NALLIKARI BY THE SEA
BEACH AND SEASIDE RESORT
Summer Tips for Oulu 2023
SIGHTSEEING
FOR CHILDREN
Have fun at playgrounds
HUPISAARET PLAYGROUND
Hupisaarten kaupunginpuisto
HEINÄTORI PLAYGROUND
Heinätori
MANNERHEIMINPUISTO PLAYGROUND
Albertinkatu
NALLIKARI PLAYGROUND
Nallikarinranta
Move your body and test your brain
CHILDREN’S TRAFFIC PARK
Hollihaka
VAUHTIPUISTO AMUSEMENT PARK
Leiritie 2, Hietasaari
HIETASAAREN PONIPIHA RIDING SCHOOL
Vaaskiventie 12, Hietasaari
ADVENTURE PARK HUIKIA
Pikkukankaantie
OULU SCIENCE CENTRE TIETOMAA
Nahkatehtaankatu 6
SUPERPARK & DINOSAURIA
Tyrnäväntie 16
HOPLOP Alasintie 10
WONDERFUL SUMMER CAFÉS
authors.
MARITIME CAFÉS
CAFÉ-RESTAURANT SEELARI Puomitie 12
POOKIOSKI Kansankentäntie 11 Cafés in the maritime surroundings of Hietasaari Island.
MARKET SQUARE SUMMER CAFÉS
BOOTTI Kaarlenväylä 2
LET’S TAKE A DIP!
RIVER SAUNAS
PYÖRÄ-SUVALA Lekatie 2 pyorasuvala.fi
Many of the local hotels can also provide their customers with regular bicycles.
Fatbikes and Guided Tours:
LAPPIS: lappis.fi
FINNACTION: finnaction.fi
NORTHERN RENTAL: northernrental.fi
TOPYHÄ OY: topyha.fi
RETKIVUOKRAAMO: retkivuokraamo.fi
DISCOVER OULU
Self-Guided Walking Tours Download the Nomadi mobile guide or head to the new Atla website to check out the numerous city tours. Explore the city’s history and waterways with ‘The Pearls of the River Estuary’ and ‘Tracking History in Oulu’ routes. Be sure not to miss the routes that guide you through the stories of Pikisaari island, wartime Oulu, or architect Alvar Aalto’s works in the city.
CITY NOMADI citynomadi.com ATLA: atla.fi/oulu
Get to Know Oulu With a Guide Culture, ghosts, and fateful stories.
OULU CYCLING
OPPAAT RY: oulunseudunoppaat.fi GUIDE HIRING: goarctic.fi
ARCTIC FOOD LAB
Bike Rental Companies: NALLIKARI HOLIDAY VILLAGE Leiritie 10 nallikari.fi
PYÖRÄKORJAAMO LAIHIAINEN Kirkkokatu 28 pyorakorjaamolaihiainen.com
Tonttu Tärmön paja tonttutarmonpaja.fi
Guided tours for smaller groups and families in Oulu. Also trips to Hailuoto, Koiteli rapids or Turkansaari Open-Air Museum are available, for example. You can also design your own trip with us!
Toripolliisi and Market Square
If you have not taken a friendsie with the Toripolliisi statue, you have not properly been to Oulu. The plump guardian of the Market Square is a memorial from last century when actual police officers guarded the area and kept the peace in Oulu for a long time. The officers turned into legends during their lifetime.
Hot tip: You can find more info on Toripolliisi and other public sculptures on the Poikkea polulle! walking tour in Citynomadi app and website.
Street Art in Oulu
Find the coolest murals and other paintings in the urban environment. Check out the best spots on the map on the back of this guide.
The Oulu Grade Oulu went askew in 1783! When the city plan was being renewed, it was based around the Franzén House in the corner of Kirkkokatu and Kajaaninkatu. However, contrary to the planners’ beliefs, the angle was not 90 degrees. Therefore, the streets in the city centre cross each other in either 89- or 91-degree angles, and the walls of buildings have had to be drawn awry on purpose.
Wonderful Wooden Districts
Discover the idyllic city districts where you can sense the presence of Oulu history. Be charmed by Pikisaari, the island of artisans and artists and find the old houses at the northeast end of Hollihaka Park.
Be sure to also visit the wooden districts of Karjasilta and Puu-Raksila, both of which have been evaluated as important residential areas in view of cultural history. Also drop by to see the architecture from the end of the 19th century in Intiö’s old barracks area and visit Hietasaari’s historic villas with their toti towers.
SUMMER THEATRE
Hupisaaret Theatre hupisaaret.fi FB @Hupisaartenteatteri
This newly constructed theatre pavilion is a fantastic stage for many cultural operators. The schedule for summer is packed with a variety of theatrical plays, musical performances, and stand-up comedy. Local singalong events are also arranged here. Check the calender from the webpage!
FOR A RAINY DAY
Cinema, Theatre and Music
FINNKINO PLAZA CINEMA Torikatu 32
STAR CINEMA Kalliotie 6
RIOLIVE Hallituskatu 11
CULTURAL CENTRE VALVE Hallituskatu 7
Cinema, Theatre and Art Exhibitions
Local Arts & Exhibitions
GALLERY 5 Hallituskatu 5–7
GALLERY 33 Hallituskatu 33
NELIÖ GALLERY Asemakatu 37
GALLERY KAJASTE & TAIDEOULU Pakkahuoneenkatu 17
GALLERY MABD Torikatu 4
OULU MUSEUM OF ART Kasarmintie 9
GALLERY TASO Pikisaarentie 15 B1
DESING CENTRE PROTO Pikisaarentie 17
Bowling and Billiards
OULU BOWLING ALLEY Isokatu 97
ALPPILA BOWLING Tukkimiehentie 1
SPACE BOWLING & BILLIARDS Saaristonkatu 9
CITY BILJARD Ylioppilaantie 4 C
Games and Escape Rooms
PELIBUNKKERI & MEGAZONE Pakkahuoneenkatu 17
CITY ESCAPE GAMES Ylioppilaantie 4 C, Isokatu 8
ESCAPE ROOMS Torikatu 9
EXIT OULU Kirkkokatu 17, Uusikatu 22, Uusikatu 13–15
PAKOTALO Isokatu 30
Versatile Movement
OULU CLIMBING CENTRE Paakakatu 7
REENIS Alvar Aallon katu 1
NALLISPORT Vellamontie 9
Shopping Malls
SHOPPING MALL PEKURI Kauppurienkatu 10
SHOPPING MALL VALKEA Isokatu 25
IDEAPARK OULU Ritaharjuntie 49
MOVING AROUND IN OULU
Biketaxi – Experience Oulu Summer Riding a Rickshaw! biketaxi.fi No transport in summery Oulu is quite as fun, laid-back, and
FISHING
Let’s Catch Some Fish! ouka.fi/kalastus By acquiring a fishing license, you can fish on the sea or on the river right next to Oulu city centre either independently or with a guide.
Buy a fishing license conveniently from the Kalapassi online store: kalapassi.fi. Licenses for rod fishing are also sold at Oulu10 service desk at Torikatu 10.
Fishing Tours:
ATTESON FISHING: atteson.fi
BACKWOOD ACTION: backwoodaction.fi
FINNACTION: finnaction.fi
LOCAL WILDERNESS OULU: localwildernessoulu.com
SILVERY GOLD FISHING: silverygoldfishing.fi
UNFORGETTABLE DAYTRIPS IN AND AROUND OULU
Take
Electric Scooters and Bikes for Carefree Rides! In Oulu, you can get around also by renting an electric scooter or a city bike. Please remember to mind your own and other people’s safety by complying with the service providers’ instructions.
Take a Ride With City Train vauhtipuisto.fi/kaupunkijuna
You can get to Vauhtipuisto amusement park and Nallikari beach from Oulu city centre smoothly with city trains Kompiainen and Potnapekka.
Trains run between June 26 and August 6. In the city centre, the ride starts across the street from City Hall (next to Snellman Park) and in Nallikari the stops are next to the Vauhtipuisto and at the end of the beach near Restaurant Nallikari.
The train ride is included in the price of a Vauhtipuisto wristband or season ticket. Single fares: 8€/adult, 4€/5–14 y/o. and 0–4 y/o. free of charge.
Hop on a Water Taxi! seaoulu.fi
See Oulu through new eyes from the sea. The water taxi operates from June to August with certain limitations regarding weather and routes. You can find the timetable, routes, and stops online.
WATER ACTIVITIES
Cruises on the Sea oululines.fi
Cruise ship M/S Alexandra does sea tours on Friday and Saturday evenings (age limit 18) and day cruises on July Saturdays. You can join a public cruise by booking you tour in advance at least a week ahead. The ship sails from the Oulu Market Square pier. Please check the cruise timetables online at Oulu Lines website.
Have a Memorable Day on the Waters seaoulu.fi
How about a carefree, private boat cruise or an adrenaline-packed jet ski ride when it best suits you? We will take you and your friends out to the sea and the nearby islands without hassle. Find out more and see the prices at our website.
Get Wild in the Waterpark Linnansaari 1 lappis.fi/vesipuisto
Oulu Waterpark is a must for every water adventurer to experience for testing their limits. Spend the most exciting summer day on the ninja-type course set on water. Try to complete the course without getting wet or jump straight in from towers, climb onto air cushions and obstacles, and practice your balance on the wobbly stunt course. Floatation vests as well as wetsuits to keep you warm are available at the Waterpark.
Urban Wake Park Linnansaari lappis.fi/oulu-wakepark
A cable wakeboard track offers sporty aquatic experiences right next to the city centre, in the fantastic scenery of Oulu River estuary. On the world’s second northernmost cable track, you get to feel the thrill of speed while gliding on the waves. The sport is suitable for everyone, no previous experience is required. Rental equipment and guidance for beginners are available.
SUP Boarding and Paddling
In the Oulu River estuary, you can enjoy laid-back summer days by SUP boarding or paddling. Adventure activity agencies will guide you to these sports and the environment safely under instruction. More experienced enthusiasts can rent a SUP board, a kayak, or a canoe and head out to the estuary on their own for a refreshing day.
Five routes of different lengths have been designed for paddling or SUP boarding in the river estuary and on the sea in front of Nallikari Beach. There is a good selection of skill levels from beginners to experienced paddlers with varying scenery and detailed route descriptions on the paddling map. When paddling along these routes, please remember to mind your own safety as well as that of others.
ouka.fi/melontareitit
Paddling Services and Tours:
LAPPIS: lappis.fi
VAUHTIPUISTO: vauhtipuisto.fi
FINNACTION: finnaction.fi
BACKWOOD ACTION: backwoodaction.fi
GO ARCTIC!: goarctic.fi
GEMS OF MARITIME OULU
EVENTS IN OULU
RENTABLE OUTDOOR GEAR
Likke Reuse Centre Jääsalontie 16-18 lainaamo.ouka.fi
Lack of proper gear will not be an obstacle to brisk outdoor activity and enjoying the nature in Oulu. You can borrow the equipment you need from the City of Oulu sports equipment rental.
Retkivuokraamo retkivuokraamo.fi
Retkivuokraamo offers affordable high-quality SUP boards, packrafts and E-Fatbikes for rent. In addition, you can rent high-quality camping tents, backpacks, camping stoves and much more from Retkivuokraamo.
DAYTRIP DESTINATIONS
Botanical Garden
Oulun yliopisto, Kaitoväylä 5 oulu.fi/en/university/botanical-garden
The botanical garden is a wonderful place to visit and learn about the diversity of the plant world. The pyramid-shaped greenhouses provide tropical heat around the year, and the outdoor gardens showcase a variety of trees and bushes as well as useful and ornamental plants. Greenhouses Romeo and Julia house about 1 200 plant species from the different climate regions of the world. In the outdoor garden, you can find more than 4 000 plants native to the northern climate. There is a voluntary entrance fee to the greenhouses.
Turkansaari Open-Air Museum Turkansaarentie 165 ouka.fi/turkansaari
The second oldest open-air museum in Finland presents local history in agriculture, forestry, fishing, and tar production. An easy trip by car, bike, or boat, the museum lies at 15 kilometres from the city centre. It is the perfect destination for a daytime family trip, with a playground for children and traditional work demonstrations during the summer.
Liminka Bay Visitor Centre
Rantakurvi 6 visitliminka.fi/en/liminganlahti
The resting, feeding, and nesting area for tens of thousands of birds offers you the opportunity to watch roughly 200 species from the lookout towers. Borrow a pair of binoculars and catch a few bird tips from the Visitor Centre, which also
Sanginjoki nature reserve is located about 20 km from the center of Oulu. You will find versatile hiking trails in the area through different forest types with wetland landscapes adding variation to the beautiful scenery. The shortest route is the 2 km long Korpilampi loop. For a longer hike you
VisitOulu visitoulu.fi Pohjola Route pohjolaroute.fi