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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Kahvila Kiikku
Oulu
Restaurant Hugo
Oulu
Saloinen Museum
Raahe
Varvi Mast Memorial
Raahe
Joo Hetki Cafe
Oulu
Ulkopauha Island
Raahe
Hotel Rantakalla – overlooking the arctic Bay of Bothnia
Kalajoki
Kastelli Giant's Church
Raahe
Coffee House Café
Oulu
Hietasaari recreational area
Oulu
Raahesali Concert and Conference Hall
Raahe
Marina Chalets, 2+2
Kalajoki
Cafe Hanna
Oulu
Best Western Hotel Apollo, Oulu
Oulu
The Sovelius House
Raahe
SuperPark Restaurant
Oulu
Night at Reenis
Oulu
Virpiniemi recreational area
Oulu
Airport Taxi Service in Oulu
Oulu
Packhouse Museum
Raahe
Zivago
Oulu
Mon Chou - French Pastry Shop
Oulu
Oula Kitchen & Bar
Oulu
Botanical Garden of the University of Oulu
Oulu
The duckboards of Hiekkasärkät
Kalajoki
Restaurant and winebar VENN
Oulu
Lähde! wellness art park
Ii
Historical Rantakortteli blocks of Oulu
Oulu
Raahen Hovi Restaurant
Raahe
Nallikari Lighthouse
Oulu
Rosso Restaurant Valkea
Oulu
The Tasku Island Historical Daymark in Raahe Archipelago
Raahe
Historical Pilot House on Iso-Kraaseli Island
Raahe
Restaurant Mallassauna
Oulu
Dinosauria
Oulu
Sanginjoki Nature Reserve
Oulu
Trade House of Lang Unique Historic Hotel Experience in the Heart of the Raahe Old Town
Raahe
Sokeri-Jussin Kievari
Oulu
Marjatta Hanhijoki: Aino and Reetu – Visibly So 3
Oulu
Mourunki lake
Oulu
Art Gallery Myötätuuli
Raahe
Bacaro Doppio Café
Oulu
Environmental Art Park
Ii
Puistokahvila Makia Cafe
Oulu
Tasku Island and Guest Berth
Raahe
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Pattijoki Church Chapel of Silence
Raahe
Ojala Museum
Raahe
Idyllic holiday home by the Kiiminki River
Oulu
Scandic Oulu City
Oulu
Holiday Apartment With Own Yard
Kalajoki
GreenStar Hotel Oulu
Oulu
Get-away for Two by the Arctic Sea and Sand Dunes
Kalajoki
Oulu Market Square Policeman statue
Oulu
Nature trail and birdwatching tower Hiastinhaara
Ii
Trade House of Lang 19th Century Style Cafe and Restaurant at the Raahe Old Town
Raahe
Miner Statue
Raahe
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Bistro, Hotel Lasaretti
Oulu
The Alpua Church Stone
Raahe
De Gamlas Hem Restaurant
Oulu
Statue of President Urho Kaleva Kekkonen
Raahe
Villa Kalajoki
Kalajoki
The old town of Ii - Wanha Hamina
Ii
BUDGET HOTEL RAAHE, in North Ostrobothnia
Raahe
Café Kaari
Oulu
OTAXI VIP for Premium Taxi Wishes
Oulu
Catharina´s Cellar Willa Katariina in Old Town Raahe
Raahe
Raahe Church of the Holy Trinity
Raahe
Warjakka B&B Accommodation
Oulu
Voimala 1889
Oulu
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Letonniemi protected area and nature trail
Oulu
Local Taxi Services in Kempele
Oulu
Many layers of history in Kuusiluoto
Oulu
Nordic Art Hotel Lasaretti
Oulu
MajoitusYkkönen
Raahe
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Raahe Archipelago
Raahe
The Iso-Kraaseli Island Historical Daymark in Raahe Archipelago
Raahe
Olkijoki Treaty Museum
Raahe
Varjakka industrial heritage site and nature trail
Oulu
Iisland Cottages
Ii
Hupisaaret Islands city park
Oulu
Restaurant Harald
Oulu
Pastel-coloured wooden Raksila
Oulu
Sofia Magdalena Church of Vihanti
Raahe
Fish Restaurant and Fishmonger's Lapaluodon KALA & KAHVILA
Raahe
Pattijoki Stone Arch Bridge
Raahe
Glass Iglu: Enjoy the Luxury of the Arctic Nature in Rahja Archipelago
Kalajoki
Pilpasuo protected area and nature trails
Oulu
The Seasons in Us – Works from the Collections of the Association of Finnish Fine Art Foundations
Oulu
Nallikari – the Riviera of the North
Oulu
Nallikari Aalto Apartments (open from February 2024)
Oulu
Tuba Food & Lounge
Oulu
Traditional Holiday Cottages in Nallikari, Oulu
Oulu
Breakfast & Private Restaurant Veranta
Oulu
Marina Resort A3
Kalajoki
Holiday house Aurinkorinne 8
Kalajoki
Rauhala ravintola-pâtisserie
Oulu
Iso-Kraaseli Island and Guest Berth
Raahe
Restaurant Nallikari
Oulu
Merihelmi
Kalajoki
Nallikari Holiday Village - Camping, Oulu
Oulu
Charter buses and private transportation services in Oulu region
Oulu
Oulu Museum of Art
Oulu
Fafa's Restaurant Limingantulli
Oulu
Northern Ostrobothnia Museum
Oulu
Oulu's Original Taxi - OTAXI
Oulu
De Gamlas Hem Hotel
Oulu
Crown Granary
Raahe
Pekkatori Square in the heart of Old Raahe
Raahe
Katariina´s Chambers Willa Katariina in Old Town Raahe
Raahe
Raahen Hovi Hotel
Raahe
Top 5 attractions in Oulu!
Oulu
Luxuriuous apartment Villa Merellä
Kalajoki
Cafe-Restaurant Seelari in Hietasaari
Oulu
Scandic Oulu Station
Oulu
Oulu Market Hall
Oulu
Pohjolan Matka Charter Coaches Oulu
Oulu
Fresh Mex
Oulu
St. Olaf’s Church of Saloinen
Raahe
Fafa's Restaurant Valkea
Oulu
Tent site in Nallikari Holiday Village, Oulu
Oulu
Ämmä - Äijä Island
Raahe
Farmahand´s Cabin Willa Katariina in Old Town Raahe
Raahe
1bar
Oulu
Koivuranta Floating Cafe
Oulu
Frans&Camille Bistro
Oulu
Master-Heikki’s Hut
Raahe
Bed and Breakfast by the Iijoki river
Ii
Siiponjoki nature trail
Kalajoki
Amarillo Restaurant Oulu
Oulu
Ravintolamaailma Linnanmaa
Oulu
Wooden Karjasilta from the reconstruction era
Oulu
Koivuranta igloos
Oulu
Kuusisaari Recreation Park
Oulu
Sailor's trail
Ii
Oulu Tourist Information Office
Oulu
Wanhakulma Guesthouse in Old Raahe
Raahe
Original Sokos Hotel Arina, Oulu
Oulu
Oulu Market Square
Oulu
Koiteli Residenssi accommodation villa
Oulu
Kari Juva Sculpture Park
Raahe
Rahja archipelago
Kalajoki
Old Town Raahe
Raahe
Pure maku
Oulu
Nallikari Bakery & Bistro
Oulu
Oulu Cathedral
Oulu
Visit a wealthy merchant´s house Havula from the early 1900s
Kalajoki
Lokkilinna Restaurant
Kalajoki
Deluxe Poiju Villas by the Sea in Nallikari, Oulu
Oulu
The Vihaslahti bird tower and nature reserve
Kalajoki
Design Center Proto
Oulu
Ravintolamaailma Limingantulli
Oulu
Mediterranean Restaurant
Oulu
Marina Chalets, 4+2
Kalajoki
Photo North's gallery
Oulu
Smitti Island
Raahe
Santa's Resort&Spa Hotel Sani
Kalajoki
Lapland Hotels Oulu
Oulu
Tietomaa Science Centre Tower
Oulu
Kalla Island and Guest Berth
Raahe
Traditional handicrafts in an atmospheric old foundry
Raahe
Wooden old town in Pikisaari Island
Oulu
Oulujoki Church
Oulu
Jaakko Autio: OWLA
Oulu
Restaurant Bistro
Kalajoki
Gems of the Oulu River estuary
Oulu
KulttuuriKauppila Art Centre
Ii