Oulu travel guide

Oulu, located in Northern Finland, experiences a subarctic climate characterized by cold, snowy winters and mild, short summers. The winter season extends from November to March, with January and February being the coldest months. Temperatures during winter can drop to -20°C, and snowfall is frequent and heavy, leading to remarkable snowscapes. Travelers should come prepared with adequate winter clothing.

The summer season, from June to August, is relatively mild with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 25°C. The city experiences long daylight hours, including the 'midnight sun' phenomenon where the sun stays visible at midnight around the summer solstice. Rainfall is distributed evenly throughout the year but is highest in late summer. Autumn, from September to October, is marked by vibrant fall foliage, while spring, from April to May, sees the city slowly thawing from the winter cold. It's important for visitors to remember that weather can change quickly in Oulu, so packing layers and rainproof clothing is advisable.

Home to plenty of top attractions, Oulu is more than just a wonderful city in Finland. Oulu is a travel hotspot and a great place to experience a mix of the traditional and modern culture of Finland.

One fascinating sight in Oulu is the unforgettable Oulu Market Hall. Considered one of the most well-known attractions in the city, a visit to this spectacular travel destination is something you shouldn’t miss on your trip to Oulu. This remarkable attraction is located at Kauppatori, 90100 Oulu, Finland and is open for visitors Monday - Friday, between 08:00-18:00.

For more information about what you can expect during a vacation in Finland, check out our list of top attractions in Oulu below. Discover the best places to visit in Oulu, including the fascinating Oulu Market Hall, Hollihaka Park, Oulu Cathedral, University of Oulu Botanical Gardens, and Oulu Automobile Museum.

Use this map to find the location of all top attractions in Oulu.

Discover the best things to do in Oulu.

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Oulu, Finland's culinary scene is a delightful blend of traditional dishes and innovative cuisine. The city offers an array of dining experiences ranging from street food markets to high-end restaurants. One of the best places to eat in Oulu is the Market Square, known for its food stalls serving freshly caught fish and reindeer sausages. For a more upscale experience, Sokeri-Jussin Kievari, situated in the idyllic Pikisaari district, offers traditional Finnish cuisine in a rustic setting. Here, you can savor dishes like slow-cooked elk, salmon soup, and berry pies. If you have a penchant for street food, Toripolliisi, a landmark statue in the city center, is surrounded by vendors selling local delicacies such as lihapiirakka, a savory meat pie. For the seafood lovers, the harbor area teems with restaurants serving mouth-watering Baltic herring and smoked salmon. Remember to wash it all down with a glass of local craft beer or Finnish spirits. Whether you're a foodie seeking gourmet experiences or a traveler looking to sample local flavors, Oulu's vibrant food scene will not disappoint.

Oulu, known for its modern fashion and unique local craftsmanship, offers a captivating shopping experience. The city's heart, Rotuaari, is the best place to go shopping in Oulu. This pedestrian street is lined with trendy boutiques, local design stores, and gourmet shops. You're likely to find unique clothing pieces by Finnish designers, handmade ceramics and glassware, and delicious local delicacies. For a more extensive shopping spree, head over to Valkea Shopping Centre, spanning two city blocks and housing over 60 stores, including international and Finnish brands. Isokatu, another popular shopping street, is home to a variety of shops selling everything from clothing and footwear to books and homewares. While in Oulu, don't miss out on the Kauppatori Market, where you can buy local produce, handmade crafts, and the must-have souvenir - traditional Finnish 'puukko' knives. Remember, most shops in Oulu open around 9 or 10 am and close between 6 and 8 pm, with shorter hours on weekends. Happy shopping!

The city of Oulu, located in northern Finland, offers an array of free activities for travelers looking to experience Nordic culture without breaking the bank. Begin your journey at the Oulu Market Square, a bustling hub of local life that hosts a variety of events, from food markets to music concerts. Don't miss the nearby Market Hall, where you can get a taste of local delicacies, even if you're just window shopping. Another must-visit is the Oulu City Library, a stunning architectural marvel, home to an array of books, art exhibitions, and a captivating children's section. For nature lovers, Ainolan Puisto is one of the best free things to do in Oulu. A picturesque park with beautiful gardens, walking trails, and a charming cafe, it's the perfect spot for a leisurely picnic. Lastly, take a stroll along the scenic riverside and admire the iconic Oulu Cathedral, a beautiful neoclassical church that dominates the city's skyline. With so many free experiences, Oulu promises a rich and fulfilling trip without demanding a hefty budget.

The most popular way to experience Oulu is by visiting the city as part of a road trip across multiple destinations in Finland. However, it is also common for travelers to go to Oulu on both shorter and longer getaways, to get a break from everyday life, relax, and experience something new.

With Guide to Europe you can find road trips, city breaks, and weekend getaways in Finland, ranging from budget to luxury. Whether you’re planning a multi-day road trip across Finland, or you just want to enjoy a few days exploring Oulu, there is a vacation package for you.

Discover the most popular vacation packages in Oulu below.

Travelers have a great selection of vacation packages to choose from in Finland. In fact, you can choose from as many as 106 different top-rated vacation packages to take you to Oulu, and even more if you expand your search to include a bigger area of Finland.

To help narrow your choices down, here are some of the best vacation packages for exploring the city of Oulu.

For an epic vacation, discover Oulu and other top destinations in Finland on a top-rated holiday like the 10-Day Finland Road Trip from Oulu to Seinäjoki, Tampere, Helsinki, and Kuopio. This vacation package provides travelers with tons of opportunities to experience not only the most popular attractions in Oulu, but also in other top places to visit in Finland. If Nallikari Beach, Hollihaka Park, University of Oulu Botanical Gardens, Oulu Market Hall, and Nallikari Lighthouse are on your bucket list, this is the perfect vacation package for you.

If you would like to go on a budget vacation in Oulu, book the popular Cheap 3-Day Finland City Break in Oulu and spend as little as 344 EUR. This vacation will take you on a journey to experience some of the most incredible attractions and sights in Oulu, including the fantastic Hollihaka Park, Nallikari Lighthouse, Nallikari Beach, and Oulu Market Hall.

Get more Oulu vacation ideas on this site and discover the greatest selection of vacation packages in Europe. Scroll down to find the best vacation packages in Finland that match your needs and budget.

Discover and compare 106 vacation packages that take you to the wonderful city of Oulu.

The best flights, hotels, and activities in Oulu get fully booked quickly. Use the search tool below to find the best vacation packages in Finland. Your customized holiday package to Oulu is only a few clicks away!

Over the years, more airlines have started offering flexible and direct flights to Oulu, making it one of the most accessible travel destinations in Finland. However, it is usually cheaper to fly to Oulu, Finland, in May.

The cheapest one-way flight to Oulu costs around 80 EUR and is offered by the airline Finnair.

The cheapest round-trip flights to Oulu cost approximately 53 EUR in total. The departure flight leaves on July 14 and the return flight is scheduled on July 14. The flight time is around 1 hour per way.

The return flight is operated by Helsinki.

Use the search tool below to find the cheapest flights to Finland and the city of Oulu from your city of departure.

Travelers visiting Oulu in Finland can fly to Oulu airport directly from 1471 destinations worldwide.

The three most popular routes to Oulu airport and the city of Oulu in Finland depart from Oulu airport in Oulu, Finland, Cochin International airport in Kochi, India, and Albany airport in Albany, Australia.

Travelers can fly to Finland by choosing from from 1 weekly flight(s) from Oulu; from 4 weekly flight(s) from Kochi; and from 1 weekly flight(s) from Albany.

The airline that operates most flights to Finland is Cambodia Airways. Cambodia Airways offers 1 scheduled flight routes to Finland.

Discover the most popular flights to Oulu below. Click to view flights to Oulu, Finland from destinations all across the globe.

A trip to the fascinating Oulu, Finland, means opportunities to relax at any of the 5 different types of places to stay in the city. Overall, travelers can choose from the following: 61 vacation rental apartments, 51 hotels, 12 cottages, 1 guesthouse and 1 resort. While each type offers varying amenities and rates, there is no denying that Oulu provides a great selection of lodging options ready to cater to every kind of guest.

Among all these choices available in the city, Lapland Hotels Oulu is one of the top picks of travelers in Oulu.

The hotel is located at Kirkkokatu 3 and boasts many great utilities, including 24-hour front desk, Air conditioning, and Bar.

Budget accommodations are also incredibly popular among travelers in Oulu. Cheaper alternatives allow travelers to save on accommodation costs and have more to spend on other experiences.

In Oulu, travelers looking for an economical yet top-rated place to stay usually choose Design Guesthouse Laanila. For approximately 71 EUR, guests can book a comfortable Unknown at this popular vacation rental apartment.

Below is a list of all 5 different types of places to stay in Oulu. Select the type you prefer to compare options under each category and find the best accommodation.

Hotels are travelers' go-to accommodations in Oulu for the unique experience they provide. So if you're the kind of traveler who prefers staying at hotels, you'll be glad to know that the city is home to around 126 hotels.

Besides offering basic amenities, many hotels in Oulu provide meals and extras, such as shuttle services, spa facilities, tour desks, and other services. But because not all hotels in Oulu are created equal, finding the best in the city often requires careful research. For your convenience, we've done all the research to make it easier for you to check out all the top hotels in Oulu.

If comfort, convenience, and affordability are your non-negotiables, check out Lapland Hotels Oulu, the top 4-star hotel in the city. When all you need is a pleasant place to rest and sleep in between your activities in Oulu, the highest-rated 3-star hotel, BEST WESTERN Hotel Samantta, is for you.

Below is our hand-picked list of the best hotels in the Oulu. Travelers are encouraged to book early as these hotels quickly reach capacity.

Click the arrows or swipe the list to see each hotel's ratings, reviews, locations, rates, and more. You can read detailed descriptions of each hotel by clicking the cards.

Use the Accommodation Search tool below to find available stays in the city of Oulu on specific dates. This handy feature also allows you to compare prices and amenities.

Enter the preferred check-in and check-out dates. Then, select the number of guests and rooms. Click the Search button to find all the available hotels and places to stay in the city of Oulu that match the information provided.

Discover and choose from our broad range of popular car rental options in the city of Oulu to find the best car for your travel plans. Travelers in Oulu can choose from small cars, medium cars, large cars, estate cars, mini vans, SUVs, convertibles, premium cars, camper vans, mini campers, vans, cars. All car rentals come with CDW insurance for added protection throughout your trip.

Renting a car is a popular choice among travelers who want to explore Finland at their own pace. The most popular type of car rental among small groups of travelers in Oulu is a TopLevel.

Another very popular type of car to rent in Oulu is a TopLevel. This car is particularly popular among couples and solo travelers touring the city of Oulu.

Check out all options available in Oulu and book the car rental for your upcoming adventures in Finland below.

Get ready to hit the road and explore the beautiful city of Oulu. Find the best deals on a variety of popular car rentals in Oulu, Finland, or any other destination in Europe by using the search tool below.

Enter your pick-up and drop-off location, driver's age, and dates. Click the green button to view your options.

When unsure of where to go next, use the map below. This map shows the locations of all the best destinations in Finland. Use the map to plan your trip and find the best routes.

Travelers in Finland can catch flights to domestic airports in Ivalo, Helsinki, Vaasa, Turku, and Tampere. Domestic flights in Finland are operated by 1 airline: Finnair. There are around 7 scheduled flight routes operating to Oulu on a weekly basis.

From Oulu, travelers can book scheduled flights to 7 domestic destinations.

Traveling to another city or region in Finland? Use the flight search tool below to quickly find the cheapest one-way or round-trip flights from Oulu to different local destinations.

Enter all the necessary information and click or tap on the Search button to see a list of the available domestic flights in Finland on the selected dates.