All citiesTurku Things to do and walking itinerary
Finland Turku travel guide
30 things to do in Turku, where to stay, airport transfers. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
All Turku guide sections (8)
Top things to do in Turku
- Turku Cathedral: Finland's only medieval basilica, seat of the Lutheran Archbishop and mother church of the country. (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Turku Castle: Founded in the late 13th century at the mouth of the Aura, it is the largest surviving medieval building in Finland. (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Turku Synagogue: The synagogue in Turku's seventh district, where the city's Jewish community worships. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Luostarinmäki museum quarter: An open-air handicrafts museum in a quarter of old wooden houses. (visit ≈ 120 min)
- WAM Museum of Contemporary Art: The modern art museum on the east bank of the Aura, founded in 1967 around the city's art collection. (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Turku Art Museum: Turku's art museum, in a historic building on a hill in the city. (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Åbo Svenska Teater: Founded in 1839, the Swedish-language theatre is Finland's oldest, and its building the oldest working theatre house in the country. (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Sibelius Museum: Near the cathedral, Finland's only museum devoted to music, named after Jean Sibelius. (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Turku Orthodox Church: On the north-west corner of the Market Square, the Orthodox church was built to plans by Carl Ludvig Engel. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Aboa Vetus Ars Nova: Housed in the 1928 Rettig palace, the museum shows remains of the medieval city alongside contemporary art. (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Forum Marinum: maritime Museum in Turku, Finland (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Martin's Church: church in Turku, Finland (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Archangel Michael's church: church in Turku, Finland (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Turku City Theatre: theatre in Turku, Finland (visit ≈ 20 min)
- MS Bore: ship built in 1960 (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Suomen Joutsen: Finnish fregate built in 1902 (visit ≈ 120 min)
- old Great Square: square in Turku, Finland (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Saint Catherine's Church in Turku: church in Turku, Finland (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Betel Church: church in Turku, Finland (visit ≈ 30 min)
- St. Bridget and Blessed Hemming Church: church in Turku, Finland (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Ecumenical Art Chapel of St. Henry: church (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Turku Market Square: square in Turku, Finland (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Puutori: market square in Turku, Finland (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Botanical Garden of Turku University: botanical garden in Turku, Finland (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Vartiovuorenmäki: hill in Turku, Finland (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Qwensel House: historic house in Turku, Finland (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Ristimäki: church building in Kaarina, Finland (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Puolalanmäki: hill in Turku, Finland (visit ≈ 45 min)
- St Mary's Church in Turku: church in Turku, Finland (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Kylämäki Village: living history museum in Turku (visit ≈ 120 min)
2-day Turku walking itinerary
Starting point: Market Square and centre. The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated. Distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 9.3 km · 12,570 steps · 2 h 4 min on the way): Åbo Svenska Teater → Turku Castle → WAM Museum of Contemporary Art → Luostarinmäki museum quarter → Turku Cathedral
- Day 2 (≈ 2.6 km · 3,470 steps · 34 min on the way): Sibelius Museum → Turku Synagogue → Turku Art Museum
Where to stay in Turku
- Market Square and centre: The bus hub, with shops and the market hall nearby.
- Aura riverside: Restaurants and boat cafés along the river, on foot to the cathedral.
Getting from the airport to Turku
- Turku (TKU): Bus 1 ≈ 25-30 min
Getting around
Walk along the Aura between the castle and the cathedral. Buy Föli bus tickets in the app. In summer, archipelago boat trips leave from the harbour.
Classic places to eat
- Kaskis: Holds a Michelin star and Green Star, and books up months ahead.
- Mami: A bistro on Vähätori by the Aura.
- Smör: An elegant riverside restaurant focused on Nordic cooking.
Good to know before visiting Turku
- Fine: Riding Helsinki transit without a valid ticket is fined.
- Fine: Speeding fines can be income-based and very high.
- Fine: Headlights must be on during the day.
- Fine: Smoking indoors is banned.
- Strong drinks are sold at Alko stores. Supermarket alcohol sales stop in the evening.
- Saunas are usually nude and single-sex. Swimwear is worn in mixed ones.
- Emergency: 112
- Plugs: C/F, 230V
- Tap water: Tap water is excellent.
- Tipping: Tipping isn't expected.
Sources: UK FCDO: Foreign travel advice: Finland, Wikivoyage: Finland, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı: Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only. Rules change, so check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Turku travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Turku?
- The top 8 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 4 days for the top 20 places within walking distance.
- What are the top things to do in Turku?
- Highlights: Turku Cathedral, Turku Castle, Turku Synagogue, Luostarinmäki museum quarter and WAM Museum of Contemporary Art. The map has 30 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Turku?
- Market Square and centre: The bus hub, with shops and the market hall nearby. Other options: Aura riverside.
- How do you get from the airport to Turku city centre?
- Turku (TKU): Bus 1 ≈ 25-30 min
- How do you get around Turku?
- Walk along the Aura between the castle and the cathedral. Buy Föli bus tickets in the app. In summer, archipelago boat trips leave from the harbour.
- What is the emergency number in Turku?
- Emergency: 112.
- Do you tip in Turku?
- Tipping isn't expected.
Nearby cities
Helsinki · Tallinn · Pärnu · Stockholm · Tartu · Riga · Saint Petersburg · Kaunas
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