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!
Sort by category

Kahvila Kiikku

Restaurant Hugo

Saloinen Museum

Varvi Mast Memorial

Joo Hetki Cafe

Ulkopauha Island

Hotel Rantakalla – overlooking the arctic Bay of Bothnia

Kastelli Giant's Church

Coffee House Café

Hietasaari recreational area

Raahesali Concert and Conference Hall

Marina Chalets, 2+2

Cafe Hanna

Best Western Hotel Apollo, Oulu

The Sovelius House

SuperPark Restaurant

Night at Reenis

Virpiniemi recreational area

Airport Taxi Service in Oulu

Packhouse Museum

Zivago

Mon Chou - French Pastry Shop

Oula Kitchen & Bar

Botanical Garden of the University of Oulu

The duckboards of Hiekkasärkät

Restaurant and winebar VENN

Lähde! wellness art park

Historical Rantakortteli blocks of Oulu

Raahen Hovi Restaurant

Nallikari Lighthouse

Rosso Restaurant Valkea

The Tasku Island Historical Daymark in Raahe Archipelago

Historical Pilot House on Iso-Kraaseli Island

Restaurant Mallassauna

Dinosauria

Sanginjoki Nature Reserve

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

Sokeri-Jussin Kievari

Marjatta Hanhijoki: Aino and Reetu – Visibly So 3

Mourunki lake

Art Gallery Myötätuuli

Bacaro Doppio Café

Environmental Art Park

Puistokahvila Makia Cafe

Tasku Island and Guest Berth
.jpg?s=1920)
Pattijoki Church Chapel of Silence

Ojala Museum

Idyllic holiday home by the Kiiminki River

Scandic Oulu City

Holiday Apartment With Own Yard

GreenStar Hotel Oulu

Get-away for Two by the Arctic Sea and Sand Dunes

Oulu Market Square Policeman statue

Nature trail and birdwatching tower Hiastinhaara

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

Miner Statue
.jpg?s=1920)
Bistro, Hotel Lasaretti

The Alpua Church Stone

De Gamlas Hem Restaurant

Statue of President Urho Kaleva Kekkonen

Villa Kalajoki

The old town of Ii - Wanha Hamina

BUDGET HOTEL RAAHE, in North Ostrobothnia

Café Kaari

OTAXI VIP for Premium Taxi Wishes

Catharina´s Cellar Willa Katariina in Old Town Raahe

Raahe Church of the Holy Trinity

Warjakka B&B Accommodation

Voimala 1889
.jpg?s=1920)
Letonniemi protected area and nature trail

Local Taxi Services in Kempele

Many layers of history in Kuusiluoto

Nordic Art Hotel Lasaretti

MajoitusYkkönen
.jpg?s=1920)
Raahe Archipelago

The Iso-Kraaseli Island Historical Daymark in Raahe Archipelago

Olkijoki Treaty Museum

Varjakka industrial heritage site and nature trail

Iisland Cottages

Hupisaaret Islands city park

Restaurant Harald

Pastel-coloured wooden Raksila

Sofia Magdalena Church of Vihanti

Fish Restaurant and Fishmonger's Lapaluodon KALA & KAHVILA

Pattijoki Stone Arch Bridge

Glass Iglu: Enjoy the Luxury of the Arctic Nature in Rahja Archipelago

Pilpasuo protected area and nature trails

The Seasons in Us – Works from the Collections of the Association of Finnish Fine Art Foundations

Nallikari – the Riviera of the North

Nallikari Aalto Apartments (open from February 2024)

Tuba Food & Lounge

Traditional Holiday Cottages in Nallikari, Oulu

Breakfast & Private Restaurant Veranta

Marina Resort A3

Holiday house Aurinkorinne 8

Rauhala ravintola-pâtisserie

Iso-Kraaseli Island and Guest Berth

Restaurant Nallikari

Merihelmi

Nallikari Holiday Village - Camping, Oulu

Charter buses and private transportation services in Oulu region

Oulu Museum of Art

Fafa's Restaurant Limingantulli

Northern Ostrobothnia Museum

Oulu's Original Taxi - OTAXI

De Gamlas Hem Hotel

Crown Granary

Pekkatori Square in the heart of Old Raahe

Katariina´s Chambers Willa Katariina in Old Town Raahe

Raahen Hovi Hotel

Top 5 attractions in Oulu!

Luxuriuous apartment Villa Merellä

Cafe-Restaurant Seelari in Hietasaari

Scandic Oulu Station

Oulu Market Hall

Pohjolan Matka Charter Coaches Oulu

Fresh Mex

St. Olaf’s Church of Saloinen

Fafa's Restaurant Valkea

Tent site in Nallikari Holiday Village, Oulu

Ämmä - Äijä Island

Farmahand´s Cabin Willa Katariina in Old Town Raahe

1bar

Koivuranta Floating Cafe

Frans&Camille Bistro

Master-Heikki’s Hut

Bed and Breakfast by the Iijoki river

Siiponjoki nature trail

Amarillo Restaurant Oulu

Ravintolamaailma Linnanmaa

Wooden Karjasilta from the reconstruction era

Koivuranta igloos

Kuusisaari Recreation Park

Sailor's trail

Oulu Tourist Information Office

Wanhakulma Guesthouse in Old Raahe

Original Sokos Hotel Arina, Oulu

Oulu Market Square

Koiteli Residenssi accommodation villa

Kari Juva Sculpture Park

Rahja archipelago

Old Town Raahe

Pure maku

Nallikari Bakery & Bistro

Oulu Cathedral

Visit a wealthy merchant´s house Havula from the early 1900s

Lokkilinna Restaurant

Deluxe Poiju Villas by the Sea in Nallikari, Oulu

The Vihaslahti bird tower and nature reserve

Design Center Proto

Ravintolamaailma Limingantulli

Mediterranean Restaurant

Marina Chalets, 4+2

Photo North's gallery

Smitti Island

Santa's Resort&Spa Hotel Sani

Lapland Hotels Oulu

Tietomaa Science Centre Tower

Kalla Island and Guest Berth

Traditional handicrafts in an atmospheric old foundry

Wooden old town in Pikisaari Island

Oulujoki Church

Jaakko Autio: OWLA

Restaurant Bistro

Gems of the Oulu River estuary
