Oulu is a vibrant summer city where something exciting happens every day! Whether you’re into culture, events, nature trails, activities, or excellent restaurants, this article provides you with targeted tips for a summer visit to Oulu, whether you’re traveling alone, with your partner or friend, or with children.
7 Summer Tips for Oulu: What to Do and See in Oulu this Summer?

1. Idyllic and Creative Pikisaari: Art, Historical Vibes and Culinary Culture
Pikisaari, the charming old town, is a dream destination for culture and food enthusiasts! Known for its creative and historical ambiance, Pikisaari is just a short walk away from Oulu’s market square; you cross the bridge near Oulu Theater to reach it.
This summer, Pikisaari hosts a unique demolition art exhibition called Reformi. The exhibition takes place in an old educational institution scheduled for demolition next autumn. You can freely explore the premises on weekdays between 12 PM to 6 PM. Admission is free!
History enthusiasts should visit the Merimiehenkotimuseo (Seamen’s Home Museum), located in Oulu’s oldest preserved wooden house. The museum offers a glimpse into the fascinating history of Oulu and Pikisaari. Did you know that ships were built in Pikisaari? The museum is open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM, and admission is free.
For those who love good food and drinks, Pikisaari offers several interesting options. At Hailuodon Panimo’s Mallassauna terrace, you can taste local organic beers and enjoy Finnish-German cuisine. The Mallassauna hosts various live concerts and other music and cultural events throughout the summer!
Sokeri-Jussin Kievari, on the other hand, is a cozy restaurant located in a log warehouse in Oulu’s Pikisaari. Their kitchen creates delicious Finnish dishes, made from pure domestic ingredients, seasoned according to the seasons’ rhythm and local produce.
Round off your Pikisaari day with a walk along the nature trail that encircles the island! This picturesque path leads along the shores, where you’ll hear tales of Pikisaari’s history. You can find some of the Oulu’s most Instagrammable spots along the trail. Furthermore, some sections of the trail are adorned with art: the Pikinen Poloku art trail near the Old Wool Factory displays local artists’ works.

2. Seaside Charm in Nallikari: Beach Life, Activities and Stunning Sunsets
Enjoy the fabulous Oulu seaside in Nallikari! The popular Nallikari area offers a beautiful beach, also known as the Riviera of the North, charming seaside nature trails with campfire sites and birdwatching towers, accommodation options, cafés, and restaurants for all the relaxation seekers.
For nature lovers, Finnaction’s new container rental service is worth checking out. You can conveniently rent a kayak, canoe, SUP board, or fat bike from Finnaction. They also organize guided trips, such as kayaking safaris to Oulujokisuisto (Oulu River Delta)!
Restaurant Nallikari is a high-quality Nordic restaurant located on Nallikari Beach, offering one of the best views in Oulu from its windows. For lighter fare and a laid-back atmosphere, head to Nallikari Bakery & Bistro, where you can enjoy pastries, cakes, savory snacks, and a relaxed bistro menu.
At Nallikari Lomakylä (Nallikari Holiday Village), you can experience a cottage atmosphere just a stone’s throw away from Oulu’s city center. You can stay in cozy cabins, high-standard villas, or a comfortable camping area. Even dogs are welcome at the holiday village!
Right next to Nallikari Lomakylä is the kids’ favorite spot, Vauhtipuisto (Kids’ Amusement Park). This amusement park is full of excitement, with rides ranging from mini-roller coasters to spinning coffee cups. The park’s new café serves specialty coffee, ice cream, and snacks, and it also features Finland’s smallest toy store, a must-visit for sure!
To top off your Nallikari day, take a stroll along the seaside on a bright summer evening. Climbing the Nallikari Lighthouse, famous from social media photos, during sunset is a classic Oulu experience!

3. Gems of the River Delta: Water Taxi to a Terrace, Island Tour by Kayak and Sauna on a Raft!
The River Delta offers the most beautiful summer experiences in Oulu! Whether you’re an active traveler or someone who prefers a leisurely pace, The Oulu River has something for everyone.
One of the hottest new attractions in Oulu this summer is the Sea Oulu water taxi! You can hop on the water taxi from Oulu’s market square or any stop along the route. The route takes you from the market square to Johteenpooki, Hietasaari Seelari, Toppilansalmi’s Punainen mylly, and back. Hietasaaren Seelari offers a café and a summer terrace with a stunning view, as well as concerts and events.
At Linnansaari, just a short walk from Oulu’s market square, you’ll find Oulun Melontakeskus (Oulu Canoe Center) and Lappis Vesipuisto (Lappis Water Park), perfect for both kids and adults! At Oulu Melontakeskus, you can rent a SUP board or a kayak and take a self-guided tour around Pikisaari, for example. Oulu Melontakeskus also offers Maanantaimelonta (Monday Paddle) and Torstain torimelonta (Thursday Market Paddle), open to everyone and suitable for beginners, taking you on low-threshold paddling excursions to the river delta.
What’s a summer without proper saunas and a dip in the Oulu River? Koivurannan Saunalautta (Koivuranta Sauna Raft) offers a public sauna turn on the riverbanks. The saunalautta also houses Koivuranta Igloos, which provide a unique experience of accommodation and sailing along the Oulu River.

4. Summer Events in Oulu: Culture, Music and Festivals
Oulu is a lively summer city with something happening every day. The city boasts a wide range of events, from food and art gatherings to charming summer festivals!
Music lovers should check out the event lineup at Voimala1889. They also host popular summer flea markets. Tuba Food & Lounge next door invites you to join their summer quizzes. Arriving early is recommended, as Tuba is usually buzzing with activity during quiz nights!
The Bättre Folk festival on Hailuoto has become a phenomenon and will once again attract thousands of music and literature enthusiasts on 14-15 July.
The Air Guitar World Championships have been held in Oulu since 1996. The Air Guitar World Championships’ grand finale will take place on 25 August 2023 at Rotuaari Square in Oulu, broadcasted live worldwide.
Oulun juhlaviikot (Oulu Festival Weeks) consist of seven high-quality and established festivals celebrated in the Oulu region from 3 to 27 August 2023. The festival weeks include events such as Taiteiden yö (Night of the Arts) and Elojazz.
Check out the event calendar for more information!

5. Local Nature's Best Spots: Ainola Park, Pilpasuo and Koiteli
In Oulu, nature is always close by! You can reach several nearby natural attractions on foot, by bike, or by paddling from the city center. And if trekking on nature trails doesn’t entice you in the summer heat, consider having a picnic in one of the city’s parks, such as Ainola Park or Hollihaka.
Within a short drive, there are several fantastic natural destinations to explore.
Pilpasuo, a vast wetland area, is one of the favorite hiking spots in the Oulu area. It is a nationally protected wetland and a Natura 2000 site. You can choose between two different routes in Pilpasuo: the short Lystireitti (1 km) and the longer Aistireitti (7 km).
Koitelinkoski rafts in Kiiminki can be reached in about half an hour’s drive from Oulu’s city center. When visiting Koitelinkoski rafts, don’t forget to stop by the cozy café Koitelin Tunnelmatupa, surrounded by the stunning Koitelinkoski. In summer, Koitelinkosket also has an ice cream kiosk.
Sanginjoki is a contiguous forest area located about 16 kilometers from Oulu’s city center. The area has features of a natural forest, with old spruce stands, as well as swamps and dry ridge nature. Sanginjoki is home to endangered fungi and rare bird species.
Explore nature trails
6. Summer Exhibitions and Museums: Dinosaurs, Art Exhibitions and the Legendary Turkansaari
During the summer, make sure to visit at least one art exhibition or museum!
Oulu Art Museum’s summer exhibitions include:
🎨 Riitta-Alina Helevä: “Lauluni” (My Song), until August 6th
🎨 Martti Tarvainen (1897–1985): “Nähdä ja eläytyä” (To See and Empathize), until August 6th
🎨 “Vuodenajat meissä – Teoksia Suomalaiset taidesäätiöt ry:n kokoelmista” (Seasons Within Us – Artworks from the Finnish Art Foundations Association’s Collection), from June 17th, 2023, to January 7th, 2024
For families with children, a visit to Dinosauria is a must. Arranged by the Tietomaa Science Center, Dinosauria is a large dinosaur exhibition located next to Oulu’s SuperPark. You can see about twenty moving dinosaur figures in the exhibition. Dinosauria is open during the summer season from Monday to Saturday, 11 AM to 6 PM, and closed on Sundays.
For a taste of history, head to the traditional open air museum Turkansaari. It is situated in the middle of the Oulu River, about 16 kilometers upstream from Oulu’s city center. The museum is the second-oldest outdoor museum in Finland. Turkansaari lies on the route of an old tar transport trail, and, as a result, the museum maintains the tradition of tar burning. In July, a tar pit is constructed at Siikasaari’s tip, and visitors can witness the lighting and burning of the tar pit.

7. Day Trips from Oulu: Road Trip on the Pohjola Route
Around Oulu, there are several exciting day trip destinations. The best summer road trip can be found on the Pohjola Route where Oulu is also located. Besides Oulu, the Pohjola Route stops include Hailuoto, Syöte, Rokua Geopark, Tyrnävä, Lumijoki, Liminka, Kempele, Ii, Raahe, and Kalajoki.
The magical Hailuoto island is just a short ferry ride away from Oulu. In Hailuoto, you should explore Marjaniemi’s old fishing village and its beautiful natural white sandy beaches.
Within a couple of hours’ drive from Oulu, you’ll find two different national parks: Syöte and Rokua. This summer, you can reach Rokua directly from Oulu by bus! In addition to national parks, the Pohjola Route offers numerous smaller gems for nature enthusiasts, such as Markkuun luontopolku in Tyrnävä, Köykkyri in Kempele, and Liminganlahden luontokeskus in Liminka.
For a touch of history, Iin Wanha Hamina (Old Ii) and Wanha Raahe (Old Raahe) are popular summer destinations. In Lumijoki, don’t miss a visit to the summer café Hailuotolaiva.
Kalajoen Hiekkasärkät (Kalajoki Sands), with its long sandy beaches, excellent services, activities, and events, is especially popular with families during the summer.
Enjoy your summer adventures in and around Oulu!
Explore the Pohjola RouteSort by category
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