Attract tourists to rural areas especially the coastal ones
Lead partner: Regional Council of Southwest Finland
Urban culture in the heart of the archipelago – that’s Turku for travelers in a nutshell.
The European Capital of Culture 2011
Founded in 1229, Turku is one of the oldest cities in the Nordic countries. In 2011 it will hold the status of the European Capital of Culture. Most of the things that make Turku a city of culture have been around for centuries. Turku hosts several Finnish national treasures from the medieval Turku Castle to the Luostarinmäki quarters from the eighteenth century, and many more besides.
For the Capital of Culture year 2011, a spectacular calendar of events is currently being put together. The wide-ranging and high quality programme will include opera, jazz, rock concerts, exhibitions, children’s culture, arts and crafts, and even culinary culture.
The Most Beautiful Archipelago in the World
Just past the mouth of the River Aura, which runs through the city centre, lies the Turku archipelago. This natural wonder of 20,000 reefs and islands is truly unique. Such a retreat of peace and natural beauty is rare. However, the archipelago can be reached on foot, by bike, ferry, car or waterbus right from the centre of Turku.
Play with the Moomins
Moominworld in Naantali, just some 20 minutes drive from Turku, was chosen among the top ten theme parks of the world by The Independent on Sunday in 2005. This original theme park on a beautiful island is based on the stories written by Tove Jansson. Founded in 1993, the land of the Moomins has won the hearts of the locals not to mention the increasing number of international visitors around the world.
How to get here?
By air: Turku Airport is a logistic centre with straight connections to Helsinki, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Riga, Tallinn and Gdansk.
By sea: Over four million passengers pass through the Port of Turku annually. There are at least five daily ship routes to and from Sweden and a daily connection to Germany, Great Britain and some ports of the North Sea.
By rail: The Finnish railway operator VR operates nearly 320 long-distance services every day, and six of them are between Finland and Russia.
Contact
Director of Tourism
Anne-Marget Niemi
| Phone: | +358 (0)2 262 7499 |
| Email: | anne-marget.niemi@turku.fi |
Programme Director at the Centre of Expertise for Tourism and Experience Management of Southwest Finland
Päivi Lappalainen
| Phone: | +358 (0)50 - 5590 612 |
| Email: | paivi.lappalainen@turku.fi |
