Turku Museums and Art Galleries

(Turku, Finland Proper, Finland)



Picture of central museumMany quality cultural venues are to be found within Turku and these come in the form of museums, theatres, art galleries and concert halls, where the city's celebrated philharmonic orchestra regularly performs. The Luostarinmäki Handicrafts Museum, the Turku Art Museum and the Wäinö Aaltonen are amongst the best and filled with interesting exhibits well worth checking out.

The two popular attractions that are the Aboa Vetus and Ars Nova Museums can be found within central Turku and actually occupy the same building, which is why they tend to be grouped together. Also try to make time to visit the boats and maritime exhibits at the Forum Marimum, and the huge collection of musical instruments at the Sibelius, where regular concerts are staged.


Photo showing the Sibelius Museum

Sibelius Museum

Address: Piispankatu 17, Turku, Finland, FI
Tel: +358 02 215 4494
Close to Turku Cathedral and within the city centre, the Sibelius Museum is home to almost 400 different musical instruments, which have been gathered from all over the planet. The building itself is a notable local landmark and dates from the 1960s, with other highlights including a host of memorabilia from Finland's celebrated composer, Johan Julius Christian 'Jean' Sibelius (1865 - 1957). This is by far the largest museum devoted to music in the whole of Finland and not only can you listen to recorded music here, but you can also attend classical music concerts on Wednesday evenings, held from September to May and also less frequently during the summer.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 11:00 to 16:00, Wednesday - 11:00 to 15:00 and 18:00 to 20:00
Admission: charge

Luostarinmäen Käsityöläismuseo (Luostarinmäki Handicrafts Museum / Cloister Hill)

Address: Kalastajankatu 4, Turku, FI-20101, Finland, FI
Tel: +358 02 262 0111
Just one of the many highlights within Turku, the award-winning Luostarinmäki Handicrafts Museum is actually an open-air attraction and transports visitors back some 200 years, as they explore more than 30 different workshops and historic buildings. Many wooden houses and structures remain here, having survived the city's Great Fire of 1827. In the summer, you can expect to find a variety of craftspeople working here each day, with their actual creations being sold within the museum shop. Guided tours of the Luostarinmäen Käsityöläismuseo are available not only in Finnish, but also in Swedish and English.
Open hours: April to September, daily - 10:00 to 18:00; October to March, Tuesday to Sunday - 10:00 to 15:00
Admission: charge, discounts for children, students, seniors and families

Turun Taidemuseo (Turku Art Museum)

Address: Aurakatu 26, Turku, Finland, FI
Tel: +358 02 262 7100
The Turku Art Museum has recently been reopened and is housed within a particularly imposing granite building, with grand pilasters and a number of rather splendid conical turrets. Many of the actual art works originate from the 19th and 20th centuries, with a large number of the pieces being the direct result of the rather influential Finnish art movement from Turku School. A number of the paintings depict famous scenes from across Finland, with notable Finnish artists including Emil Rautala, Ilmara Kaijala, Jussi Mäntynen and Victor Westerholm.
Open hours: Tuesday to Friday - 11:00 to 19:00, Saturday and Sunday - 11:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, concessions available

Wäinö Aaltonen Museo (Wäinö Aaltonen Museum of Art - WAM)

Address: Itäinen Rantakatu 38, Turku, FI-20810 , Finland, FI
Tel: +358 02 262 0850
Often referred to as the Turku City Art Museum, the Wäinö Aaltonen Museum of Art stands in the city centre and alongside the Aura River, where it has stood for more than 40 years. Named after the acclaimed local sculptor and artist Wäinö Aaltonen (1894 - 1966) who lived in Turku and actually designed this museum just before his death, this museum is hard to miss, being a white, modernist box-like building. Dedicated to all aspects of modern art, the Wäinö Aaltonen Museo is home to an excellent permanent collection owned by the city, with many pieces from Finland and all over the world, including a number created by Wäinö Aaltonen himself. For refreshments, head to the Café Wäinö, while for souvenirs, prints and arty postcards, the Wäinön Valinta gift shop is on hand.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 11:00 to 19:00
Admission: charge, free for children under 16 years old

Aboa Vetus and Ars Nova Museums

Address: Itäinen Rantakatu 4-6, Turku, Finland, FI
Tel: +358 02 250 0552
The Ars Nova is a gallery specialising in contemporary art works and features pieces by many visiting artists, with its highlight being the Turku Biennaali, a large summer art event staged here in odd years. Something quite different is the Aboa Vetus, which is a truly engaging museum of archaeology, where you actually descend into the excavated remains of the city. The Aboa Vetus is highly suitable for children, with various activities and a good commentary. Guided tours in English take place at 11:30 during the months of July and August.
Open hours: April to September, daily - 11:00 to 19:00; October to March, Tuesday to Sunday - 11:00 to 19:00
Admission: charge

Forum Marimum (Maritime Museum)

Address: Linnankatu 72, Turku, Finland, FI
Tel: +358 02 280 9511
This great Maritime Museum stands just back from the Aura River, where it is close to the city's castle. Inside, the permanent and extensive collection is to be found within an old granary and concentrates of various aspects of the shipping industry. Highlights include highly detailed models of ships, a number of full-size boats and vessels, and even torpedoes from the Second World War. Within the foyer of the Forum Marimum you will find a good cafe, while outside and moored close by in the river are four museum ships, all of which can be explored for just a small additional charge. The Suomen Joutsen (Swan of Finland) is a particular favourite for many and dates from 1902.
Open hours: May to September, daily - 11:00 to 19:00; October to April, Tuesday to Sunday - 10:00 to 18:00
Admission: charge