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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Historical Pilot House on Iso-Kraaseli Island
Raahe
The Iso-Kraaseli Island Historical Daymark in Raahe Archipelago
Raahe
Villa Sinipursi 8 Two-room Apartment
Raahe
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Pattijoki Church Chapel of Silence
Raahe
Rosso Restaurant Valkea
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Nallikari – the Riviera of the North
Oulu
Café Kaari
Oulu
Oulu's Original Taxi - OTAXI
Oulu
Koivuranta Floating Cafe
Oulu
Idyllic holiday home by the Kiiminki River
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Oulu Market Hall
Oulu
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Oulu
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Pilpasuo protected area and nature trails
Oulu
Restaurant Mallassauna
Oulu
Virpiniemi recreational area
Oulu
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Bistro, Hotel Lasaretti
Oulu
Crown Granary
Raahe
Design Center Proto
Oulu
Ravintolamaailma Limingantulli
Oulu
Mourunki lake
Oulu
Cafe-Restaurant Seelari in Hietasaari
Oulu
Oulu Tourist Information Office
Oulu
Miner Statue
Raahe
Villa Sinipursi 3 Studio Apartment in Old Raahe
Raahe
Budget Hotel Raahe, in North Ostrobothnia
Raahe
Bacaro Doppio Café
Oulu
Iso-Kraaseli Island and Guest Berth
Raahe
Pastel-coloured wooden Raksila
Oulu
Rauhala ravintola-pâtisserie
Oulu
Frans&Camille Bistro
Oulu
Oulu Market Square
Oulu
Master-Heikki’s Hut
Raahe
The old town of Ii - Wanha Hamina
Ii
PAIN
Oulu
Historical Rantakortteli blocks of Oulu
Oulu
Ulkopauha Island
Raahe
Joo Hetki Cafe
Oulu
Idyllinen kartanohotelli Iissä Iijoen rannalla
Ii
Catharina´s Cellar Willa Katariina in Old Town Raahe
Raahe
Nature trail and birdwatching tower Hiastinhaara
Ii
Ämmä - Äijä Island
Raahe
Raahesali Concert and Conference Hall
Raahe
Coffee House Café
Oulu
Farmahand´s Cabin Willa Katariina in Old Town Raahe
Raahe
A Unique Cafe Huvila in Oulu
Oulu
Nature Cafe Loppula at Sanginjoki
Oulu
St. Olaf’s Church of Saloinen
Raahe
Nallikari Bakery & Bistro
Oulu
Restaurant and winebar VENN
Oulu
Guided Transportation from Oulu Airport to Oulu
Oulu
Sokeri-Jussin Kievari
Oulu
Traditional Holiday Cottages in Nallikari, Oulu
Oulu
Raahe Church of the Holy Trinity
Raahe
Restaurant Hugo
Oulu
Nallikari Lighthouse
Oulu
Ojala Museum
Raahe
Jaakko Niemelä: Praakk
Oulu
Warjakka B&B Accommodation
Oulu
Deluxe Poiju Villas by the Sea in Nallikari, Oulu
Oulu
Kalla Island and Guest Berth
Raahe
The Alpua Church Stone
Raahe
Smitti Island
Raahe
Botanical Garden of the University of Oulu
Oulu
Kastelli Giant's Church
Raahe
De Gamlas Hem Hotel
Oulu
Oula Kitchen & Bar
Oulu
Bistro Mesu
Oulu
Sanginjoki Nature Reserve
Oulu
Statue of President Urho Kaleva Kekkonen
Raahe
Hietasaari recreational area
Oulu
De Gamlas Hem Restaurant
Oulu
Fresh Mex
Oulu
Mediterranean Restaurant
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Letonniemi protected area and nature trail
Oulu
Wooden Karjasilta from the reconstruction era
Oulu
Sleep in hostel
Oulu
Kari Juva Sculpture Park
Raahe
Hupisaaret Islands city park
Oulu
Puistokahvila Makia Cafe
Oulu
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Raahe Archipelago
Raahe
OTAXI VIP for Premium Taxi Wishes
Oulu
Traditional Fishing Harbour Kiviniemi
Oulu
Pohjolan Matka Charter Coaches Oulu
Oulu
Wooden old town in Pikisaari Island
Oulu
MajoitusYkkönen
Raahe
Charter buses and private transportation services in Oulu region
Oulu
1bar
Oulu
Tent site in Nallikari Holiday Village, Oulu
Oulu
Scandic Oulu City
Oulu
Art Gallery Myötätuuli
Raahe
Old Town Raahe
Raahe
Oulu Market Square Policeman statue
Oulu
Restaurant Nallikari
Oulu
Villa Sinipursi 1 Studio Apartment in Old Raahe
Raahe
Radisson Blu Hotel Oulu
Oulu
Ravintolamaailma Linnanmaa
Oulu
Iisland Cottages
Ii
Pattijoki Stone Arch Bridge
Raahe
Gems of the Oulu River estuary
Oulu
Wanhakulma Guesthouse in Old Raahe
Raahe
SuperPark Restaurant
Oulu
Saloinen Museum
Raahe
Villa Sinipursi 9 Seaside Two-room Apartment
Raahe
Local Taxi Services in Kempele
Oulu
Sofia Magdalena Church of Vihanti
Raahe
Lapland Hotels Oulu
Oulu
Pure maku
Oulu
Photo North's gallery
Oulu
Kahvila Kiikku
Oulu
The Tasku Island Historical Daymark in Raahe Archipelago
Raahe
Oulu Cathedral
Oulu
Packhouse Museum
Raahe
Nallikari Holiday Village - Camping, Oulu
Oulu
Scandic Oulu Station
Oulu
Koiteli Residenssi accommodation villa
Oulu
Trade House of Lang Unique Historic Hotel Experience in the Heart of the Raahe Old Town
Raahe
Night at Reenis
Oulu
Dinosauria
Oulu
Environmental Art Park
Ii
Varvi Mast Memorial
Raahe
Trade House of Lang 19th Century Style Cafe and Restaurant at the Raahe Old Town
Raahe
The Sovelius House
Raahe
Kuusisaari Recreation Park
Oulu
Cafe Hanna
Oulu
Amarillo Restaurant Oulu
Oulu
GreenStar Hotel Oulu
Oulu
Ravintola Sarkka
Oulu
KulttuuriKauppila Art Centre
Ii
Tuba Food & Lounge
Oulu
Tasku Island and Guest Berth
Raahe
Koivuranta igloos
Oulu
Hotel Raahen Hovi
Raahe
Varjakka industrial heritage site and nature trail
Oulu
Bed and Breakfast by the Iijoki river
Ii
Top 5 attractions in Oulu!
Oulu
Nallikari Aalto Apartments
Oulu
Airport Taxi Service in Oulu
Oulu
Sailor's trail
Ii
Olkijoki Treaty Museum
Raahe
Voimala 1889
Oulu
Pekkatori Square in the heart of Old Raahe
Raahe
Original Sokos Hotel Arina, Oulu
Oulu
Breakfast & Private Restaurant Veranta
Oulu
Traditional handicrafts in an atmospheric old foundry
Raahe
Lähde! wellness art park
Ii
Best Western Hotel Apollo, Oulu
Oulu
Many layers of history in Kuusiluoto
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Zivago
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45 Special
Oulu
Mon Chou - French Pastry Shop
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Liisa & Moss Wonderland
Oulu
Oulujoki Church
Oulu
Restaurant Raahen Hovi
Raahe
Restaurant Harald
Oulu
Oulu Art Museum
Oulu