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visit turku ruisrock

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Ruisrock - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

  • (3.21 mi) Solo Sokos Hotel Turun Seurahuone
  • (3.12 mi) Radisson Blu Marina Palace Hotel, Turku
  • (0.75 mi) Villa Rauhala Bed & Breakfast
  • (1.56 mi) Hotel Seaport
  • (3.64 mi) Scandic Julia
  • (0.40 mi) Cafe Vanha Tammi
  • (0.61 mi) Ruissalon Maininki - Turun Pursiseuran Ravintola
  • (3.51 mi) Ravintola Kaskis
  • (3.31 mi) Rioni Turku
  • (3.14 mi) Ravintola Maneerat

Ruisrock Information

WanderingJustin.com

Travel – Cycling – Outdoors

24 Hours in Turku – A Visit to Ruisrock

Nightwish concert

It’s a warm summer weekend in  Turku, Finland . I just stepped off the VR train from Helsinki to check out  Ruisrock . This is a swift, convenient, punctual train trip that I’ve never seen equaled in the U.S. – for some reason, we’re a nation that hasn’t grasped the benefits of high-speed rail travel.

Now, it’s time to wander Turku. We have a good eight hours to kill before we head to Ruis Salo, the island that hosts Ruisrock. Today’s lineup ranges from  Nightwish  – the day’s headlining band and Finland’s best-known musical export – to Children of Bodom, Apocalyptica and The Cardigans.

Seagoing and Walkable

English: Tour boat Linnea in Aura river in Tur...

It’s a walkable city. The Aura River cuts through it, with pleasant walking paths lining the banks.

Permanently moored boats turned into restaurants enhance the nautical vibe – this is a seagoing town. Some of the world’s largest cruise ships are built here. The Forum Marinum displays ships and other maritime memorabilia. It’s nearly closing time by the time we find the museum, so we don’t go in.

Planning our route to Ruisrock dictates our next move. We walk a few blocks to the central square, where buses leave every 15 minutes or so. We wander the farmer’s market and pick up some fresh fruit.

One of my “visit Finland” goals is to taste an authentic sahti . I’ve had sahti-style beers – but not the real thing. We visit Panimoravintola Koulu, a brewpub set in a former school. A quick conversation first confuses then annoys the barkeeper – no sahti, and a focus more on lagers than ales. So off we go. We strike out in the sahti search at Alvar, too. A friendly Italian bartender and a better beer list keep us there.

Turku

We grab a snack at a kebab shop. Then, off to Ruisrock.

Time to Rock

The bus deposits us just over the bridge. We walk more than a mile down a quiet, forested path.

Our first impression at the gates – a chaotic mess. A campground, a sprawling bike parking area, a No Man’s Land of litter. But hey, it’s hard to wind people up, give them a sea of lager and expect everything to stay pristine.

Foreign Musicians Who Have “Ruisrocked”:  Nirvana, Bon Jovi, Slash, Snoop Dogg, Faith No More, In Flames, Rammstein, Disturbed

Inside is a huge compound with at least seven stages. My favorite is right on the beach. Between stages – kiosks hawk everything from food to souvenirs. There’s lots of mud free for the taking, especially near the watering stations.

It’s a dusky midnight when Nightwish takes the stage. They play a short but energetic set, a mix of old, new and re-imagined (the slowed-down acoustic version of “Nemo” is quite a twist). The stage show with fireworks and gouts of purple flames shooting all over is a treat – far different from the stripped-down Nightwish shows I’ve seen in the U.S. Then the exit stampede begins.

Early-Morning Scramble Back to Town

Ruisrock 2005

The path back to the buses is packed with people, but it still moves fast. Not so much the lines for the busses. I envy those who had bikes. My advice if you go to Ruisrock – find somewhere, anywhere, to rent a bike. You’ll be back in town before the bus crowd even boards.

This is when the funniest part of the day begins – several Finns come up to me to say that I played great. I just nod and say thank you, not quite knowing what else to do. One particularly short and star-struck man pats me on both shoulders several times, giving me a wide-eyed stare and making an odd cooing noise before his friends lead him away. I still have no idea which musician I resembled.

The next day, we walk around town a bit more, noticing yet again that Finland doesn’t rise early. We catch the VR train back to Helsinki.

If you travel to Finland, spend more than a bare 24 hours in Turku. It’s warm, relaxed and fun enough to deserve a few days in your itinerary.

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visit turku ruisrock

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By Wandering Justin

Writer. Traveler. Gastronomic daredevil. Fitness fan. Homebrewer. Metal dude \m/. Cat and dog lover.

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visit turku ruisrock

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

visit turku ruisrock

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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RUISROCK - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

  • (5.13 km) Solo Sokos Hotel Turun Seurahuone
  • (4.99 km) Radisson Blu Marina Palace Hotel, Turku
  • (1.20 km) Villa Rauhala Bed & Breakfast
  • (2.50 km) Hotel Seaport
  • (5.82 km) Scandic Julia
  • (0.65 km) Cafe Vanha Tammi
  • (0.98 km) Ruissalon Maininki - Turun Pursiseuran Ravintola
  • (5.61 km) Ravintola Kaskis
  • (5.30 km) Rioni Turku
  • (5.03 km) Ravintola Maneerat

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visit turku archipelago

Visit Turku – 8 Ways to Experience the Unique Archipelago

visit Turku archipelago

Visit Turku on your next holiday to find something completely different and exciting with a wholesome, Scandinavian twist. Turku is one of the first cities ever founded in Finland. It also served as the capital of Finland for 600 years until 1809.

Even though it’s been over 200 years since Turku held the number 1 city status in the big country, you can still find plenty of signs of its regal past: a castle, a cathedral complete with royal tombs, and the Old Great Square with ancient streets and buildings.

But today I’m not going to talk about the city itself. Instead, I’m going to introduce you to the Turku Archipelago that resides in front of it.

Turku Archipelago consists of over 20 000 islands and it’s completely unique to any other group of islands on Earth. You can’t find one like it even in Scandinavia. Some islands are big and inhabited, whereas others are just a pile of rocks with perhaps a lighthouse propped on top of it. It is an adventure land like no other!

8 Ways to Experience the Unique Turku Archipelago

visit turku ruisrock

Visit Turku Archipelago for a unique travel experience that your family and friends will definitely envy. You know what that means, right? You hold the bragging rights!

Turku Archipelago is a large area consisting of thousands of inhabited islands, and every single one of them holds stories and legends that you can only find there. Here’s a list of different ways you can visit Turku Archipelago and experience the best parts of it.

1) Rent a Summer House

Turku Archipelago consists of thousands and thousands of Summer houses. That’s where we Finns retreat to spend the warm and sunny Summers in peace and quiet, surrounded by nature. And here’s a good travel tip; if you prefer warm, sunny Summers that don’t stifle you, you should visit Turku! Summers there can be hot, but not overly so.

Finns often spend their entire Summer at the Summer house. But many younger Finns have started to prefer staying in cities during the Summer months, and instead of selling their family properties in the archipelago, they’ve started listing them online for rentals.

You can find absolutely gorgeous Summer houses online and that way get the authentic Finnish Summer house experience. Note that some Summer houses might not have running water or electricity! So, make sure to check the specifications when booking a place to stay.

2) Island hopping on the Circle Road

We’ve all heard of ‘island hopping’ for example in Greece. But did you know you can do that also in Finland? Well, now you can add Turku archipelago to the list of islands to hop!

Also, you can either choose island hopping for one day, or go for the longer version and stay overnight in a hotel. You could even stay with local families. The Circle Road can be traveled by bike, car, boat or a bus. There are cycling roads, but in some parts you’ll need to cycle next to the busy road, so please take that into account.

I would suggest (being a constant visitor in the Turku Archipelago) that you start from Parainen and Nauvo, and continue onwards from there around the beautiful archipelago. On the way you’ll find all of these:

visit Turku archipelago

3) Nauvo Marina

I know the island of Nauvo like my own pockets. This is because our own Summer house resides there on a large piece of land that has belonged to my mum’s family for decades.

Nauvo boasts loooads of Summer houses that you can rent for as long as you like. And the Nauvo Marina in the center of the island is a lovely spot for a break and a delicious meal.

The Nauvo Marina is a very popular spot for all kinds of seafarers from rowing boats to sailing boats to proper ass yachts. There’s a lot to see, and the atmosphere there is always hospitable and oh, so chill.

From Nauvo Marina you can catch a ferry that will take you to the island of Seili, which has a very murky history indeed.

4) Sail to Seili

Seili is a beautiful island with a very dark history. If walls could talk, the few buildings residing there would surely have some pretty gory stories to tell! In the 1600 and 1700 the island acted as an isolation camp for those suffering from leprosy. They were taken to the island so they wouldn’t pass the disease to anyone else.

When taken there, each patient had to bring along their own boards for a coffin. Because once taken there, there was no leaving the island. After leprosy vanished from Finland Seili was transformed into a lunatic asylum. People suffering from a variety of mental problems, which back then were classified quite differently, were taken there for the rest of their lives.  It was mainly used to relocate “chronic women” .

In reality this meant women suffering from actual mental disorders, but also women who were called “menstrual crazy” or who just didn’t fit into the society. That could have been homeless women, and those who worked on the brink of society, for example prostitutes.

The island of Seili operated as a mental hospital all the way to 1960 when the operations were finally moved under the University Hospital in Turku.

visit Turku archipelago

5) Utö Island

Utö is the farthermost inhabited island in the Turku Archipelago. It’s a tiny island of only 0,81 square kilometers, and boasts a small community of about 40 people. You won’t find people much tougher than them! They brave the extreme conditions of the harsh Baltic Sea all year round, but still they manage to be as welcoming as ever.

You can get a ferry from the aforementioned Nauvo Marina straight to Utö. On the island you can get acquainted with traditional island dwellings and go diving to discover a ship wreck or two.

Being the first island when arriving to the Turku Archipelago by sea, Utö has seen a multitude of shipwrecks. One of the most recent ones, and the worst in Finnish maritime history was the Estonia tragedy .

To learn more about the eventful history and the ships that passed through and went down in the Turku Archipelago, visit Turku and the Forum Marinum museum .

6) Bengtskär Lighthouse

Bengtskär Lighthouse is another interesting destination in the Turku Archipelago. It’s a barren island with the tallest lighthouse in Scandinavia towering 52 meters above sea level.

It was designed by Florentin Granholm and built in 1906 because the surrounding areas were too difficult for ships to master. Most of ships passing by run aground before the lighthouse was erected.

The poor lighthouse has seen a lot of life, and it was even blown to pieces by the Soviet army. But Finns have never bowed to the East, so the lighthouse was rebuilt and automated in the 60’s. Today the lighthouse belongs to the Turku University Foundation and is a very popular tourist destination.

visit Turku archipelago

7) Take a mini cruise

If you only have a few hours to experience the Turku Archipelago, there’s a brilliant option for you! The Ukko Pekka steam boat takes groups of people for a 4-hour trip including a meal and beautiful sea views.

The trip starts from the bank of the Aura River and leads to the tiny island of Loistokari only an hour’s sail away. This is the perfect option for couples looking for a wee romantic getaway.

There’s nothing more romantic than a small island in the middle of the sea with traditional archipelago tunes playing on the background. I recently went on this trip myself, and would wholeheartedly recommend it!

8) Ruissalo National Park

Ruissalo is another brilliant way to visit Turku Archipelago if you’re short on time. You can get a bus from Turku city center straight to the island of Ruissalo. It’s one of the biggest islands in the archipelago, and offers a lot to see and do! It became a popular area among the Finnish gentry in the 1800s, which is still very visible there.

Along the coastline of the island you can find plenty of what Finns call ‘lace villas’. These are beautifully decorated villas where people still spend their long Summer holidays enjoying nature, sea air and peace.

In addition to the beautiful villas, Ruissalo offers long, sandy beaches, cute cafés and a lot of unique nature. There’s a Botanic Garden surrounded by a national park that’s part of the Natura 2000 project.

For us Turku folk Ruissalo is best known for one of the biggest festivals in the Northern countries: Ruisrock . I warmly recommend you to visit Turku and the Ruisrock Festival in July, because perfect Summer weather is always guaranteed in the area that specific weekend! Not joking.

visit Turku archipelago

And there you have it, 8 ways to experience the Turku Archipelago, a unique piece of Mother Nature’s wonders on the coast of Western Finland. Cleanest air and nature, loads to do, and a guarantee for relaxation in terms of body and mind!

How does it sound? Any other sea lovers here, or would you rather keep your adventures on terra firma? Let’s chat in the comments! ♥

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Home » Travel Guides » Finland » 15 Best Things to Do in Turku (Finland)

15 Best Things to Do in Turku (Finland)

Set where the River Aura empties into the Archipelago Sea, Turku is Finland’s oldest city and was the country’s first capital.

National monuments like Turku Castle and Turku Cathedral will bring Finland’s origins to light, and you can learn how vaunted cultural figures like Jean Sibelius and Wäinö Aaltonen helped to shape the nation in the 20th-century.

And don’t forget that there’s a world of little islands located right next to the city.

With a bicycle you could go on a hopping adventure, boarding ferries to discover little communities with distinct traditions and heritage.

1. Turku Castle

Turku Castle

Among Finland’s most prized pieces of national heritage, as well as one of its oldest buildings, Turku Castle took shape in the late-1200s during Finland’s Swedish period.

It was built to defend their province of Eastland but took on all sorts of different roles over the next few centuries: It was a luxurious palace, administrative centre, seat of government, warehouse and then a prison right up to the end of the 1800s.

Following a delay, the building was finally renovated in 1987 and is now a museum.

Kids can dress up in armour at the Knights’ Hall and the castle’s rooms are decorated with period furniture.

2. Turku Cathedral

Turku Cathedral

A hugely significant building, this is the seat of the Archbishop of Finland and is the country’s national sanctuary.

Many people have this 13th-century cathedral down as Finland’s most important historic building.

When it was first built the cathedral was made almost exclusively from wood, before a stone rebuild took place in the 1400s.

Among the famous historical figures buried at Turku Cathedral is Karin Månsdotter, the 16th-century Queen of Sweden, and you’ll be able to spot her marble sarcophagus quite clearly.

3. Kuralan kylämäki

Kuralan kylämäki

Right on the eastern fringes of Turku is Kurala, where there’s a recreated 1950s village in which actors in costume behave as they would in the post-war era..

There’s a working farm here, with chickens, sheep and cows, so little ones are sure to enjoy themselves.

You can go inside a the blade-sharpener’s workshop to watch him at the stone, or take a stroll through the wilderness with the hunting bailiff.

Visitors are encouraged to take part, churning butter, making hay or sowing seeds (at the appropriate time of year of course!).

The attraction also boasts real historical interest as there’s been a settlement here since the Iron Age.

4. Forum Marinum Maritime Centre

Forum Marinum Maritime Centre

In Turku’s IX district is this riverfront attraction that occupies two former government warehouses.

All along the quay heritage boats of all sizes are moored and ready for you to board.

Of these the standout has to be Sigyn, a three-masted merchant’s vessel built in Gothenburg in 1887.

There are also four Finnish naval vessels and a police boat that you can check out.

On land you can enter the old warehouses to see the evolution of maritime trade and conflict in Finland, and check out yet more historic vessels.

5. Sibeliusmuseum

Sibelius Museum

Turku’s Sibeliusmuseum is Finland’s only museum completely centred on music.

It’s in a 1960s functionalist building designed by Woldemar Baeckman, one of Finland’s leading post-war architects.

There are almost 2,000 musical instruments to see inside, gathered from all corners of the globe.

One of the rooms is entirely devoted to Jean Sibelius, giving you the background on his life, compositions and role in helping Finland carve a sense of national identity following its time under Russian yoke.

In spring and autumn the museum also puts on concerts on Wednesday evenings, and anything from folk music to jazz is on the menu.

6. Ruissalo

Ruissalo

On the upper side of the Turku estuary is the long and craggy Ruissalo Island.

It’s always been easy to reach from the mainland and in medieval times formed part of the hunting grounds for Turku Castle.

Later it became the summer retreat of choice for the wealthy, and a number of delightful villas popped up here in the 1800s.

A great way to see Ruissalo’s rugged coastline, botanical garden, sandy beaches and fresh oak forests is to hop on a bike and cross the Ruissalon puistotie bridge.

If you’d like to stay for a night you can even rent a room at one of the stately villas.

7. Pharmacy Museum and The Qwensel House

The Qwensel House

There’s a dual appeal to this attraction. First, the Qwensel House is the oldest wooden house in the city, a bourgeois home from the early 1700s when the region was still a subsistence economy.

There aren’t many of this kind of building so well-preserved in Finland, so it’s a vital piece of heritage, with interiors much like they were 200 years back.

One of its owners was Josef Gustav Pipping, who lived here at the turn of the 19th century.

Pipping was the country’s first professor of surgery so it’s fitting that the building’s 19th century storehouse should be a pharmacy museum today.

You can examine a collection of vials, scales and other instruments from the 1700s and 1800s.

8. Flowpark

Flowpark

Open in summer, Flowpark lets kids and grown-ups be active outdoors in a completely safe environment.

It’s an eco-adventure park able to cater to children age seven and up.

Blending with the woodland are a variety of swings, rope bridges, monkey bars, lane jumps and cable slides.

At the park you’ll wear helmets and harnesses, and you’ll be strapped onto the tougher challenges.

Even those who rate themselves as climbers will find some of the courses tough, but there are plenty of lighter tests that will help develop kids’ self-confidence and give the whole family something different to do on holiday in Turku.

9. Wäinö Aaltonen Museum of Art

Wäinö Aaltonen Museum of Art

Active throughout the mid-20th century Wäinö Aaltonen was one of the country’s great sculptors, who, like Jean Sibelius, helped form an idea of Finnish modern culture after independence.

He is commemorated by this modern art museum next to the Aura River, which represents Turku city’s art collection, expanding at a rate of about 60 pieces a year.

Eleven of Aaltonen’s sculptures have pride of place in these galleries, as well as a number of his paintings and graphics, and you can glimpse at his process  with the help of preliminary sketches.

Aaltonen also collected some 16,000 books in his lifetime, which can all be seen at the museum library.

10. Riverbank dining

Pinella Restaurant

If you’re feeling peckish look no further than Turku’s riverbank, where the city’s top eateries create a mini-dining district.

What’s handy is that there’s a wide spectrum of cafes and restaurants, suiting all pockets and tastes.

If you want an introduction to Nordic and Finnish cuisine then Pinella with its pan-fried Arctic char and gravlax is the one.

Maybe you’d like a continental alternative: If so, Sergio’s is an Italian bistro in an old wooden mansion that does the classics and spills out onto the pavement when the weather’s good in summer.

11. Turku Archipelago

Turku Archipelago

Where to start? The Archipelago Sea next to Turku has a mind-boggling 40,000 islands, many of which are no larger than a tennis court.

The larger ones are accessible by a multitude of ferries buzzing to and fro.

Several are interconnected by bridges, so hiring a bicycle is surely the best way to get around and really embrace the untouched natural beauty of the archipelago.

And if you’re really committed you could try the Archipelago Trail, a designated 250-kilometre cycle route that guides you to islands such as Pargas, Nagu, Houtskär via a mix of road and ferry.

As you go you’ll see how each new island is a bit different from the last, not least in the preference of Finnish or Swedish as the native language.

12. Naantali

Naantali

Only 17 kilometres from Turku is this town that comes to life during the summer, even welcoming the president who stays at the granite Kulturanta manor house in July or August.

Anyone who grew up with Tove Jansson’s books will love Moomin World, and here you can introduce another generation to these characters.

Moomin World has no rides; instead there are themed games and activities for children to take part in, all involving figures like the Groke and the Hattifatteners.

They centrepiece is the five-storey Moomin Touse, a blue tower exactly like the one in the books.

13. Turku Events

Ruisrock

What surprises many people who visit Turku is the sheer number of things going on at any time of year.

Those long summer though are when everything gains momentum.

If you’re a music fan there’s are seven high-profile events to choose from in June, July and August.

Take Ilmiö, a one day event that crams more than 50 live shows into 14 hours.

Ruisrock at the start of July is Finland’s oldest rock festival and takes place in the beautiful surrounds of Ruissalo Island.

Recent guests include The National, Ozzy Osbourne and Morrissey.

14. Adventure Park

Kupittaa Park

Turku’s Kupittaa Park is the largest urban park in Finland and was the first  to be purposely landscaped.

The facilities here are unreal: There’s a Finnish baseball stadium (Pesäpallo), a BMX track, a skateboarding park, two open-air swimming pools and ice-hockey arena.

But if you’re scratching your head for something to keep the kids entertained and active, then Adventure Park is what you’re after.

It’s a large play-park with an educational bent, so children can take part in theatre shows, music workshops, make a splash in the stream that meanders through the park and leap on the bouncy castle.

15. Föri City Ferry

Föri City Ferry

In the centre of the city you can cross the Aura River for free via this ferry.

It’s not so much an attraction, as the crossing will take a couple of minutes to cover the 75 metres or so between Tervahovinkatu on the east bank and Wechterinkuja on the west side.

But it’s just one of those things that you have to do when you’re in Turku. T

he ferry runs all year round, with extended hours in summer.

If it gets really cold in the winter and the river ice is thick enough, there’s an ice bridge instead.

15 Best Things to Do in Turku (Finland):

  • Turku Castle
  • Turku Cathedral
  • Kuralan kylämäki
  • Forum Marinum Maritime Centre
  • Sibeliusmuseum
  • Pharmacy Museum and The Qwensel House
  • Wäinö Aaltonen Museum of Art
  • Riverbank dining
  • Turku Archipelago
  • Turku Events
  • Adventure Park
  • Föri City Ferry

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Kansanpuisto

One area of land in Ruissalo was reserved for the common folk for recreation purposes and it became known as 'the Promenade'. It used to be situated by the spring of Choraeus but was moved in 1860 to its current location. A restaurant and a bowling alley were opened there and the promenade became a beloved destination of Turku residents during the summer. One of the most popular activities was leisurely strolling, also known as promenading. The area was later named Kansanpuisto and the construction of a swimming facility and a summer theatre contributed to its popularity.

There is no official swimming beach in Kansanpuisto due to the nearby boat traffic. In addition, the quality of water does not meet the necessary requirements for swimming.

visit turku ruisrock

The oldest rock festival in Finland, Ruisrock, was first organised in Saaronniemi in 1970. From 1972 onwards, the festival has taken place in Kansanpuisto.

  • Ruisrock on Visit Turku

What to do in Kansanpuisto

From Kansanpuisto, you can easily take a tour of beautiful villas along the promenade. For children, there is playing equipment available in Kansanpuisto. Café Villa Promenade serves coffee and sweet and savoury treats. There are also two barbecue sites in the area. You are advised to bring your own firewood with you.

A Föli water bus stop can be found at the beach.

visit turku ruisrock

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Hyppää sivun sisältöön

All ticket types are now on sale!

Choose Kivra-app as your ticket delivery channel – It’s free! 1. Savings – free ticket delivery to Kivra-app 2. Keep your tickets safe and easily accessible on your phone (even without an internet connection) 3. Enjoy various benefits and discounts at the festival area by showing your ticket from Kivra Download the free Kivra app from your phone’s app store or register at  kivra.fi/ruisrock

Ticket terms and conditions

Ruisrock’s official ticket partner is Tiketti. Ruisrock cannot guarantee that tickets purchased from third parties are valid, with the exception of the LiputOn service provided by Tiketti where the validity of the ticket can be verified. Ruisrock is not responsible for lost tickets.

The contact information of those who have purchased a Ruisrock ticket will be handed over to the event organizer for possible future information related to the event and for benefit communication.

Ruisrock tickets are not exchanged for wristbands, and tickets are scanned at the gate on each day of the festival. Since we try to keep our environmental impact in the area to a minimum, a ticket grants you entry to the festival area only once a day. The only exception is Ruisrock Plus and VIP tickets, which are exchanged for wristbands.

Ruisrock tickets may not be raffled, and the festival brand may not be used in company marketing unless you have a separate agreement with the festival organizer.

Ruisrock complies with official guidelines and regulations when organizing the festival. By purchasing a ticket for the event, you agree to provide the required verifications. These verifications can include, for example, official ID when entering the restaurant area, if required by the authorities.

Changes may occur in the festival program and other arrangements, and information on these will be provided without delay.

Click here  to read more about Ruisrock’s age limits.

Click here  to see the full terms and conditions of the festival.

Corporate Tickets

Treat your colleagues or clients to the most wonderful weekend of the summer, full of music, joy and friendship! Ruisrock is one of the biggest and oldest cultural events in Finland. Known for its magical atmosphere, the festival will be celebrated in Turku, in the scenic Kansanpuisto Park of Ruissalo, 5-7 July 2024.

Every year, Ruisrock features a wide range of up-and-coming artists, huge international headliners and some of the hottest names right now – not to mention first-class services. The festival takes its visitors on a weekend trip to another world, full of joy, friendship and freedom. Ruisrock exists so that there would be more joy and happiness in the world.

Festival tickets

The one-, two- and three-day tickets for Ruisrock give you the chance to experience a versatile music and art program, the seaside charm of Ruissalo and the ever so beautiful Ruisrock and its services. The festival exists to bring joy, happiness and memorable experiences for its visitors.

Ruisrock has no age limit. However, some of the program takes place in areas that are over 18 only, and the bar areas are for adults only.

Regular festival tickets are not exchanged for wristbands and the tickets are scanned at the gate on each day of the festival.  Read more here.

Plus and VIP

Plus and VIP tickets (18+) offer a unique way to experience the festival and the natural beauty of Ruissalo. In addition to the broad art and music program and services at the festival, Plus and VIP customers are entitled to exclusive services in separate VIP areas where they can enjoy a versatile range of food and beverages and take a moment to relax between acts in comfortable lounging areas.

Plus tickets

Plus tickets (18+) include the full music and art program of the festival, all the festival services and entry into the two VIP areas. The areas also have exclusive restaurants and licensed venues and flush toilets for VIP and Plus guests, and the package also includes free bicycle parking.

The buyer of a Plus ticket also gets a personal festival pass and wristband that entitles them to leave the festival site and return within the same day. Plus tickets do not include water bus transportation, food or beverages. 

VIP tickets

Ruisrock VIP tickets (18+) include the full music and art program of the festival, all the festival services and entry into the two VIP areas. The buyer of a VIP ticket also gets a personal festival pass and wristband that entitles them to leave the festival site and return within the same day. The package also includes water bus transportation from the center of Turku to Ruissalo and back, exclusive restaurant and beverage services for VIP guests, lounging areas and flush toilets. VIP tickets do not include food or beverages. 

Your Plus and VIP journey will begin at the Ruisrock accreditation point in the center of Turku where you will receive your personal wristband and pass before arriving at the festival site.

Food and drink tickets

Food and drink tickets offer a stress-free way to enjoy faster service, reward your employees or treat your customers to a delicious experience. Corporate customers have an exclusive chance to buy value tickets and drink tickets that are valid in the wide selection of restaurants in the VIP areas. More information about this will be available later this spring. We will communicate about it as the spring progresses, and Ruisrock’s corporate sales team will contact all those who bought a corporate ticket.

Ticket delivery

Corporate customers receive their tickets shortly after booking them. As a corporate customer, you can choose either e-mail or the free digital mailbox service Kivra as the method of delivery for your tickets. Kivra offers free ticket delivery and the service also ensures that your tickets are kept safe, including offline.  Read more about the delivery options here . 

Ticket payment methods

Corporate customers can choose from a wide range of payment options. You can choose e-invoicing or a payment link, which allows you to pay for your tickets e.g. by credit or debit card or an e-mail invoice.  Read more about the payment options here . 

Terms for ticket sales

Ruisrock tickets may not be raffled, and the festival brand may not be used in company marketing. Ticket raffles are only permitted to the official partners of Ruisrock under individual agreements.

Contact information of corporate sales

You can reach the Ruisrock corporate sales team at  [email protected] . The sales team serves corporate customers on weekdays 9 am – 5 pm. You can also contact the team by phone, +358 600 1 1616 (€1.78 min + local network rate). 

The Plus ticket (over 18 only) includes the full music and art program of the festival, all the festival services and access to the two VIP areas. The areas also have exclusive restaurant services, licensed venues and flush toilets for VIP and Plus guests, and the package also includes free bicycle parking.

Buyers of Plus tickets also get a personal festival pass and wristband that allow them to leave and return to the festival site throughout the day. The Plus ticket does not include water bus transportation, food or beverages

  • The Plus ticket includes:
  • The versatile music and art program of Ruisrock
  • All the services available at the festival
  • The right to use the Niitty VIP area located in the throb of Niittylava and the peaceful Ranta-VIP area with their lounging areas, flush toilets and services
  • The bypass lane at the main gate of the festival to speed up entry
  • A personal festival pass and wristband that allow you to leave and return to the festival site
  • Free cloakroom at the main gate

Age limits and accessibility

The age limit of Plus tickets is 18 years.  Read more about the age limits of other ticket types here.

VIP services are not completely accessible. The water bus and the water bus pier towards the center are not wheelchair accessible. We therefore recommend people with reduced mobility to use the accessible entrance to arrive.

Ruisrock has two VIP areas. Niitty-VIP is located next to Niittylava and the gigs are loud in the area, while the quieter Ranta-VIP is located in Niemennokka, which has a slightly more distant line of sight to Rantalava.

A sandy road leads to the VIP area of ​​the beach and around the area. In other parts, the area is a sloping lawn area in some places. The area of ​​VIP Niitty and the road leading to the area is a chopped meadow field and difficult to navigate in places.

Accessible water toilets can be found in the VIP areas.

Exchanging tickets for wristbands

VIP and Plus tickets must be exchanged for wristbands before arriving at the festival site. The wristband is placed on your wrist at the accreditation point, so you must pick up your wristband and pass in person. The exchange is done at the Ruisrock accreditation point in the center of Turku.

For questions related to Ruisrock Plus and VIP tickets and services, you can also contact  [email protected] .

The Ruisrock VIP ticket (over 18 only) includes the full music and art program of the festival, all the festival services and access to the two VIP areas. The buyer of a VIP ticket also gets a personal festival pass and wristband that allow them to leave and return to the festival site throughout the day. The package also includes water bus transportation from the center of Turku to Ruissalo and back, exclusive restaurant and beverage services, lounging areas and flush toilets for VIP guests. Food and beverages are not included in the VIP tickets.

The VIP ticket includes:

  • Water bus transportation from the center of Turku to Ruissalo and back

The age limit of Ruisrock VIP tickets is 18 years.  Read more about the age limits of other ticket types here.

Water busses

The water bus platform is located near the Ruisrock accreditation point on the Aurajoki, at Läntinen Rantakatu 37. The Ruisrock accreditation point is located within walking distance at Linnankatu 32. Unfortunately, the water bus is not completely accessible.

Schedules will be annouced later on spring 2024.

For questions related to Ruisrock Plus and VIP tickets and services, you can also contact  [email protected]

Culture Vouchers

You may purchase your Ruisrock presale tickets also with culture vouchers and cards. Check the website of the  ticket seller  to find out which culture benefits are accepted.

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Destinations

Haku.artikkelit2, welcome to turku – quick guide for visitors.

visit turku ruisrock

If you are planning to read just one travel guide to Turku, Finland, let it be this one.

You can find the Tourist Information Office at the Service Point Monitori by the Market Square at Aurakatu 8, 20100 Turku, Finland.

visit turku ruisrock

Getting to Turku

Getting to Turku is a piece of cake. The city has an airport, harbour, bus depot, and three railway stations, so you’re bound to find an option that’s just right for you. Remember to consider eco-friendly alternatives when planning your journey and do your part to keep our planet green.

Read more about the ways to travel to Turku:  Travelling to Turku .

Please note!  In August, a track work will stop the train service between Turku Central and Kupittaa for a year, and trains to Helsinki will arrive and depart from the Kupittaa station. You can find the up-to-date information from the link below.

VR: Kupittaa is the new Turku

Getting around Turku

Föli organises the public transport in the Turku region. You can purchase single tickets (€3) with contactless payment on the buses. The buses also accept cash, but please note that a single ticket is €4 when paying in cash. The selection also includes day tickets (€8), among other things. By downloading the Föli app , you can buy tickets on mobile.

Bus lines 6 and 7 operate from Turku to Naantali.

Bus line 8 operates from Turku to Ruissalo Island.

In summer, exploring Turku and the surrounding areas is convenient with Föli rental bikes . It is also affordable: €2/hour and €12/day. City bikes can be rented until the end of October.

How to rent:

  • Download the Donkey Republic application and create an account.
  • Find a bike station (there are over 70 in Turku) and use the app to activate a bike.
  • Enjoy biking.
  • Return the bike to a station of your choosing and end the rent on the app.

visit turku ruisrock

In summer, Föli water buses m/s Ruissalo and m/s Jaarli run from Martinsilta Bridge to the nearby archipelago in Ruissalo and Pikisaari. You can hop aboard for the price of a public transport ticket.

Låna boats are electric picnic boats that can be rented from Vähätori Square by Aura River. The boats can accommodate up to 8 people.

During the summer months, steamship s/s Ukkopekka sails from Turku to Naantali on day cruises, and in the evenings, it offers romantic dinner cruises to the island of Loistokari.

M/s Rudolfina cruises to the Turku Archipelago from the Archipelago Ship Harbour of Turku (Turun Saaristolaivasatama).

M/s Lily offers trips from Aura River to the recreational island of Vepsä .

From the Port of Turku, you can take a ferry to Mariehamn or Stockholm or a 11-hour cruise to the archipelago. More information and tickets: Viking Line or Tallink Silja .

Experience the Finnish Archipelago - the world's largest island labyrith »

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To see and to do

Ruissalo island.

The island of Ruissalo , which is known for its lush forests and ornate wooden villas, is located off the coast of Turku. Bus line 8 from Turku city centre or a Föli water bus from Aura River will take you there.

Destinations:

  • the Botanical Garden of the University of Turku
  • Ruissalo Boatyard
  • Saaronniemi camping area
  • Ruissalo National Park (home of the Ruisrock Festival)
  • restaurant Ruissalon Maininki
  • cultural exercise routes
  • pilgrimage route Tapio’s path (Tapion polku)

visit turku ruisrock

The Archipelago Trail

The Archipelago Trail is a 250-kilometre-long ring road perfect for exploring the Finnish archipelago whether you travel by bike, car or on foot. Bridges and ferries will take you between islands, and there are a great number of destinations and tourist services along the way.

Guides and tips for the Archipelago Trail and other routes as well as ferry bookings: Visit Parainen .

  • Turku Art Museum
  • Wäinö Aaltonen Museum of Art
  • Aboa Vetus Ars Nova
  • Forum Marinum
  • Turku Biological Museum
  • Luostarinmäki
  • Pharmacy Museum and The Qwensel House
  • Sibelius Museum
  • Turku Cathedral Museum
  • Turku Castle

10 Tips for Amazing Museums in Turku »

visit turku ruisrock

  • Naantali Spa
  • Ruissalo Spa
  • Holiday Club Caribia​​​​​​​

visit turku ruisrock

The Old Town of Turku covers the historical Turku Cathedral and Old Great Square areas as well as the Vähätori area on the other side of Aura River. The picturesque surroundings have a lot to offer with a great selection of restaurants, galleries and museums. In summer, Kirkkopuisto Terrace brings many of the local restaurants and their delicacies together.

Rooftop bars

Walo Rooftop Bar covers the top floor of the Original Sokos Hotel Wiklund and offers a 10th floor view over the downtown of Turku and the Turku Market Square.

Kuppis Rooftop Bar in turn crowns the Original Sokos Hotel Kupittaa. When you get to the top, the view opens to the city centre, all the way from the University campus to Turku Cathedral.

Börs Katto is located by the Market Square, on the 9th floor of the Scandic Hamburger Börs, and it has a great view over the renovated market area and the city centre rooftops.

Find more restaurants here »

visit turku ruisrock

Family attractions

  • Moominworld
  • Adventure Park Seikkailupuisto in Kupittaa
  • adventure park Flowpark
  • JukuPark Waterpark
  • tours for kids in Turku Castle
  • tours for kids in Aboa Vetus Ars Nova
  • Luostarinmäki

visit turku ruisrock

Föli bus lines 6 and 7 will take you from Turku to Naantali. You can find the stops and schedules from Föli's website . If you prefer the waterways, you can step aboard the steamship s/s Ukkopekka and enjoy the archipelago on your way there.

The most famous attractions in Naantali include the Moominworld , which has brought joy to people for 30 years already, the Old Town with its picturesque wooden houses, the vibrant guest harbour, the medieval Naantali Church, the Naantali Spa Hotel , which has been chosen as the best hotel in Finland on several occasions as well as the Kultaranta Garden. Kultaranta is the summer residence of the President of Finland.

Visit Naantali offers a great selection of guided tours in Naantali , for example to the Kultaranta Garden, the medieval Naantali Church and the idyllic Old Town.

8 ways Naantali is unique »

visit turku ruisrock

Turku Tourist Information You can find Visit Turku’s Tourist Information at the Service Point Monitori by the Market Square at Aurakatu 8, 20100 Turku, Finland.

  • Check out the services and opening hours here.

Published 26.08.2022 | Updated 26.08.2022

Escape to the island of Ruissalo

Let’s talk language, five ways to travel sustainably in turku, happiness turku style: live like a local, travelling to & around turku, finnish forest – the natural key to well-being.

visit turku ruisrock

visit turku ruisrock

Highlights of the Ruisrock Festival in Turku, Finland

Seems like ages ago that I properly attended a European music festival. And by properly attended, I mean went to hang out IN the festival and not just backstage. Don’t get me wrong, fun things happen back there , but more often than not, you end up missing out on many of the other performances and always you end up missing out on feeling the GA [general admission] vibes.

For this summer festival season, I knew I wanted to catch at least one event since I was going to be on the continent, and one in particular: Ruisrock . Had been hearing about it for years as it’s one of the largest festivals in the northern Europe and the second oldest continuously organized rock festival in the world. That sort of street cred combined with a national park for a venue seemed too cool to be true so this past July I headed back to Turku, Finland to check it out for myself and here were some of the highlights…

Being personally invited by the organizers/Visit Turku

Receiving a personal invitation to come over and join the fun from the city of Turku itself and the organizers of Ruisrock was certainly one of the biggest highlights. Not only because it was going to ensure the personal security of my festival pass from shady people and rogue security guards , but it also gave me a chance to learn more about the history and inner workings of the event, as well as to see Finland’s oldest city in all its summer glory.

Summer sunset in Turku, Finland © The Blonde Gypsy

You may or may not remember, but the last time I spent some days in Turku , it was the tail end of the off-season and so I was unable to experience some of the cool things the area has to offer between May and September. Like taking a steamship out to a the rock/island of Loistokari in its archipelago to dine al fresco on smoked salmon and snaps.

Archipelago in Turku, Finland © The Blonde Gypsy

Feeling Finland

After spending quite a bit of time traveling around Finland last year , there was one ever-present theme I noticed everywhere I went: Finns have an incredibly strong connection to nature. From Lapland to Savonlinna , nature has historically played an important role throughout Suomi and so of course it’s only fitting that the country’s largest music festival takes place on an island and in the middle of a national park.

Bastille at Ruisrock in Turku, Finland © The Blonde Gypsy

While most festivals I’ve been to could be happening anywhere in the world and still feel the same, this one just oozed Finnish-ness which in my opinion makes it a wonderful festival to go out of the way to check out if you’re looking for a fun music experience abroad.

Getting back and forth between the island by taxi boat, frequent and ridiculously close ferry sightings, and a swimming area/beach were just a few of this highlight’s highlights. Only thing missing was a massive sauna though in some moments the Teltta tent stage probably could have doubled as one.

Kurko Long Drink Turku Finland © The Blonde Gypsy

The eclectic line-up

From rap (Wiz Khalifa) to Swedish and English pop (Icona Pop, Lily Allen) to the skate punk soundtrack of my 90s junior high years in Orange County (The Offspring), I loved that the line-up consisted of such an eclectic mix. Variety is the spice of life, so fun indeed it was fun to move from one genre to the next within a matter of minutes.

Exposure to Finnish bands

While a nice mix of international acts graced the Ruisrock stages, so did a ton of Finnish ones. They made up more than half of the line-up in fact. The biggest name of them all being Cheek who I was totally digging after I saw a bit of his live performance. Then I checked out some of his music videos out on Youtube. And, well, let’s forget I ever mentioned that…

I will still secretly dance to this jam though.

From fast food to fine dining, the culinary bases were covered

As I said, it had been a while since I had properly attended a European music festival, but the last time I did, I certainly don’t recall ever seeing such culinary offerings in the midst of sweaty, muddy music pits. Break for some gourmet pizza and champage though? Yes, please!

Gourmet pizza and champagne at Ruisrock in Turku, Finland © The Blonde Gypsy

Not to mention a vintage champagne and craft beer bar, Michelin-starred chef Hans Välimäki’s pop-up restaurant called “Rikhards”, and a few trendy food trucks. I was impressed.

Of course there were also the more traditional, non-trendy food trucks slinging plates of greasy fast food – Finland style…

Muikku Finnish Festival Food Ruisrock in Turku, Finland © The Blonde Gypsy

Seriously every group of drunk dudes I walked by had at least one person feasting on a plate of this fried “deliciousness” aka  muikku. I wasn’t into it.

Bearing witness to the stage presence amazingness of Future Islands

The thing is, I had no idea who Future Islands was when I saw them on the line-up. Sounded familiar, but not familiar enough. Thank GOD I accidentally stumbled upon their set though because the second I spotted those dangerous dance moves, I instantly remembered they were the ones responsible for that legendary Letterman performance that went viral not too long ago.

Cheers to them and in particular the lead singer, Samuel T. Herring, for bringing the same heat all the way over to Finland. In person, this was even more amazing to watch and I’m sure Tom Jones, Morrissey and Glen Danzig would be collectively proud of how well he manages to channel all three of them. And all at once.

(favorite parts come in around 00:34, 00:45, 1:10 and 2:09)

I could have brought my grandparents along with me for free

Ok, technically I couldn’t have since none of them are still alive, but if they were and over the age of 70, they would have been able to get into the festival for free. And not only that, they would have also been to ride over to the island with me via water transport which is otherwise reserved for those with media and/or VIP passes.

Old people at Ruisrock in Turku, Finland

It’s a cute offer in my opinion, the festival giving the older gen the opportunity to take a walk on the wild side and see first hand “what the kids are listening to these days”. Probably wouldn’t work at 85% of all other European music festivals, but at Ruisrock it did. Plenty of places for them to escape to (it is a national park after all) should the bass become unbearable or kids too out of control.

Ruisrock crowd in Turku, Finland © The Blonde Gypsy

Meeting rock legend/national institution of Finland – Michael Monroe

It had been on my list of things to do in Finland since I first visited Turku last year. Meet the man with the the face that launched 1,000 glamrock “ships” back in the 80s… the world’s most respected, yet least famous, rock star …”nicest guy ever” according to a mutual friend… Mr. Michael Monroe .

Michael Monroe

An honorary resident of Turku, I had heard Michael could sometimes be spotted riding his bike around town and all the time as one of the headliners of Ruisrock, so of course I chose the latter as the place where I wanted it to all go down if it ever did. And, well…

Michael Monroe & The Blonde Gypsy at Ruisrock, Turku, FInland

Truly one of the most down to earth musicians I’ve come across, it was such a pleasure shooting the shit with him about everything from the breakup of Hanoi Rocks to his favorite places in Turku. There is no question as to why he is so beloved not only in the music world, but also in Finland. In the end I’d say my mission was accomplished and I’ve already come up with a new one for the next time I visit: karaoke with Michael Monroe.

Michael Monroe Ruisrock Turku, Finland © The Blonde Gypsy

Chatting gypsy stuff with Sami Yaffa (and looking like a douche)

Through Michael I had the esteemed pleasure of connecting with another awesome individual –  Sami Yaffa . Former bassist of Hanoi Rocks, current bassist for Michael Monroe’s solo show, and fellow Romani culture vulture.

Sami Yaffa & The Blonde Gypsy at Ruisrock, Turku, Finland

Another super nice guy, we ended up bonding pretty fast once we discovered we had a shared interest in Balkan music and hanging in Roma neighborhoods .

Since we weren’t too far away, of course I had to bring up the gypsy bar just outside of Helsinki that I saw Anthony Bourdain hit up on an episode of No Reservations. It looked awesome and I really wanted to go. Had he heard of it??

“Uh, I’m the one who took him there .”

Ohhh, shit.

Turns out Sami not only took Tony to that bar, but also everywhere else in the city as he was the co-host for the entire episode. Ohhh shit, again.

How embarrassing, how douchey, but in all fairness – it had been quite a while since I had watched that. Luckily he didn’t care at all and in the end we left as homies so can laugh about it now. Looking forward to meeting his non-blonde gypsy friends in Serbia. SOON.

Sami Yaffa & The Blonde Gypsy at Ruisrock

Just another festival in the life of a blonde gypsy. KIITOS to Turku Touring and Visit Finland for the invitation and making this trip possible, Ruisrock for being such great hosts, and Finland for not bringing the rain – the weather stayed perfect for the entire weekend. Any sweet Euro festivals you can recommend for Summer 2015? 

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Oh, it was :)

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7 reasons Turku needs to be on your travel bucket list

Patrice J. Williams

Mar 1, 2020 • 4 min read

visit turku ruisrock

Though it’s the oldest city in Finland , there’s nothing outdated about the quaint city of Turku , two hours from Helsinki. Mostly destroyed by the Great Fire of 1827, it was rebuilt a few years later, introducing much of the charming architecture that makes it a must-visit destination today. It’s no longer the country’s largest city, but there are still plenty of diverting sights, great food and opportunities to shop. Here are the top seven reasons to visit Turku.

A couple enjoy a picnic on the the island of Ruissalo. They're sitting on a blanket on a rocky clearing, raising their glasses for a toast.

Island hopping on the Turku Archipelago

Around 20,000 islands and skerries make up the  Turku Archipelago  and in the warmer months it’s the perfect place to go island hopping by ferry. There’s no shortage of activities in the archipelago: choose from biking, hiking, kayaking or fishing. Ruissalo is a popular island for biking and picnicking, and it's easily explored on foot too. For a more romantic excursion, take a pleasure cruise on the Ukkopekka steamship  and enjoy hors d’oeuvres and smoked fish as it sails from the Aura River to Loistokari Island.

With 12 bridges and nine ferries, the 250km-long Archipelago Trail  is a nature lover’s dream. You could complete it by car in a day, but it's also a great route to travel by bike, with no shortage of dining and lodging options available in the small villages along the trail. 

Looking down on a rustic meal of grilled meat skewers, and a jacket potato on a black oval plate at Kakolanruusu restaurant. A person is sitting at the table and holding a bottle of beer and a chunky knife sits beside the plate.

Feasting on Kakolanmäki Hill 

Go for the view, but stay for the food. Or the other way around. For more than 100 years, Kakola prison on Kakolanmäki Hill  housed criminals, but now it’s a popular neighbourhood and the site of several eateries. Take a short ride up the funicular, which opened in May 2019, for access to the restaurants and cafes and a view from the second-highest hill in Turku. Kakolanruusu is a standout option, where meals are prepared over an open fire. Dishes are shared family style and, if you have the time, opt for the 'Feast' where chef’s-choice small plates are served one after another. Depending on the time of day, wash your meal down with a cold beer from Kakola Brewing or a warm beverage from Bageri Å , a bakery and cafe.

Uncovering stories of the past

As the country’s oldest city, there’s history everywhere you step, and the granite walls of  Turku Castle  give visitors a peek at what Nordic life used to be like. Currently a museum offering guided tours, the space has previously served as a court and prison. Meanwhile,  Turku Cathedral , consecrated in 1300, isn’t just a treasure for Turku, but all of Finland. Refurbished after the Great Fire, the catherdral's sacred walls are painted with frescoes and it has a spire measuring just over 100m. 

The interior of Turku Market Hall. Several vendors have stalls selling food in the vast space, and many shoppers are browsing.

Taste testing at Turku Market Hall

The only problem with visiting  Turku Market Hall is that you'll have to decide what you want to eat. The dine-in or takeaway options range from kebabs to sushi from Kado  and chocolate treats from MBakery’s Piece of Cake , once voted Finland’s best bakery. The market spans an entire block, so come with time to spare and an empty stomach. Even if you can’t sit down to enjoy a meal, there are lots of breads and cheeses to sample and plenty of stalls selling spices and teas you can take home. Opened in 1896 and designed by Finnish architect Gustaf Nystrom, it’s the second-oldest market in Finland.

Drinking in the coffee culture 

Did you really go to Finland if you didn’t drink the coffee? While you don’t have to consume as many cups as the locals (Finns drink more coffee per capita than anyone else in the world), you’d be remiss not to at least try some. Enjoy a cup at one of the city's many cafes, or visit local roastery  Frukt Coffee Roasters in Kakola (open by appointment only). You can check out the space and take home a few bags of coffee from Ethiopia, Colombia or Guatemala. You can also grab a cup of their coffee from Bageri Å.

A large crowd of people lounge around in the sunshine at the Ruisrock festival on Ruissalo Island.

Festivals of all flavours

While Turku isn’t exactly a party capital, there’s no shortage of festivals to suit a variety of tastes.  Ruisrock , on the island of Ruissalo, started in 1970 and is one of the oldest festivals in Finland. The three-day event attracts over 100,000 revellers to see a lineup of international artists. At the other end of the spectrum, in June the city welcomes the New Potato Festival , which celebrates the key ingredient of many Finnish dishes, plus the Medieval Market , a four-day historically-themed festival complete with vendors, reenactments and activities for children.  

Shopping for secondhand steals

Maybe it’s the city's large population of university students or perhaps it's the Finnish appreciation for sustainability, but Turku has no shortage of secondhand shops. Try Ecolocal Market or Second Hand Ilona , which also includes a cafe. Or head to popular spot Maanantaimarket for two floors of clothes and accessories. Rummage for scarves or brooches or check the racks for some contemporary or vintage pieces in the airy premises. Look hard enough and you might even find a few items by acclaimed Finnish design house  Marimekko . 

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IMAGES

  1. Ruisrock Festival in Turku 2021

    visit turku ruisrock

  2. Highlights of the Ruisrock Festival in Turku, Finland

    visit turku ruisrock

  3. 7 reasons to visit Turku, Finland

    visit turku ruisrock

  4. 10+ events to make you want to visit Turku this summer

    visit turku ruisrock

  5. TURKU & RUISROCK

    visit turku ruisrock

  6. Ruisrock (Turku)

    visit turku ruisrock

VIDEO

  1. Metallica

  2. RUISROCK 2011 Festari-TV: Kaija Koo

  3. Nirvana

COMMENTS

  1. Ruisrock 5.-7.7.2024 I Turku, Ruissalo

    Ruisrock juhlistaa suomalaisen musiikin päivää artistijulkistuksin. Kaikki uutiset. Esittely: Taianomainen Ruisrock juhlitaan Turussa, Ruissalon Kansanpuistossa 5.-7.7.2024. Ihan kohta on kesä! Taianomaista Ruisrockia juhlitaan Turun Ruissalossa 5.-7.7.2024. Ihan kohta on kesä! ♡

  2. Ruisrock

    Taianomainen Ruisrock on yksi Suomen johtavista ja vanhimmista kulttuuritapahtumista. ... Visitturku.fi on Turun kaupungin virallinen matkailusivusto, jonka ylläpidosta ja kehityksestä vastaa Visit Turku Archipelago. Sivusto tarjoaa inspiraatiota matkailijoille ja paikallisille yhdessä yhteistyökumppanien kanssa.

  3. Info

    Ruisrock is one of the oldest and leading cultural events in Finland. Over the weekend, Ruisrock takes its visitors on a journey to another world full of joy, friendship, and freedom. In addition to the diverse programme, the festival lays on an array of high-quality food and drink services. Ruisrock exists to make the world a happier and more ...

  4. Ruisrock

    The magical music festival takes place 5-7 of July 2024 in the beautiful national park of Ruissalo in Turku, Finland. Ruisrock is one of the oldest and leading cultural events in Finland. Over the weekend, Ruisrock takes its visitors on a journey to another world full of joy, friendship, and freedom. In addition to the diverse programme, the ...

  5. Ruisrock

    Ruisrock is a 3-day festival held annually at Ruissalo national park in Turku. There are both Finnish and foreign performers and lots of activities such as bungee jumping (not in 2016 though), swimming, food stalls, competitions and so much more. There are usually about 5 stages where the artists perform.

  6. 24 Hours in Turku

    Nightwish performs at Ruisrock (Photo credit: tiendan) It's a warm summer weekend in Turku, Finland.I just stepped off the VR train from Helsinki to check out Ruisrock.This is a swift, convenient, punctual train trip that I've never seen equaled in the U.S. - for some reason, we're a nation that hasn't grasped the benefits of high-speed rail travel.

  7. RUISROCK

    Ruisrock is a 3-day festival held annually at Ruissalo national park in Turku. There are both Finnish and foreign performers and lots of activities such as bungee jumping (not in 2016 though), swimming, food stalls, competitions and so much more. There are usually about 5 stages where the artists perform.

  8. Visit Turku

    I warmly recommend you to visit Turku and the Ruisrock Festival in July, because perfect Summer weather is always guaranteed in the area that specific weekend! Not joking. And there you have it, 8 ways to experience the Turku Archipelago, a unique piece of Mother Nature's wonders on the coast of Western Finland. Cleanest air and nature, loads ...

  9. Escape to the island of Ruissalo

    And in 1970, Ruissalo also witnessed the birth of Ruisrock, the second oldest rock festival in Europe. ... Kim Allen-Mersh, Jenni Virta & Visit Turku. Published 27.05.2021 | Updated 04.02.2022. See more. Finnish forest - the natural key to well-being. Enjoy Turku safely and responsibly. Turku is a treat for taste buds. Happiness Turku style ...

  10. 15 Best Things to Do in Turku (Finland)

    13. Turku Events Source: flickr Ruisrock. What surprises many people who visit Turku is the sheer number of things going on at any time of year. Those long summer though are when everything gains momentum. If you're a music fan there's are seven high-profile events to choose from in June, July and August.

  11. Ruisrock

    Ruisrock is a rock festival held annually on the island of Ruissalo in Turku, Finland.Ruisrock, founded in 1970, is the second oldest rock festival in Europe (after Pinkpop) and the oldest in Finland.The festival has attracted international artists throughout its lifetime except around the start of the 2000s (decade), due to the organiser's economic issues.

  12. Kansanpuisto

    Image: Turku Museum Centre/Keijo HakanenRuisrockThe oldest rock festival in Finland, Ruisrock, was first organised in Saaronniemi in 1970. From 1972 onwards, the festival has taken place in Kansanpuisto.Ruisrock on Visit TurkuWhat to do in KansanpuistoFrom Kansanpuisto, you can easily take a tour of beautiful villas along the promenade.

  13. Tickets

    The exchange is done at the Ruisrock accreditation point in the center of Turku. Water busses. The water bus platform is located near the Ruisrock accreditation point on the Aurajoki, at Läntinen Rantakatu 37. The Ruisrock accreditation point is located within walking distance at Linnankatu 32. Unfortunately, the water bus is not completely ...

  14. Ruisrock Festival

    Ruisrock Festival, Turku. 56,255 likes · 136 talking about this · 41,131 were here. Ruisrock 5.7.-7.7.2024. Ruissalo, Turku.

  15. Tapahtumat

    Luvassa on jälleen tasokas artistikattaus keskellä kauneinta Turkua. Festivaalialue sijaitsee kävelymatkan päässä Turun keskustasta, palveluiden keskiössä. Heittäydy mukaan Aura Festin tunnelmaan ja anna fiiliksen viedä! Tapahtuma on K18. Tästä löydät ajankohtaiset ilot ja menot, joista kannattaa juuri nyt innostua. Mene, koe, näe!

  16. Welcome to Turku

    Welcome to Turku - Quick Guide for Visitors. Read the whole story! Watch video. Turku Tourist Information. You can find Visit Turku's Tourist Information at the Service Point Monitori by the Market Square at Aurakatu 8, 20100 Turku, Finland. Check out the services and opening hours here.

  17. Ruisrock 2024

    Ruisrock 2024. Few festivals can boast the alumni resume of Finland's Ruisrock. Since the seventies, Ruisrock has hosted musical royalty like The Kinks, Lou Reed, Chuck Berry, Soundgarden, Aerosmith, Beastie Boys, Nirvana, Sting, and David Bowie. Taking place on the island of Ruissalo in Turku, this annual event continues to evolve bringing ...

  18. Highlights of the Ruisrock Festival in Turku, Finland

    Highlights from the 2014 Ruisrock Festival in Turku, Finland featuring Michael Monroe, Sami Yaffa, Future Islands, The Offspring, Wiz Khalifa, Lily Allen

  19. Visitturku.fi

    Visitturku.fi kertoo, mitä tehdä Turussa ja Turun saaristossa. Ravintolat, kahvilat, museot, jokilaivat, lastenkohteet, tapahtumat ja hotellit - parhaat Turku-vinkit löydät aina täältä!

  20. 7 reasons to visit Turku, Finland

    Uncovering stories of the past. As the country's oldest city, there's history everywhere you step, and the granite walls of Turku Castle give visitors a peek at what Nordic life used to be like. Currently a museum offering guided tours, the space has previously served as a court and prison. Meanwhile, Turku Cathedral, consecrated in 1300 ...

  21. Ruisrock Festival

    Ruisrock Festival, Turku, Finland. 1 talking about this · 121 were here. Ruisrock 2021 in Turku. The concert will take place at Ruisrock in Turku. The festival starts the 09-07-2021 and it lasts...