Check out six tips for a perfect summer day in Turku!
1. Turku Castle
Turku Castle is a castle of a thousand stories invites you on an adventure!
Thick stone walls conceal thrilling stories about the castle's inhabitants and their lives. How did people celebrate during the Renaissance? And what happened when news of an imminent siege reached the castle?
The Little Knights' Tour culminates in a solemn ceremony in royal company, and participants return from their adventure as Little Knights of Turku Castle.
Turku Castle (Linnankatu 80) is open in May on Tue-Sun 10–17, and in June, July and August on Tue–Sun 10–18.
Read more: Turku Castle
2. Outdoor pools and beaches
Turku's outdoor pools and beaches offer a refreshing oasis for warm summer days.
With slides and all, Kupittaa Outdoor Swimming Arena is the perfect paradise for families with children. At Samppalinna Outdoor Swimming Stadium, you can enjoy the sauna, swimming and have a good time. There's also a pool area for small children.
There's a favourite beach for everyone. Grab your kids and head to the accessible sandy beach at Ekvalla, enjoy the archipelago scenery at the stunning Saaronniemi, or take a dip in the warm lake at Brinkhall Beach. During summertime the beaches of Ekvalla, Ispoinen and Saaronniemi are supervised from 1 June to 15 August 2026.
Kupittaa Outdoor Swimming Arena (Blomberginaukio 12) is open from 5 June to 13 September 2026, 09.00–19.00 on weekdays and 10.00–19.00 on weekends.
Samppalinna Outdoor Swimming Stadium (Volter Kilven katu 2) is open from 13 May to 18 October 2025 on Mon, Tue, Thu and Fri 06.00–20.00, Wed 10.00–20.00, and 08.00–19.00 on weekends.
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3. Luostarinmäki Museum Quarter
The Luostarinmäki museum quarter is the only district of wooden houses that survived the Great Fire of Turku in 1827. The more than 200-year-old buildings stand on their original sites, and the alleys, yards, and homes of the block form a unique environment in the middle of the city. Dive into Luostarinmäki’s colourful history from the perspective of people that used to live here.
In Kids’ Luostarinmäki you can get to know history by doing and experimenting yourself. Play in the cottage, the Little Watchmaker’s Shop, and the Little Huckster’s Shop. Activity spots will help you learn more about life and history in the old days in a fun way.
Luostarinmäki (Vartiovuorenkatu 2) is open in May on Tue–Sun 10–17, and in June, July and August on Tue–Sun 10–18.
Read more and see the summer's guided tours and events: Luostarinmäki
4. Cultural exercise
Set out on a new cultural exercise route! The Turku Philharmonic Orchestra is the oldest orchestra in Finland and one of the oldest in the world. The new cultural exercise route “Live since 1790 – Turku’s symphonic history” introduces places where music has been played from the 18th century to the present day.
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5. Main Library
The calm and unhurried atmosphere of the library invites you to spend a leisurely summer’s day inside away from a hot spell or a squall. The Turku Main Library is a living piece of art, where the new and the old, the future and the past, and knowledge and fiction meet.
The architecture of the Turku Main Library charms you with the union of new and old. The old main library, designed by Karl August Wrede, was donated to the city by Fredric von Rettig in 1903. The new library building by the architectural firm JKMM was completed in 2007, and together they form a unique whole.
A library visit is also an art experience. The facilities are decorated with many art pieces, such as Hans-Christian Berg‘s Visual Vortex and Kaari Hilkka Könönen’s colourful Vestigia, and they help make the tour inspiring. Miina Äkkijyrkkä’s sculpture Sweet Yellow Melon greets visitors in the Library Courtyard. In addition to art the verdant courtyard offers stirring events through the summer.
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6. The Adventure Park and the Children's Culture Centre Färi
The Adventure Park, with its lush greenery, versatile play equipment and picnic areas, invites the whole family to spend a summer's day there.
On hot days, you can cool off in the park's water play area. There's also a stream running through the park. Seikkailupuisto is always open and free to enter.
The Children's Culture Centre Färi organises events and activities in the Adventure Park, so summer is full of art and culture! Come make art with us, enjoy performances, sing along in the summer music playschool, shop second hand, and celebrate children's Midsummer.
Färi is hosting free art and culture activities from 2 June to 24 July 2026.
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