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
1bar – Casual cocktail bar in the heart of Oulu
Raahe Church of the Holy Trinity
Rauhala ravintola-pâtisserie
Hailong Chinese Restaurant
Iso-Kraaseli Island and Guest Berth
Wooden old town in Pikisaari Island
Sleep in hostel
Sokeri-Jussin Kievari Restaurant
Matti's Cosmos Sculpture Park
Sofia Magdalena Church of Vihanti
Villa Sinipursi 3 Studio Apartment in Old Raahe
Oulu's Original Taxi - OTAXI
Kallen Pizzat
Burgers
Cafe Olosauna
Sailor's trail
The Iso-Kraaseli Island Historical Daymark in Raahe Archipelago
Café Kaari
Smitti Island
Children’s Cultural Centre Kotilo
Kastelli Giant's Church
Kiikku Garden Grill / Moonlight BBQ
Oula Kitchen & Bar
Liisa & Moss Wonderland
Takaranta Art Path
Virpiniemi recreational area
Mourunki lake
KulttuuriKauppila Art Centre
Classic Pizza Restaurant - carefully crafted premium-quality pizzas
Environmental Art Park
Science CentreTietomaa
Lähde! wellness art park
Restaurant Harald
Villa Sinipursi 8 Two-room Apartment
On Animal Trails
Gunnarin Kartano´s apartments and hostel rooms in Lampinsaari, Raahe
Jakkukylä suspension bridge and Purusaari
Raahesali Concert and Conference Hall
Avis Car Rental at Oulu Airport
Master-Heikki’s Hut
Pohjolan Matka Charter Coaches Oulu
Raahe Bus and Taxi Station
Traditional Fishing Harbour Kiviniemi
De Gamlas Hem Hotel
OuluHostel AlliMaria
Varjakka industrial heritage site and nature trail
Packhouse Museum
Hotel Raahen Hovi
Traditional handicrafts in an atmospheric old foundry
Airport Taxi Service in Oulu
Pancho Villa Raahe
The Sovelius House
Lapland Hotels Oulu
Idyllinen kartanohotelli Iissä Iijoen rannalla
Bothnia Cafe & Wine
Radisson Blu Hotel Oulu
Photo North's gallery
Oulujoki Church
Regional Bus Transport Oulu - Ii
Central Library Saari
Coffee House Café
Catharina´s Cellar Willa Katariina in Old Town Raahe
Best Western Hotel Apollo, Oulu
Miner Statue
Restaurant and winebar VENN
St. Olaf’s Church of Saloinen
Mon Chou - French Pastry Shop
Pekkatori Square in the heart of Old Raahe
Cine Cafè Sofia
Ravintolamaailma Linnanmaa
Menevä Taxi Service Oulu Area
Raahe Ride
TurusenSaha Guesthouse
Iin Paviljongin majoitus upeissa jokimaisemissa
Pattijoki Stone Arch Bridge
Guided Transportation from Oulu Airport to Oulu
Hupisaaret Islands city park
Breakfast & Private Restaurant Veranta
Historical Pilot House on Iso-Kraaseli Island
Experience Space VISIO
Varikko Taproom & Terrace
Villa Sinipursi 1 Studio Apartment in Old Raahe
Restaurant Hugo
Taxi and charter services Ii
Panoramic Elevator
Nallikari Holiday Village - Camping, Oulu
Rosso Restaurant Valkea
Sanginjoki Nature Reserve
Eanangiella - Voice of the Land 16.1.–3.5.2026
Katariina´s Chambers Willa Katariina in Old Town Raahe
Geocaching in Ii
Wanhakulma Guesthouse in Old Town Raahe
Oulu Cathedral
Alvar Aalto’s Oulu River Estuary Vision: Koskikeskus
Tasku Island and Guest Harbour
Many layers of history in Kuusiluoto
Restaurant Puistola
Nordic Art Hotel Lasaretti
GreenStar Hotel Oulu
The Trade House of Lang, Unique Historic Hotel Experience in the Heart of the Raahe Old Town
The Cheezburg Factory
Pattijoki Church Chapel of Silence
Old Town Raahe
School Visit
Restaurant Nallikari
Bacaro Doppio Café
Nature trail and birdwatching tower Hiastinhaara
Ravintolamaailma Limingantulli
45 Special
Oulu Museum
Breakfast by the sea
Restaurant Toripolliisi, Authentic and Local food
Tuba Food & Lounge
Cafe Magnolia Coffee & Bakery
Raahe Library
Matti Lepistö Sculpture Park in Pattijoki
Bistro, Hotel Lasaretti
Wooden Karjasilta from the reconstruction era
Kinosalonki Sofia
Top 5 attractions in Oulu!
Joku Paikallinen Pubi | Local pub for darts & karaoke in Tuira, Oulu
Café Wanha Apteekkari - the Old Apothecary
Restaurant Ule
The Automobile Museum
Kuusisaari Recreation Park
Surprise Menu; a tribute to the diverse nature of the North
Alvar Aalto's Toppila Sulphite Pulp Mill
Letonniemi protected area and nature trail
Restaurant Indian Cuisine
Restaurant Raahen Hovi
Typpi Oy – Alvar Aalto's Red Brick Industrial Community in Oulu
Oulu Market Square Policeman statue
Kalla Island and Guest Berth
Grill it! Oulu
Cafe Hanna
Mallaskellari - Cozy craft beer pub at Rotuaari
Night at Reenis
Botanical Garden of the University of Oulu
Nallikari – the Riviera of the North
The Alpua Church Stone
Ulkopauha Island
Nature Cafe Loppula at Sanginjoki
Siipiweikot Oulu
Nallikari Aalto Apartment Hotel
Kindergarten Visit
Tiima
Budget Hotel Raahe, in North Ostrobothnia
De Gamlas Hem Restaurant
Restaurant Caspian
Original Sokos Hotel Arina, Oulu
J&S BURGER
The Longest Wall in Finland
Raahe Archipelago
Fuchka
Hirsilampi apartments
Pastel-coloured wooden Raksila
Vihanti-Raahe Railway Station
Deluxe Poiju Villas by the Sea in Nallikari, Oulu
Nallikari Lighthouse
Masiina
MajoitusYkkönen
Pilpasuo protected area and nature trails
Pure maku
Merihelmi Camping in the Gulf of Bothnia
Tent site in Nallikari Holiday Village, Oulu
Koiteli Residenssi accommodation villa
Restaurant Pannu
Kari Juva Sculpture Park
SuperPark Restaurant
Mediterranean Restaurant
Cultural Centre Valve
Zivago
Villa Sinipursi 9 Seaside Two-room Apartment
Metallikausi
Oulu Art Museum
Accomodation in Vihanti with the Local Heritage Society
Trade House of Lang 19th Century Style Cafe and Restaurant at the Old Town Raahe
Ämmä-Äijä Island
Bed and Breakfast by the Iijoki river
OTAXI VIP for Premium Taxi Wishes
Design Center Proto
Restaurant Mallassauna
Aurora Revelare
Nature Resort Linnunrata / Sauna cabin
Restaurant La Sinfonia
Crown Granary
Cafe / Bar KIIKKU
The old town of Ii - Wanha Hamina
Puistola Cafe & Bakery
Bistoria Patio
Avis Car Rental in Oulu
PikkuPanda Teahouse & Teashop
Ravintola Sarkka
Amarillo Restaurant Oulu
Oulu Market Hall
A Unique Cafe Huvila in Oulu
Art Gallery Myötätuuli
Sopalle Lunch Restaurant
Statue of President Urho Kaleva Kekkonen
CakePop Accommodation
Local Taxi Services in Kempele
Gems of the Oulu River estuary
Cosy furnished and well equipped apartment with one bedroom and sauna
Scandic Oulu City
Charter buses and private transportation services in Oulu region
Varvi Mast Memorial
Varikko Brewery Restaurant
Olkijoki Treaty Museum
Kurkela Lounge & Dine
Puistokahvila Makia Cafe
Iisland Cottages
Frans&Camille Bistro
Lake side Cottage Villa Wuotanka
Oulu Tourist Information
Iin Sillat Camping and Inn
Historical Rantakortteli blocks of Oulu
Hietasaari recreational area
The Tasku Island Historical Daymark in Raahe Archipelago
Traditional Holiday Cottages in Nallikari, Oulu
Scandic Oulu Station