A perfect summer day in Turku

Check out five tips for spending the perfect summer day in Turku!

1. Turku Castle

The Turku Castle of thousands of 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 Tue-Sun 10–18 in June–August.

2. Aikamatka 20360

Travel from the waves of the early oceans to the caves of the Stone Age, from mystical Mayan temples to the flourishing Ancient Greece, and from the nostalgic 1960s to the distant future!

Aikamatka 20360 is a breathtaking spatial artwork that fills the empty former library and youth centre in Runosmäki from floor to ceiling. The work, made entirely from recycled materials, was built with the help of around 300 volunteers under the supervision of community artists Pia and Sophia Bartsch.

Aikamatka 20360 is open in Runosmäki (Piiparinpolku 13) until the end of August. See the website below for opening hours. The work is free to the public.

3. 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 sauna, swimming and jumping into water. 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.

Kupittaa Outdoor Swimming Arena (Blomberginaukio 12) is open from 5 June to 10 August 2025, 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 7 September 2025. Mon, Tue, Thu and Fri 06:00–20:00, Wed 10:00–20:00, and 08:00–19:00 on weekends.

4. Seikkailupuisto and Children's Cultural Centre Färi

Seikkailupuisto, 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.

Learn more: Seikkailupuisto

Children's Cultural Centre Färi organises events and activities in Seikkailupuisto, 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 Misdummer.

Färi is hosting free art and culture activities from 4 June to 27 July 2025.

a child painting outside (Picture: Denisse Islas)

5. Main Library

The peace and quiet of the library invites you to spend a relaxed summer day, and even a little rain won't ruin the mood.

You can enjoy the summer air in the library courtyard that hosts a range of exciting events throughout the summer. Join the weekly sing-alongs and dance nights, enjoy Go Runo Go, or simply admire the flowers in the library yard.

Learn more: Library contact details and opening hours

Learn more: Turku City Library events