Turku

Turku is a city where history feels alive around every corner. Sitting on the southwest coast of Finland, it is the country’s oldest city, and for centuries it was the most important place in the land. You can feel that long past as you wander along the Aura River, past a towering medieval castle that has watched over the city for more than 700 years. The cathedral rising above the rooftops has been a symbol of Finland for just as long, and every Christmas Eve, a centuries-old tradition fills the Old Great Square with the magic of a peace declaration that has never once been skipped.

Yet Turku is not stuck in the past. The riverside buzzes with cafes, museums, and real historic ships you can actually climb aboard. You can even descend beneath the city streets to walk among genuine medieval ruins. Turku manages to be ancient and exciting at the same time, making it one of Finland’s most fascinating places to explore.