Oulu through local eyes: Kati's tips for the 2026 European Capital of Culture

Founded in 1605, Oulu is one of Finland's oldest cities, and in the 19th century it was one of the world's largest tar-exporting ports. In 2026, Oulu and 39 surrounding municipalities hold the title of European Capital of Culture, with a programme that runs until the end of the year.

Kati, Category Manager, Indirect Procurement at Finnair, grew up in Oulu. She moved away years ago but still visits regularly. “In Oulu, the city, culture and nature sit close together,” she says. Here are her tips.

Start at the Market Square and Market Hall

Kati's tour with a first-time visitor starts at the Market Square by the river mouth. The Market Hall, opened in 1901, sells seasonal local food and traditional dishes from salmon soup to rössypottu, an Oulu classic made of potatoes, pork and black pudding. Outside the hall stands the Toripolliisi statue, the market policeman, and many visitors stop for a photo with him. The old wooden storehouses along the waterfront now house restaurants, cafés and small boutiques.

“I'd recommend trying Bothnian Bay vendace, called maiva here, and of course rössypottu if it's on the menu,” Kati says. “Local food tells you about the nature and history of the region.” For a souvenir, she would buy tar chocolate, which brings together Oulu's tar history and a local flavour. She looks for gifts at the Market Hall or from the craft and design makers in Pikisaari.

Pikisaari: wooden houses, art and lunch

A footbridge leads from the Market Square to Pikisaari, Kati's favourite place in Oulu. “Pikisaari is a creative, historic island right next to the city centre,” she says. Its wooden and brick houses date from the 18th and 19th centuries.

The island is home to the Vanha Villatehdas cultural centre in a former wool factory, the Sailor's Home Museum and the Proto design centre. Each summer, the Pikinen Poloku environmental art path circles the island's shores with around 20 artworks along a route of less than a kilometre; in 2026 it was part of the Oulu2026 programme.

For coffee or lunch, Kati picks one of Pikisaari's restaurants or cafés, such as Sokeri-Jussin Kievari in an old log building. “It's an easy walk from the centre, and you can take in the wooden houses, art and local culture while you eat.”

Cycle the delta shore routes

Oulu is flat and well suited to cycling, and Kati thinks the city is best explored by bike. “On a good summer day, I'd cycle the shore routes of the river delta, via the Market Square, Pikisaari and Ainola Park, and stop for coffee or lunch on the way.” Bikes can be rented in the city centre.

Nallikari: a sandy beach and sunsets

From Pikisaari, the route continues to Hietasaari and Nallikari, a kilometre-long sandy beach sometimes called the Riviera of the North. The beach has volleyball courts, outdoor gym equipment and a large climbing frame. What draws Kati here are the long beach, the sea views and the sunsets, which you can also watch from the observation deck of the Nallikari lighthouse.

Ainola Park in summer and winter

Hupisaaret city park, known locally as Ainola Park (Ainolanpuisto), begins a few steps north of the centre. Streams divide it into small islands linked by white wooden bridges, the first of which were built in the 1860s. “In summer, Ainola Park is a green oasis where the streams, white bridges, fountains and flower beds make a walk or a picnic especially pleasant,” Kati says. In autumn, you can see the leaves turn right next to the city centre.

In winter, she would start at the Oulu Museum of Art on the edge of the park and then walk into the snowy park and along the river delta. The playground is open year-round. “If you dress warmly, Oulu is a fine place in the dark too. Snow, ice and city lights make familiar views look completely different.”

The view from the Linnansaari observatory tower

Kati's pick for a view is the Tähtitorni observatory tower on Linnansaari island beside the Merikoski rapids. Completed in 1875 on the foundations of Oulu Castle, it served as a navigation school's observatory and has been a summer café since 1912. From the tower you see the city centre, Merikoski and across to Pikisaari.

Tiima opens in October 2026

Kati is looking forward to Tiima, a new museum and science centre opening in October 2026 in a former tannery in Myllytulli. Under one roof, it brings together the Tietomaa science centre, the Oulu Museum, a children's museum and the immersive Visio experience space. Exhibitions cover Oulu's history, northern nature, the northern lights and metal music, and the old factory's water tower serves as an observation tower. “Many people are surprised by how close nature is to the centre and how varied a cultural city Oulu is,” Kati says.

A day trip to Hailuoto

With more time and a car, Kati recommends a trip to Hailuoto, the largest island in the Bothnian Bay and one of Finland's national landscapes, home to around a thousand people. Since 29 June 2026, a fixed road connection of 8.4 kilometres, a causeway and two bridges, has replaced the ferry. “When I was young, I remember waiting in the ferry queue for ages in pouring rain on a motorbike,” Kati says. On the island, visit the Marjaniemi lighthouse, in use for more than 150 years and open for climbs in the summer season, and the old fishing village, then walk the sandy beach and dunes.

When to visit Oulu

“It's worth coming to Oulu in different seasons, because the city looks different in each,” Kati says. Summer is for cycling, islands and beaches; autumn brings colour to the parks; and in winter, snow, ice, darkness and the cultural venues give the city a mood of its own.

The most common misconception, she says, is that Oulu is just a cold technology city far in the north. “In reality it's green, maritime and culturally varied. Come with an open mind and look at the city with fresh eyes.”

Finnair flies to Oulu from Helsinki, and the flight takes about an hour.