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.
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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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Lake side Cottage Villa Wuotanka
Traditional handicrafts in an atmospheric old foundry
Kastelli Giant's Church
Kuusisaari Recreation Park
Ravintolamaailma Limingantulli
Oulu Tourist Information
Gunnarin Kartano´s apartments and hostel rooms in Lampinsaari, Raahe
Scandic Oulu Station
Restaurant Mallassauna
On Animal Trails
Iso-Kraaseli Island and Guest Berth
Hailong Chinese Restaurant
OuluHostel AlliMaria
Crown Granary
Restaurant Indian Cuisine
Children’s Museum – City Pathways
Historical Pilot House on Iso-Kraaseli Island
Sofia Magdalena Church of Vihanti
Koiteli Residenssi accommodation villa
Oulu's Original Taxi - OTAXI
Joku Paikallinen Pubi | Local pub for darts & karaoke in Tuira, Oulu
Pekkatori Square in the heart of Old Raahe
Hotel Raahen Hovi
Vihanti-Raahe Railway Station
Oulujoki Church
Kinosalonki Sofia
Cafe / Bar KIIKKU
Cafe Magnolia Coffee & Bakery
Takaranta Art Path
Tent site in Nallikari Holiday Village, Oulu
Raahe Bus and Taxi Station
Regional Bus Transport Oulu - Ii
St. Olaf’s Church of Saloinen
Statue of President Urho Kaleva Kekkonen
Bothnia Cafe
Historical Rantakortteli blocks of Oulu
Kallen Pizzat
Scandic Oulu City
Rauhala ravintola-pâtisserie
Grill it! Oulu
Classic Pizza Restaurant - carefully crafted premium-quality pizzas
Sanginjoki Nature Reserve
Catharina´s Cellar Willa Katariina in Old Town Raahe
The Sovelius House
Bistoria Patio
Oula Kitchen & Bar
Deluxe Poiju Villas by the Sea in Nallikari, Oulu
Jakkukylä suspension bridge and Purusaari
Varikko Taproom & Terrace
The Tasku Island Historical Daymark in Raahe Archipelago
Letonniemi protected area and nature trail
Pilpasuo protected area and nature trails
Restaurant and winebar VENN
Matti Lepistö Sculpture Park in Pattijoki
Budget Hotel Raahe
Siipiweikot Oulu
Botanical Garden of the University of Oulu
Taxi and charter services Ii
Cafe Hanna
Mediterranean Restaurant
Restaurant Hugo
Eat & Drink Scandic Oulu Station
Oulu Art Museum
Restaurant Ule
Out of Time 30.10.2026–28.3.2027
Alvar Aalto’s Oulu River Estuary Vision: Koskikeskus
Accomodation in Vihanti with the Local Heritage Society
Varjakka industrial heritage site and nature trail
PikkuPanda Teahouse & Teashop
Matti's Cosmos Sculpture Park
Hirsilampi apartments
Breakfast & Private Restaurant Veranta
Restaurant Nallikari
TurusenSaha Guesthouse
Central Library Saari
A Unique Cafe Huvila in Oulu
Liisa & Moss Wonderland
Nordic Art Hotel Lasaretti
Rosso Restaurant Valkea
Art Gallery Myötätuuli
Lapland Hotels Oulu
Iin Paviljongin majoitus upeissa jokimaisemissa
Avis Car Rental at Oulu Airport
Restaurant La Sinfonia
Ulkopauha Island
SuperPark Restaurant
Idyllinen kartanohotelli Iissä Iijoen rannalla
Raahe Church of the Holy Trinity
Iin Sillat Camping and Inn
Mallaskellari - Cozy craft beer pub at Rotuaari
Traditional Fishing Harbour Kiviniemi
Nallikari – the Riviera of the North
The Alpua Church Stone
Wooden old town in Pikisaari Island
Avis Car Rental in Oulu
The old town of Ii - Wanha Hamina
Nallikari Aalto Seaside Hotel
The Cheezburg Factory
Airport Taxi Service in Oulu
Bistro Scandic Oulu City
Panoramic Elevator
Miner Statue
Cultural Centre Valve
Oulu Cathedral
De Gamlas Hem Hotel
Raahe Ride
Coffee House Café
De Gamlas Hem Restaurant
The Trade House of Lang, Unique Historic Hotel Experience in the Heart of the Raahe Old Town
Tuba Food & Lounge
Adventure Factory
Radisson Blu Hotel Oulu
Local Taxi Services in Kempele
Café Kaari
Nature Cafe Loppula at Sanginjoki
KulttuuriKauppila Art Centre
Burgers
Masiina
Hupisaaret Islands city park
Surprise Menu; a tribute to the diverse nature of the North
Oulu: Stories
Pancho Villa Raahe
Photo North's gallery
Pohjolan Matka Charter Coaches Oulu
45 Special
Trade House of Lang 19th Century Style Cafe and Restaurant at the Old Town Raahe
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Pancho Villa Raahe
Cosy furnished and well equipped apartment with one bedroom and sauna
Pattijoki Church Chapel of Silence
GreenStar Hotel Oulu
Nature Resort Linnunrata / Sauna cabin
Café Wanha Apteekkari - the Old Apothecary
Oulu Market Hall
Iisland Cottages
Fuchka
Kindergarten Visit
CakePop Accommodation
Ravintolamaailma Linnanmaa
Top 5 attractions in Oulu!
Breakfast by the sea
Environmental Art Park
Olkijoki Treaty Museum
Raahe Archipelago
Villa Sinipursi 8 Two-room Apartment
J&S BURGER
Cine Cafè Sofia
Frans&Camille Bistro
Villa Sinipursi 1 Studio Apartment in Old Raahe
Varvi Mast Memorial
Metallikausi
Puistokahvila Makia Cafe
Pattijoki Stone Arch Bridge
Raahe Library
The Longest Wall in Finland
Night at Reenis
Mon Chou - French Pastry Shop
Traditional Holiday Cottages in Nallikari, Oulu
Science CentreTietomaa
Experience Space VISIO
Hietasaari recreational area
Pure maku
Nature trail and birdwatching tower Hiastinhaara
Kiikku Garden Grill / Moonlight BBQ
Alvar Aalto's Toppila Sulphite Pulp Mill
Kurkela Lounge & Dine
Mourunki lake
Cafe Olosauna
Restaurant Harald
Restaurant Raahen Hovi
1bar – Casual cocktail bar in the heart of Oulu
School Visit
Bed and Breakfast by the Iijoki river
Bacaro Doppio Café
Villa Sinipursi 3 Studio Apartment in Old Raahe
Amarillo Restaurant Oulu
Guided Transportation from Oulu Airport to Oulu
Oulu Museum
Charter buses and private transportation services in Oulu region
Packhouse Museum
The Automobile Museum
Restaurant Caspian
Adaptation 16.10.2026-4.2.2027
Gems of the Oulu River estuary
Tiima
Design Center Proto
Sopalle Lunch Restaurant
OTAXI VIP for Premium Taxi Wishes
Original Sokos Hotel Arina, Oulu
Katariina´s Chambers Willa Katariina in Old Town Raahe
Smitti Island
Kalla Island and Guest Berth
Oulu Market Square Policeman statue
Ravintola Sarkka
Aurora Revelare
Typpi Oy – Alvar Aalto's Red Brick Industrial Community in Oulu
Tasku Island and Guest Harbour
Merihelmi Camping in the Gulf of Bothnia
Wanhakulma Guesthouse in Old Town Raahe
Bistro, Hotel Lasaretti
Raahesali Concert and Conference Hall
Restaurant Pannu
Virpiniemi recreational area
Lähde! wellness art park
Sailor's trail
Wooden Karjasilta from the reconstruction era
Children’s Cultural Centre Kotilo
Kari Juva Sculpture Park
Sleep in hostel
Sokeri-Jussin Kievari Restaurant
Geocaching in Ii
The Iso-Kraaseli Island Historical Daymark in Raahe Archipelago
Varikko Brewery Restaurant
Nallikari Lighthouse
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Ämmä-Äijä Island
The Punished without a Crime
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Best Western Hotel Apollo, Oulu
Puistola Cafe & Bakery
Villa Sinipursi 9 Seaside Two-room Apartment
Pastel-coloured wooden Raksila
MajoitusYkkönen