Destination Turku!

 We have not let the lack of a vehicle deter us from exploring Finland. While we are still waiting on the arrival of our car, we’ve been taking full advantage of Finland’s excellent public transportation system. Trains, trams, buses, and even ferries make it easy to see so much of the country without ever needing to drive.

Our first big adventure was a weekend getaway by train to the charming city of Turku! Located about 100 miles from Helsinki, Turku is an easy two-hour train ride away and makes for the perfect escape from the bustle of the capital.

Once the capital of Finland, Turku has a rich history and a vibrant cultural scene. We packed in as much as we could over the weekend:

• Turku Castle – Dating back to the 13th century, the castle is Finland’s largest surviving medieval building. The castle was at its peak in the mid-16th century, during the reign of Duke John of Finland and Catherine Jagellon.

 

    

• Turku Cathedral –Considered to be the most important religious building in Finland, this stunning cathedral has stood since the 1200s and continues to serve as both a place of worship and a historical monument. It is the only medieval basilica found in Finland and the Mother Church of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland. 

 

• Sibelius Museum – Dedicated to Finland’s most famous composer, Jean Sibelius, this museum was a treat for me! Finlandia one of Sibelius’s best known works and is a piece of pride among many Finns.

• Aboa Vetus Ars Nova – This was a fascinating combination of archaeology and contemporary art, where underground ruins meet modern creativity. We were more impressed with the ruins than the modern art.

            

• Forum Marinum – This is a massive naval museum located near the Port of Turku. It not only had two buildings full of exhibits but also several ships outside which you could also explore.                                   

            

• Turku Market Hall – Opened in 1896 and is the second oldest market hall in Finland. We love strolling around the aisles that house a variety of food merchants, cafes, handicrafts, and other sundries. It is a cacophony of wonderful smells and a bustle of people.

                 

• Luostarinmäki Handicrafts Museum – This is an awesome open-air museum that preserves the wooden houses that survived Turku’s Great Fire of 1827. The museum comprises eighteen courtyards built at the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th centuries, consisting of over thirty wooden houses that have been preserved in their original locations. The houses have been furnished as workshops and homes of pre-industrial urban craftsmen. This museum was truly the highlight of my weekend!

   

As if the city itself wasn’t lively enough, we happened to visit during the Paavo Nurmi Marathon. Named after the legendary “Flying Finn,” who won nine Olympic gold medals and dominated long-distance running in the 1920s, the marathon brought an exciting energy to the city streets. It was fun to watch and cheer on the runners as we walked about the city.

We did plenty of walking ourselves, especially along the Aura River. It’s the heart of the city, lined with cafés, boats, and sculptures. In the evening, we treated ourselves to a drink at the Walo Rooftop Bar, where we enjoyed panoramic views of the city as the sun set.

      

Throughout our visit, we stumbled upon statues, monuments, and public art that made wandering Turku’s streets feel like a continuous discovery. It gave the city this sense of being alive with history and creativity at the same time.

      

By the end of the weekend, we were tired in the best possible way, our feet sore from cobblestones, our heads full of stories, and our hearts happy. Turku was a perfect reminder that even without a car, exploring Finland is not only possible but wonderfully rewarding.

Next time, join me on our trip to the charming town of Porvoo, where we wandered the cobblestoned streets and uncovered little gems of history along the way.

Nähdään pian! (See you soon)