Southwest Finland: Archipelago and Culture

Southwest Finland offers a range of travel interests: the archipelago and island nature, historic sites in Turku, and the functionalist architecture of Paimio. When planning your trip, you can first decide whether you want to focus on water and nature, culture or architecture.

Archipelago and island nature

The landscape of the Archipelago Sea region is characterized by shallow, labyrinthine sea areas, rocky skerries, forested islands and open stretches of water. This combination makes the maritime landscape a travel-planning theme in its own right: islands and expanses of water sit alongside forested and open landscapes. If you are especially interested in island nature, Seili offers a specific place to start.

Seili can only be reached by boat, so getting there by boat is part of planning a visit. On the island, a 1.7-kilometre nature trail passes through herb-rich forests, valuable cultural landscapes and rugged coniferous forests. The route is described not only by its length but also by its varied landscape types. It is a good option for a stay focused on island nature and a walk; actual access arrangements may change.

Turku: history and museums

Turku brings together several historic landmarks. Turku Castle has stood on the Aura River since the 1280s. During the time of Duke Juhana, it became a setting for court life. The castle thus combines a prominent riverside location with a history that includes life at court in earlier times.

Turku Cathedral also holds a special place: it is Finland’s national shrine. The cathedral is closed for renovations from February 9, 2026, to December 2, 2028. The Cathedral Museum in the cathedral’s south gallery traces its history back to the early 14th century. If you plan to visit the cathedral itself, it is important to take these closure dates into account.

Aboa Vetus Ars Nova is part of Turku’s museum and art scene. In the Luostarinmäki museum district, themed guided tours explore the history of Luostarinmäki. These offerings have different emphases: Aboa Vetus Ars Nova represents the museum and art scene, while the tours in Luostarinmäki focus on the district’s history.

Architecture in Paimio

The Paimio Sanatorium was designed by Aino and Alvar Aalto and built in 1933. A functionalist architectural complex, it was set in a pine forest. Visitors interested in architecture can consider the design, year of construction and setting in the landscape together, rather than taking away just a single stylistic label.

The grounds of the sanatorium are free to explore. There is also an architecture trail featuring QR-code information and additional facts about the building. Since actual access arrangements may change, check the latest visitor information before your visit. This makes it possible to plan a visit around the sanatorium’s architecture without assuming that the interior will be open to visitors.

Choose a focus for your trip

The places mentioned offer different starting points for choosing a focus for your trip: Turku is known for its castle, cathedral and museums, Paimio for functionalist architecture, and Seili for island nature. When looking for a hotel in Southwest Finland, consider which of these interests you want to shape your trip. Ferries to Turku run daily from Stockholm. The terminals are close to the city centre and connected to public transport. Since schedules and operators may change, check the latest departures before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Kaarina, Somerniemi, Yläne, Lieto, Pöytyä, Kimitoön, Turku, Naantali, Uusikaupunki, Nagu, Merimasku, Dragsfjärd, Somero, Västanfjärd, Loimaa, Pargas, Salo, Harjattula, Raisio, Kustavi, Härkälä, Rymättylä, Koski, Uro, Korppoo, Askainen, Taivassalo, Sauvo, Kiviniemi, Perniö, Marttila, Laitila, Mynämäki, Masku.