Local travel in Turku
Icons
Nature Art Sports Beach
Garden For children Seaside History
Virnamäki
In Virnamäki, upstream of Halistenkoski Rapids, you can find a nature trail and an Iron Age, grove-like archaeological relic area. The most common type of archaeological relic in the area are the sacrificial stones used in ancient times.
Bus lines: 55, 56
Nearest stop: Halistensilta
Read more about Virnamäki (in Finnish) (Opens in a new tab).
Halistenkoski
From Halistenkoski Rapids, you can easily travel on the gravel trails to admire the lush scenery on the banks of the Aura River. You can spend the entire day at Halistenkoski canoeing or enjoying other activities – it is also a popular fishing spot.
Bus lines: 55, 56
Nearest stop: Halistensilta
Read more about Halistenkoski (in Finnish) (Opens in a new tab).
Mikkolanmäki
Mikkolanmäki between the Itäharju industrial area and the residential area holds a piece of history: on the high hill, you can find bunkers that were used by the anti-aircraft battery during the Second World War. The run-down bunkers are now decorated with graffiti.
Bus line: 12
Nearest stop: Jaanin paloasema
Read more about Mikkolanmäki (in Finnish) (Opens in a new tab).
Varissuo sports track
The trails of the sports track criss-cross the beautiful grove.
Bus lines: 2, 2A, 2B, 2C, 12, 32, 42
Nearest stop: Kohmonkuja
Kylämäki Village in Kurala
In Kylämäki Village, you get to visit an authentic rural village of the 1950s and observe the farm work and animals.
Bus lines: 2, 2A, 2B, 2C
Nearest stop: Kylämäki
Read more about Kylämäki Village. (Opens in a new tab)
Luolavuori
The 25-hectare Luolavuori Nature Reserve includes one of the most impressive caves in Finland, burial sites with piles of rocks from the early metal ages, and the Ropovaha boundary stone of the City of Turku.
Bus line: 18
Nearest stop: Luolavuoren koulu
Read more about Luolavuori (in Finnish). (Opens in a new tab)
Uittamo bunkers
During the Winter War, an anti-aircraft battery was built in Uittamo. It was only finished five days after the war had ended. The bunkers offer great views over the city.
Bus lines: 9, 13
Nearest stop: Uittamo City or Rätiälänkatu
Read more about the Uittamo bunkers (in Finnish) (Opens in a new tab).
Katariinanlaakso and Rauvolanlahti
Katariinanlaakso Valley is known for its hardwood groves. You can travel through the valley to the protected Rauvolanlahti Bay, which is a popular birdwatching spot. You can also access Rauvolanlahti from Kaarina via the Vaarniemi nature reserves.
Bus lines: 9, 13
Nearest stop: Juhanankatu (line 9) and Uittamo pääte (line 13)
Read more about Katariinanlaakso (in Finnish) (Opens in a new tab).
Read more about Rauvolanlahti (in Finnish) (Opens in a new tab).
Tähkä Park
The history of Tähkä Park dates back to the 1530s, when King Gustav Vasa decreed that the area would be reserved for the entertainment of Turku’s burghers. Half of the park consists of natural scenic meadows and recreational forests with duckboards. The pride of the park is the rose garden with Finland’s largest rosarium for historical roses.
Bus lines: 7, 700–707, 801, 901–903
Nearest stop: Tähkäpuisto
Read more about Tähkä Park (Opens in a new tab).
Resurrection Chapel
The Resurrection Chapel by architect Erik Bryggman, located in Turku Cemetery, has a captivating atmosphere. True to Bryggman’s style, nature has a central role in the Chapel, and the solid glass wall of the great hall opens up a view of the pine forest.
Bus lines: 9, 12, 99
Nearest stop: Uusi hautausmaa
Read more about the Resurrection Chapel (in Finnish) (Opens in a new tab).
Shingle beach of Nunnavuori
The over 63-metre-tall Nunnavuori Hills rise between Runosmäki and Impivaara and open up great views. The hills include a one-hectare nature reserve, as an ancient shore or shingle beach, formed by the Baltic Sea, is located in the area.
Bus line: 18
Nearest stop: Signalistinpolku
Read more about the Nunnavuori shingle beach (in Finnish) (Opens in a new tab).
Pomponrahka
Pomponrahka is a part of the national swampland protection programme, and it is particularly known for its rich butterfly fauna. Moreover, more than a third of the 600 spider species in Finland live in Pomponrahka.
Bus line: 18
Nearest stop: Kiikku
Read more about Pomponrahka (Opens in a new tab).
Metsäkylä-Kuninkoja
The protected Metsäkylä-Kuninkoja area includes meadows on stream banks, groves, fresh peaty forests, small dry meadows and bare rocks. The number of bird species and nesting pairs in the area rivals those of the best groves in Southern Finland.
Bus lines: 300–303
Nearest stop: Asentajankatu
Read more about Metsäkylä-Kuninkoja (Opens in a new tab).
Mälikkälä Forest
The trail network covers the entire Mälikkälä Forest which hides lush fairytale-like scenery, larger and smaller boulders, lichen-covered rocks, tinkling streams and a few cliffs.
Bus lines: 300–303
Nearest stop: Länsinummi
Read more about Mälikkälä Forest (in Finnish) (Opens in a new tab).
Muhkurinmäki
This protected oak-dominated forest is located in the Muhkuri district between the Naantali motorway and the railway to Uusikaupunki. The lush rocky forest is a fascinating place to explore for both birdwatchers and mushroom pickers.
Bus line: 20
Nearest stop: Autokatsastus
Read more about Muhkurinmäki (in Finnish) (Opens in a new tab).
Botanical Garden
The collections of the Botanical Garden include over 5,000 species from the different climate zones on Earth. If the weather is not suitable for a stroll in the garden, the greenhouses offer plenty of plants to admire.
Bus line: 8
Nearest stop: Rauhalantie
Read more about the Botanical Garden (in Finnish). (Opens in a new tab)
Kuuva
Kuuvannokka in Ruissalo is a rocky beach with wide views of Airisto. The beautiful cliffs are an excellent spot to enjoy the sun, the scenery, and maybe even a picnic.
Bus line: 8
Nearest stop: Kuuva
Read more about Kuuva (in Finnish) (Opens in a new tab).
Friskalanlahti
The nature in Friskalanlahti Bay in Hirvensalo is protected by law. The Bay is a part of the national protection programme for bird waters, as well as the Natura 2000 network. Friskalanlahti is known as a birdwatching spot, and over 50 bird species nest there. You can see them from the birdwatching tower.
Bus lines: 14, 15, 55
Nearest stop: Friskalantie
Read more about Friskalanlahti (in Finnish) (Opens in a new tab).
Brinkhall Manor
The neo-classical main building of the historical manor, located on Kakskerta island, was built in the 1790s. It was the first building of this style in Finland. The Manor’s over 300-year-old Fruit Garden is in the original grid plan. The Manor also includes an English-style scenic garden.
Bus line: 15
Nearest stop: Brinkhall
Read more about Brinkhall Manor. (Opens in a new tab)
Kurjenrahka National Park and Kuhankuono
In Kurjenrahka National Park, you can take in the natural splendour on trails of various lengths. The best-known sight in the National Park is the Kuhankuono boundary stone that signals the border of seven municipalities. The trails in the National Park are part of the larger trail network in the Kuhankuono area.
Bus lines: 21, 23
Nearest stop: Kuhankuonon P-alue
Read more about Kurjenrahka National Park (Opens in a new tab).
Read more about Kuhankuono. (Opens in a new tab)
Maaria Beach
A place not known to many, Maaria Beach is also called the ‘Riviera of Jäkärlä.’ This small hidden beach charms visitors with its turquoise water and sloping sandy beaches. You can also see local nature by following the marked Paavonpolku trails surrounding the beach.
Bus lines: 22, 22A
Nearest stop: Jäkärlän puistokatu
Saaronniemi
Cape Saaronniemi, located in the farthest point of Ruissalo, offers various activities: a beach, nature trails, a camping area, minigolf, beach volley and barbecuing. In Saaronniemi, you can even swim and go to the sauna in the winter.
Bus lines: 8
Nearest stop: Ruissalo
Ispoinen Beach
Ispoinen Beach at Uittamo is a sandy beach surrounded by cliffs. It is particularly popular in the summer. You can also enjoy ice hole swimming in the winter.
Bus lines: 9, 13
Nearest stop: Rykmentintie, Rusthollinkatu