Making the most of Turku
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
The voyage to Turku takes cruise passengers through a breathtakingly beautiful archipelago of some 20,000 islands and islets, one of the world's largest.
Smaller cruise vessels berth beside medieval Turku Castle, 3 km from the city centre. Larger ships use the main port area, only a little farther away.
A free shuttle connects the pier and city centre throughout the call, stopping at Turku Castle in both directions. The centre is only three km from port and can also be reached on foot along a picturesque riverside promenade.
A new terminal is scheduled to launch at the beginning of 2026.
Take a printable map ashore.
Turku is Finland's oldest city, founded beside the River Aura in 1229. The historic settlement is now a modern city offering museums, art, music, Finnish design shops and more. Discover its enchanting spirit by walking along the Aura River between the main church and Castle, its two landmarks. For residents and visitors alike, the riverbanks are the place to see and be seen. Numerous cafés and high-quality restaurants fill this urban setting. A meal at one of the Riverboat restaurants is also a must…
Combine culture and the archipelago, a paradise for anyone who enjoys peace and quiet. Small and large boats make it easy to reach one of the 20 000 islands in the Turku archipelago. Nature and the seaside can also be enjoyed along the Archipelago Ring-road", a 200 km journey across bridges and islands.
Turku has everything. This old yet modern city sits directly beside the river and sea, surrounded by wonderful nature. Only a few kilometres from the centre, visitors can walk, cycle, fish or even play golf beside the seashore.
Discover Turku - Attractions.
Getting around
Most city sights lie within a kilometre or two of Kauppatori. The River Aura crosses the centre, and its popular banks allow a pleasant walk from Finland's national shrine, Turku Cathedral, to Turku Castle, once home to Swedish Kings, or upstream into the countryside.
TurkuCard provides many considerable advantages, including complimentary admission and other discounts. It grants free entry to most Turku museums, along with free local bus travel and guided sightseeing tours. Dozens of further benefits include restaurant bonuses and reductions at certain shops, making TurkuCard an excellent investment.
Taxis can be ordered by telephone or found at ranks. Drivers accept major international credit cards and cash. The usual starting fare is 4.50 euros, after which the price rises gradually on a kilometre basis, as shown by the meter, and according to passenger numbers.
Finnish Railways runs the fairly extensive railway network.
Cars can be hired in Finland, but this is generally expensive, with rates usually above € 80/day.
Nearby places
Oasis of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, was constructed at the yard just beyond the Finnish city, together with many of its largest fleet mates.
Money
Finland uses the euro (EUR), divided into 100 cents. The country does not use 1 and 2 cent coins; every total is instead rounded to the nearest 5 cents.
Staying connected
Finland has two official languages: Finnish ( 93%) and Swedish (7%). English is also widely spoken.
Call 112 for every national emergency service, including the police.
Cafés offering customers free WiFi are uncommon in a country where almost everyone connects at home and work. Nearly every public library, however, provides free internet access, and WiFi hotspots are becoming increasingly widespread.
Opening Hours and
Weekday opening:
Hours run from 07.00 - 09.00 through to 20.00 - 21.00.
Saturday opening:
from 09.00 until 15.00 - 18.00.
On Sundays:
shops are closed.