BUG - Backpackers Guide to Europe

The third largest and oldest city in Finland has a rich history. Turku (Åbo in Swedish) was once the capital of Sweden and still retains a Swedish influence. With its rich history, Turku has a wealth of attractions including museums and medieval monuments such as Turku Castle.

Practical Information

Turku Tourist Information Centre

Aurakatu 4, Turku

Tel (02) 233 6366

Website www.turku.fi

Getting Around

Turku has a convenient bus system (website http://bussit.turku.fi) that has a Visitor's Pass allowing 24 hours unlimited use of the bus network. The Visitor's Pass costs €4.50 and is only sold on board buses; single tickets cost €2 (or €3 for night buses). The TurkuCard also gives you unlimited use of public transport in Turku. Useful bus routes include route 1 which runs from the harbour to the market square, the bus station and the airport, routes 30, 32, and 42 running between the train station and the market square and route 100 which runs between the market square and Turku Hall during special events.

Coming & Going

There are frequent buses and trains from Turku to other points in Finland. The main train station is located on Ratapihankatu, while the express bus station is located on Aninkaistenkatu about 1½km away. With frequent ferry connections to Sweden it is likely that you will enter Finland via Turku, Seawind, Silja and Viking ferries depart from the harbour to Stolkholm and Mariehamn.

Accommodation

Hostel Linnasmäki

Lustokatu 7, Turku 20380

Tel (02) 412 3500

Hostel Turku

Linnankatu 39, Turku 20100

Tel (02) 262 7680

Sights

The TurkuCard may be worth buying if you're planning a lot of sightseeing. This pass gives you unlimited use of public transport and free admission to all of Turku's museums. The TurkuCard costs €21 for 24 hours or €28 for 48 hours.

Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova

These two museums are housed in the Rettig Palace, which was built upon the ruins of a medieval city block. The Aboa Vetus features archaeological excavations and displays of archaeological findings; while the Ars Nova museum houses a collection of contemporary art.

Itäinen Rantakatu 4-6, FIN-20700 Turku

Bus 13, 30, 55

Tel (02) 250 0522

Website www.aboavetusarsnova.fi

Admission each museum €8, students €7; both museums €9.50, €7.50 if paid by Diners Club

Open 1 Jan-27 Mar Tue-Sun 11am-7pm; 28 Mar-18 Sep 11am-7pm daily; 19 Sep-18 Dec Tue-Sun 11am-7pm

Forum Marinum

This maritime museum on the banks of the River Aura is home to interactive exhibits, historic boats and restored ships.

Linnankatu 72, FIN-20100 Turku

Tel (02) 282 9511

Website www.forum-marinum.fi

Admission €7 for exhibits; €5 for museum ships

Open Jan-Apr Tue-Sun 10am-6pm; May-Sep 11am-7pm daily; Oct-Dec Tue-Sun 10am-6pm; museum ships open Jun-Aug 11am-7pm daily

Turku Art Museum

Located in Turku's Old Observatory, Turku Art Museum has a collection of 5000 artworks by mostly Finnish artists, which cover a wide range of artistic styles.

Vartiovuori Hill, Turku

Tel (02) 274 7570

Website www.turuntaidemuseo.fi

Admission €6, students €3.50

Open Tue-Fri 11am-7pm, Sat-Sun 11am-5pm

Turku Castle

Dating from the 1280s, Turku Castle has witnessed the most important moments in Finnish history. The castle contains a museum as well as the prision of Erik XIV.

Linnankatu 80, FIN-20101 Turku

Tel (02) 262 0300

Website www.turku.fi/museo/english/castle.htm

Admission €5, students €4.50

Open 16 Apr-15 Sep 10am-6pm daily, 16 Sep-15 Apr Tue-Sun 10am-3pm

Ferry Tickets