It was a big decision for my family and I to leave Australia for just below the Arctic Circle. Although we had read-up on Oulu, experiencing sub-zero temperatures and three hours of daylight for the first time had us wondering if we had made a good call.
Just over 12 months later we are leaving having had the time of our lives. It’s a lovely place to spend a year or longer.
The key to getting the most out of your stay is finding out about all the city has to offer. Talking to locals is the best way to learn and the tourist information office is also a big help.
First though, read my Oulu Top 10.
1. Buy a bike.
Or hire one if you’re only here for a short while. The bus company runs a good service but it’s not cheap. Some say Oulu is the most bike-friendly city in Finland. That’s not hard to believe with hundreds of kilometres of well-lit tracks that are kept clear of snow. It’s the best way to get fit and get around.
2. Kahvia and Pulla
Coffee with the traditional sweet bun is part of Finns’ daily ritual - best enjoyed in one of the city’s many cafes where the choice of pullas and cakes has to be seen to be believed. Coffee shops – particularly those in and around Rotuaari - are also where a lot of Oulu’s business gets done making them great places to observe the currents and characters that make up the place.
3. Oulun Kaupunki Kirjasto (Library)
I have read that Finns borrow more books than any one else in the world. They certainly invest in top quality libraries. Oulu’s is located down by the market square. It boasts a great kids’ section with plenty of books in Finnish and English. From the spacious periodical reading room to the expansive music library, it’s all good. Definitely worth a visit . . . and joining is easy.
If you’re a fan of libraries you should also check out the Lapland library in Rovaniemi designed by Finland’s greatest architect, Alvar Aalto. It’s special.
Kaarlenväylä 3 PL 15 90015
4. Bike Ride to Nallikari
This is one of the most wonderful bike rides or walks you can do. Starting at the market square and crossing the bridge next to the library, you can experience some of Oulu’s beautiful scenery cycling on the best bike tracks in Finland. At the end you’ll find Nallikari with a nice beach and great playground for the kids.
5. A swim and sauna at Raksila Uimahalli (Swimming Pool)
This is probably my favourite Oulu pastime. While here I used it everyday and felt the benefits. Oulu makes keeping fit easy with some great facilities. Uimahalli has an Olympic sized pool as well as four others for babies, children, hydrotherapy and walking. And a water slide! The changing rooms are top class with three saunas. First timers note: all are communal. The complex also has a gym, cafe and sports rooms.
Pikkukankaantie 3, 90100 Oulu 08-558 48100. Open every day.
6. Attend Vappu Celebrations on May Day
Vappu is the traditional celebration for workers and students but as it also marks the coming of spring, it is the year’s biggest holiday. This is a great opportunity to see Oulu on parade: Students in bright overalls running amok, the unions carrying their banners through town, a ride past of motorcycles, vintage cars, the Northern Lights cheerleaders and much more. The city centre is thronged as everyone gets into the spirit.
7. Summer swimming at Lämsänjärvi
Finland is a land of lakes and Oulu has its share dotted around the suburbs. Tucked away in Oulunsuu is this little gem of a swimming hole. The water is warmer than the river and clearer than Nailikari - a lovely wooded setting too. If you’ve nothing to do on a summer’s day, hop on your bike for a leisurely ride over and while away a couple of hours.
8. Hailuoto Island
This tranquil getaway spot is 20 kilometres and a world away from Oulu. Get there by ferry or, weather permitting, drive across the ice. A bus service also runs from the terminal next to the train station. Hailuoto has an old-time, rural pace of life, expansive sandy beaches and plenty of hiking/skiing trails. The far side of the island is home to a campsite, fishing village and lighthouse. Well worth a look.
9. Autumn in Rovaniemi
Lapland’s largest town is usually associated with Christmas trips to Santa. Head up a few months earlier though and you will experience the true beauty of Finland in autumn. A trip up the river in the afternoon light is a good way to take it all in, especially if the sky is clear and you get a long, slow sunset. Cross the Arctic Circle and have your photo taken with Santa but also make sure to check out the very impressive Arktikum museum.
10. Keep Reading 65 Degrees North
There’s a lot going on in Oulu but until you learn a bit of Finnish you could miss most of it. This site is your best source for regular English language news and information. We’d have been lost without it. Kiitos. Hei Hei!
