The Turku Archipelago

The Turku Archipelago

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The Turku Archipelago

7 Days Starting and ending in Turku, Finland

Visiting: Turku, Nauvo, Houtskär, Korpo, Naantali

Tour operator:

UTracks

Tour code:

CFI

Group Type:

Independent

Guide Type:

Self Guided

Physical rating:

moderate

Trip Styles:

Adventure Tours

Activities:

Cycling, Sightseeing

This tour is no longer available

Tour Overview

Embark on an unforgettable adventure through the stunning Turku Archipelago in Finland, where you'll cycle and ferry hop between picturesque islands. Begin your journey in Turku, exploring its medieval castle and vibrant city life. Pedal through scenic bike lanes to Nauvo Island, and continue your island-hopping escapade to Houtskar and Korpo, enjoying exquisite local cuisine and charming accommodations along the way. Experience the idyllic seaside village of Naantali with its cobbled streets and bustling harbor before returning to Turku. With 6 nights in cozy hotels and guesthouses, this tour offers a perfect blend of culture, nature, and adventure.

Highlights

  • Island hopping on the main islands by bike

  • Enjoying the culture and cuisine of the harbour villages

  • Exploring Finland's oldest city and former capital

  • Cycling to Nauvo Island, the main archipelago island

  • Archipelago cycle and ferry hop to Houtskar Island

  • Crossing to bustling Nauvo and continuing by bike via Rymattyla to Naantali

  • Visiting the idyllic seaside village of Naantali with cobbled streets and old wooden houses

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Arrive Turku

Location: Turku

Accommodation Name: Hotel in Turku centre

Make your own way to Turku, a bustling summer city on the south-west coast of Finland. There is a medieval castle and cathedral, and a wide selection of bars, cafes, and restaurants. Overnight in Turku centre.

Day 2 : Cycle To Nauvo Island, The Main Archipelago Island (57Km/35.5Mi)

Location: Nauvo

Accommodation Name: Hotel by the sea in Nauvo

Meals Included: Breakfast

This morning, collect your bicycles and and head south-east out of the city. A fine system of Bike Lanes keeps you out of the traffic as you head into the archipelago. After a short ferry ride you arrive on the island of Nauvo for an overnight stay by the sea.

Day 3 : Archipelago Cycle And Ferry Hop To Houtskar Island (38Km/24Mi)

Location: Houtskär

Accommodation Name: Hotel in Houtskär

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

A choice of routes takes you across a couple of islands to Houtskär. An excellent dinner is included tonight in hotel’s top-rated restaurant.

Day 4 : Cycle Then Ferry To Korpo, Additional Cycle Options (20Km/12.5Mi)

Location: Korpo

Accommodation Name: Hotel on Korpo island

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

There is one relaxing ferry journey today between two of the largest of the archipelago islands, Houtskär and Korpo. The 20km riding distance is between the overnight hotels but there are various possible ways to get some extra cycling in for those who wish. Dinner tonight is a 5 course local tasting menu in the highly-regarded hotel restaurant. Overnight on Korpo island.

Day 5 : Cross To Bustling Nauvo And Continue By Bike Via Rymattyla To Naantali (57Km/35.5Mi)

Location: Naantali

Accommodation Name: Hotel in the Old Town at Naantali

Meals Included: Breakfast

Return to Nauvo, the main archipelago island. Nauvo village has a bustling harbour. Take the ferry north back to the mainland and continue by bike via Rymättylä to Naantali, an idyllic seaside village with cobbled streets and old wooden houses around a bustling harbour. Overnight in the Old Town at Naantali, where there are plenty of local restaurants to choose from for dinner.

Day 6 : Return To Turku (17Km/10.6Mi)

Location: Turku

Accommodation Name: Hotel in Turku centre

Meals Included: Breakfast

Free time in Naantali or in Turku, according to your preference - it's a short ride today. Return your bicycles on arrival in Turku. Overnight in Turku centre.

Day 7 : Trip Concludes Turku

Location: Turku

Meals Included: Breakfast

Trip arrangements conclude after breakfast.

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    6 nights in small hotels and guesthouses

  • 6 breakfasts, 2 dinners

    Includes a 3 course dinner and a 5 course tasting menu.

  • 6 nights accommodation

    Accommodation in small hotels and guesthouses on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities.

  • All necessary ferry fees

    Covers all ferry fees required for the trip.

  • Information pack

    Includes digital route details (GPS Tracks), map, and leaflet with ferry timings (one set per room).

  • Emergency hotline

    Access to an emergency hotline for assistance during the trip.

  • 24 speed bike hire

    Includes helmet, repair kit, phone attachment, and panniers to carry your gear for the trip (e-bike available with supplement).

  • Main luggage storage

    Main luggage storage during the trip. You carry your gear for the week in the panniers provided. Optional daily luggage transfer is available with a supplement and must be pre-booked and pre-paid.

What's Not Included

  • Travel to and from Turku

    Travel arrangements to and from Turku are not included.

  • Meals not included

    Dinners not noted as included, all lunches, and beverages are not included.

  • Entrance fees

    Entrance fees to attractions and sites are not included.

  • Travel insurance

    Travel insurance is mandatory but not included.

  • Unscheduled transfers

    Any unscheduled transfers required during the trip are not included.

  • Daily luggage transfers

    Daily luggage transfers are not included unless paying the supplement.

    Your daily needs are carried in panniers provided.

  • Items of a personal nature

    Personal expenses and items of a personal nature are not included.

Accommodation

6 nights in small hotels and guesthouses. Accommodation is in small hotels and guesthouses with private facilities. Baths/showers: Many rooms with ensuite/private facilities have a shower rather than a bath, usually because of limited space though some accommodations may have a separate room in the house where a bath is available to guests.

What You Carry

As there are no luggage transfers included, you will carry your gear for the week in the large waterproof panniers provided. Optional daily luggage transfers from hotel to hotel are available, supplement applies (minimum 2 pieces for this service).

Grading

TRIP GRADING - MODERATE (3)
The trip requires a good level of fitness to fully participate in the cycling, with daily cycle distances from 17 to 57km (10.5 to 35.5mi) per day. It is generally easy, but with occasional rolling sections and 2 days of cycling over 50km/31mi. During the cycle you will share the roads with other vehicles, although usually the island traffic is quiet. Nevertheless you should be comfortable riding on roads with passing traffic.

Mode of Transport

Travel to and from Turku is included. The tour involves cycling between destinations with ferry rides to various islands. A 24-speed bike hire including helmet, repair kit, phone attachment, and panniers to carry your gear for the trip is provided.

Check out our Q&As

  • What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?

    The tour includes 6 nights in small hotels and guesthouses with private facilities. Many rooms have a shower rather than a bath due to limited space, though some accommodations may have a separate room with a bath available to guests.

  • What meals are included in the tour package?

    The tour package includes 6 breakfasts and 2 dinners, which consist of a 3-course dinner and a 5-course tasting menu.

  • What kind of bike is provided for the tour?

    A 24-speed bike is provided, including a helmet, repair kit, phone attachment, and panniers to carry your gear for the trip. An e-bike is also available for an additional supplement.

  • Is there an option for luggage transfer during the tour?

    Yes, optional daily luggage transfer is available for an additional supplement. This service must be pre-booked and pre-paid.

  • What is the level of difficulty for this cycling tour?

    The trip is graded as moderate (3). It requires a good level of fitness with daily cycling distances ranging from 17 to 57 km (10.5 to 35.5 mi). The terrain is generally easy but includes occasional rolling sections and two days of cycling over 50 km (31 mi).

  • What should I carry during the cycling tour?

    You will carry your gear for the week in the large waterproof panniers provided. Optional daily luggage transfers from hotel to hotel are available for an additional supplement, with a minimum of 2 pieces required for this service.

  • What happens if I need assistance during the tour?

    An emergency hotline is available for assistance during the tour.

  • Are ferry fees included in the tour package?

    Yes, all necessary ferry fees are included in the tour package.

  • What is the starting and ending location of the tour?

    The tour starts and ends in Turku, Finland.

  • How fit do I have to be?

    Our adventures are first and foremost holidays and can be undertaken by anyone in a reasonable state of health and fitness - however, please carefully read our Terms & Conditions when booking and view the trip grading. We rank our trips according to our honest Trip Grading System. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with our grading system by reading our detailed trip notes (which you can order through this site) and to speak with us about the physical requirements of your chosen trip.

  • What happens if something goes wrong?

    On our guided tours, you travel in small groups with a local multi-lingual guide whose knowledge of the terrain, flora, fauna and history of the region is exemplary. Our self guided tours give you the freedom to explore at your own pace - but they're not unsupported. We provide detailed route notes and maps and our local partners are on hand throughout the day in the unlikely event that something goes wrong. All we request is that you select a program that matches your level of fitness to ensure that you have a comfortable experience.

  • I'm travelling solo on a self-guided trip. Do I pay the single supplement or the single traveller surcharge?

    Most of our self guided trips are priced based on twinshare. If you are travelling solo the single traveller surcharge will apply. The single supplement would apply if you were travelling in a party with others and you had chosen to book a single room. You would never pay a single traveller surcharge and a single supplement.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

M. Maughan(Harvey, Western Australia)  

The Turku Archipelago

13 Jul 2018

We have travelled to Finland to visit friends and wanted a self guided tour to use as an introduction to the country and this was a great choice. The ferries were fun, the accommodation was varied and proved to be good choices and we had some good times with some fellow travellers heading the same way. Turku and Naantali were a great introduction to Finland. Easy to get to via VR and the archipelago islands were relaxed.

M. Rieder(Alexandria, United States)  

The Turku Archipelago

20 Aug 2024

My 18 year old son and I decided to try this tour, our first cycling trip. We had never travelled to Finland or biked for five straight days before. We had a fabulous time. The documentation was very thorough and accurate, the locations were lovely and the staff was very helpful. The Turku Archipelago route was well traveled by other cyclists, the drivers were respectful of cyclists and it was relatively quiet on the roads. We got lucky and didn't have much rain however we had a couple of windy days that made biker a bit more difficult. The scenery was gorgeous and peaceful. We took the manual bikes and therefore would note that the route was moderately difficult on certain parts of the trip (especially the fourth day). There are some decently gravelly roads also. We would highly recommend this tour to others that were looking for what we were: rural, picturesque, Finnish culture, great food, charming lodging, and some physical challenges that made us feel like we worked for our trip (in a good way)!

G. Cooney(Oakville, Australia)  

The Turku Archipelago

11 Jul 2023

Trip was very well organised accommodation was comfortable and close to all amenities, evening meals in nominated hotels were amazing. Overall very satisfactory and information provided for self guided participants easy to follow.

L. Mullally(USA)  

The Turku Archipelago

10 Aug 2022

Enough challenging rides to satisfy the hardy, with a couple of very charming destinations. Itinerary needs to refine the trip notes to reflect a more accurate description of the route to alert riders about long hauls along busier highways and hillier terrain.

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Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    UTracks allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform utracks, 70 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    UTracks requires a minimum deposit of 250 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of utracks charges.

    Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 35 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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