Service huts and Bengtskar Lighthouse, Dragsfjard.

James Bedford

Turku & Finland's South Coast

Anchoring the country's southwest is Finland's former capital, Turku. This striking seafaring city stretches along the broad Aurajoki from its Gothic cathedral to its medieval castle and vibrant harbour. Turku challenges Helsinki's cultural pre-eminence with cutting-edge galleries, museums and restaurants, and music festivals that electrify the summer air.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • The Vellamo Maritime Centre.

    Merikeskus Vellamo

    Turku & Finland's South Coast

    In a tanker-sized, wave-shaped building with walls of metal and printed glass, this state-of-the-art dockside museum recounts Finland’s seafaring life…

  • Old homes and artisan quarters in Luostarinmaki open air museum, Turku, Finland.

    Luostarinmäen Käsityöläismuseo

    Turku

    When the savage Great Fire of 1827 swept through Turku, the lower-class quarter Luostarinmäki escaped the flames. Set along tiny lanes and around grassy…

  • St. Henry's Ecumenical Art Chapel was built in 2004 out of Finnish wood on the island of Hirvensalo.

    Taidekappeli

    Turku

    Like the bow of a ship tipped on its end, this unusual structure is perched on a rock and surrounded by forest on Hirvensalo island, 7km south of Turku…

  • Turun Tuomiokirkko

    Turun Tuomiokirkko

    Turku

    The ‘mother church’ of Finland’s Lutheran faith, Turku Cathedral towers over Turku. Consecrated in 1300, the colossal brick Gothic building was rebuilt…

  • Turun Linna

    Turun Linna

    Turku

    Founded in 1280 at the mouth of the Aurajoki, mammoth Turku Castle is easily Finland’s largest fortress. Highlights include two dungeons and sumptuous…

  • Vanha Porvoo

    Vanha Porvoo

    Turku & Finland's South Coast

    One of Finland's most enticing old quarters, this tangle of cobbled alleys and wooden warehouses is entrancing. Once a vibrant port and market, Porvoo now…

  • Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova

    Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova

    Turku

    Art and archaeology unite here under one roof. Aboa Vetus (Old Turku) draws you underground to Turku’s medieval streets, showcasing some of the 37,000…

  • Tuomiokirkko

    Tuomiokirkko

    Turku & Finland's South Coast

    Porvoo’s historic stone-and-timber cathedral sits atop a hill overlooking the quaint Old Town. This is where Tsar Alexander I convened the first Diet of…

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Red Finnish wooden sauna log cabin on an island in the summer.

Beaches

Finland in a week

Oct 24, 2016 • 6 min read

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Turku & Finland's South Coast and beyond

Beyond Turku & Finland's South Coast
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