Oulu is one of the largest cities in Finland. It has long been an important industrial center, specializing in advanced electronic technologies and laboratory industries. The population of Oulu is approximately 215,000. Like many other Finnish cities, Oulu’s old buildings were almost entirely destroyed by fire (1822). The city was rebuilt according to the design of architect Carl Ludvig Engel.
One of Oulu’s symbols is the neo-Renaissance City Hall from 1885, designed by Swedish architect Johan Erik Stenberg as a restaurant and luxury hotel called Seurahuone. In 2024, it was reopened after a three-year renovation.
Another landmark worth seeing is the historic Market Hall (Oulun kauppahalli), opened in 1901. The hall is rather small for a city of this size, but inside visitors can spend time in one of the cozy eateries, buy souvenirs, or purchase local products. From the hall, it is easy to walk to the most interesting places in the city center – Main Square and the Rotuaari pedestrian zone – leading to the waterfront of the Oulujoki River. The Cathedral (Tuomiokirkko) stands out in contrast with the modern architecture around it.
The Tietomaa Science Centre is very popular, with numerous gadgets and interactive exhibitions. However, the exhibits are aimed mainly at children.
At the time of writing, the city’s most important museum — the Northern Ostrobothnia Museum — was closed to visitors. Nearby lies another interesting institution, the Oulu Art Museum (Oulun taidemuseo), with an impressive collection of Finnish and international art.
On the outskirts of the city is the Oulu Automobile Museum (Oulun Automuseo). Its large hall displays cars from around the world, as well as bicycles, motorcycles, tractors, and other machines.
Oulu is also known for its well-maintained parks and green areas. A few hours can be pleasantly spent at the University Botanical Gardens (Oulun yliopiston kasvitieteellinen puutarha).
About 14 kilometers southeast of the city, on a small river island, lies the Turkansaari Open-Air Museum (Turkansaaren ulkomuseo).
Trains running between Helsinki and Rovaniemi stop in Oulu.
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Train travel in Finland – a comprehensive guide
