White nights, summer in the city

Oulu, with its neighbouring destinations along the Pohjola route, offers urban experiences with a guaranteed arctic twist.

Summer nights barely get dark when you’re this close to the Arctic circle! So get road-tripping and fill your days admiring crafts and history, tasting the local delicacies and walking around in art exhibitions out in nature as well as indoors.

For a day trip along the Pohjola route, start from Oulu, grab the transportation of your choice, and head on out to the neighbouring towns and islands. The Oulu area is famous for its well-kept biking routes and modern public transportation, should you opt for those. 

The sound of Oulu

 

If you’re around in July, be sure not to miss one of Oulu’s most famous festivals. The Air Guitar World Championships promotes love, unity and peace, and gathers people from all around the world to compete in and enjoy this very Finnish, very Oulu kind of music event. 

Oulu hosts a bunch of festivals for more traditional instruments and music styles as well, including jazz and chamber music. From music halls to parks and churches, find the sound of Oulu performed by local musicians as well as international stars.

Artsy and craftsy islands next to the city 

 

Before or after a night in town, take a nice walk around the picturesque island of Pikisaari right next to the Oulu city centre. The island, home to artisans and artists, is accessible by a pedestrian bridge from the Market square. Admire the old, red-brick industrial buildings and the oldest house in Oulu turned into a museum. Spot the locals as well as tourists strolling around the pathways on foot or on their bikes, enjoying the cafes and restaurants, and the views of the river delta.

Hailuoto, the biggest island in the Bothnian Bay, welcomes you to spend a day or stay for more. The ferry wharf is located just about 15 kilometres from the Oulu airport – and the city centre. So if you’re road tripping by car, bus or bike, get on board the ferry and get an exotic bonus to your trip. 

If Oulu has its own arctic, urban edge, Hailuoto and its inhabitants take their own vibe even further. Cherishing their age-old customs, crafts and way of life, the hailuotoans have managed to keep their home island original and exotic – even to neighbouring ouluans. That is probably why it is a favourite destination to many in the Oulu region, all year round.

Outdoor art exhibitions

 

Oulu is just the perfect size with its pedestrian walkways and world-famous cycling routes, so if fresh air is your thing even in a city setting, there’s no reason not to spend your day outside in the parks and patios. 

Be sure to visit Oulu’s galleries and museums right in the city centre or within a walking distance. For a special treat, combine a walk in a park with exploring local, northern art on a guided tour or wander around on your own. 

​​An easily accessible neighbour to Oulu, Ii, is an old trading town with a fascinating history. Today, Ii is known for its ambition for environmental issues, as well as respect for its history. Visit this quaint little town and make sure to take a stroll along a path from the town centre to the Environmental art park, leading up to an Art centre and a cafe.

For a healthy dose of northern culture, make your way to the Pohjola route and inhale the sounds and sights!

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Christmas lights at the market square.

Oulu Market Square

Oulu
Sea Oulu Terwaluoto lounge

Villa Terwaluoto

Hailuoto
Koivurannan saunalautta sauna Oulussa.

Koivuranta Sauna Boat Public Sauna

Oulu

Go Arctic activities - City canoeing day or night

Oulu

Go Arctic activities - Northern Lights

Oulu
teltta-alue, camping

Ailasto Camping and Caravan Park

Hailuoto
Merihelmi Camping sea shore

Merihelmi Camping in the Gulf of Bothnia

Ii
Rentoutuskellunta

Relaxing Floating in Floating Pod

Oulu

Winter Forest Adventure in the Dark

Oulu
Handmade chocolate and local products.

ChocoSomnia Factory tour&Tasting

Oulu
Outside picture of the hotel

Arctic Lighthouse Hotel

Hailuoto
Northern lights abowe the Nallikari lighthouse.

Nallikari Lighthouse

Oulu
Glamping in Hailuoto. Mosquito net is all over tent.

Glamping in Hailuoto

Hailuoto

A day in the Stone Age

Oulu
Accommodation double room.

Ailasto accommodation

Hailuoto
Kids favorite roller coaster ride in amusement park Vauhtipuisto.

Amusement Park Vauhtipuisto

Oulu
Woman and man walking towards Tähtitorni tower in autumn.

Tähtitorni Observation Tower

Oulu
Scottish fountain in front of Oulu City Hall in summer. Background Oulu Cathedral and clear blue sky.

Guided Bike Tour from Nallikari to Oulu City Center

Oulu
Keskiniemen Pooki kunnostuksen jälkeen

Keskiniemi Beacon Tower

Hailuoto
people laughing and listening to storytelling at a fantasy tavern

Spirits of Hearth and Home - Tonttu in Finnish Folklore

Oulu

Archaeological exhibition

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

Deluxe Poiju Villas by the Sea in Nallikari, Oulu

Oulu
Lapset leikkivät kauppaa, etuallal vanhanaikainen vaaka.

Vekara­vintti - Childrens Playroom Attic

Oulu

Go Arctic group activities - Koiteli Team Path

Oulu
padel virpiniemi pikepadel

PikePadel outdoor padelcourts

Oulu

Local museum of Ii

Ii

Go Arctic group activities - Heptathlon

Oulu
Winter swimming in Tuira beach.

Splash-tastic water activities in Oulu

Oulu
The old red wooden church in Turkansaari in summer. Foreground green grass, background green birch trees.

Minivan Trip to Turkansaari Open Air Museum

Oulu

Go Arctic - Guided walking tours in Oulu and in Oulu area

Oulu

Night at Reenis

Oulu
Kaksi alamäkipyöräilijää Rusko Bike Parkissa ajamassa helppoa reittiä alaspäin.

Rusko Bike Park

Oulu

ChocoTasting

Oulu
Vene mahdollistaa myös liikuntarajoitteisen mukaan pääsyn

Accessible Fishing and Boating Trip in Ii

Ii

Oulu Zipline

Oulu
Nallikari beach in winter.

Nallikari – the Riviera of the North

Oulu

SuperPark Oulu

Oulu

Lähde! wellness art park

Ii

Go Arctic - Events Services

Oulu
Inside Turkansaari museum church.

Turkansaari Museum Church

Oulu
Sea Oulu Water Taxi

Sea Oulu Water Taxi

Oulu
Musicians in the city centre

Urban Festival Oulu Days

Oulu

Go Arctic - Guided bus tours in Oulu and neighbouring municipalities

Oulu
Rantakortteli block in winter.

Historical Rantakortteli blocks of Oulu

Oulu
Reflection of the pedestrian bridge in water.

The reflecting pools of Oulu

Oulu

Go Arctic activities - Archery Competition

Oulu
Parikellunta

Relaxing 2 Persons Floating in same Floating Pod

Oulu
De Gamlas Hem Hotel & Restaurant.

De Gamlas Hem Hotel

Oulu
Varjakka island fire station.

Varjakka industrial heritage site and nature trail

Oulu

Go Arctic group activities - Traditional tar olympics

Oulu

Hot Air Balloon Flight for group 4-12pax

Oulu
Reenis is a creative gym for versatile training. With us, you train purposefully in the gym and develop coordination and have fun on the trampolines.

Single ticket to Reenis creative gym

Oulu
Koivurannan iglut Oulussa.

Koivuranta igloos

Oulu
Kuusiluoto presents heritage of wood building in Finland.

Many layers of history in Kuusiluoto

Oulu

Environmental Art Park

Ii
Winter SUP boarding in Mustasalmi.

Paddling on the Oulujoki river delta and at sea

Oulu
Winter biking in Oulu.

Oulu loves biking

Oulu
kayaking is the best outdoor activity on summer time

Bay of Bothnia by Kayak in Oulu

Oulu

Go Arctic Events - Dinner with the ghosts of Oulu

Oulu
Greenhouses Romeo ja Julia.

Botanical Garden of the University of Oulu

Oulu
Toripolliisi statue in the Oulu Market Square.

Top 5 attractions in Oulu!

Oulu
winter cycling on the ice

Winter cycling by fatbikes at Oulu

Oulu
The white lighthouse in Hailuoto Marjaniemi against the blue sky.

Minivan Trip to Hailuoto

Oulu
Sauna experience.

Traditional Finnish sauna and hot tube

Oulu
A family looking at the scale model of a sailing ship.

Northern Ostrobothnia Museum

Oulu
Grandma's cottage

Farm accommodation

Hailuoto
Cottages are yellow and very idyllic outside.

Traditional Holiday Cottages in Nallikari, Oulu

Oulu
Dinner in Oula Kitchen & Bar.

Oula Kitchen & Bar

Oulu
Superior room

Scandic Oulu Station

Oulu
Facade of OSH Arina

Original Sokos Hotel Arina, Oulu

Oulu

GreenStar Hotel Oulu

Oulu

Go Arctic Events - Theme parties

Oulu

Nature trip to the Stone Age

Oulu
kennel visit

Visit to the Home of Huskies

Oulu
Pilpasuo nature trail includes duck boards.

Pilpasuo protected area and nature trails

Oulu
nuori henkilö ampumassa jousipyssyllä

Kierikki

Oulu

Sightseeing helicopter flight in the Oulu area

Oulu

Photo North's gallery

Oulu

Air Gui­tar World Cham­pions­hips

Oulu

Sailor's trail

Ii
Rock The City Adventure Game

Rock The City Oulu

Oulu
Old wooden houses in Karjasilta.

Wooden Karjasilta from the reconstruction era

Oulu
Old pilot building Torni

Hailuodon Majakkapiha

Hailuoto

Oulu Music Video Festival

Oulu

Kierikki: Guided tours

Oulu

Go Arctic Events - Performers and hosts to your events

Oulu
Yrttiaitta

Northern Finland food experience

Oulu
Skiers on sea ice.

Virpiniemi recreational area

Oulu

Ancient survival skills: Stone grinding

Oulu
Design Center Proto

Design Center Proto

Oulu
Sea Oulu Black Lady

Sea Oulu Charter Cruise

Oulu
Iisi-areena liikuntakeskus.

Iisi-areena indoor sport center

Ii

Stone Age race of tribes

Oulu
Winter scenery of river delta.

Gems of the Oulu River estuary

Oulu
Biisikärpänen-musiikkivisa

Voltti´s Music Quiz, Oulu

Oulu

Oulu Art Museum

Oulu
Lomakoti Onnela

Idyllic holiday home by the Kiiminki River

Oulu
a girl plays the violin, a picture on the wall in the background

Ou­lun­sa­lo Soi Cham­ber Music Fes­ti­val

Oulu
Nallikari Lomakylässä on yhdeksän idyllistä kesämökkiä

Modern Messi Summer Cottages in Nallikari, Oulu

Oulu
Yellow Oulu Cathedral church tower against blue sky in summer.

Oulu Quickly Walking Tour

Oulu

Go Arctic activities - Guided tour in Oulu by bike

Oulu
Perioululainen ömeisingreis

Go Arctic group activities - Amazing Oulu - City adventure

Oulu

Minna Henriksson: Hidden 13.9.2024–5.1.2025

Oulu

Go Arctic activities - Canoeing trip at river Oulujoki or Kiiminkijoki

Oulu

Arctic Edu-Tech - Workshops and experiences in Oulu area

Oulu
People resting in Finnish woods

Nature Power from a forest in Sanginjoki - Naturest Oy

Oulu

Go Arctic activities - Craft upcycle workshop

Oulu
Mourunki lake

Mourunki lake

Oulu
SUPboarging at Raahe

SUP rental at Raahe

Oulu
Inside Oulujoki church.

Oulujoki Church

Oulu

Elojazz

Oulu
Radisson Blu Hotel Oulu ulkoa kuvattuna

Radisson Blu Hotel Oulu

Oulu

Jumpru Patio Live!

Oulu

Active Cast Fishing with a Professional Fisherman in Ii

Ii

KulttuuriKauppila Art Centre

Ii
Talvinen wanha Hamina.

The old town of Ii - Wanha Hamina

Ii

All Inclusive Fishing Day in Ii

Ii
Lapsi tekee tehtävää metsässä

Forest Nature School in Sanginjoki - Naturest Oy

Oulu
Hupisaaret city park covered with frost in October.

Hupisaaret Islands city park

Oulu

Go Arctic group activities - Kurvisen karsinnat

Oulu
Hemmotteleva rentoutus

Pampering Relaxation (1-2 persons)

Oulu

Literary Art Festival Muusajuhlat

Oulu

Iisland Cottages

Ii
Iin Sillat restaurant

Iin Sillat Camping and Inn

Ii
Ryhmä tekee tehtävää suon reunalla

Nature-based recreation days for work communities (Sanginjoki, Rokua) - Naturest Oy

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

Pastel-coloured wooden Raksila

Oulu
Pikisaari scenery in winter.

Wooden old town in Pikisaari Island

Oulu
Koiteli rapids area in summer. Blue water flowing between rocks. Foreground green grass on the bank. Background green spruces.

Minivan Trip to Koiteli Rapids

Oulu
Exterior

Scandic Oulu City

Oulu
Artist room at Hotel Lasaretti

Nordic Art Hotel Lasaretti

Oulu
Pöllän Mökkimajoitus Hailuoto

Rented cottage, holiday home, cottage accommodation

Hailuoto

Private event: Wine and Fashion

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
Nallikari Holiday Village tent site

Tent site in Nallikari Holiday Village, Oulu

Oulu
Automatic belay

Oulu Climbing Center

Oulu
a man playing air guitar on Air Guitar World Championships stage

Oulu August Festivals

Oulu
Policeman statue at night.

Oulu Market Square Policeman statue

Oulu
Main door to Cafe

Sleep in hostel

Oulu
Villiyrttikarkelot tapahtumakuva

Wild Herb Celebration

Oulu
Information

Study Programme

Oulu
Log cabin of Liisa Rehu.

Liisa & Moss Wonderland

Oulu

Guided standup paddleboarding trip to the Ii river and Bothnian Bay

Ii
Exit Oulu Room Escape Games

Room Escape Games

Oulu
Midnight Sun Summer School

Midnight Sun Summer School

Oulu
Illinsaaren hiihtomaja.

Illinsaari disc golf course

Ii

Go Arctic group activities - Inhouse Derby

Oulu

Jakkukylä suspension bridge and Purusaari

Ii

Geocaching in Ii

Ii
Farmyard. A red log building in the background.

Turkansaari Open Air Museum

Oulu
Market hall in winter.

Oulu Market Hall

Oulu

Ancient survival skills: Archery

Oulu
Hiastinhaaran suisto.

Nature trail and birdwatching tower Hiastinhaara

Ii
Heimopäällikkö Go Arctic

Go Arctic group activities - The Head of Tribe

Oulu
Fish tern at Bothnian bay

Experience the wonders of the Finnish nature

Oulu
OuluHostel AlliMaria

OuluHostel AlliMaria

Oulu

Children's Birthday Party by Boat, Fishing

Ii
Nallikari beach covered with ice and snow.

Hietasaari recreational area

Oulu
A bucket and a rope on a dock at Kiviniemi port.

Traditional Fishing Harbour Kiviniemi

Oulu
Kumilauttapoolo

Go Arctic activities - Rubber raft polo game

Oulu
Have a fun ride in city train Kompiainen.

City Train Kompiainen

Oulu
Oulu cathedral in Oulu city.

Oulu Cathedral

Oulu

Bed and Breakfast by the Iijoki river

Ii
Mustasalmi Oulu 1

Kayaking safari to River Oulu delta

Oulu
Paintball Värikuulasota Oulu Action Park

Paintball

Oulu
Piispanletto Rajahauta nature trail.

Letonniemi protected area and nature trail

Oulu
Majoitushuone

Idyllinen kartanohotelli Iissä Iijoen rannalla

Ii

Canoeing, Paddling and Kayaking routes in Ii

Ii
Koivurannan saunalautta Risteilyllä Oulussa.

Koivuranta Sauna Boat Cruise

Oulu
White water swimming

Go Arctic activities - White water swimming in Koiteli

Oulu
Dining room of the Koiteli Residenssi.

Koiteli Residenssi accommodation villa

Oulu
A family of four with a guide walking in front of the Oulu City Hall

Guided Walking Tours in Oulu

Oulu

Go Arctic activities - Stories from Oulu

Oulu

Go Arctic group activities - Traditional games

Oulu
Visit Hailuoto, Hailuoto, Information point, info, Hailuodon Elinkeinotoimijat ry

Visit Hailuoto, Tourist Information

Hailuoto
Nallikari Aalto located By the Sea

Nallikari Aalto Apartment Hotel

Oulu

Family-friendly boat fishing trip in Ii

Ii
SUPping is nice summer activity

Bay of Bothnia by SUP (Stand Up Paddling) in Oulu

Oulu
Lapland Hotels Oulu Comfort Room.

Lapland Hotels Oulu

Oulu
Kellunta

Float 60min

Oulu

Lappis Water Park Oulu

Oulu

Oulu Arts Night

Oulu
Nallikari Holiday Village - camping

Nallikari Holiday Village - Camping, Oulu

Oulu

Ancient survival skills: Canoeing

Oulu
Winter wishing in Oulujoki delta area.

Go fishing in Oulu around the year

Oulu
Tourist info sign in front of Market Hall in winter.

Oulu Tourist Information Office

Oulu

Traditional Net Fishing Trip in Ii and Lunch

Ii
fatbiking is nice summer activity

Fatbike Tour in Oulu

Oulu

Kirkkosalmi Bird Watching tower

Hailuoto
icelandic horses

Riding treks with charming Icelandic Horses in Oulu!

Oulu
Marjaniemi lighthouse

Marjaniemi Lighthouse

Hailuoto
Saunallinen kahden hengen parivuoteellinen hotellihuone 10 kpl

Best Western Hotel Apollo, Oulu

Oulu
Toripoliisi Statue 1

Sightseeing of Oulu on Mountain Bikes

Oulu
Kuusisaari recreation park in winter.

Kuusisaari Recreation Park

Oulu

Guided Standup Paddle Boarding Trip to the Ii river and Bothnian Bay

Ii

Oolanti nature trail in Vatunki

Ii
Majakkapiha Caravan park

Caravan park

Hailuoto
Guest harbour

Marjaniemi Guest Harbour

Hailuoto

Go Arctic activities - Air guitar workshop or Air guitar show

Oulu