Sometimes you can find the best holiday closer than you think. You don’t always have to travel far to get away from it all. We Nordic people have a lot in common, which is why the Oulu region feels like home in a good way, familiar and uncomplicated. Here, it’s easy to relax and unwind, for a weekend or even longer – you can always discover something new! How would you like to spend your holiday? Do you want to head out on a wild adventure or overcome the polar night with a nice relaxing city break? In this article, we serve up Oulu in 7 different ways. Welcome!
Enjoy a pleasant city break and winter activities in Oulu, the upcoming Capital of Culture
1. A taste of the upcoming year as Capital of Culture
Oulu is getting ready to celebrate its year as the European Capital of Culture 2026. The city already hosts a variety of original events, from the slightly unusual to downright crazy.
For entrepreneurs and anyone interested in the start-up scene, Oulu offers something completely out of the ordinary: Polar Bear Pitching, where innovative ideas are pitched while standing in a hole in the ice. The event brings together daring entrepreneurs and investors looking for the Next Big Idea. Come and experience how Finnish sisu (grit and perseverance) and innovative business thinking come together in this ice-breaking event.
If you’re more into electronic music and art, the Frozen People festival in Oulu is the place to be. Organized on the frozen sea, the event combines pulsating rhythms with northern art. Visitors can experience an all-night rave, dancing and enjoying time together.
During the darkest season of the year, we also celebrate light: the Lumo Light Festival is an annual international festival that spreads across the city. Up to 100,000 visitors experience the enchanting Lumo over a weekend at the end of November. Will you be one of them this year?
Discover the enchanting Lumo:2. Urban culture in an idyllic setting
Explore the idyllic, nature-filled Pikisaari Island just outside the city. The main street is lined with beautiful wooden houses and the centre of the island is home to a vibrant and interesting community of artists, whose studios are often open to the public. There are also several galleries and restaurants where you can easily spend the whole day.
Restaurant Mallassauna serves delicious organic beers from Hailuoto Brewery and delicious German-style cuisine. Cheers!
At Sokeri-Jussi Tavern you can enter a traditional Finnish log house and enjoy traditional Finnish foods. You will definitely not leave here hungry!
Read more about Pikisaari:3. Favourite beach by winter
You can also continue your journey from Pikisaari by walking straight to Hietasaari Island and all the way to Nallikari to admire the vast expanse of the frozen sea. Nallikari is a favourite beach for locals and tourists in summer, but it also offers great experiences in other seasons. The Gulf of Bothnia remains covered in ice from December until April or even May. You can enjoy many adventures and activities on the ice, such as snowshoeing or sliding snowshoeing, skiing, cycling, kick sledding or ice fishing. Nallikari Safaris rents equipment for winter sports and organises guided tours, taking you to the best spots for ice fishing, for example.
There are hiking trails, a birdwatching tower and campfire sites nearby where you can enjoy a day out with your family or friends.
You can also find several restaurants and quality accommodation in Nallikari. How about staying at the Nallikari Aalto apartments, right by the sea?
Explore Aalto:4. Spend a day shopping in delightful shops
You can find interesting shopping venues in the city centre and the big shopping centres in the Oulu region. The streets are lined with international and local shops, design stores, many speciality stores and second-hand stores. You can find cosmetics, jewellery, fashion, items to freshen up your decor, electronics and delightful luxuries for the perfect pampering session. And much, much more.
During your shopping spree, you can enjoy the fresh air as you walk across the city through the Kaupunginoja park zone all the way to the Market Square on the waterfront. Once there, you can visit the recently renovated Market Hall, built in 1901.
Here, you can also get into the magical spirit of Christmas – and help out Santa by buying gifts made by local craftspeople at the Tiernatori Christmas market and the Handicrafts’ Gift Shop. Merry Christmas!
Explore shopping venues:5. Let the flavours seduce you
Indulge your taste buds and embark on a delicious journey of discovery in the world of authentic Finnish flavours and our many international ethnic restaurants. Discover the finest fine dining restaurants as well as cosy bistros, bars, restaurants, cafés, nightclubs and interesting curiosities. If you’re looking for something easy and simple, there’s always pizza. Because people in Oulu love pizza! Will you have an ordinary Quattro Stagioni or do you have the guts to top your pizza with lingonberries and lichen?
One of the most interesting places in the restaurant scene in Oulu is the new Alfred Kitchen & Bar. We are absolutely enchanted by its sophisticated ambience and wonderful food, and we believe you will enjoy it too!
We mustn’t forget dessert, and chocolate always works! The handmade artisan chocolates of the local ChocoSomnia are a delectable delight. Whether you’re a fan of the classics or like trying slightly unusual and crazy flavours, you are sure to find your favourite chocolate here.
Browse our restaurants:6. Sauna, an oasis of recovery
Sauna and sauna bathing are important to us in the Nordics. The lovely löyly (hot steam) helps you recover from any kind of day, and a good sauna is all about the perfect löyly. And it feels different in every sauna!
You can add a new dimension to your sauna experience by taking a dip in a hole in the ice or by rolling in the snow. If these activities sound too extreme, you can simply take it easy and help yourself unwind by having a sauna beer.
The Oulu region offers a variety of sauna experiences: you can try a floating sauna raft or a smoke sauna or simply enjoy the peace and quiet of the private sauna in your hotel room. The Koivuranta Sauna Raft, cruising on the Oulujoki River, offers you an unforgettable sauna experience. You can test its löyly during the public sauna session or by booking the sauna for a private event.
Check out the saunas in the region:7. There’s nothing like a good night’s sleep!
A relaxing, atmospheric city break is crowned by a good night’s sleep, which feels especially good after a day full of adventures. Hotels of all sizes, design hotels, guest houses, igloos and extraordinary suites accommodate you in the style you prefer.
You can also stay in a cabin, where you can prepare your own meals and heat up your very own sauna in the evenings. Light a fire in the fireplace and let your mind relax in the warm glow of the flames. What could be better at the end of a day out on the town?
You can also enjoy the sauna and a swim at Lapland Hotels Oulu. The hotel is located near the city’s most beautiful parks and buildings. The design of the hotel rooms is inspired by nature and stories of Lapland – Lappish magic is in the air. Will it take you on a romantic adventure?
Browse the accommodation options:Travel near to get far
If you’re curious and head to the Oulu region for an adventure, you may be surprised to discover how far away you can get from your everyday life by travelling so near. Here, you can find plenty of interesting sights and new favourite spots, whether your soul craves the open sea, the hustle and bustle of the city, the quiet forest or fell nature. Many idyllic destinations with their attractions, restaurants and events await you along the Pohjola Route. Will the route take you to Raahe or Syöte? Or perhaps to Rokua?
Discover the small adventures along the route: