Gay Turku City Guide

Welcome to Turku 

Nicknamed "Little Paris of the North," Turku is Finland's oldest city and former capital located on the southwest coast. With its vibrant food scene, trendy cafes, Scandinavian architecture and scenic riverside location, Turku has emerged as a hip and gay-friendly destination.

Gay Rights & Social Climate 

Same-sex marriage has been legal in Finland since 2017 and discrimination protections include sexual orientation and gender identity. While conservative views do persist outside urban areas, Turku and other major cities have largely progressive attitudes. Violence or harassment are rare and Turku provides a safe environment for gay visitors.

How to get to Turku 

By Air 

Turku International Airport provides direct flights from Stockholm, Riga, Gdansk, and during summer, from Rome. Convenient connections are available via SAS through their Stockholm hub or with airBaltic via their Riga hub. The airport is conveniently located only 8 kilometres from the city centre, known for its efficient service and accessibility. If coming from Helsinki, you can utilize flight connections from Helsinki-Vantaa airport, which is approximately a 2.5-hour bus ride from Turku.

By Train 

The Finnish rail network connects Turku to various cities within Finland. Popular routes include Helsinki to Turku, offering a comfortable and swift journey of just under two hours. The city centre is conveniently close to Turku Central Railway Station and Bus Terminal. For detailed travel planning, use the Matkahuolto route planner to explore various options. Train departures and tickets are available and bookable on vr.fi.

By Bus 

For bus travel, ExpressBus and other providers offer efficient routes to Turku from Helsinki and Helsinki Airport. The travel time is generally less than three hours, making it a practical option for reaching Turku. The bus terminal is located conveniently close to the city centre, ensuring ease of access upon arrival in Turku.

By Ferry 

Ferries offer a scenic and comfortable way to travel to Turku from Sweden. Silja Line and Viking Line operate daily ferries from Stockholm and Kapellskär in Sweden to Turku, with a stop in the Åland Islands. The journey from Stockholm typically takes around 11 hours and features entertainment, tax-free shopping, and dining.

The port in Turku is conveniently located only 3 kilometres from the city centre. Additionally, Finnlines offers a faster 8-hour ferry connection between Kapellskär and Naantali, which is about 15 km from Turku. Notably, Finnlines has introduced a new vessel on this route and now accommodates passengers without vehicles as well

Whether arriving by air, land or sea, Turku's transportation infrastructure makes this coastal city easily accessible to travellers. Consider options, routes, and budget when planning your visit.

Gay Accommodation in Turku

Turku offers a variety of welcoming places for LGBTQ visitors to stay, ranging from intimate boutique hotels to stylish, contemporary lodgings. Find our full list of hotels in Turku here!

Solo Sokos Hotel Turun Seurahuone 

After a full renovation in 2019, this 1920s art deco boutique hotel seamlessly pairs its preserved character with chic, contemporary rooms. Nestled in the city centre just steps from the riverfront, the location provides easy access to Turku’s top shops, cafes and sites. Guests rave about the gracious service.

Radisson Blu Marina Palace 

Overlooking the Aura River Harbor, this Radisson outpost puts guests steps from top sites like Turku Castle and Market Square. Stylish rooms, first-rate service and riverfront views have made this landmark hotel a go-to choice for travellers since 1974.

Hotel Hyppeis 

A short ferry journey from the mainland, Hotel Hyppeis is a haven of serenity and charm. This boutique hotel offers six elegantly decorated rooms, each reflecting the local archipelago traditions. Guests are treated to a blend of romantic vintage decor and sea views, complemented by modern comforts like en suite bathrooms. The hotel's culinary delights are a highlight, with a seasonal menu of fresh, locally-sourced ingredients served in the picturesque seaside restaurant.

Original Sokos Hotel Wiklund 

The recently refurbished Original Sokos Hotel Wiklund is a gem for those seeking both excitement and comfort. Positioned beside the city's lively market square, it's an ideal base for exploring. The hotel is renowned for its warm, friendly service and boasts an array of facilities including vibrant restaurants with outdoor seating, indulgent spa treatments, innovative meeting spaces, and superb shopping opportunities.

Restaurants & Nightlife 

From trendy cafes to Michelin-starred destinations, Turku’s dining scene balances creativity with locally-sourced ingredients. Nightlife ranges from drag clubs to chill wine bars for any mood.

Restaurants 

Vegetarian & Vegan 

Turku excels with veg-focused eateries started by female entrepreneurs like Restaurant Kuori and Roots Kitchen. Kuori impresses guests with vibrant pan-Asian flavours, while Roots Kitchen serves colourful veggie fare inside the 1896 Turku Market Hall.

Fine Dining 

Tucked into heritage buildings overlooking the river, Smör and E. Ekblom stand out as two of Turku's top tables. At E. Ekblom, the weekly changing menus give you a taste of the region's bounty in new combinations - whatever's freshest from land and sea ends up as the star. Seafood also shines at Smör, where Nordic flavours and local catches are prepared with creativity worthy of the restaurant's recent Michelin Guide nod. Despite the accolades, it retains a welcoming vibe. Both spots serve up not just expertly crafted dishes, but an overall experience blending tradition with culinary art. After an evening enjoying their seasonal specialties and river views, you leave feeling you've truly dined at the heart of historic Turku.

Italian Classics 

No visit to Turku is complete without Italian fare, with Panini being a long-time local favourite on Linnankatu. This lively trattoria serves homemade pastas and wood-fired pizzas with a cosy, welcoming atmosphere.

Cafes & Casual 

For more casual vibes, visitors can grab lunch along the Aura River at Restaurant Bruukki, set inside a former steel factory. The industrial-chic space features changing weekday lunch specials.

Nightlife 

Clubs & Bars 

When the sun goes down in Turku, a whole new side of the city comes alive. Dance the night away with locals at Dynamo nightclub, which keeps the fun going with themed event nights and guest DJs that get everyone moving. Bar Ö keeps it casual with good drinks and laughs in a buzzy pub atmosphere, while Suxes promises an adventurous night. For a more cosy vibe, make your way to Ullakko Bar with a lively mix of students and young professionals or belly up to the bar at KBC Taproom to chat over their epic craft beer list. With options spanning lively to laid back, Turku really lets its hair down after sunset. You're sure to find the flavour that fits your mood.

Culture & Activities 

Beyond clubs and cafes, Turku boasts major cultural draws like the medieval Turku Castle, contemporary art museums, and the annual Medieval Market. Nature lovers enjoy the easy day trip ferries to the Turku Archipelago, with quaint fishing villages, seascapes and outdoor recreation options. Guided tours like biking or kayaking let visitors fully immerse themselves in the Nordic surroundings.

From its historic sights and charming riverside location to its thriving food and design scenes, Turku offers something to delight every gay traveller. This "Little Paris of the North" balances rich cultural traditions like Turku Castle and Scandinavian design with energetic new developments transforming the city.

Turku rolls out the welcome mat for LGBTQ travellers, thanks to progressive laws and a proud, thriving community. Rest your head at design-forward hotels like Solo Sokos Hotel Turun Seurahuone where the service is as slick as the decor. Out on the town, creative Nordic flavours rule at restaurants helmed by up-and-coming chefs. As the sun sets, make your way to the pulsing dance floor at the local gay club or grab a uniquely-crafted cocktail at any number of hot new bars—no matter where the night takes you, the atmosphere is lively and warm.

During summer months, the quick ferry connection to Turku’s nearby archipelago allows easy escapes to fishing villages, nature trails and open seascapes when seeking some reprieve. But visitors will surely be drawn back to stroll Turku’s vibrant downtown streets along the Aura River or get lost amid the nooks and cafes of this charming, inclusive city. From food to nightlife and beyond, Turku truly offers something to delight every taste.