. Apart from that I can't really tell you much about the building but have a look at it when you visit the tourist information!

Address: Aurakatu