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The Turku Biological Museum opened on 15 July 1907. The story of the museum starts in 1902 when the Turku City Council received an anonymous donation for 50 000 marks for an unspecified purpose. Later it was revealed that the donation had been made by Alfred Jacobsson, the vice consul for Sweden, and his wife Hélène.
The museum building is designed by Irma and Matti Aaltonen. Wäinö Aaltonen himself took part in the designing process. Aaltonen travelled a lot, and he had got acquainted with different museums during his travels and exhibitions abroad.
Café Qwensel is open from 1st June 2020 on every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Welcome!
The cafeteria is located in the Pharmacy Museum's inner courtyard. We serve home-made pastries that have been prepared according to recepies from the 18th century. The inner courtyard is a cosy playground for children.
The Pharmacy Museum and The Qwensel House are situated in the centre of Turku, only two blocks from the Market Square and close to the tourist information and the Market Hall. Enter the museum from its riverside entrance.
You can easily reach the museum using public transportation. Most bus lines in Turku go through the Market Square, not far from the museum. Bus line 1 operates between the harbour, the bus station and the airport and stops near the museum.
The entrance to the museum can be found in the courtyard, which is accessible from Läntinen Rantakatu and Linnankatu.
The nearest parking spaces are located in the same block on Aurakatu and Linnankatu. You can drive into the parking area from Linnankatu. The nearest wheelchair-accessible parking space is located in the same parking area, close to the Aura River.
Welcome to the museum!
The Qwensel House is the oldest remaining wooden building in Turku. The museum features a bourgeois home from the 18th century and a pharmacy from the 19th century under one roof.
The entrance to the museum is in the courtyard, where you will find ticket sales and the museum shop.
The introductory exhibition will provide you with what you need to know before your visit to the museum. You can also explore the house with the help of a museum guide, guide book, audible guide or map.
Luostarinmäki Museum Shop
The shop sells quality handicrafts, some of which are made in the museum’s workshops. You will find unique gifts in the shop along with souvenirs for adults and children alike. You can pop into the shop even if you do not wish to visit the museum.
Huckster’s Shop
The museum has a huckster’s shop decorated in the style of the late 19th century. In the shop you can buy sweets packed in traditional old-style paper cones.
The museum is closed due to renovation. We will open again on 18th June 2022.
Ticket prices
- Ticket 10 €
- Children 7–15 yrs. 4 €
- Children under 7 yrs. free admission
- Family ticket 24 €
- Concessions 5 €
- Group ticket -25%
- Student groups à 2,50 €
Free admission
- ICOM membership card
- Media
- Tour guides
- Students of the field
- Staff members of other museums
A valid membership card is required for free admission.
Wäinö Aaltonen Museum of Art is located right by the city centre by the Aurajoki river, approximately a fifteen minute's walk away from the market square. The best route by foot is across the Teatterisilta bridge.
If you travel by car, there are several parking options: There are free 1-hour parking places in the front of the museum, 2-hour parking spots on the uphill street next to the museum, and on the Itsenäisyydenaukio side on Paavo Nurmen puistotie, there are parking places where you can leave your car for as long as you like.
Enjoy a cup of coffee on the sunniest terrace in Turku
In addition to visiting the museum, you should definitely take a break and relax for a moment in the atmospheric Cafe Wäinö. The beautiful Aurajoki scenery and the sunniest terrace in Turku really crown your art experience. Enjoy a nice cup of coffee or a drink, and go through the exhibition in your mind once more. The aquarium adds an interesting element to the atmosphere of the cafe.
Entrance fees
- adults 10 €
- groups (min. 10 persons) -25 %
- reduced price 5 €
- 7–15 yrs. 4 €
- family ticket 24 €
Free admission is granted for children under 7 year olds, kindergarten groups, comprehensive school groups and upper secondary groups (from Turku) as well as the teachers entering with the groups.
Address: Jaanintie 45, 20540 Turku.
By bus or bike
It is very easy to get to Kurala by bus, since there are several bus lines in Turku that stop in front of the museum.
If you’re biking to Kurala from the city centre, just take the bike lane on Vanha Hämeentie.
By car
There is plenty of free parking in Kurala. Parking spaces for museum guests are located along Jaanintie just opposite the Kylämäki Village.
NB: Driving your own car on the museum grounds is forbidden.
The Kylämäki Village in Kurala is a recreation and cultural area for the whole family to enjoy. You can explore the area any time of the year and stay for a picnic or get to know the endearing farm animals.
In the summertime you can learn about life on the farm in the 1950s with the guidance of a woman farmer. You can also participate in workshops and courses throughout the year, and during the summer you can watch work demonstrations and even try your own hand in farm work.
Turku has three art museums. Wäinö Aaltonen Museum of Art, located on the Aura riverside, is the art museum of the City of Turku. Ars Nova is a museum of modern art and also located on the Aura riverside. Turku Art Museum is located at Puolalanmäki.
Please go to the TurkuART -website for a full list of art museums and galleries in Turku.
