Things to do in the white city of Oulu: 20 tips
Oulu offers a wide range of things to do and see, providing a framework for experiences amidst the nature and culture of North Ostrobothnia. Read and explore!
City articles
16.11.2024
.jpg)
Oulu, the lively capital of North Ostrobothnia, offers visitors plenty to do and see. This northern gem attracts tourists all year round with its stunning sights, charming parks and interesting museums. Whether you're a culture-loving tourist or a hiker seeking the peace and quiet of nature, there's something for everyone.
Discover with us the best places in Oulu!
Oulu is an excellent place for viewing the Northern Lights, especially from September to April, when the dark evenings provide ideal conditions for this magical natural phenomenon. The Northern Lights occur on average every four nights at Oulu altitude, so patience and a bit of luck will help you see them.
The best chances of spotting the Northern Lights are in places with little light pollution. Popular spotting spots include Nallikar Beach and Oritkar Beach, which offer an unobstructed view of the northern sky. The Kaakkuri sports field and the hill in Meritoppila Park also offer good conditions for admiring the northern lights. If you want to get away from the city lights, more rural areas such as fields and marshes, for example Aalikkokangas, are ideal places.
Winter activities are a great way to enjoy the northern nature and keep active even on cold days. Skiing is easily accessible on the city's numerous ski slopes; there are dozens of kilometres of well-maintained ski slopes around Oulu for both traditional and skating skiing. Ice skating is possible in ice rinks or on outdoor ice rinks, and the Nallikari winter swimming area offers a refreshing open-air pool.
If you want to try something different, snowshoeing is a fun way to explore winter nature. Rent snowshoes and head to a nearby forest or park to try this easy and effective form of exercise. Fishing is popular in the Oulu estuary and at sea; you can try this traditional form of winter fishing with a guide or on your own.
Nallikari beach is one of Oulu's most popular summer destinations and is known as the "Riviera of the North".
In summer, the long sandy beach and stunning sea views attract sun worshippers, swimmers and outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy the summer days. Close to the beach is the Nallikari Holiday Village, where you can hire bicycles, jet skis or SUP boats and spend an active day exercising. There are also various events and festivals, such as beach concerts and sports competitions. In winter, the Nallikari area becomes a winter sports oasis where you can try open water swimming, winter fishing or admire ice sculptures.
Pikisaari is a charming area of wooden houses just outside the centre of Oulu, offering an opportunity to explore the history and architecture of the city. The well-preserved wooden houses along the narrow alleys tell stories of the past and take the visitor back in time. Along the way, you can enjoy the seascapes and admire the beautiful silhouette of Oulu from the water.
There are several artists' studios and craft workshops where you can learn about local art and craft traditions. Many studios and galleries are open to the public, where you can find unique souvenirs or even talk to the artists about their work. There are also events and exhibitions throughout the year.
The Raat Sports Centre offers a wide range of opportunities for physical activity and sport. Located only about a kilometre from the centre of Oulu, Raatinsaari is an easily accessible destination. At the sports centre, you can practise various indoor sports, such as swimming in the modern swimming pool or working out in the gym.
The outdoor stadium and sports fields are suitable for athletics, football and other ball games. The area also has beautiful jogging trails along the banks of the Oulu River. In winter, Raat offers the possibility of ice skating on the artificial ice rink or skiing on the nearby slopes.
The Raati Sports Centre is open all year round and offers an excellent environment for people of all ages and levels. You can check the exact opening hours and services on the centre's website. A visit to Raati is a great way to keep fit while enjoying the beautiful river scenery of Oulu.
The University of Oulu Botanical Garden is a unique destination for nature lovers and one of the northernmost botanical gardens in the world. Located next to the Linnanmaa campus at Kaitoväylä 5, the garden offers the opportunity to discover more than 4 000 different plant species from around the world.
The garden consists of both greenhouses and an extensive outdoor garden. During a walking tour you can admire exotic plants, beautiful flowers, various trees and water features that create a peaceful and refreshing environment. In summer, the garden is the ideal place for a picnic, and the lush lawns invite you to relax in the midst of nature.
During the visit, you will learn a lot about plant structure, adaptation and diversity. The garden also offers guided tours for groups, where expert guides will deepen your knowledge of the plant kingdom. The garden is open all year round, so you can enjoy what it has to offer in every season.
Oulu is the cycling capital of Finland, and cycling is a great way to get to know the city. The extensive cycling network offers around 930 kilometres of well-maintained routes, both in the city centre and along the beautiful waterways.
Oulu's cycle paths are ideal for both everyday and recreational cycling. You can choose the route that suits you, from a short city tour to longer excursions in the Oulu region. There are several rest stops, attractions and services along the routes, so you can easily plan your day according to your needs.
Cycling opportunities in Oulu are varied all year round. In winter, you can try fatbike cycling or use studded tyres for easier mobility. Guided cycling tours are a good way to discover the sights and history of the city with a knowledgeable guide.
The Oulu region offers many scenic nature trails that are perfect for peaceful walks and admiring nature. Pilpasuo is a popular destination where you can enjoy the vast marshlands, birdsong and fresh air. The area has long wooden paths that make getting around easy and comfortable.
The Sanginjokarm trail follows the beautiful Sangin River and offers the opportunity to see a variety of flora and fauna. At Hietasaari you can enjoy the seaside nature and the fresh breeze. The island's paths follow varied terrain close to the shore, and the area is also ideal for cycling.
If you can go a little further, Liimanninkoski in Muhoksi is a great nature spot. There you can admire the rapids, listen to the water lapping and enjoy a picnic in the lap of nature. Oulu's nature trails offer a chance to get away from it all and refresh yourself in the midst of nature.
The Kiiminkijoki is one of Finland's most important free-flowing rivers, offering beautiful scenery near Oulu. The river flows for about 170 km from Puolanka to the Perämere, passing through diverse forest and moorland landscapes.
There are many ways to enjoy the spectacular views of the river. In summer, canoeing or kayaking is popular on the quiet stretches of the river. Along the river there are several rest stops and campsites where you can rest, enjoy a snack and admire the surrounding nature. For anglers, the Kiiminkijoki River offers opportunities to catch trout and grayling, for example.
The area around the river is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. You can spot different species of birds on the banks and maybe even see beaver dams. In autumn, the riverbanks glow in auburn, and in winter the area offers opportunities for skiing and snowshoeing. Bring your camera and capture the stunning scenery of the Kiiminkijoki River - a river that offers experiences all year round.
Oulu's diverse waterways offer excellent opportunities for fishing. You can try your luck on rivers, lakes and the sea. You can catch salmon, whitefish, perch or pike. Fishing is an enjoyable pastime all year round, and Oulu's long summer evenings even allow you to experience night fishing.
Pack suitable equipment and dress for the weather. On a fishing trip you can enjoy the peace and quiet of nature and the scenery while you wait for your catch. Many fishermen say that the experience of fishing and being in nature is as important as the potential catch. Remember to get the necessary fishing permits before you go fishing
The Hupisaari park area is located just outside the centre of Oulu, and is an ideal destination for walks, picnics and birdwatching. The area's beautiful small islands and connecting bridges create a picturesque setting for relaxation. The Hupisaari also has historical sites, such as the Botanical Garden and the old water mill, which add to the charm of the area.
The Turkansaari Outdoor Museum is a historical museum near Oulu that takes its visitors on a journey through time. There are old buildings in the area where you can learn about traditional Finnish village life and culture. Turkansaari is located in the middle of beautiful nature, which makes it an excellent place to combine nature and culture. During the summer, the area also hosts events such as traditional markets and craft shows.
Oulu City Theatre offers a unique opportunity to take a peek behind the scenes of theatre. By taking part in a guided tour, you will get to see the stage, costume and make-up departments. You will see how the stages work and how performances are prepared from script to production.
The tour starts in the lower lobby of the theatre, where a guide will welcome you. During the tour, you will get a comprehensive insight into the history, architecture and day-to-day operations of the theatre. The tour will give you a new perspective on the making of performances and reveal how much work and creativity goes on behind the scenes before a performance is ready for the audience. This experience will deepen your understanding of the theatre arts.
The Oulu Art Museum is a northern centre for contemporary art, offering unique experiences for art lovers. The museum features a wide range of exhibitions, which change regularly and present works by both local and international artists. You can discover paintings, sculptures and installations that challenge and inspire the mind.
The museum encourages visitors to look at art in their own way and reflect on what it means to them. When you visit the museum, you can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and let art have a profound effect on you. A visit to the museum is a great way to enrich your visit to Oulu and gain new perspectives.
Oulu is known for its diverse events, with music festivals being particularly popular. The famous Qstock festival attracts thousands of music lovers from all over Finland every year. In winter, the Oulu Music Festival offers high-quality concerts ranging from classical music to jazz. Local bars and clubs also organise gigs throughout the year, so there's always live music on offer.
In Oulu, you can explore some of the remarkable areas designed by the world-famous architect Alvar Aalto. The Meri-Toppila Centre, the former Toppila Oy pulp mill, is one of these sites. Completed in 1931, the silicon building represents a breakthrough in Aalto's modern concrete architecture and is an impressive sight by the sea.
Another of Aalto's designs is the Koskikeskus zoning plan, which demonstrates the architect's skill in urban planning. The area offers an interesting insight into 1930s modernism and its influence on Oulu's cityscape.
The third important site is the current Kemira site, which was originally a Typpi Oy factory site. These buildings have survived to the present day and offer a unique opportunity to discover Aalto's industrial architecture.
Oulu offers a diverse selection of cafés and restaurants to pamper visitors with a variety of tastes. The area around the Market Square is full of small cafés and restaurants where you can sample local delicacies.
One area popular with locals is the beach cafés of Hietasaari and Nallikari, which offer beautiful views of the sea, especially on summer evenings. The area's diverse restaurants offer tastes of cuisines from around the world and a chance to experience Oulu's vibrant food culture.
Oulu Market Square is the heart of the city and a popular meeting place for locals and tourists alike. Here you can experience the authentic market square atmosphere and make great bargains. The market offers fresh vegetables, fruit, berries and local delicacies directly from the producers. Don't miss the chance to sample Oulu's traditional stew or buy fresh fish directly from the fishermen.
The Oulu Market Hall, located on the edge of the square, is over a century old and offers a wide range of specialised products. Here you will find local cheeses, pastries, handicrafts and other quality products. You can also enjoy lunch or coffee in the atmospheric surroundings of the trade hall.
In summer, the market is particularly lively and full of life. You can eat ice cream at the market stalls while admiring the sea view. Don't forget to take a photo with the Toripolliisi statue - this humorous sculpture is one of Oulu's most famous landmarks and a popular photo opportunity.
Located in the centre of Oulu, the Valkea Shopping Centre is a modern, versatile shopping destination that combines shopping, dining and entertainment. Valkea is popular because its central promenade provides light and space to relax while shopping.
In Valkeja you will find a wide range of fashion and interior design shops and a variety of café and restaurant services, offering suitable options for both lunch and an afternoon coffee break. Families will also be attracted by the pleasant surroundings of the shopping centre, which has its own children's entertainment points.
Rotuaari is a popular pedestrian street in the centre of Oulu, with plenty of speciality shops, cafés and restaurants. Rotuaari offers a cosy city atmosphere, with a variety of shops offering shopping opportunities to suit all tastes, from fashion to interior design to bookshops.
The racecourse is also a great place to stop for a coffee or a bite to eat while you shop. In summer, Rotuaari's events and performances attract a large crowd, and the area's varied selection of restaurants and cafés ensures that there's a place to eat when you get hungry.
