Step back in time at Turku City Centre, Finland's oldest urban heart where medieval charm meets riverside beauty. Cobblestone streets wind past the imposing Turku Castle and twin-spired Cathedral. Historic ships line the scenic Aura River promenades where locals and visitors stroll. The area balances its ancient architecture with vibrant cultural life. Museums showcase Finnish heritage while riverside restaurants offer traditional local cuisine. The compact layout makes exploring on foot delightful. Market Square buzzes with activity while nearby parks provide peaceful retreats.
Turku Harbour captures Finland's rich maritime heritage with its scenic riverfront promenades and historic sailing vessels. The cobblestone quays lead past the glass-faced Forum Marinum and traditional wooden ships bobbing gently in their berths. Red-brick buildings house centuries of seafaring artefacts that tell the port's storey. This working harbour doubles as a key transport hub with ferries departing for Stockholm and the Åland Islands. Waterfront restaurants serve fresh Baltic seafood on summer terraces with harbour views. Visitors can explore Turku Castle nearby or simply enjoy watching boats glide towards the Baltic horizon.
Ruissalo Island combines untouched nature with historic charm just minutes from Turku. Ancient oak forests shelter botanical gardens while 19th-century merchant villas line the shoreline. Popular beaches offer peaceful spots for swimming during summer months. The wellness-focused atmosphere makes it perfect for nature lovers. Visitors can enjoy spa treatments, golf courses, and scenic coastal paths throughout the island. The Botanical Garden showcases rare plant species while protected nature areas provide excellent bird-watching opportunities. Most attractions are accessible via well-maintained cycling routes connecting the island's natural and historic treasures.
Step into Port Arthur, a charming historic district where wooden houses paint Turku's past in warm ochre and red hues. This 19th-century area preserves authentic Finnish urban living with quiet streets and local cafés. Small gardens and traditional architectural details create a genuine residential atmosphere away from tourist crowds. Originally built for shipyard workers, Port Arthur maintains its working-class identity through community events and small art galleries. While offering few tourist attractions, the neighborhood's appeal lies in its authentic streetscapes and lived-in character. Visitors can enjoy peaceful walks through this cultural enclave before venturing to nearby Mikaelinkirkko or Turku's city centre.
While Iso-Heikkilä may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Port of Turku and Turku Castle.
Discover the most popular places to visit in Turku
Photo by Svetlana Lebedeva
Open Photo by Svetlana Lebedeva
Turku Castle
8.8/10 (289 reviews)
Finland's oldest medieval fortress, Turku Castle has witnessed centuries of Nordic history since the 1200s. Explore its stone chambers, spiral staircases, and royal apartments filled with period furnishings.
Turku Cathedral
8.8/10 (275 reviews)
Turku Cathedral, Finland's national shrine since 1300, showcases stunning Gothic architecture and medieval frescoes. Explore the cathedral museum's ecclesiastical treasures in this serene historic landmark.
Turku Market Square
6.4/10 (329 reviews)
Kauppatori, Turku's vibrant market square, pulses with vendors selling fresh produce and local delicacies. Enjoy a coffee at a surrounding café before exploring the city's nearby attractions.
Turku Fair and Congress Center
7.2/10 (64 reviews)
Finland's premier event venue hosts over 200 trade fairs and congresses annually in modern, versatile spaces. Explore exhibitions, attend business gatherings, or enjoy the renovated café and restaurant.
Gatorade Center
6.4/10 (17 reviews)
Catch an event at Gatorade Center during your trip to Turku. Discover the area's museums and shops.
University of Turku
7.6/10 (146 reviews)
Finland's first fully Finnish-speaking university blends historic and modern architecture in a vibrant academic setting. Explore the Publicum building and campus grounds, then stroll along the nearby Aura River.
Abo Akademi
7.2/10 (53 reviews)
Finland's only exclusively Swedish-language university sits in the heart of Turku, showcasing impressive architecture since 1918. Explore the historic main building and combine your visit with the nearby Turku Cathedral.
Aura Golf
Enjoy a round of golf in Turku at Aura Golf. Take in the museums while you're in the area.
"Chambre agréable, confortable et fonctionnelle située près de la gare et du centre-ville. Un bon déjeuner est servi dans le lobby et l'établissement est propre. Un ventilateur est disponible dans la chambre, mais celle-ci ne dispose pas d'air climatisé. Bon rapport qualité-prix."
"We were almost mauled by a Belgian Malinois that was let loose on our level we were staying at. Messaged the property, however no response or acknowledgement of message/email. A very scary situation for tourists considering no pets are allowed on the property. "
"Great hotel to stay at with two kids (4 & 6 yo). Central location and easy parking under the market square allowed us to come and go to explore the city. Room was spacious and breakfast was filling. We didn’t make it to sauna but we peeked in and would have wanted to try it once. Other small children were enjoying it as well."
"Room was spacious and felt clean but too Spartan for the size. The bed was two singles pushed together but was actually comfortable, although there were no end tables and a weird shelf which prevents anyone average hight from sitting up in bed to read. The bathroom setup was not well thought out. When we arrived there were people sitting on the floor in the very small code-secured space before the elevator which felt a little sketchy, and even more so when they were still there half an hour...
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
You can grab a holiday package to this popular destination on Expedia. However, how much your holiday to Turku costs will depend on factors like your hotel choice, season and length of stay.
What are the cheapest months to go to Turku?
February, March and April are the best times to search for cheap Turku holiday packages. Choosing to travel in quieter months means you can typically find reduced prices on flights and hotels.
How many days is enough for Turku?
For a Turku holiday, a handful of days will be enough to tour the top spots. Be sure to visit Luostarinmaki Handicrafts Museum — it's one of the main sights in this destination. If you're after more activities, think about basing yourself here and heading off on some trips from Turku.
Is it worth booking a holiday package to Turku?
Turku is a good holiday destination with attractions like Turku Market Square among the many things to keep you entertained. Whether you're heading away with the family or getting away with friends, a Turku holiday promises a good time for everyone.
How to find the best Turku package deals?
Bagging a cheap Turku package deal is a cinch with Expedia. Once you've entered your destination and preferred dates under our "Packages" tab, set your budget range, add a couple of filters and see what's available. You can tweak your search by "Amenities," "Property type," "Guest rating" and more. Order the results by "Price: low to high" to discover the most wallet-friendly Turku package deals. Want a simple trick to get the biggest savings? Be flexible with your departure dates and consider going away on a weekday, when prices are usually lower.
Is it cheaper to book a Turku holiday as a package?
An Expedia holiday package could land you significant savings when compared to booking accommodation and flights separately. Better still, you can tailor your Turku escape to match your exact style. Pick your preferred flight time, select the hotel type and add a rental car. Check out our great deals to see how much you can save.
When to book a holiday package to Turku?
If you're considering a spur-of-the-moment Turku holiday, browse our last-minute deals that can be booked up to one week before you take off. Prefer not to wait until the last minute? You can find sensational deals on your hotels and flights by booking well in advance.
How to plan a trip to Turku?
Pick the right time to travel: Your schedule, favourite season and the type of weather you like can all impact your decision on when to visit Turku.
Calculate your budget: Make sure you have enough money to cover everything from food and transportation to airfares and activities. Your accommodation will likely be the biggest expense during your trip to Turku.
Decide how long to go away for: Now that you know more about Turku, you can figure out the ideal length of your holiday. Pull together a draft plan and give yourself enough time to get through everything on your must-do list.
Bundle your bookings: With your travel dates in place, you can combine your hotels, car rental, flights and more into a tailored Turku holiday package.
* Savings based on package bookings compared to the price of the same components booked separately. Savings not available on all packages.