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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Fish Restaurant and Fishmonger's Lapaluodon KALA & KAHVILA
Raahe
Will and Skill – Artist Women of the Early 20th Century
Oulu
Get-away for Two by the Arctic Sea and Sand Dunes
Kalajoki
Environmental Art Park
Ii
Nature trail and birdwatching tower Hiastinhaara
Ii
Kalla Island and Guest Berth
Raahe
Raahesali Concert and Conference Hall
Raahe
Tiedekahvila - Science cafe
Oulu
St. Olaf’s Church of Saloinen
Raahe
Café Kaari
Oulu
Scandic Oulu Station
Oulu
SuperPark Restaurant
Oulu
Marina Resort A3
Kalajoki
Statue of President Urho Kaleva Kekkonen
Raahe
Villa Kalajoki
Kalajoki
Best Western Hotel Apollo, Oulu
Oulu
Many layers of history in Kuusiluoto
Oulu
Deluxe Poiju Villas by the Sea in Nallikari, Oulu
Oulu
Local Taxi Services in Kempele
Oulu
Sofia Magdalena Church of Vihanti
Raahe
Sanginjoki Nature Reserve
Oulu
Catharina´s Cellar Willa Katariina in Old Town Raahe
Raahe
Pilpasuo protected area and nature trails
Oulu
Holiday house Aurinkorinne 8
Kalajoki
Bottle of Wine and Northern Style Antipasti for Two
Raahe
Fafa's Restaurant Valkea
Oulu
Oulu's Original Taxi - OTAXI
Oulu
Wanhakulma Guesthouse in Old Raahe
Raahe
High-quality transport and travel agency services in Europe
Oulu
Hietasaari recreational area
Oulu
VIP Getaway for Two at Raahen Hovi
Raahe
The Alpua Church Stone
Raahe
Art Gallery Myötätuuli
Raahe
Bacaro Doppio Café
Oulu
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Bistro, Hotel Lasaretti
Oulu
Trade House of Lang 19th Century Style Cafe and Restaurant at the Raahe Old Town
Raahe
Virpiniemi recreational area
Oulu
The duckboards of Hiekkasärkät
Kalajoki
Ravintolamaailma Limingantulli
Oulu
Iisland Uoma, beautiful house on an island
Ii
Pekkatori Square in the Heart of Old Raahe
Raahe
Tietomaa Science Centre Tower
Oulu
Smitti Island
Raahe
Airport Taxi Service in Oulu
Oulu
Rahja archipelago
Kalajoki
The Sovelius House
Raahe
KulttuuriKauppila Art Centre
Ii
Wooden old town in Pikisaari Island
Oulu
Pattijoki Stone Arch Bridge
Raahe
The Iso-Kraaseli Island Historical Daymark in Raahe Archipelago
Raahe
Saloinen Museum
Raahe
Katariina´s Chambers Willa Katariina in Old Town Raahe
Raahe
Holiday Apartment With Own Yard
Kalajoki
Kuusisaari Recreation Park
Oulu
Koivuranta Floating Cafe
Oulu
Nordic Art Hotel Lasaretti
Oulu
Gems of the Oulu River estuary
Oulu
Kari Juva Sculpture Park
Raahe
Historical Pilot House on Iso-Kraaseli Island
Raahe
Rauhala ravintola-pâtisserie
Oulu
BUDGET HOTEL RAAHE, in North Ostrobothnia
Raahe
Puistokahvila Makia Cafe
Oulu
Tent site in Nallikari Holiday Village, Oulu
Oulu
Frans&Camille Bistro
Oulu
Marina Chalets, 4+2
Kalajoki
Original Sokos Hotel Arina, Oulu
Oulu
De Gamlas Hem Hotel
Oulu
Hailuodon Panimo's Restaurant Mallassauna
Oulu
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Raahe Archipelago
Raahe
Pure maku
Oulu
OTAXI VIP for Premium Taxi Wishes
Oulu
Coastal Gem Platter and a bottle of wine
Raahe
Riitta-Alina Helevä: My Song
Oulu
Zivago
Oulu
Nallikari Lighthouse
Oulu
Oulu Market Square Policeman statue
Oulu
Voimala 1889
Oulu
Ulkopauha Island
Raahe
Charter buses and private transportation services in Oulu region
Oulu
Olkijoki Treaty Museum
Raahe
Packhouse Museum
Raahe
Mon Chou - French Pastry Shop
Oulu
Iso-Kraaseli Island and Guest Berth
Raahe
Three-course Dinner For Two at Hovi Bistro
Raahe
Ojala Museum
Raahe
Santa's Resort&Spa Hotel Sani
Kalajoki
Kahvila Kiikku
Oulu
Siiponjoki nature trail
Kalajoki
Oulu Tourist Info
Oulu
Ravintolamaailma Linnanmaa
Oulu
Hupisaaret Islands city park
Oulu
Historical Rantakortteli blocks of Oulu
Oulu
Rosso Restaurant Valkea
Oulu
Oulu Market Square
Oulu
Miner Statue
Raahe
Master-Heikki’s hut
Raahe
Northern Ostrobothnia Museum
Oulu
GreenStar Hotel Oulu
Oulu
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Pattijoki Church Chapel of Silence
Raahe
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Letonniemi protected area and nature trail
Oulu
Martti Tarvainen (1897–1985): To See and to Experience
Oulu
Oulujoki Church
Oulu
Merihelmi
Kalajoki
Kastelli Giant's Church
Raahe
Oulu Cathedral
Oulu
Restaurant Bistro
Kalajoki
Pohjolan Matka Charter Coaches Oulu
Oulu
Sailor's trail
Ii
Wooden Karjasilta from the reconstruction era
Oulu
Lapland Hotels Oulu
Oulu
Tasku Island and Guest Berth
Raahe
Restaurant Nallikari
Oulu
Warjakka B&B Accommodation
Oulu
Science Centre Tietomaa
Oulu
De Gamlas Hem Restaurant
Oulu
Nallikari – the Riviera of the North
Oulu
Nallikari Bakery & Bistro
Oulu
All-year round campsite in Nallikari, Oulu
Oulu
Traditional Holiday Cottages in Nallikari, Oulu
Oulu
The Vihaslahti bird tower and nature reserve
Kalajoki
Lokkilinna Restaurant
Kalajoki
Varjakka industrial heritage site and nature trail
Oulu
Hotel Rantakalla – overlooking the arctic Bay of Bothnia
Kalajoki
Crown Granary
Raahe
Botanical Garden of the University of Oulu
Oulu
Cafe-Restaurant Seelari in Hietasaari
Oulu
Fafa's Restaurant Limingantulli
Oulu
Restaurant Hugo
Oulu
Cafe Hanna
Oulu
Farmahand´s Cabin Willa Katariina in Old Town Raahe
Raahe
Mediterranean Restaurant
Oulu
Restaurant and winebar VENN
Oulu
Oulu Market Hall
Oulu
Traditional handicrafts in an atmospheric old foundry
Raahe
1bar
Oulu
Tuba Food & Lounge
Oulu
Varvi Mast Memorial
Raahe
Raahe Church of the Holy Trinity
Raahe
Ämmä - Äijä Island
Raahe
Breakfast & Private Restaurant Veranta
Oulu
Old Town Raahe
Raahe
Amarillo Restaurant Oulu
Oulu
Top 5 attractions in Oulu!
Oulu
The Tasku Island Historical Daymark in Raahe Archipelago
Raahe
Glass Iglu: Enjoy the Luxury of the Arctic Nature in Rahja Archipelago
Kalajoki
Luxuriuous apartment Villa Merellä
Kalajoki
Oulu Museum of Art
Oulu
Scandic Oulu City
Oulu
The old town of Ii - Wanha Hamina
Ii
Coffee House Café
Oulu
Trade House of Lang Unique Historic Hotel Experience in the Heart of the Raahe Old Town
Raahe
Lähde! wellness art park
Ii
Koivuranta igloos
Oulu
Pastel-coloured wooden Raksila
Oulu
Visit a wealthy merchant´s house Havula from the early 1900s
Kalajoki
Marina Chalets, 2+2
Kalajoki