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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Nallikari beach in winter.

Nallikari – the Riviera of the North

Oulu
Coffee House seating area

Coffee House Café

Oulu

Mediterranean Restaurant

Oulu
45 Special

45 Special

Oulu
Piispanletto Rajahauta nature trail.

Letonniemi protected area and nature trail

Oulu
Kuusiluoto presents heritage of wood building in Finland.

Many layers of history in Kuusiluoto

Oulu

Bed and Breakfast by the Iijoki river

Ii

Packhouse Museum

Raahe
Bacaro Doppio indoors

Bacaro Doppio Café

Oulu
View of red buildings in the harbour.

Traditional Fishing Harbour Kiviniemi

Oulu
Pattijoki church and church yard.

Pattijoki Church Chapel of Silence

Raahe
VENN Bar

Restaurant and winebar VENN

Oulu
Skiers on sea ice.

Virpiniemi recreational area

Oulu
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
Design Center Proto

Design Center Proto

Oulu

Lähde! wellness art park

Ii

The Sovelius House

Raahe

Catharina´s Cellar Willa Katariina in Old Town Raahe

Raahe
Ravintolamaailma Limingantulli seating area

Ravintolamaailma Limingantulli

Oulu

Bistro Mesu

Oulu
sauna

Budget Hotel Raahe, in North Ostrobothnia

Raahe
Lapland Hotels Oulu Comfort Room.

Lapland Hotels Oulu

Oulu
We recommend preordering when arriving to the airport.

Airport Taxi Service in Oulu

Oulu
Katariina´s Chambers entrance

Katariina´s Chambers Willa Katariina in Old Town Raahe

Raahe

Restaurant Harald

Oulu
Brownish Oulu city hall with three main doors and two little towers. Background blue sky.

Guided Transportation from Oulu Airport to Oulu

Oulu
Dinner in Oula Kitchen & Bar.

Oula Kitchen & Bar

Oulu

KulttuuriKauppila Art Centre

Ii
The Church of Saloinen

St. Olaf’s Church of Saloinen

Raahe
Statue of Kekkonen in close

Statue of President Urho Kaleva Kekkonen

Raahe
Raahen Hovi - VIP-sviitti - VIP-suite

Hotel Raahen Hovi

Raahe
Sofia Magdalena Church of Vihanti

Sofia Magdalena Church of Vihanti

Raahe
A unique restaurant in idyllic Pikisaari in Oulu.

Restaurant Mallassauna

Oulu
take-away coffee

Kahvila Kiikku

Oulu
Eini esiintymässä Raahesalin lavalla.

Raahesali Concert and Conference Hall

Raahe

Voimala 1889

Oulu
Luotsivahdinhuone

Historical Pilot House on Iso-Kraaseli Island

Raahe
Greenhouses Romeo ja Julia.

Botanical Garden of the University of Oulu

Oulu
Robson's Lunch

SuperPark Restaurant

Oulu

Traditional handicrafts in an atmospheric old foundry

Raahe
Main door to Cafe

Sleep in hostel

Oulu

MajoitusYkkönen

Raahe
Pilpasuo nature scenery.

Pilpasuo protected area and nature trails

Oulu

Environmental Art Park

Ii

Farmahand´s Cabin Willa Katariina in Old Town Raahe

Raahe
Kuusisaari recreation park in winter.

Kuusisaari Recreation Park

Oulu

Café Kaari

Oulu
Joo Hetki kahvila sisätila

Joo Hetki Cafe

Oulu
Veranta for private occasions

Breakfast & Private Restaurant Veranta

Oulu

Rauhala ravintola-pâtisserie

Oulu
Statue with light snow cover.

Oulu Market Square Policeman statue

Oulu
Frans&Camille indoors

Frans&Camille Bistro

Oulu
A person in front of big OULU letters.

Hupisaaret Islands city park

Oulu
Christmas lights at the market square.

Oulu Market Square

Oulu
Ravintolamaailma seating area

Ravintolamaailma Linnanmaa

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

Raahe Church of the Holy Trinity

Raahe

Sokeri-Jussin Kievari

Oulu

Mon Chou - French Pastry Shop

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

Kari Juva Sculpture Park

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

Cafe Hanna

Oulu
Mökki sijaitsee saaressa

Kalla Island and Guest Berth

Raahe
Teoksia valokuvaaja Vesa Rannan näyttelystä.

Art Gallery Myötätuuli

Raahe
Cottages are yellow and very idyllic outside.

Traditional Holiday Cottages in Nallikari, Oulu

Oulu
Puistokahvila Makia

Puistokahvila Makia Cafe

Oulu
Old wooden houses in Karjasilta.

Wooden Karjasilta from the reconstruction era

Oulu
Toripolliisi statue in the Oulu Market Square.

Top 5 attractions in Oulu!

Oulu
Lomakoti Onnela

Idyllic holiday home by the Kiiminki River

Oulu
Market hall in winter.

Oulu Market Hall

Oulu
De Gamlas Hem Restaurant.

De Gamlas Hem Restaurant

Oulu
Mourunki lake

Mourunki lake

Oulu
Miner statue in Vihanti Raahe

Miner Statue

Raahe
Nallikari Holiday Village tent site

Tent site in Nallikari Holiday Village, Oulu

Oulu
Artist room at Hotel Lasaretti

Nordic Art Hotel Lasaretti

Oulu
Dinosauria logo

Dinosauria

Oulu
Pikisaari scenery in winter.

Wooden old town in Pikisaari Island

Oulu

Local Taxi Services in Kempele

Oulu
Radisson Blu Hotel Oulu ulkoa kuvattuna

Radisson Blu Hotel Oulu

Oulu
Rosso seating area

Rosso Restaurant Valkea

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

Pekkatori Square in the heart of Old Raahe

Raahe
Starter at Lasaretti's Bistro

Bistro, Hotel Lasaretti

Oulu

Crown Granary

Raahe
Saunallinen kahden hengen parivuoteellinen hotellihuone 10 kpl

Best Western Hotel Apollo, Oulu

Oulu

Saloinen Museum

Raahe
Nallikari beach covered with ice and snow.

Hietasaari recreational area

Oulu
Hiastinhaaran suisto.

Nature trail and birdwatching tower Hiastinhaara

Ii
Koivurannan iglut Oulussa.

Koivuranta igloos

Oulu
Burrito

Fresh Mex

Oulu

Photo North's gallery

Oulu
Aloita matkasi Otaxin kyydissä.

Oulu's Original Taxi - OTAXI

Oulu
Floating Cafe.

Koivuranta Floating Cafe

Oulu

Sailor's trail

Ii
Rantakortteli block in winter.

Historical Rantakortteli blocks of Oulu

Oulu
Facade of OSH Arina

Original Sokos Hotel Arina, Oulu

Oulu

Iisland Cottages

Ii
Local tradiotional Pulla

A Unique Cafe Huvila in Oulu

Oulu

Nature Cafe Loppula at Sanginjoki

Oulu

Ojala Museum

Raahe
Nallikari Holiday Village - camping

Nallikari Holiday Village - Camping, Oulu

Oulu

GreenStar Hotel Oulu

Oulu
Oulu cathedral in Oulu city.

Oulu Cathedral

Oulu
The Table, Amarillo

Amarillo Restaurant Oulu

Oulu

Night at Reenis

Oulu
Varvi Mast in Raahe pays tribute to old shipbuilders.

Varvi Mast Memorial

Raahe
Northern lights.

Restaurant Nallikari

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
Talvinen wanha Hamina.

The old town of Ii - Wanha Hamina

Ii
De Gamlas Hem Hotel & Restaurant.

De Gamlas Hem Hotel

Oulu
Fall in love with our new menu!

Restaurant Raahen Hovi

Raahe

PAIN

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
Tasku island and historical daymark in the summer

The Tasku Island Historical Daymark in Raahe Archipelago

Raahe

Cafe-Restaurant Seelari in Hietasaari

Oulu
Majoitushuone

Idyllinen kartanohotelli Iissä Iijoen rannalla

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

Pastel-coloured wooden Raksila

Oulu
Clear sunshiny summer day in Raahe Archipelago

Raahe Archipelago

Raahe

1bar

Oulu
Nallikari Aalto located By the Sea

Nallikari Aalto Apartments

Oulu
A boulder resembling a pulpit in Alpua Raahe

The Alpua Church Stone

Raahe
Dining room of the Koiteli Residenssi.

Koiteli Residenssi accommodation villa

Oulu
Kivikkoinen rantaviiva

Smitti Island

Raahe
Log cabin of Liisa Rehu.

Liisa & Moss Wonderland

Oulu
Tourist info sign in winter in front of Toripolliisi

Oulu Tourist Information Office

Oulu
Vene rannassa Ulkopauhan saaressa Raahessa

Ulkopauha Island

Raahe
Exterior

Scandic Oulu City

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

Pattijoki Stone Arch Bridge

Raahe
Superior room

Scandic Oulu Station

Oulu
Nuotiossa palaa tuli

Ämmä - Äijä Island

Raahe

Fish Restaurant and Fishmonger's Lapaluodon Kala & Kahvila

Raahe

Master-Heikki’s Hut

Raahe
Winter scenery of river delta.

Gems of the Oulu River estuary

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

Iso-Kraaseli Island and Guest Berth

Raahe

Kastelli Giant's Church

Raahe
Accommodation near Oulu and Hailuoto.

Warjakka B&B Accommodation

Oulu
Inside Oulujoki church.

Oulujoki Church

Oulu

Tuba Food & Lounge

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

Deluxe Poiju Villas by the Sea in Nallikari, Oulu

Oulu

Pohjolan Matka Charter Coaches Oulu

Oulu
Iso-Kraaseli daymark and sail sheds

The Iso-Kraaseli Island Historical Daymark in Raahe Archipelago

Raahe
Air view of the island from the daymark

Tasku Island and Guest Berth

Raahe

Oulu Art Museum

Oulu
Kuva kauniista sisäpihasta

Wanhakulma Guesthouse in Old Raahe

Raahe

Zivago

Oulu
Authentic soy sauce ramen

Pure maku

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

Charter buses and private transportation services in Oulu region

Oulu
Northern lights abowe the Nallikari lighthouse.

Nallikari Lighthouse

Oulu
OTAXI VIP is available also for groups and disabled.

OTAXI VIP for Premium Taxi Wishes

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

Old Town Raahe

Raahe

Restaurant Hugo

Oulu

Olkijoki Treaty Museum

Raahe
Welcome!

Nallikari Bakery & Bistro

Oulu

Ravintola Sarkka

Oulu
Varjakka island fire station.

Varjakka industrial heritage site and nature trail

Oulu

Jaakko Niemelä: Praakk

Oulu