How cool life used to be - Pohjolan Rengastie

How cool life used to be

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.

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.

Kuva: Visit Kalajoki

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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Radisson Blu Hotel Oulu ulkoa kuvattuna

Radisson Blu Hotel Oulu

Oulu

Experience Space VISIO

Oulu
extensive salad selection for lunch

SuperPark Restaurant

Oulu
A cozy summer terrace.

Bothnia Cafe & Wine

Raahe
Row of pastel colored houses in Raksila with autumn foliage.

Pastel-coloured wooden Raksila

Oulu

Sailor's trail

Ii

On Animal Trails

Oulu
Ryhmä lumikenkäilijöitä kulkee jonossa lumisessa metsässä. / A group of snowshoers walking in a line in snowy forest. Kuva: Harri Tarvainen.

Sanginjoki Nature Reserve

Oulu
Ulkokuva Cortenkadun ja Kauppakadun kulmasta

Villa Sinipursi 1 Studio Apartment in Old Raahe

Raahe
Northern lights abowe the Nallikari lighthouse.

Nallikari Lighthouse

Oulu
Urho Kekkosen patsas läheltä.

Statue of President Urho Kaleva Kekkonen

Raahe
Talvinen wanha Hamina.

The old town of Ii - Wanha Hamina

Ii

Olkijoki Treaty Museum

Raahe
Iso-Kraaseli daymark and sail sheds.

The Iso-Kraaseli Island Historical Daymark in Raahe Archipelago

Raahe
Pakkahuoneen museo kesällä.

Packhouse Museum

Raahe
Local tradiotional Pulla

A Unique Cafe Huvila in Oulu

Oulu
Varjakka island fire station.

Varjakka industrial heritage site and nature trail

Oulu
Grill it! Oulu seating area

Grill it! Oulu

Oulu
Eini esiintymässä Raahesalin lavalla.

Raahesali Concert and Conference Hall

Raahe
Pancho Villan hampurilaisia.

Pancho Villa Raahe

Raahe

Aurora Revelare

Oulu
Katariina´s Chambers entrance

Katariina´s Chambers Willa Katariina in Old Town Raahe

Raahe

Pancho Villa Raahe

Raahe

Raahe Library

Raahe
VENN Oulu, seating area

Restaurant and winebar VENN

Oulu
Darts ja karaokebaari Oulussa

Joku Paikallinen Pubi | Local pub for darts & karaoke in Tuira, Oulu

Oulu

Café Kaari

Oulu
Nuotiossa palaa tuli Ämmä-Äijän saarella.

Ämmä-Äijä Island

Raahe
Avis Budget car in winter

Avis Car Rental in Oulu

Oulu
Vihannin Sofia Magdalenan kirkko ulkoa.

Sofia Magdalena Church of Vihanti

Raahe
Taivas maalaa taulujaan. Sky is painting art.

Lake side Cottage Villa Wuotanka

Oulu
Cafe Hanna is a small cafe close to the Oulu Train station.

Cafe Hanna

Oulu

Rauhala ravintola-pâtisserie

Oulu

Kindergarten Visit

Oulu
Exterior

Scandic Oulu City

Oulu
A person standing next to a tree on Tasku Island at Raahe archipelago.

Raahe Archipelago

Raahe
Greenhouses Romeo ja Julia.

Botanical Garden of the University of Oulu

Oulu

Raahe Kebab Grill

Raahe

Tuba Food & Lounge

Oulu

Puistola Cafe & Bakery

Oulu
Makuupaikat kahdelle

Villa Sinipursi 3 Studio Apartment in Old Raahe

Raahe
Overview

TurusenSaha Guesthouse

Oulu
Authentic soy sauce ramen

Pure maku

Oulu

Hirsilampi apartments

Oulu
We recommend preordering when arriving to the airport.

Airport Taxi Service in Oulu

Oulu
Winter scenery of river delta.

Gems of the Oulu River estuary

Oulu
Facade of OSH Arina

Original Sokos Hotel Arina, Oulu

Oulu
Design Center Proto

Design Center Proto

Oulu
Vanhanaikainen popcornkärry

Cine Cafè Sofia

Raahe
Skiers on sea ice.

Virpiniemi recreational area

Oulu
Mourunki lake

Mourunki lake

Oulu
Kanttien pihakuva

Accomodation in Vihanti with the Local Heritage Society

Raahe
Our burgers

Burgers

Oulu
The menu provides ample choices for many tastes

Restaurant Pannu

Oulu

GreenStar Hotel Oulu

Oulu
Rantakortteli block in winter.

Historical Rantakortteli blocks of Oulu

Oulu
iloisia lapsia ja aikuinen leikkivät lattialla.

Children’s Cultural Centre Kotilo

Oulu
Rosso Oulu seating area

Rosso Restaurant Valkea

Oulu
Tasku island and historical daymark in the summer

The Tasku Island Historical Daymark in Raahe Archipelago

Raahe
Surprise menu

Surprise Menu; a tribute to the diverse nature of the North

Oulu
Saloisten kirkko ulkoa.

St. Olaf’s Church of Saloinen

Raahe

The Automobile Museum

Raahe
Pilpasuo nature trail includes duck boards.

Pilpasuo protected area and nature trails

Oulu
Kari Juvan veistos punaisten tulppaanien ympäröimänä Kari Juvan veistospuistossa Raahessa.

Kari Juva Sculpture Park

Raahe
Piispanletto Rajahauta nature trail.

Letonniemi protected area and nature trail

Oulu
Kuusiluoto presents heritage of wood building in Finland.

Many layers of history in Kuusiluoto

Oulu
Hiukkavaaran monitoimitalon kirjaston tilasta, biljardipöytä, kirjahyllyjä, pöytäryhmiä ja kolme lasta tilassa.

School Visit

Oulu
Vanha mustavalkoinen kuva suuresta ihmisjoukosta, kuvattu ylhäältä päin.

Oulu Museum

Oulu

Mediterranean Restaurant

Oulu

Metallikausi

Oulu

Bed and Breakfast by the Iijoki river

Ii
Saunatupa

Nature Resort Linnunrata / Sauna cabin

Oulu
OuluHostel AlliMaria

OuluHostel AlliMaria

Oulu
Oulu cathedral in Oulu city.

Oulu Cathedral

Oulu
Poiju Villat huokuvat ulkoapäin merellistä tyyliä ja niissä on iso oma terassi

Deluxe Poiju Villas by the Sea in Nallikari, Oulu

Oulu

Restaurant Puistola

Oulu
Fall in love with our new menu!

Restaurant Raahen Hovi

Raahe
Main door to Cafe

Sleep in hostel

Oulu
De Gamlas Hem Restaurant.

De Gamlas Hem Restaurant

Oulu
Korkea sisätila, vasemmalla kirjahyllyjä, oikealla korkea ikkunaseinä.

Central Library Saari

Oulu

Local Taxi Services in Kempele

Oulu
Superior room

Scandic Oulu Station

Oulu
Illallinen Fuchkassa

Fuchka

Oulu
Lapland Hotels deluxe.

Lapland Hotels Oulu

Oulu

Wine Bar Kurkela

Oulu

Tiima

Oulu
Ihminen seisomassa Suomen pisimmän seinän edustalla

The Longest Wall in Finland

Raahe

Masiina

Oulu
Dining room of the Koiteli Residenssi.

Koiteli Residenssi accommodation villa

Oulu
Oulu kirjaimet

Cafe / Bar KIIKKU

Oulu
Pattijoen kiviholvisilta kesällä.

Pattijoki Stone Arch Bridge

Raahe
Vihannin rautatieasema Raahessa

Vihanti-Raahe Railway Station

Raahe
Social dining

Amarillo Restaurant Oulu

Oulu

Geocaching in Ii

Ii

Sokeri-Jussin Kievari Restaurant

Oulu

MajoitusYkkönen

Raahe

Jakkukylä suspension bridge and Purusaari

Ii

Restaurant Harald

Oulu
Ilmakuva Taskun saaresta syksyllä.

Tasku Island and Guest Harbour

Raahe
Bacaro Doppio indoors

Bacaro Doppio Café

Oulu
Vene rannassa Ulkopauhan saaressa Raahen saaristossa.

Ulkopauha Island

Raahe

Kinosalonki Sofia

Raahe
Luotsitupa ja pooki Iso-Kraaselin saaressa Raahen saaristossa.

Iso-Kraaseli Island and Guest Berth

Raahe
The Miss Sofia’s Chamber is decorated in the style 1840s.

The Trade House of Lang, Unique Historic Hotel Experience in the Heart of the Raahe Old Town

Raahe
Hiastinhaaran suisto.

Nature trail and birdwatching tower Hiastinhaara

Ii
Bar is Baari in Finnish

45 Special

Oulu
Mestari-Heikin majan ovensuu.

Master-Heikki’s Hut

Raahe

Iisland Cottages

Ii
Log cabin of Liisa Rehu.

Liisa & Moss Wonderland

Oulu

Alvar Aalto’s Oulu River Estuary Vision: Koskikeskus

Oulu
sisäkuva bussista.

Regional Bus Transport Oulu - Ii

Ii
Kesätapahtumia aurinkoisella patiolla

Restaurant Mallassauna

Oulu
Pattijoen kirkko ulkoa.

Pattijoki Church Chapel of Silence

Raahe
Northern lights.

Restaurant Nallikari

Oulu
sauna

Budget Hotel Raahe, in North Ostrobothnia

Raahe

KulttuuriKauppila Art Centre

Ii
Herkullista pitsaa Maranaforni uunista.

Bistoria Patio

Oulu
Majoitushuone

Idyllinen kartanohotelli Iissä Iijoen rannalla

Ii
Iin Sillat restaurant

Iin Sillat Camping and Inn

Ii
Kuva kauniista sisäpihasta

Wanhakulma Guesthouse in Old Town Raahe

Raahe

Environmental Art Park

Ii

Crown Granary

Raahe

Science CentreTietomaa

Oulu
Frozen Nallikari Beach.

Hietasaari recreational area

Oulu

Restaurant La Sinfonia

Oulu
restaurant entrance

Hailong Chinese Restaurant

Oulu
Nallikari beach at the winter time.

Nallikari – the Riviera of the North

Oulu
Our logo

Restaurant Toripolliisi, Authentic and Local food

Oulu
Tourist info sign in front of Market Hall in winter.

Oulu Tourist Information

Oulu
Avis Budget Car keys

Avis Car Rental at Oulu Airport

Oulu
Lännennokan Kammari

Gunnarin Kartano´s apartments and hostel rooms in Lampinsaari, Raahe

Raahe
Ravintolamaailma Limingantulli seating area

Ravintolamaailma Limingantulli

Oulu

Catharina´s Cellar Willa Katariina in Old Town Raahe

Raahe
Pekkatori Wanhassa Raahessa.

Pekkatori Square in the heart of Old Raahe

Raahe
Pikisaari scenery in winter.

Wooden old town in Pikisaari Island

Oulu

Restaurant Hugo

Oulu
Vastuullinen taksipalvelu.

Menevä Taxi Service Oulu Area

Oulu

Eanangiella - Voice of the Land 16.1.–3.5.2026

Oulu

The Cheezburg Factory

Oulu
Ravintola Oulun keskustassa

1bar – Casual cocktail bar in the heart of Oulu

Oulu

Oulu Art Museum

Oulu
Raahen Hovi - VIP-sviitti - VIP-suite

Hotel Raahen Hovi

Raahe
OTAXI VIP is available also for groups and disabled.

OTAXI VIP for Premium Taxi Wishes

Oulu

Taxi and charter services Ii

Ii
Starter at Lasaretti's Bistro

Bistro, Hotel Lasaretti

Oulu

Cafe Magnolia Coffee & Bakery

Oulu
Tilava ja tyylikäs olohuone

Villa Sinipursi 8 Two-room Apartment

Raahe

Mallaskellari - Cozy craft beer pub at Rotuaari

Oulu

J&S BURGER

Ii
Greenhouse in the center of Oulu

Cafe / Bar KIIKKU

Oulu
Kuusisaari recreation park in winter.

Kuusisaari Recreation Park

Oulu
Nallikari Aalto located By the Sea

Nallikari Aalto Apartment Hotel

Oulu
A boulder resembling a pulpit in Alpua Raahe

The Alpua Church Stone

Raahe
Kivikkoinen rantaviiva

Smitti Island

Raahe

Restaurant Ule

Oulu

Pohjolan Matka Charter Coaches Oulu

Oulu
Luotsivahdinhuone

Historical Pilot House on Iso-Kraaseli Island

Raahe
Ravintolamaailma seating area

Ravintolamaailma Linnanmaa

Oulu
Coffee House seating area

Coffee House Café

Oulu
Moonlight BBQ menu

Kiikku Garden Grill / Moonlight BBQ

Oulu

Restaurant Caspian

Oulu

The Sovelius House

Raahe
Aloita matkasi Otaxin kyydissä.

Oulu's Original Taxi - OTAXI

Oulu
Artist room at Hotel Lasaretti

Nordic Art Hotel Lasaretti

Oulu

Raahe Bus and Taxi Station

Raahe
De Gamlas Hem Hotel & Restaurant.

De Gamlas Hem Hotel

Oulu
Pieniä leluautoja

Raahe Ride

Raahe

Ravintola Sarkka

Oulu
Varvi Mast in Raahe pays tribute to old shipbuilders.

Varvi Mast Memorial

Raahe
Toripolliisi statue in the Oulu Market Square.

Top 5 attractions in Oulu!

Oulu
Veranta for private occasions

Breakfast & Private Restaurant Veranta

Oulu

Nature Cafe Loppula at Sanginjoki

Oulu

Traditional handicrafts in an atmospheric old foundry

Raahe
Old wooden houses in Karjasilta.

Wooden Karjasilta from the reconstruction era

Oulu
Brownish Oulu city hall with three main doors and two little towers. Background blue sky.

Guided Transportation from Oulu Airport to Oulu

Oulu
Saunallinen kahden hengen parivuoteellinen hotellihuone 10 kpl

Best Western Hotel Apollo, Oulu

Oulu
A dock and boats at Kiviniemi port.

Traditional Fishing Harbour Kiviniemi

Oulu
Cottages are yellow and very idyllic outside.

Traditional Holiday Cottages in Nallikari, Oulu

Oulu
Miner statue in Vihanti Raahe

Miner Statue

Raahe
Puistokahvila Makia

Puistokahvila Makia Cafe

Oulu

Zivago

Oulu
Kastellin jätinkirkko Raahessa.

Kastelli Giant's Church

Raahe
Lohikeitto

Sopalle Lunch Restaurant

Raahe
Wanhan Raahen kaupunkikuvaa.

Old Town Raahe

Raahe
Inside Oulujoki church.

Oulujoki Church

Oulu

Typpi Oy – Alvar Aalto's Red Brick Industrial Community in Oulu

Oulu
Frans&Camille table setting

Frans&Camille Bistro

Oulu
Raahen Pyhän kolminaisuuden kirkko ulkoa.

Raahe Church of the Holy Trinity

Raahe
Merihelmi Camping sea shore

Merihelmi Camping in the Gulf of Bothnia

Ii
Kulttuuritalo Valveen julkisivu

Cultural Centre Valve

Oulu

Alvar Aalto's Toppila Sulphite Pulp Mill

Oulu
The café is decorated in the style of the 1860s.

Trade House of Lang 19th Century Style Cafe and Restaurant at the Old Town Raahe

Raahe
Teoksia valokuvaaja Vesa Rannan näyttelystä.

Art Gallery Myötätuuli

Raahe

Lähde! wellness art park

Ii

Night at Reenis

Oulu
Olohuone ja tupakeittiö

Villa Sinipursi 9 Seaside Two-room Apartment

Raahe

Mon Chou - French Pastry Shop

Oulu
Saaga Travel drivers are well-trained, polite and English speaking.

Charter buses and private transportation services in Oulu region

Oulu
Dinner in Oula Kitchen & Bar.

Oula Kitchen & Bar

Oulu
Nallikari Holiday Village - camping

Nallikari Holiday Village - Camping, Oulu

Oulu
Hupisaaret city park covered with frost in October.

Hupisaaret Islands city park

Oulu
Nauti aamiaisesta meren äärellä.

Breakfast by the sea

Oulu
Cafe & bar Olosauna

Cafe Olosauna

Oulu

Photo North's gallery

Oulu

Restaurant Indian Cuisine

Oulu
Market hall in winter.

Oulu Market Hall

Oulu
Kallan saaren kalastajanmökki Raahen saaristossa.

Kalla Island and Guest Berth

Raahe
CakePopin huone.

CakePop Accommodation

Raahe
Statue with light snow cover.

Oulu Market Square Policeman statue

Oulu
Nallikari Holiday Village tent site

Tent site in Nallikari Holiday Village, Oulu

Oulu