Oulu, with its neighbouring destinations along the Pohjola route, offers urban experiences with a guaranteed arctic twist.
White nights, summer in the city
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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Lapland Hotels Oulu
Tower house

Jakkukylä suspension bridge and Purusaari

Martti Tarvainen (1897–1985): To See and to Experience

Oulu Climbing Center

Sightseeing of Oulu on Mountain Bikes

Oulunsalo Soi Chamber Music Festival

Oulu Market Square

Wooden old town in Pikisaari Island

Deluxe Poiju Villas by the Sea in Nallikari, Oulu

Gems of the Oulu River estuary

Lähde! wellness art park

Illinsaari disc golf course

City canoeing day or night

Sailor's trail

Koivuranta Sauna Boat Puplic Sauna

Pilpasuo protected area and nature trails

Virpiniemi recreational area

Rusko Bike Park

Oulu Music Video Festival

Surprise menu in Oula Kitchen & Bar

KulttuuriKauppila Art Centre

Warjakka B&B Accommodation

Oulu quickly

Top 5 attractions in Oulu!

Koivuranta igloos

All-year round campsite in Nallikari, Oulu

Oulu Market Square Policeman statue

Kuusisaari Recreation Park

Glamping in Hailuoto

The reflecting pools of Oulu

Urban Festival Oulu Days

Day hike with a professional wilderness guide

Hietasaari recreational area

Voltti´s Music Quiz, Oulu

Visit Hailuoto, Information point

Pastel-coloured wooden Raksila

Original Sokos Hotel Arina, Oulu

Destination Unknown – alkuillan gourmet mysteerimaut

SuperPark Oulu

Oulu August Festival

Adventure Game: Rock The City Oulu

Guided walking tours in Oulu

Nature trail and birdwatching tower Hiastinhaara

Modern Messi Summer Cottages in Nallikari, Oulu

Lappis Water Park Oulu

Playroom Leikkilä

We Breathe the Forest!

Oulu Tourist Info

Iisland Uoma, beautiful house on an island

Scandic Oulu City

Geocaching in Ii

Fishing trip on the beautiful Bothnian Bay in Ii

Oulu Market Hall

Canoeing, Paddling and Kayaking routes in Ii

Splash-tastic water activities in Oulu

Local museum of Ii

Botanical Garden of the University of Oulu

Best Western Hotel Apollo, Oulu

Kierikki Stone Age Center

Paintball

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

Traditional Masto Holiday Cottages in Nallikari, Oulu

Traditional Pooki Holiday Cottages in Nallikari, Oulu

Minivan trip to Turkansaari Open Air Museum

Air Guitar World Championships

Koiteli Team Path

Oulujoki Church

Arctic Lighthouse Hotel

Oulu Arts Night

Historical Rantakortteli blocks of Oulu

Koivuranta Sauna Boat Cruise

Sanginjoki Nature Reserve

Iisland Boating trip in Ii river and Bothnian Bay

Minivan trip to Hailuoto

Tietomaa Science Centre Tower

Riitta-Alina Helevä: My Song

Tent site in Nallikari Holiday Village, Oulu

Hot Air Balloon Flight for group 4-12pax

GreenStar Hotel Oulu

Oulu Cathedral

Many layers of history in Kuusiluoto

Kayaking safari to River Oulu delta

Mysterioustrip

Lännentila farmyard with animals

Northern Ostrobothnia Museum

Guided bike tour from Nallikari to Oulu city center

Science Centre Tietomaa

Nallikari – the Riviera of the North

Nordic Art Hotel Lasaretti

Wooden Karjasilta from the reconstruction era

Oulu loves biking

Nallikari Lighthouse

Tähtitorni Observation Tower

Paddling on the Oulujoki river delta and at sea

Oulu Museum of Art

Amusement Park Vauhtipuisto

Ailasto accommodation

Elojazz

Experience the wonders of the Finnish nature

Varjakka industrial heritage site and nature trail

Northern Finland food experience
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Letonniemi protected area and nature trail

Guided transportation from Oulu airport to Oulu

Turkansaari Museum Church

The old town of Ii - Wanha Hamina

City Train Kompiainen

Turkansaari Open Air Museum

Literary Art Festival Muusajuhlat

Bay of Bothnia by Kayak in Oulu

Go fishing in Oulu around the year

Fatbike Tour in Oulu

De Urbe Uloa – Paintings of Oulu

Ailasto Camping and Caravan Park

Hupisaaret Islands city park

Environmental Art Park

De Gamlas Hem Hotel

Visit to the Home of Huskies

Oolanti nature trail in Vatunki

Traditional Finnish sauna and hot tube

Scandic Oulu Station

Iisi-areena indoor sport center

Luotolainen Tikkuri - exhibition
