ARCHITECTURE
HUNT THE AURORA!
PYYKÖSJÄRVI & KUIVASJÄRVI LAKES
The
WINTER THRILLS IN OULU
4 loihakka.fi
experience. At the latitude of Oulu, this natural phenomenon occurs approximately every fourth night, and you may catch the aurora flares between the nights of late summer and the last dark moments of spring. The best places for aurora watching can be found on the Nallikari beach or around lakes Pyykösjärvi and Kuivasjärvi. A traveller with a car could also head to Koiteli Rapids or Pilpasuo area to get away from the city lights. Guided tours available also.
SALAMAPAJA salamapaja.fi
NALLIKARI SAFARIS nallikarisafaris.fi
LAPPIS lappis.fi
OULU SAFARIS oulusafaris.com
MAJAKKA OUTDOORS majakkaoutdoors.fi
Aurora forecast:en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi/northern-lights rwc-finland.fmi.fi FB @ Oulu Aurora Spotters
Ice skating Oulu has plenty of outdoor ice-skating rinks for you to test your skills at. Try one or more of these, for example:
Raksila Artificial Ice Rink Urheilukatu 3
Raatti Sports Centre Raatintie 2 Heinäpää Sports Centre Nuottasaarentie 12 Niittyaro Sports Centre Kaarnatie 44 • Pateniemi Artificial Ice Rink Sahanhoitajantie 5
Rink maintenance: oulu.fluentprogress.fi/outdoors
Tour skating routes and ski tracks on the sea ice are maintained according to ice conditions in midwinter. You can find the starting points for these routes on the shores of Vihiluoto and Oritkari and at the ferry dock in Oulunsalo.
Cross-country
Hietasaari loop 2 km Leiritie
Heinäpää loop 1,5 km Tyrnävänkuja
Raksila, Oulu Hall Ouluhallintie 20 Niittyaro Sports Centre Kaarnatie 44
Auranmaja Alakyläntie 634
Hiukkavaara Tahtimarssi 11
Sankivaara Mikonmäentie 180
Check out the track maintenance information: oulu.fluentprogress.fi/outdoors
Downhill skiing Ruskotunturi Ruskotunturintie ruskotunturi.fi
Consisting of five slopes and two parks, Ruskotunturi is a hill with a relief of 50 metres. In addition to the slopes, there is a rope lift, minipark and sled hill for kids. A cafeteria and gear rental plus a ski school serve customers as well. You can also find campfire sites around the area.
Rentable winter gear
Lack of proper gear is not an obstacle for enjoying outdoor winter life in Oulu. You can rent all the equipment you need for a winter trip through local companies. Also check out what possible gear your place of accommodation might offer.
NALLIKARI SAFARIS nallikarisafaris.fi
NALLIKARI HOLIDAY VILLAGE nallikari.fi
LAPPIS lappis.fi
RETKIVUOKRAAMO retkivuokraamo.fi
TOPYHÄ topyha.fi
OULU SAFARIS oulusafaris.com
Also, you can borrow the equipment you need for free: Lainaamo Jääsalontie 16–18 lainaamo.ouka.fi
WINTER SWIMMING & SAUNA
Gaming and escape rooms
PELIBUNKKERI & MEGAZONE ARENA
Pakkahuoneenkatu 17
EXIT OULU Kirkkokatu 17, Uusikatu 13-15, Uusikatu 22
CITY ESCAPE GAMES Isokatu 8, Ylioppilaantie 4 C
PAKOTALO
Diverse
OULU
Up-to-date info on the tracks: facebook.com/Vihiluoto 3,9,C,D
Torisauna Market Square ouluntorisauna.fi Arctic sauna experience at Market Square 15 Nov 2024 – 15 March 2025. Experience an authentic log sauna, outdoor hot tub and cold pool surrounded by the city lights and culture. See the schedules and make a reservation on the website. In the Winter Room at the sauna, you can enjoy mulled wine, rice porridge and reindeer soup also without the sauna experience.
Koivuranta Sauna Raft Värttö Beach koivurannansaunalautta.fi
ARCTIC FOOD LAB
oulu2026.eu/arcticfoodlab
TORTILLA HOUSE Hallituskatu 10 TOSCANA Hallituskatu 35
MEDITERRANEAN RESTAURANT OLIMPOS Pakkahuoneenkatu 6
RESTAURANTS AND CAFÉS UNDER THE SAME ROOF
SHOPPING CENTRE VALKEA Isokatu 25
SHOPPING CENTRE PEKURI Kauppurienkatu 10
CAFÉS AND BAKERIES
ANTELL CAFÉ
Kauppurienkatu 7
CAFÉ LILLAROOSA Myllytie 11 CAFÉ KONSTANTIINA Torikatu 12 CHOCO CAFÉ CHOCOSOMNIA Hiltusenkaarre 22
HOSTEL-CAFE HUVILA Panimokuja
JAANAN PUOTI Kauppurienkatu 3
KONDITORIE-CAFÉ SOFIA Kauppurienkatu 14-16
KREEMA Kainuuntie 1
MON CHOU PÂTISSERIE Pakkahuoneenkatu
This unique raft on the Oulujoki river offers the smooth heat of a sauna and balances it with the opportunity to take a dip in the river, through a hole carved in the ice. A café on the raft serves tasty refreshments and crispy waffles. The facilities include a jacuzzi in which to enjoy the beautiful scenery as well as soothing bubbles. Book a time online and remember to bring your own towel and bathing suit. See opening hours and prices on the website.
Tuira beach winter swimming place Koskitie 58 Near the city centre and just a stone’s throw from Hupisaaret city park is the Tuira beach, welcoming all winter swimmers for a refreshing dip in a hole carved in the river ice. You can access the shower and dressing room by renting a key for a seasonal fee at Raatti Swimming Pool.
Tonttu Tärmön Paja tonttutarmonpaja.fi
You can also try a guided winter swimming trip. Bookings online.
Mallassauna Pikisaarentie 15 mallassauna.fi
Hailuoto Brewery’s Restaurant Mallassauna is serving not only tasty dishes but also sauna experiences in Pikisaari. Outdoor saunas, built from recycled materials through volunteer work, are available for free during the restaurant’s opening hours. Check the opening hours and additional information on the website.
SWIMMING AND FLOATING
City of Oulu public pools
OULU SWIMMING POOL Pikkukankaantie 3 (open till 1.3.)
RAATTI SWIMMING POOL Raatintie 2
LINNANMAA SWIMMING POOL Virkakatu 1 (open from 1.3.
VESI-JATULI Jokelantie 20
Flotation Centers
OULU FLOATS Torikatu 56 oulufloats.fi
RENTOUTTAVA LAINE Kajaaninkatu 34 rentouttavalaine.fi
PALAUTTAMO FLOATS Isokatu 1 palauttamofloats.fi
NEAT INDOOR FUN
Movies, theatre, and music
MOVIE THEATRE FINNKINO PLAZA Torikatu 32
MOVIE THEATRE STAR Kalliotie 6
THEATRE RIOLIVE Hallituskatu 11
OULU THEATRE Kaarlenväylä 2
OULUN TYÖVÄEN NÄYTTÄMÖ Upseerinkatu 4
POP UP STAGE KLONKKA Hallituskatu 7
OULU SYMPHONY & OULU MUSIC CENTRE
Leevi Madetojan katu 1–3
CULTURAL CENTRE VALVE Hallituskatu 7
Studio Cinema, Akseli Klonk Theatre, Oulu Student Theatre and Valvesali, all under the same roof!
Bowling and billiards
SPACE BOWLING & BILLIARDS Saaristonkatu 9
OULUN KEILAHALLI (Oulu Bowling Alley) Isokatu 97
ALPPILA BOWLING Tukkimiehentie 1
CITY BILJARD Ylioppilaantie 4 C
DELIGHTFUL DAY TRIPS IN AND AROUND OULU
Take a refreshing hike in the Oulu nature! ouka.fi/outdoors
firewood.
We urge hikers to abide by good outdoor etiquette: nationalparks.fi/hikinginfinland/visitorguidelines
Take the best road trip of the winter on the Pohjola route! pohjolaroute.fi
Oulu is part of the Pohjola Route, which is like Finland in miniature! The frozen sea, the archipelago and the snowy forests, lakes and fells, the idyllic countryside, northern lights, reindeer, and other charming winter destinations. The best road trip of the winter offers things to see from the seaside to the fell region, with a total of 900 kilometres of routes to take. Discover the destinations by car, by bus, or grab a bike. Plan the road trip of your dreams online.
Hupisaaret City Park
The Hupisaaret islands are a must visit for every outdoor person, culture enthusiast and romantic, located right next to the city centre. In the winter, the park is wrapped in a blanket of snow, and the river delta can be admired from its numerous trails. The playground with its sled hill will guarantee rosy cheeks for little speedsters. Also, the Oulu Museum of Art is close
nature. In the wintertime, the visitor centre is the perfect starting spot for a ski tour on the sea tracks, or a fatbiking trip to Rantakylä village.
Rent fatbikes, kicksleds, snowshoes and sliding snowshoes by booking in advance at TOPyhä: topyha.fi
Hailuoto island and ice road visithailuoto.fi
Hailuoto is the biggest island in the Bothnian Bay, known for its maritime nature. The island attracts visitors interested in outdoor life and local culture. The idyllic fishing village of Marjaniemi is a nationally valuable milieu of fishing culture. Here you can admire the old lighthouse (1871) and the natural landscape sculpted by changing seasons. When the conditions are good, you can reach the island via the longest ice road in Finland across the icy vastness of the frozen sea. Check the ice road condition beforehand: Facebook @Touhu-Palvelut Oy.
A regular ferry line between the mainland and the island serves travellers throughout the year. Ferry timetable: finferries.fi
Reindeer farm visits Laasenraitti 40 poropanuma.com Poro-Panuma