Welcome to Oulu, a relaxed northern city by the sea! Oulu is historically known as the tar-head city of the world and a bustling maritime centre. Today, Oulu is a vibrant university and technology city, and the winter cycling capital of the world, where no one is ever in a hurry to get anywhere. Oulu is a place for creativity and new experiences: in summer, air guitars are played on Rotuaar for world peace, and in winter, art and music are celebrated on the frozen sea. Oulu is also the future European Capital of Culture 2026, so come and fall in love with Oulu with us!
Tuukkonää to Oulu?
Oulu is the European Capital of Culture 2026 - see the already published programme here!
World-class experiences from near, far and everywhere in between. Welcome to an inspiring celebration of Northern and European culture! Check out the Oulu2026 programme published so far and choose your favourites.
Find out more about the programme
What can you do and experience in Oulu? Find your experiences conveniently in the online shop!
Fatbike tours and bike rentals, guided safaris, excursions, activities and other experiences are now conveniently available in the Visit Oulu online shop! Whether you want to rent equipment for your adventure in Oulu on your own or join a guided tour with a guide, you can book your preferred experiences in advance through our online shop. Here you can also find gift ideas for your loved one or friend: how about a gift voucher for Oulu experiences or a forest hike with alpacas?
Go to the online shopIn Oulu with kids - Top 7 experiences for families
Oulu is full of fun and varied activities for families with children. The city offers charming amusement park rides, water games, fountains, indoor sports and adventures in the treetops. There are also puzzle-solving adventure games to bring families together for excitement and fun challenges. Oulu is the perfect destination for families with children - whatever the weather. Read below for the best tips for a successful day out!
Read moreOulu Autumn 2025 - 9 tips: experience these events, experiences and nature spots in Oulu this autumn!
Autumn in Oulu spoils nature and culture lovers! This coming autumn, Oulu will be the place to enjoy art, theatre and cultural events. Local nature areas offer a variety of activities from hiking to mountain biking and canoeing, and there are plenty of fun things to do and experience with children! In this article you will find a collection of event and cultural tips, autumn nature activities and autumn holiday tips for Oulu with children.
Autumn tipsOulu is full of original events - how about it?
Events in Oulu are like Ouluans themselves: authentic, creative, community-based, approachable and sometimes a little strange. The weirdness just makes it prettier! Oulu is a vibrant city of events, where something is happening almost every day. From food and art events to concerts, light festivals and the world-famous annual World Air Guitar Competition. Are you into music, sport or culture - in other words: a little bit of fun?
See the events calendarBest restaurants in Oulu 2025 - check out these 11 popular restaurants
Oulu's restaurants offer pure northern ingredients, international flavours and a relaxed atmosphere. In 2025, Oulu's eateries will charm foodies with the best flavours of the season, inventive dishes and high-quality ensembles. Whether you're looking for a romantic dinner, a vegetarian restaurant or an uncomplicated lunch, Oulu's best restaurants offer options for every taste. Use this list as inspiration when looking for new restaurant experiences in Oulu.
See tipsDiscover your own nature - experience northern nature at its best
Oulu is a nature lover's paradise, surrounded by forest and sea. The Oulu River Delta and Koitelinkosket, marine nature trails, the Sanginjoki Nature Reserve and the ever-popular Pilpasuo are all within easy reach of the city centre. The peace and beauty of Oulu's nearby nature is fascinating in all seasons, and in addition to hiking trails, there are also guided sliding cable car tours and snorkelling safaris!
See moreBy train to the North: Oulu awaits!
By train, you can instantly find yourself in the peace and quiet of the North. Here are a few tips for a pleasant train journey towards Oulu, where northern nature and culture meet.
Train tips to Oulu!
We have more than just the Toripolliisi! That's why we are the European Capital of Culture 2026
The Toripolliisi and that one particular graffiti... This is how Oulu is usually remembered! Maybe you've heard of the p*ska kaupunni graffiti that keeps reappearing on the same wall in the centre of Oulu? But in recent years, the story of the graffiti - and perhaps the city as a whole - has changed: when it appears on the wall, the words are added after the eagle's nest: "MY BEST BELOVED CITY". This review has a crooked rear end! We are (at least in our opinion) the BEST and LOVELiest city, but also quite creative by European standards! Indeed, Oulu's creativity has bubbled up in the city's waters with such a tremendous force that it has made us the European Capital of Culture 2026.
Read moreDarling, you will take good care of me, won't you? Best regards. Your only Earth Balloon
We've put together five tips on how to make your trip to Oulu more sustainable and responsible.
Travel responsibly in Oulu and on the Nordic ring road
On a day trip from Oulu? From the Nordic ring road you will find landscapes from the archipelago to the fells!
On the Nordic ring road you can experience the whole of Finland in miniature! Along the same route you will find the sea, archipelago and pale sandy beaches, forests, lakes and fells, small fishing villages, rural villages and hidden gems of Finland with their restaurants, attractions and events. Hike in Syötte, Rokua and Perämeri National Parks, sail on an icebreaker in Kemi, experience the unique Hailuoto and wander the streets of history in Wanhua Raahe and Ii Wanhua Hamina. These are just a few examples of the numerous destinations on the Nordic Ring Road, which are enjoyed by nature lovers, pleasure seekers, cultural holidaymakers and families with children alike!
The Nordic ring gaugeVisit Oulu Brand Store
Ookkonää from Oulu? Pelekääkkönää from Poland? Alakkonää us? Tuukkonää to visit?
Oulu can seem like a distant, strange place. Here you spray graffiti on walls, put mayonnaise on pizza and add extra letters to words.
In Oulu, life is enjoyed with fun and joy, even if it's always windy. We in Oulu know how to make the most of the harsh conditions in the north and offer the same to visitors. You have to experience it!
Dress up Oulu and address your love for this crazy city!
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