The Urban Park in Turku
Turku National Urban Park, established in 2013, is a defined area covering the city’s most central locations from the shores of Airisto, through Ruissalo and Saaronniemi, all the way to Kylämäki Village. The park follows the Aura River and is approximately 15 kilometres in length.
Map of the National Urban Park and its boundaries
Stories and activities
Turku National Urban Park runs through the heart of the city, across time and place. There is always something happening within the park area. Its stories draw from the city’s 800-year history, architecture and natural environment.
Explore the ideas below and discover the urban park in greater depth.
The National Urban Park cycling route is an approximately 20-kilometre guided tour from Kylämäki Village to Saaronniemi, passing through Ruissalo.
The route in Citynomadi:
- National Urban Park cycling route (Citynomadi)
Read more about the route or join Osku and Juhani on a memorable journey as well-known Turku residents present park sites from surprising perspectives.
Between Kurala and Tuomaansilta, the Aura River Valley offers a diverse and engaging network of trails. Along the routes, you can explore riverside landscapes and the area’s long history.
Mobile-guided routes and a printable route map are available.
Printable brochure and map
The unique island of Ruissalo is part of the National Urban Park. The best way to explore its nature and history is to put on comfortable shoes and head out onto its extensive trail network.
You can use a map or a mobile guide to support your visit.
Explore outdoor activities in Ruissalo
More information on services is available on the Ruissalo pages
Turku is home to several historically significant parks of national importance. Discover them through mobile guides or via the city’s park pages.
You can find informaion on the historic parks on the City's park pages.
Cultural fitness is a great way to explore Turku’s cultural history and the city itself, including within the National Urban Park. A wide selection of routes ensures you will find one that suits your interests.
Discover Turku in a new way through cultural fitness.
The Meidän mailla article series, a collaboration between Aamuset newspaper and the City of Turku, highlights details from areas within the National Urban Park. The articles were published between April and October 2014.
- Kuralan kylämäki: Saksien esi-isä
- Aurajokilaakson kulttuurimaisema: Antimia maahisille
- Maarian kirkko ja pappila: Paratiisista nurmikentäksi
- Jokipuisto: Ympärivuotista väriloistoa
- Koroinen: Täplikäs vaeltaja
- Vanha kaupunkikeskusta: Tehtaasta kulttuuritaloksi
- Pyhän Katariinan kirkko: Kalmiston kankaista
- Aurakatu: Tunteita herättävä Tipula
- Urheilupuisto: Urheilun grand old man
- Kupittaanpuisto: Avonainen uimalaitos
- Luostarinmäki: Taiteen innoittaja
- Fajanssitehtaan tavaraa
- Turun tuomiokirkko: Koristeellinen kehys
- Kupittaan ruotsalaistalot: Lahjoituksia naapurilta
- Mikaelin kirkko: Idea ympäristöstä
- Kaupunkipuisto: Laatoilla merkityt
- Turun ylioppilaskylä: Vaihtelevaa taloudellisesti
- Auransilta: Vaikeasti hahmotettava
- Puolalanpuisto: Merkkimiesten katuja
- Puistokatu: Puilla profiloitu
- Observatorio: Sivistyksen merkki
- Aurajoen kansallismaisema: Viimeiset suojeltavat
- Aurajoen kansallismaisema: Laattojen peittämä
- Turun linna: Vaihdettu vaakuna
- Ruissalo: Jäänteitä puolustuksesta
Explore the highlights of Turku National Urban Park and other national urban parks in Finland through engaging videos.
“A String of Delicacies” introduces the park in brief:
Osku and Juhani present the park in a 20-part video series:
Discover all national urban parks in Finland:
- National Urban Parks of Finland (11 videos)
You can use Citynomadi in your web browser or download the app to your mobile device.
Learn more about Citynomadi and download the app
Citynomadi user instructions on YouTube (in Finnish)
Note! Printed maps of the cultural fitness routes are also available free of charge from libraries, swimming halls and Monitori by the Market Square.
Network of national urban parks
In addition to Turku, Finland has ten other national urban parks: Hämeenlinna, Heinola, Pori, Hanko, Porvoo, Kotka, Forssa, Kuopio, Kokkola and Savonlinna. The world’s first national urban park was established in Stockholm in 1995.
