Winter Tips for Oulu
HUNT THE AURORA!
WINTER THRILLS IN OULU
only. During the farm visit you can meet and feed reindeer and – depending on the snow situation – try a sleigh ride. Reindeer herders will share their stories with you, and you can also order a snack and hot drinks by the open fire in a traditional hut.
Guided trips with transportation to the Jussila farm can be booked from Tonttu Tärmön Paja: tonttutarmonpaja.fi
REINDEER FARM JUSSILA porotilajussila.com
PORO-PANUMA poropanuma.com
Aurora hunting The northern lights shining on the dark sky are a memorable 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
Cross-country skiing The vast ski track network in Oulu has 350 km of maintained tracks. You can find the starting points for the most popular routes here: Hietasaari loop 2 km Toppilansaarentie 20 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 TOURIST INFORMATION visitoulu.fi/info RETKIVUOKRAAMO retkivuokraamo.fi
TOPYHÄ topyha.fi
OULU SAFARIS oulusafaris.com
Also,
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• 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.
Up-to-date info on the tracks: acebook.com/Vihiluoto
WINTER SWIMMING & SAUNA
Torisauna Market Square ouluntorisauna.fi
Arctic sauna experience in the middle of the city of Oulu from 3 NOV 2025 – 11 APR 2026. Experience a real log sauna surrounded by city lights and culture. See the schedules and make reservations on the website for yourself or for a group.
Olosauna Vaakunakylä olosauna.fi
Modern floating village sauna. At Olosauna, you’ll enjoy the heat in good company, in a beautifully designed space with breathtaking views. A dip off the pier completes the experience – in any season. The café is open to everyone, including those who just want to enjoy the atmosphere.
Koivuranta Sauna Raft Värttö Beach koivurannansaunalautta.fi
This sauna 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 also a jacuzzi! Book your bath time online and remember to bring your own towel and bathing suit.
Lainesauna Saarela lainesauna.fi
Traditional sauna raft offers public sauna on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday evenings in the beautiful scenery of Oulujoki river. You can purchase a sauna ticket beforehand from the website.
Tuira beach winter swimming place Koskitie 58
Just across the river from the city centre is 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.
SWIMMING AND FLOATING
City of Oulu public pools
RAATTI SWIMMING POOL Raatintie 2
LINNANMAA SWIMMING POOL Virkakatu 1
VESI-JATULI Jokelantie 20
Flotation Centers
FLOASIS Alasintie 10 floasis.fi
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
CINEMA FINNKINO PLAZA Torikatu 32
CINEMA 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
Gaming and escape rooms
ARCTIC GLOW MINIGOLF OULU Torikatu 15-17
PELIBUNKKERI & MEGAZONE ARENA
Pakkahuoneenkatu 17
LABYRINTH GAMES ROOM ESCAPE Asemakatu 10
EXIT OULU Kirkkokatu 17, Uusikatu 13-15, Uusikatu 22
CITY ESCAPE GAMES Isokatu 8, Ylioppilaantie 4 C PAKOTALO OULU Isokatu 30
Diverse training options
OULU CLIMBING CENTRE Paakakatu 7 KAAMOS CLIMBING Kallisenhaara 3
DAYTRIP DESTINATIONS
Outdoor maps: ouka.fi/outdoors
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.
REENIS Alvar Aallon katu
NALLISPORT Vellamontie 9
PADEL UNO Tahtimarssi 11
Shopping Centres:
SHOPPING CENTRE VALKEA Isokatu 25
SHOPPING CENTRE PEKURI Kauppurienkatu 10 IDEAPARK OULU Ritaharjuntie 49
DELIGHTFUL DAY TRIPS IN AND AROUND OULU
Take a refreshing hike in the Oulu nature! ouka.fi/outdoors
Oulu offers fantastic opportunities for outdoor activities every season of the year. There are plenty of marked nature trails for hiking, with bird-watching towers and campfire sites along the way. There are also accessible trails in Hietasaari, Koitelinkoski and Sanginjoki. Oulu Tourist Information can provide you with maps of the nature destinations. You can also find nature trail maps on the website marked above.
Grilling spots in the city center require you to bring your own charcoal or firewood.
We urge hikers to abide by good outdoor etiquette: nationalparks.fi/hikinginfinland/visitorguidelines
GUIDED TRIPS FOR SMALL GROUPS
Tonttu Tärmön Paja tonttutarmonpaja.fi
Guided trips for smaller groups and families in Oulu. Also trips to Hailuoto Island are available, or even way up to the Arctic Circle, if you wish! Find out more online.
Majakka Outdoors majakkaoutdoors.fi
Head out with a guide to explore the city’s nearby nature and learn nature photography. Within walking distance from the city centre, you can delve into the secrets of the local nature, enjoy a snack break by the campfire, and maybe even catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights! Windland windland.fi
Guided nature tours in the Oulu region, including Rokua National Park, Hailuoto, and Sanginjoki Nature Reserve. Activities are tailored to all ages, providing unique experiences in the Finnish outdoors. All services are available in German.
ANGLE-RIGHT Pohjola Route: A New Way to Discover Finland!
The ideal winner road trip destination. Get to know the frozen sea, the archipelago and the snowy forests, lakes and fells, the idyllic countryside, northern lights, reindeer, and other charming winter destinations. Plan your winter road trip online: pohjolaroute.fi
the diversity of the plant world in the Romeo and Juliet greenhouses, discover bananas, cocoa trees, and many other useful plants from around the world. The greenhouses are open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm. The entrance fee is optional.
Koiteli Rapids Area Koitelinkoskentie 444 koitelinkoski.fi Koiteli is wonderful day trip destination for the whole family in Kiiminki, 25 kilometres from Oulu city centre. Here you can spend an active day enjoying the beautiful scenery and prepare an outdoor snack at one of the many campfire sites. You can cross the rapids over snowy bridges and admire the surge below.
Sanginjoki Nature Reserve Korpiseläntie 2 nationalparks.fi/sanginjoki
The 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. Along the trails you will find cooking shelters and there is also a rental cabin for overnight stays in the area.
In winter tracks can be used with snow shoes or skiis. Naturest Oy organizes guided trips in the park and runs Nature Café Loppula: naturest.fi
Pilpasuo Miehonseläntie 219 visitoulu.fi/en/pilpasuo
A diverse protected area awaits you with little task checkpoints and campfire sites. Lystireitti (“Fun Trail”), a shorter trail with a length of km suits families in particular. Aistireitti (“Sensory Trail”), the longer trail of 7 km goes around the whole area. At winter Pilpasuo is good place for snowshoeing and northern light hunting!
Hailuoto island 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.