Turku Archipelago Cycling Holiday

Head to southwest Finland for an island hopping cycling holiday through the Turku archipelago. Travel by ferry between pristine small islands, riding to idyllic villages and staying in some amazing locations in a corner of Finland well known by locals but still very much off the beaten track for mainstream tourism.

Starting from bustling Turku on the mainland, you’ll ride south-west out of the city using the network of excellent cycle lanes. A short short ferry ride brings you to the quiet little island of Nauvo where you spend the night.

Turku Archipelago Cycling HolidayShort ferry crossings separate the islands

And that is the rhythm of the next few days - a peaceful cycle ride interspersed by short ferry rides, to the next night's accommodation.

The sparsely populated archipelago offers peaceful scenic cycling on quiet lanes. Sea views abound and every now and then you’ll pass through tiny hamlets of brightly coloured houses.The route traces a lazy loop around the islands so at the end of the trip you find yourself back in Turku on the mainland

This is a cycle tour where the emphasis is on getting to know the local area rather than challenging yourself. Most of the islands feature largely flat topography, and you’ll be following quiet roads with little traffic, so anyone with a basic level of fitness can enjoy this scenic route.

Turku Archipelago Cycling Holiday

Head to southwest Finland for an island hopping cycling holiday through the Turku archipelago. Travel by ferry between pristine small islands, riding to idyllic villages and staying in some amazing locations in a corner of Finland well known by locals but still very much off the beaten track for mainstream tourism.

Starting from bustling Turku on the mainland, you’ll ride south-west out of the city using the network of excellent cycle lanes. A short short ferry ride brings you to the quiet little island of Nauvo where you spend the night.

Turku Archipelago Cycling HolidayShort ferry crossings separate the islands

And that is the rhythm of the next few days - a peaceful cycle ride interspersed by short ferry rides, to the next night's accommodation.

The sparsely populated archipelago offers peaceful scenic cycling on quiet lanes. Sea views abound and every now and then you’ll pass through tiny hamlets of brightly coloured houses.The route traces a lazy loop around the islands so at the end of the trip you find yourself back in Turku on the mainland

This is a cycle tour where the emphasis is on getting to know the local area rather than challenging yourself. Most of the islands feature largely flat topography, and you’ll be following quiet roads with little traffic, so anyone with a basic level of fitness can enjoy this scenic route.

Itinerary

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Day 1 : Arrive Turku

Arrive in Turku in southwest Finland and make your way to your hotel. After check-in you’re free to relax or head into the bustling city centre with its great selection of bars and restaurants.

Due to the nature of this trip, no luggage transfers are included. Instead, you can store your suitcases at the first hotel for the duration of your trip. We will then provide 2 x sizable panniers which you can use to pack the things you need for the cycle trip.

Day 2 : Turku – Nauvo
35 miles/57 kms

Start your cycle tour by riding out of Turku and heading southeast into the archipelago along a network of bike lanes. Progress is easy along the gently undulating terrain and the scenery is sublime with the forest giving way to small towns and villages of brightly coloured houses every now and then. Most of the islands on today's ride are connected by bridges but towards the end of your ride you will catch a ferry to the remote island of Nauvo where you will stop for the night.

Day 3 : Nauvo – Houtskär
24 miles/38 kms

You’ll be hopping on and off ferries with your bikes today as you make your way into the heart of the Turku archipelago. Pleasant easy rides deliver you to the next ferry pick-up point where you can relax on deck and drink in the heavenly scenery drifting by as you make your way to the next island. Finally you arrive on the large island of Houtskär where you will spend the night.

Day 4 : Houtskär – Korpo
choice of distances

Today there are quite a few route choices ranging from 20 – 40 kms so you can cycle as much or as little as you wish around the scenic island of Korpo. Whichever route you choose you will discover pretty harbours, quaint villages and stunning island sea scapes. You spend the night on Korpo.

Day 5 : Korpo – Naantali
35 miles/57 kms

You’ll be leaving Korpo today, starting by catching the ferry to Nauvo then connecting with another ferry to return to the mainland. Then it’s back on the bikes to cycle via Rymättylä to the old fishing village of Naantali. You’ll be staying here tonight and will enjoy wandering the village’s cobbled streets around its busy little harbour.

Day 6 : Naantali – Turku
11 miles/17 kms

There’s just a short ride today letting you enjoy time in and around Naantali or back in Turku, where you’ll spend your last night at the end of a great Finnish cycle holiday. Both locations have great selections of bars and restaurants.

Day 7 : Turku - end of trip

After breakfast it’s time to check out and head for home or your next adventure.

Bikes

Regular bikes provided are modern alloy framed models with 24 speeds. The bikes come equipped with pannier, lock and a repair kit with pump.

Electric bikes are also available.

We suggest you bring your own helmet for safety and hygiene reasons. Alternatively, helmets are provided on arrival.

Accommodation

Below is a sample of the type of accommodation typically used on this tour. Please note that the hotel we book for you may differ from below but will certainly be of a similar standard.

Comfort: An eclectic mix of accommodation ranging from thatched cabins, converted barns and small guesthouses. All accommodation has private facilities except in Kustavi which has shared showers.

Turku: Original Sokos Hotel Wiklund

Nauvo: Hotel Strandbo

Houtskar: Hotel Hyppeis Värdshus

Korppoo: Hotel Nestor

Naantali: Hotel Palo

Getting there

Fly to Helsinki and then on to Turku. Alternatively, fly to Helsinki and catch a train to Turku. The train journey will take about 2 hrs.

Research flights from the UK here.

Research trains from Helsinki to/from Turku here.

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