The thing about old buildings and artefacts is that they remind us about a smaller, simpler life. Almost to the point of wanting to go back, if even for one day. Life on the northern shores had to follow the seasons and certainly was not easy, but it was a full life for sure. The warmth that radiates through in these places – just the perfect way to detach yourself from the present. It’ll do you good.
How cool life used to be
Tiny houses built for persistent people
In Oulu, the island of Pikisaari boasts rows of colourful, old wooden and red-brick houses. The river delta around the island attracts local fishermen and you’ll be sure to see people ice fishing long into the spring. Ice or no ice, fishing was a means to get by through the winter, as well. The houses in Pikisaari used to be homes for seafarers and artisans. In the old industrial quarters, ships were built on the island already in the 17th century.
On your walk in Pikisaari, keep yourself nourished with pure and local Finnish food in a tavern built into an old timber storehouse, or quench your thirst in the atmospheric, red-brick restaurant & bar serving organic beer and tapas.
Ships were built on the island already in the 17th century.
Travel through time, snow and ice
Ii, half an hour drive north of Oulu is a small town full of history and culture. And a great example of making the most of it no matter the season! Visit the Old Hamina historic district, one of Northern Finland’s oldest trading centres dating back to the 14th century. The oldest remaining buildings are from the early 19th century.
Snow-covered roads and frozen waterways have never been a hindrance but a possibility to people along the Pohjola route. Have you ever skated around art? The Environment Art Park in Ii allows you to follow a skating path that goes around the park – kick sleds are also allowed!
Or, head south of Oulu to Raahe, where another well-preserved 19th century wooden town awaits you. Among its museums with intriguing artefacts full of local maritime history, Raahe is known for the exquisite 19th century cafe and B&B Trade House of Lang, where history becomes alive in the staff’s outfits and beautiful coffee services. Let the feeling linger and spend the night – they have exquisite rooms to book.
We rule on these islands
Along with fish, seals were important to the survival of people along the arctic shores. In Kalajoki, seal hunting and fishing communities formed, and some of that history is still alive.
On the islands of Maakalla and Kallankari, some 18 kilometres off the coast, wooden fishermen’s cabins and an 18th century church still stand. Like the rest of the seashore, the islets emerged from the sea as the land uplifted centuries ago. Local fishermen and seal hunters made their home on them and were granted self-government by the King of Sweden in 1771. That treaty still stands today.
Book a snowmobile safari and see the magic of Maakalla for yourself!
Witness the magic of Maakalla!
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Restaurant Indian Cuisine
Oulu
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Raahe
Nature Cafe Loppula at Sanginjoki
Oulu
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Raahe
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Oulu
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Oulu
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Oulu
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Oulu
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School Visit
Oulu
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Oulu
The old town of Ii - Wanha Hamina
Ii
Puistola Cafe & Bakery
Oulu
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Oulu
Photo North's gallery
Oulu
Raahe Church of the Holy Trinity
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Statue of President Urho Kaleva Kekkonen
Raahe
Ravintolamaailma Limingantulli
Oulu
Hupisaaret Islands city park
Oulu
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Oulu
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Raahe
St. Olaf’s Church of Saloinen
Raahe
Art Gallery Myötätuuli
Raahe
Master-Heikki’s Hut
Raahe
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Raahe
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Raahe
Oulu Cathedral
Oulu
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Oulu
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Oulu
Radisson Blu Hotel Oulu
Oulu
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Oulu
Night at Reenis
Oulu
Zivago
Oulu
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Raahe
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Raahe
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Raahe
Miner Statue
Raahe
Raahesali Concert and Conference Hall
Raahe
Liisa & Moss Wonderland
Oulu
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Raahe
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Raahe Archipelago
Raahe
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Raahe
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Oulu
Botanical Garden of the University of Oulu
Oulu
Ulkopauha Island
Raahe
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Oulu
The Tasku Island Historical Daymark in Raahe Archipelago
Raahe
Oulu's Original Taxi - OTAXI
Oulu
Original Sokos Hotel Arina, Oulu
Oulu
Environmental Art Park
Ii
Nallikari – the Riviera of the North
Oulu
Pure maku
Oulu
Charter buses and private transportation services in Oulu region
Oulu
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Oulu
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Oulu
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Raahe
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Raahe
Virpiniemi recreational area
Oulu
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Design Center Proto
Oulu
Iso-Kraaseli Island and Guest Berth
Raahe
GreenStar Hotel Oulu
Oulu
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Varjakka industrial heritage site and nature trail
Oulu
Scandic Oulu City
Oulu
Nallikari Aalto Apartment Hotel
Oulu
Airport Taxi Service in Oulu
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Trade House of Lang Unique Historic Hotel Experience in the Heart of the Raahe Old Town
Raahe
The Longest Wall in Finland
Raahe
Koiteli Residenssi accommodation villa
Oulu
Nordic Art Hotel Lasaretti
Oulu
Oulu Market Square Policeman statue
Oulu
Restaurant Puistola
Oulu
Wanhakulma Guesthouse in Old Town Raahe
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Kinosalonki Sofia
Raahe
Mon Chou - French Pastry Shop
Oulu
SuperPark Restaurant
Oulu
Koivuranta Floating Cafe
Oulu
Budget Hotel Raahe, in North Ostrobothnia
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Breakfast & Private Restaurant Veranta
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Sailor's trail
Ii
De Gamlas Hem Hotel
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Oulujoki Church
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Fresh Mex
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Regional Bus Transport Oulu - Ii
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Oulu
Oula Kitchen & Bar
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Oulu
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Oulu
Many layers of history in Kuusiluoto
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45 Special
Oulu
Pekkatori Square in the heart of Old Raahe
Raahe
Ämmä-Äijä Island
Raahe
Café Kaari
Oulu
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Oulu
Restaurant Raahen Hovi
Raahe
Scandic Oulu Station
Oulu
KulttuuriKauppila Art Centre
Ii
Kalla Island and Guest Berth
Raahe
Gems of the Oulu River estuary
Oulu
J&S Burger Grill-Restaurant in Ii
Ii
Kari Juva Sculpture Park
Raahe
Pancho Villa Raahe
Raahe
Restaurant Hugo
Oulu
Sokeri-Jussin Kievari Restaurant
Oulu
Bed and Breakfast by the Iijoki river
Ii
Pattijoki Stone Arch Bridge
Raahe
Villa Sinipursi 8 Two-room Apartment
Raahe
Koivuranta igloos
Oulu
Ravintolamaailma Linnanmaa
Oulu
Restaurant Pannu
Oulu
Old Town Raahe
Raahe
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Oulu
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Pattijoki Church Chapel of Silence
Raahe
Local Taxi Services in Kempele
Oulu
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Imagine Abstract 28.3.–30.11.2025
Oulu
Kahvila Kiikku
Oulu
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Letonniemi protected area and nature trail
Oulu
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Oulu
Pastel-coloured wooden Raksila
Oulu
Villa Sinipursi 1 Studio Apartment in Old Raahe
Raahe
Mourunki lake
Oulu
Olkijoki Treaty Museum
Raahe
Ravintola Sarkka
Oulu
Pilpasuo protected area and nature trails
Oulu
Restaurant Caspian
Oulu
Bistoria Patio
Oulu
Villa Sinipursi 9 Seaside Two-room Apartment
Raahe
Tasku Island and Guest Harbour
Raahe
Katariina´s Chambers Willa Katariina in Old Town Raahe
Raahe
Ojala Museum
Raahe
The Iso-Kraaseli Island Historical Daymark in Raahe Archipelago
Raahe
Joo Hetki Cafe
Oulu
Breakfast by the sea
Oulu
Iin Sillat Camping and Inn
Ii
Raahe Ride
Raahe
Restaurant Toripolliisi, Authentic and Local food
Oulu
Smitti Island
Raahe
Traditional Holiday Cottages in Nallikari, Oulu
Oulu
The Sovelius House
Raahe
Merihelmi Camping in the Gulf of Bothnia
Ii
Oulu Art Museum
Oulu
Historical Pilot House on Iso-Kraaseli Island
Raahe
Traditional handicrafts in an atmospheric old foundry
Raahe
Geocaching in Ii
Ii
Kindergarten Visit
Oulu
Lähde! wellness art park
Ii
Hietasaari recreational area
Oulu
Rosso Restaurant Valkea
Oulu
Kastelli Giant's Church
Raahe
Gunnarin Kartano´s apartments and hostel rooms in Lampinsaari, Raahe
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Restaurant Harald
Oulu
A Unique Cafe Huvila in Oulu
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OuluHostel AlliMaria
Oulu
Nature trail and birdwatching tower Hiastinhaara
Ii
Varvi Mast Memorial
Raahe
Idyllinen kartanohotelli Iissä Iijoen rannalla
Ii
The Alpua Church Stone
Raahe
Catharina´s Cellar Willa Katariina in Old Town Raahe
Raahe
Best Western Hotel Apollo, Oulu
Oulu
Crown Granary
Raahe
Avis Car Rental at Oulu Airport
Oulu
Restaurant Nallikari
Oulu
Nallikari Holiday Village - Camping, Oulu
Oulu
Surprise Menu; a tribute to the diverse nature of the North
Oulu
Fish Restaurant Raahen Kala&Kahvila
Raahe
Jakkukylä suspension bridge and Purusaari
Ii
Iisland Cottages
Ii
Rauhala ravintola-pâtisserie
Oulu
Historical Rantakortteli blocks of Oulu
Oulu
Restaurant and winebar VENN
Oulu
Wooden old town in Pikisaari Island
Oulu
Wooden Karjasilta from the reconstruction era
Oulu
Sleep in hostel
Oulu
Nallikari Lighthouse
Oulu
Raahe Kebab Grill
Raahe