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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De Gamlas Hem Hotel

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

Bay of Bothnia by Kayak in Oulu

Go Arctic group activities - Inhouse Derby

Room Escape Games

Single ticket to Reenis

Go Arctic activities - Northern Lights

Sightseeing of Oulu on Mountain Bikes

Pastel-coloured wooden Raksila

Riding treks with charming Icelandic Horses in Oulu!

Active Cast Fishing with a Professional Fisherman in Ii

Guided standup paddleboarding trip to the Ii river and Bothnian Bay

Oulu loves biking

Go Arctic Events - Decorations for your events

Dinosauria

Minivan trip to Hailuoto

Wooden old town in Pikisaari Island

Deluxe Poiju Villas by the Sea in Nallikari, Oulu

Mourunki lake

The Seasons in Us – Works from the Collections of the Association of Finnish Fine Art Foundations

Fatbike Tour in Oulu

Warjakka B&B Accommodation

Oulu Market Square Policeman statue

Traditional Net Fishing Trip in Ii and Lunch

Top 5 attractions in Oulu!

Voltti´s Music Quiz, Oulu

Guest harbour

Go Arctic activities - Fishing at the Koiteli Rapids

Virpiniemi recreational area

Iisland Cottages

Accessible Fishing and Boating Trip in Ii

Go Arctic group activities - The Head of Tribe

Oulunsalo Soi Chamber Music Festival

Oula Kitchen & Bar

Let's Breathe the Forest!

Guided bike tour from Nallikari to Oulu city center

Kayaking safari to River Oulu delta

The old town of Ii - Wanha Hamina

Literary Art Festival Muusajuhlat

Sailor's trail

Nallikari Holiday Village - Camping, Oulu

Go Arctic activities - Guided tour in Oulu by bike

Original Sokos Hotel Arina, Oulu

Turkansaari Museum Church

Nallikari Lighthouse

Nordic Art Hotel Lasaretti

Modern Messi Summer Cottages in Nallikari, Oulu

Tähtitorni Observation Tower

Best Western Hotel Apollo, Oulu

Go Arctic group activities - Kurvisen karsinnat

Keskiniemi Beacon Tower

Northern Finland food experience

Playroom Leikkilä

ChocoTasting

Ailasto accommodation

Iisi-areena indoor sport center

Go Arctic activities - Fatbike trip in Koiteli or Liminka

De Urbe Uloa – Paintings of Oulu

Environmental Art Park

Nallikari Aalto Apartments (open from February 2024)

Ailasto Midsummer Eve

Oulu Tourist Information Office

The reflecting pools of Oulu

Local museum of Ii

Go Arctic Events - Performers and hosts to your events

Go Arctic activities - City canoeing day or night

Go Arctic - Guided bus tours in Oulu and neighbouring municipalities

Kuusisaari Recreation Park

Children's Birthday Party by Boat, Fishing

Oolanti nature trail in Vatunki

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

All Inclusive Fishing Day in Ii

Night at Reenis

Illinsaari disc golf course

Go Arctic activities - Archery Competition

Botanical Garden of the University of Oulu

Lapland Hotels Oulu

Go Arctic activities - Craft upcycle workshop

Scandic Oulu City

Koivuranta Sauna Boat Puplic Sauna

Elojazz

Visit Hailuoto, Information point

Guided walking tours in Oulu

Hailuoto road trip

Sea Oulu Charter Cruise

Koivuranta igloos

Summer Night Setting in the Oulu Arts’ Night

Go Arctic group activities - Traditional tar olympics

Jakkukylä suspension bridge and Purusaari

Marjaniemi Lighthouse

Kierikki Stone Age Center

Go Arctic activities - Air guitar workshop or Air guitar show

Marjatta Hanhijoki: Aino and Reetu – Visibly So 3

Go Arctic activities - Yoga

Canoeing, Paddling and Kayaking routes in Ii

Oulu August Festival

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

Experience the wonders of the Finnish nature

Nature trail and birdwatching tower Hiastinhaara

Go Arctic group activities - Koiteli Team Path

Go Arctic group activities - Traditional games

Oulu Music Video Festival

Sanginjoki Nature Reserve

Tent site in Nallikari Holiday Village, Oulu

Guided transportation from Oulu airport to Oulu

Jumpru Patio Live!

Nallikari – the Riviera of the North

Oulu quickly

Pilpasuo protected area and nature trails

Adventure Game: Rock The City Oulu
Hailuodon Majakkapiha

Koiteli Residenssi accommodation villa

ChocoSomnia Workshop

KulttuuriKauppila Art Centre

Paddling on the Oulujoki river delta and at sea

Gems of the Oulu River estuary

Lähde! wellness art park

Oulu Museum of Art

Go Arctic activities - White water swimming in Koiteli

Go fishing in Oulu around the year

Seniors' vacation: Break from everyday life

Vekaravintti - Childrens Playroom Attic

Rusko Bike Park

SuperPark Oulu

Northern Ostrobothnia Museum

Amusement Park Vauhtipuisto

Gone fishing

City Train Kompiainen
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Letonniemi protected area and nature trail

Geocaching in Ii

Oulujoki Church

Go Arctic activities - Canoeing trip at river Oulujoki or Kiiminkijoki

Paintball

Go Arctic group activities - Team Path

Family-friendly boat fishing trip in Ii

Oulu Market Square

Spirits of Hearth and Home - Tonttu in Finnish Folklore

Ailasto Camping and Caravan Park

Luotolainen Tikkuri - exhibition

Arctic Edu-Tech - Workshops and experiences in Oulu area

Go Arctic activities - Stories from Oulu

Go Arctic Events - Dinner with the ghosts of Oulu

Family autumn vacation: Break from everyday life

Historical Rantakortteli blocks of Oulu

Bed and Breakfast by the Iijoki river

Glamping in Hailuoto

Traditional Holiday Cottages in Nallikari, Oulu

Wooden Karjasilta from the reconstruction era

Caravan park

Air Guitar World Championships

Traditional Finnish sauna and hot tube

Visit to the Home of Huskies

Idyllic holiday home by the Kiiminki River

Tietomaa Science Centre Tower

Minivan trip to Turkansaari Open Air Museum

Scandic Oulu Station

Many layers of history in Kuusiluoto

Go Arctic - Events Services

Lappis Water Park Oulu

Go Arctic group activities - Amazing Oulu - City adventure

Turkansaari Open Air Museum

Oulu Cathedral

PikePadel outdoor padelcourts

Hietasaari recreational area

Go Arctic activities - Rubber raft polo game

Go Arctic group activities - Heptathlon

GreenStar Hotel Oulu

Oulu Arts Night

Arctic Lighthouse Hotel

Oulu Climbing Center

Hot Air Balloon Flight for group 4-12pax

Go Arctic Events - Theme parties

Urban Festival Oulu Days

Jaakko Autio: OWLA

Design Center Proto

Hupisaaret Islands city park

Day hike in a nature reserve

Oulu Market Hall

Splash-tastic water activities in Oulu

Varjakka industrial heritage site and nature trail

Koivuranta Sauna Boat Cruise

Kirkkosalmi Bird Watching tower

Go Arctic activities - White water rafting in Koiteli

Photo North's gallery

ChocoSomnia Factory tour&Tasting
