Finland travel guide
What to see in Turku
Finland’s oldest city and former capital, on the River Aura and at the gateway to an archipelago of thousands of islands.
Updated 15 October 2026 · How we make our guides
- 5 must-see places
- Best time: from March to October
Turku highlights
The places you can’t miss. In the app we sort them by day and close to each other.
- Turku Castle
A medieval fortress by the harbour, now a museum.
- Turku Cathedral
Finland’s national shrine, built of brick, with centuries of history.
- Banks of the River Aura
Walks past moored café boats, with terraces buzzing in summer.
- Luostarinmäki
An open-air handicrafts museum in wooden houses that survived the great fire of 1827.
- Turku Archipelago
Thousands of islands to explore by boat or along the Archipelago Trail.
Day trips from Turku
We take you straight to the best-rated tour on GetYourGuide, with its reviews and dates.
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When to travel to Turku
The months with the fewest warnings to travel to Turku are from March to October.
- Jan with warnings
- Feb with warnings
- Mar no warnings
- Apr no warnings
- May no warnings
- Jun no warnings
- Jul no warnings
- Aug no warnings
- Sep no warnings
- Oct no warnings
- Nov with warnings
- Dec with warnings
- from December to February
Intense cold
In midwinter, temperatures in Lapland are usually well below zero, with very few hours of daylight.
What to do: Thermal layers, a hat, gloves and snow boots; many places to stay rent out thermal suits. It’s the season of Father Christmas and the northern lights.
- November
Grey November
In the south of the country November tends to be dark and damp, still without the snowy winter landscape.
What to do: If you want snow and northern lights, head up to Lapland or go between December and March.
Traditions of Turku
- 24 December Declaration of Christmas Peace
From the Old Great Square, the Christmas Peace is proclaimed, a centuries-old tradition broadcast across the country.
Where and what to eat
To eat like a local: a covered market (kauppahalli) or a lunch buffet (lounas). The dishes you can’t miss are in the Finland guide.
Frequently asked questions about Turku
What to see in Turku?
Turku Castle, Turku Cathedral, Banks of the River Aura, Luostarinmäki and Turku Archipelago.
What to see in Turku in one day?
Don’t miss Turku Castle, Turku Cathedral, Banks of the River Aura, Luostarinmäki and Turku Archipelago. To split it into days and areas without crossing the city back and forth, the Bagintravel app plans your trip in a minute.
What’s the best time to travel to Turku?
The months with the fewest warnings to travel to Turku are from March to October.
What day trips can you take from Turku?
Naantali and Moominworld and Archipelago.
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More in Finland
Guide reviewed 15 October 2026. Places, areas and seasons: the same data the Bagintravel app uses. Sources and method.