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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take-away coffee

Kahvila Kiikku

Oulu

Restaurant Hugo

Oulu

Saloinen Museum

Raahe
Varvi Mast in Raahe pays tribute to old shipbuilders.

Varvi Mast Memorial

Raahe
Joo Hetki kahvila sisätila

Joo Hetki Cafe

Oulu
Vene rannassa Ulkopauhan saaressa Raahessa

Ulkopauha Island

Raahe
Rantahotelli / Hotel by the beach

Hotel Rantakalla – overlooking the arctic Bay of Bothnia

Kalajoki

Kastelli Giant's Church

Raahe
Coffee House seating area

Coffee House Café

Oulu
Bird watching tower in Hietasaari

Hietasaari recreational area

Oulu
Eini esiintymässä Raahesalin lavalla.

Raahesali Concert and Conference Hall

Raahe

Marina Chalets, 2+2

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

Cafe Hanna

Oulu
Saunallinen kahden hengen hotellihuone.

Best Western Hotel Apollo, Oulu

Oulu

The Sovelius House

Raahe
Robson's Lunch

SuperPark Restaurant

Oulu

Night at Reenis

Oulu
Picnic shelters in Virpiniemi sport area

Virpiniemi recreational area

Oulu
We recommend preordering when arriving to the airport.

Airport Taxi Service in Oulu

Oulu

Packhouse Museum

Raahe

Zivago

Oulu

Mon Chou - French Pastry Shop

Oulu
Dinner in Oula Kitchen & Bar.

Oula Kitchen & Bar

Oulu
Greenhouses Romeo ja Julia.

Botanical Garden of the University of Oulu

Oulu
Let the sea wind dance with your hair.

The duckboards of Hiekkasärkät

Kalajoki
VENN Bar

Restaurant and winebar VENN

Oulu

Lähde! wellness art park

Ii
Rantakortteli block seen from above.

Historical Rantakortteli blocks of Oulu

Oulu
Fall in love with our new menu!

Raahen Hovi Restaurant

Raahe
Sunset scenery with Nallikari lighthouse.

Nallikari Lighthouse

Oulu
Rosso seating area

Rosso Restaurant Valkea

Oulu
Tasku island and historical daymark in the summer

The Tasku Island Historical Daymark in Raahe Archipelago

Raahe
Luotsivahdinhuone

Historical Pilot House on Iso-Kraaseli Island

Raahe
A unique restaurant in idyllic Pikisaari in Oulu.

Restaurant Mallassauna

Oulu
Dinosauria logo

Dinosauria

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

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

Mourunki lake

Oulu
Teoksia valokuvaaja Vesa Rannan näyttelystä.

Art Gallery Myötätuuli

Raahe
Bacaro Doppio indoors

Bacaro Doppio Café

Oulu

Environmental Art Park

Ii
Puistokahvila Makia

Puistokahvila Makia Cafe

Oulu
Air view of the island from the daymark

Tasku Island and Guest Berth

Raahe
Pattijoki church and church yard.

Pattijoki Church Chapel of Silence

Raahe

Ojala Museum

Raahe
Lomakoti Onnela

Idyllic holiday home by the Kiiminki River

Oulu
Exterior

Scandic Oulu City

Oulu
Olohuone ja keittiö

Holiday Apartment With Own Yard

Kalajoki

GreenStar Hotel Oulu

Oulu
Seaview room has also a seaview balcony

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

Kalajoki
Oulu market square policeman.

Oulu Market Square Policeman statue

Oulu
Hiastinhaaran suisto.

Nature trail and birdwatching tower Hiastinhaara

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

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

Raahe
Miner statue in Vihanti Raahe

Miner Statue

Raahe
Starter at Lasaretti's Bistro

Bistro, Hotel Lasaretti

Oulu
A boulder resembling a pulpit in Alpua Raahe

The Alpua Church Stone

Raahe
De Gamlas Hem Restaurant.

De Gamlas Hem Restaurant

Oulu
Statue of Kekkonen in close

Statue of President Urho Kaleva Kekkonen

Raahe
Villa Kalajoki

Villa Kalajoki

Kalajoki
Talvinen wanha Hamina.

The old town of Ii - Wanha Hamina

Ii
sauna

BUDGET HOTEL RAAHE, in North Ostrobothnia

Raahe
Café Kaari

Café Kaari

Oulu
OTAXI VIP is available also for groups and disabled.

OTAXI VIP for Premium Taxi Wishes

Oulu

Catharina´s Cellar Willa Katariina in Old Town Raahe

Raahe
The Church of the Holy Trinity is made of granite stones

Raahe Church of the Holy Trinity

Raahe
Accommodation near Oulu and Hailuoto.

Warjakka B&B Accommodation

Oulu

Voimala 1889

Oulu
Letonniemi nature trail.

Letonniemi protected area and nature trail

Oulu

Local Taxi Services in Kempele

Oulu
Kuusiluoto presents heritage of wood building in Finland.

Many layers of history in Kuusiluoto

Oulu
Artist room at Hotel Lasaretti

Nordic Art Hotel Lasaretti

Oulu

MajoitusYkkönen

Raahe
Clear sunshiny summer day in Raahe Archipelago

Raahe Archipelago

Raahe
Iso-Kraaseli daymark and sail sheds

The Iso-Kraaseli Island Historical Daymark in Raahe Archipelago

Raahe

Olkijoki Treaty Museum

Raahe
Varjakka island fire station.

Varjakka industrial heritage site and nature trail

Oulu

Iisland Cottages

Ii
View from the Hupisaaret City Park.

Hupisaaret Islands city park

Oulu

Restaurant Harald

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

Pastel-coloured wooden Raksila

Oulu
Sofia Magdalena Church of Vihanti

Sofia Magdalena Church of Vihanti

Raahe

Fish Restaurant and Fishmonger's Lapaluodon KALA & KAHVILA

Raahe
The old stone arch bridge in Pattijoki is a national road museum site

Pattijoki Stone Arch Bridge

Raahe
Glass iglu by Botnian Bay in Rahja Archipelago in winter

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

Kalajoki
Pilpasuo nature trail includes duck boards.

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 beach on sunset.

Nallikari – the Riviera of the North

Oulu
Nallikari Aalto Apartments

Nallikari Aalto Apartments (open from February 2024)

Oulu

Tuba Food & Lounge

Oulu
Cottages are yellow and very idyllic outside.

Traditional Holiday Cottages in Nallikari, Oulu

Oulu
Veranta for private occasions

Breakfast & Private Restaurant Veranta

Oulu

Marina Resort A3

Kalajoki

Holiday house Aurinkorinne 8

Kalajoki

Rauhala ravintola-pâtisserie

Oulu
Pilot's hut and historical daymark on Iso-Kraaseli island Raahe archipelago

Iso-Kraaseli Island and Guest Berth

Raahe
Northern lights.

Restaurant Nallikari

Oulu

Merihelmi

Kalajoki
Nallikari Holiday Village - camping

Nallikari Holiday Village - Camping, Oulu

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

Charter buses and private transportation services in Oulu region

Oulu

Oulu Museum of Art

Oulu
Fafa's Limingantulli indoors

Fafa's Restaurant Limingantulli

Oulu
A smiling girl dressed in an old-fashioned role costume. In the background is the Museum of Northern Ostrobothnia.

Northern Ostrobothnia Museum

Oulu
Aloita matkasi Otaxin kyydissä.

Oulu's Original Taxi - OTAXI

Oulu
De Gamlas Hem Hotel & Restaurant.

De Gamlas Hem Hotel

Oulu

Crown Granary

Raahe
one corner of Pekkatori square with old wooden houses in white, yellow and blue

Pekkatori Square in the heart of Old Raahe

Raahe
Katariina´s Chambers entrance

Katariina´s Chambers Willa Katariina in Old Town Raahe

Raahe
Raahen Hovi - VIP-sviitti - VIP-suite

Raahen Hovi Hotel

Raahe
Toripolliisi statue in the Oulu Market Square.

Top 5 attractions in Oulu!

Oulu

Luxuriuous apartment Villa Merellä

Kalajoki

Cafe-Restaurant Seelari in Hietasaari

Oulu
Superior room

Scandic Oulu Station

Oulu
Policeman Statue in front of the Market Hall.

Oulu Market Hall

Oulu

Pohjolan Matka Charter Coaches Oulu

Oulu
Burrito

Fresh Mex

Oulu
The Church of Saloinen

St. Olaf’s Church of Saloinen

Raahe
Fafa's Valkea indoors

Fafa's Restaurant Valkea

Oulu
Nallikari Holiday Village tent site

Tent site in Nallikari Holiday Village, Oulu

Oulu
Nuotiossa palaa tuli

Ämmä - Äijä Island

Raahe

Farmahand´s Cabin Willa Katariina in Old Town Raahe

Raahe

1bar

Oulu
Floating Cafe.

Koivuranta Floating Cafe

Oulu
Frans&Camille indoors

Frans&Camille Bistro

Oulu

Master-Heikki’s Hut

Raahe

Bed and Breakfast by the Iijoki river

Ii
Everyman´s rights allows to pick up some berries and mushrooms from the forest.

Siiponjoki nature trail

Kalajoki
The Table, Amarillo

Amarillo Restaurant Oulu

Oulu
Ravintolamaailma seating area

Ravintolamaailma Linnanmaa

Oulu
Old wooden houses in Karjasilta.

Wooden Karjasilta from the reconstruction era

Oulu
Koivurannan iglut Oulussa.

Koivuranta igloos

Oulu
Varjo Festival 2022 was held in Kuusisaari.

Kuusisaari Recreation Park

Oulu

Sailor's trail

Ii
Tourist info sign in front of Market Hall.

Oulu Tourist Information Office

Oulu
Kuva kauniista sisäpihasta

Wanhakulma Guesthouse in Old Raahe

Raahe
Facade of OSH Arina

Original Sokos Hotel Arina, Oulu

Oulu
Oulu market square and market hall.

Oulu Market Square

Oulu
Dining room of the Koiteli Residenssi.

Koiteli Residenssi accommodation villa

Oulu
Red tulips surround one of Kari Juva's sculptures in Raahe.

Kari Juva Sculpture Park

Raahe
more than hundred of small islands invites for island hopping.

Rahja archipelago

Kalajoki
Pekkatori square in old town raahe through a window with flowers

Old Town Raahe

Raahe
Authentic soy sauce ramen

Pure maku

Oulu
Welcome!

Nallikari Bakery & Bistro

Oulu
Oulu cathedral from outside.

Oulu Cathedral

Oulu
Dive into history; Havula manor house is full of beautiful old details.

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

Kalajoki
Seasonal menu in Lokkilinna seaview restaurant

Lokkilinna Restaurant

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

Deluxe Poiju Villas by the Sea in Nallikari, Oulu

Oulu
In a quiet Vihaslahti area yo can spot many species of birds and animals.

The Vihaslahti bird tower and nature reserve

Kalajoki
Design Center Proto

Design Center Proto

Oulu
Ravintolamaailma Limingantulli seating area

Ravintolamaailma Limingantulli

Oulu

Mediterranean Restaurant

Oulu

Marina Chalets, 4+2

Kalajoki

Photo North's gallery

Oulu
Kivikkoinen rantaviiva

Smitti Island

Raahe
Santa's Resort&Spa Hotel Sani Kalajoki

Santa's Resort&Spa Hotel Sani

Kalajoki
Lapland Hotels Oulu Comfort Room.

Lapland Hotels Oulu

Oulu
Science center tower.

Tietomaa Science Centre Tower

Oulu
Mökki sijaitsee saaressa

Kalla Island and Guest Berth

Raahe

Traditional handicrafts in an atmospheric old foundry

Raahe
Pikisaari island from air.

Wooden old town in Pikisaari Island

Oulu
Inside Oulujoki church.

Oulujoki Church

Oulu

Jaakko Autio: OWLA

Oulu
Restaurant Bistro Kalajoki

Restaurant Bistro

Kalajoki
Oulujoki delta area from the air.

Gems of the Oulu River estuary

Oulu

KulttuuriKauppila Art Centre

Ii