North Ostrobothnia district, North Ostrobothnia, Finland

Places to visit near Oulu

Oulu is a city in North Ostrobothnia district, North Ostrobothnia, Finland, home to about 128,618 people. Within 50 km by road there are 239 places to visit — 81 rivers, islands & mangroves, 47 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 27 churches and 25 parks. The must-see places are Mannerheimin Puisto (1 km), Otto Karhin Puisto (1 km) and Kiikelinpuisto (1 km).

Updated · Distances are road estimates · Open Oulu on the map

Oulu, North Ostrobothnia
Oulu, North Ostrobothnia district, North Ostrobothnia, Finland. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Oulu at a glance

Location
North Ostrobothnia district, North Ostrobothnia, Finland
Population
about 128,618
Coordinates
65.0124° N, 25.4682° E
Places within 50 km
239 (50 must-see)
Best time to visit
September to February for rivers, islands & mangroves; August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open for lakes, dams & reservoirs; year-round for churches and parks

Top places to visit near Oulu

Ranked by how worth the drive they are from Oulu: must-see places and the closest well-loved spots first. Open a place for photos, today’s visitor status, timings and directions.

More places near Oulu

  • Vauhtipuisto · park · North Ostrobothnia · ~4 km · Must-see
  • Lämsänjärvi · lake · North Ostrobothnia · ~5 km · Must-see
  • St. Luke's Chapel · church · North Ostrobothnia · ~7 km · Must-see
  • Kasvitieteellinen Puutarha · sanctuary · North Ostrobothnia · ~7 km · Must-see
  • Koskela · beach · North Ostrobothnia · ~7 km · Must-see
  • Kuivasjärvi · lake · North Ostrobothnia · ~8 km · Must-see
  • Kahvankari · river spot · North Ostrobothnia · ~9 km · Must-see
  • Runniletto · river spot · North Ostrobothnia · ~13 km · Must-see
  • Kraaseli · river spot · North Ostrobothnia · ~13 km · Must-see
  • Mustakari · river spot · North Ostrobothnia · ~15 km · Must-see
  • Turkansaari Open Air-Museum · museum · North Ostrobothnia · ~16 km · Must-see
  • Kotakari · river spot · North Ostrobothnia · ~18 km · Must-see

Things to see near Oulu, by type

Rivers, islands & mangroves near Oulu

83 rivers, islands & mangroves within 100 km of Oulu. The closest is Vänmanninsaari (1 km); the best-known is Kahvankari (9 km). Best time: september to february.

  • Kahvankari · river spot · North Ostrobothnia · ~9 km · Must-see
  • Runniletto · river spot · North Ostrobothnia · ~13 km · Must-see
  • Kraaseli · river spot · North Ostrobothnia · ~13 km · Must-see
  • Mustakari · river spot · North Ostrobothnia · ~15 km · Must-see
  • Kotakari · river spot · North Ostrobothnia · ~18 km · Must-see
  • Vänmanninsaari · river spot · North Ostrobothnia · ~1 km

All rivers, islands & mangroves in North Ostrobothnia →

Lakes, dams & reservoirs near Oulu

69 lakes, dams & reservoirs within 100 km of Oulu. The closest is Lintulampi (3 km); the best-known is Lämsänjärvi (5 km). Best time: august to december when reservoirs are full and gates may open.

All lakes, dams & reservoirs in North Ostrobothnia →

Churches near Oulu

28 churches within 100 km of Oulu. The closest is Oulun Vapaaseurakunta (1 km); the best-known is Pyhän Kolminaisuuden Katedraali (1 km). Best time: year-round.

All churches in North Ostrobothnia →

Parks near Oulu

25 parks within 100 km of Oulu. The closest is Snellmanin Puisto (1 km); the best-known is Mannerheimin Puisto (0 km). Best time: year-round, evenings.

All parks in North Ostrobothnia →

Beaches & coast near Oulu

23 beaches & coast within 100 km of Oulu. The closest is Rommakonselkä (1 km); the best-known is Koskela (7 km). Best time: october to march.

All beaches & coast in North Ostrobothnia →

Museums near Oulu

11 museums within 100 km of Oulu. The closest is Northern Ostrobothnia Museum (1 km). Best time: year-round.

All museums in North Ostrobothnia →

A one-day trip from Oulu

5 of the best places within 60 km, in driving order so you don’t double back: about 5 km on the road.

  1. Start in Oulu
  2. 1 km Mannerheimin Puisto · park, North Ostrobothnia
  3. 1 km Heinätorin Puisto · park, North Ostrobothnia
  4. 1 km Kiikelinpuisto · park, North Ostrobothnia
  5. 1 km Oulu Castle · heritage site, North Ostrobothnia
  6. 1 km Otto Karhin Puisto · park, North Ostrobothnia
  7. 0 km Back to Oulu

Plan a longer trip from Oulu — the planner adds a place to stay each night and keeps the route to one loop.

From travellers near Oulu

No traveller has reported from around Oulu yet. Been to one of these places recently? Open it and post what you found — is the waterfall flowing, how crowded was the temple, is the beach safe — so the next visitor knows before they drive.

Post an update from the map →

How to reach Oulu

    All places near Oulu by distance

    Within 15 km of Oulu

    15–50 km — half-day trips

    50–100 km — one-day trips

    • Marjaniemi Lighthouse · beach · North Ostrobothnia · ~53 km · Must-see
    • Kierikki · fort · North Ostrobothnia · ~55 km · Must-see
    • Oulu 2 · beach · North Ostrobothnia · ~56 km · Must-see
    • Iso-Vuotunki · lake · North Ostrobothnia · ~64 km · Must-see
    • Utajärvi · lake · North Ostrobothnia · ~69 km · Must-see
    • Ahvenlampi · lake · North Ostrobothnia · ~69 km · Must-see
    • Puutturi · lake · North Ostrobothnia · ~69 km · Must-see
    • Raahen Helluntaiseurakunta · church · North Ostrobothnia · ~74 km · Must-see
    • Sanginjärvi · lake · North Ostrobothnia · ~74 km · Must-see
    • Tasku · river spot · North Ostrobothnia · ~76 km · Must-see
    • Ahmasjärvi · lake · North Ostrobothnia · ~77 km · Must-see
    • Iso-Kraaseli · river spot · North Ostrobothnia · ~78 km · Must-see
    • Kirkkojärvi · lake · North Ostrobothnia · ~79 km · Must-see
    • Rokua National Park · sanctuary · North Ostrobothnia · ~84 km · Must-see
    • Ahvenlampi · lake · North Ostrobothnia · ~85 km · Must-see
    • Iso-Timonen · lake · North Ostrobothnia · ~87 km · Must-see
    • Kivijärvi · lake · North Ostrobothnia · ~87 km · Must-see
    • Juorkuna · lake · North Ostrobothnia · ~87 km · Must-see
    • Raahen Majakka · beach · North Ostrobothnia · ~89 km · Must-see
    • Oijärvi · lake · North Ostrobothnia · ~90 km · Must-see
    • Vähä-Ruohonen · lake · North Ostrobothnia · ~92 km · Must-see
    • Iso-Ruohonen · lake · North Ostrobothnia · ~92 km · Must-see
    • Marttisjärvi · lake · North Ostrobothnia · ~94 km · Must-see
    • Hakojärvi · lake · North Ostrobothnia · ~94 km · Must-see
    • Ala-Potkunjärvi · lake · North Ostrobothnia · ~95 km · Must-see
    • Saarijärvi · lake · North Ostrobothnia · ~96 km · Must-see
    • Piilolampi · lake · North Ostrobothnia · ~96 km · Must-see
    • Järvenjärvi · lake · North Ostrobothnia · ~97 km · Must-see
    • Kirkaslampi · lake · North Ostrobothnia · ~98 km · Must-see
    • Pudasjärvi · lake · North Ostrobothnia · ~99 km · Must-see

    Count by type (within 100 km)

    Places near Oulu by type
    TypeWithin 50 kmWithin 100 kmNearest
    Rivers, islands & mangroves8183Vänmanninsaari (1 km)
    Lakes, dams & reservoirs4769Lintulampi (3 km)
    Churches2728Oulun Vapaaseurakunta (1 km)
    Parks2525Snellmanin Puisto (1 km)
    Beaches & coast2023Rommakonselkä (1 km)
    Other attractions1616Bobby at the Marketplace (1 km)
    Museums1111Northern Ostrobothnia Museum (1 km)
    Forts & heritage78Statue of Leevi Madetoja (1 km)
    Wildlife, forests & gardens56Kasvitieteellinen Puutarha (7 km)

    Oulu: questions travellers ask

    What are the best places to visit near Oulu?

    Mannerheimin Puisto (park, about 1 km), Otto Karhin Puisto (park, about 1 km), Kiikelinpuisto (park, about 1 km), Oulu Castle (heritage site, about 1 km), Heinätorin Puisto (park, about 1 km), Northern Ostrobothnia Museum (museum, about 1 km).

    How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Oulu?

    239 places on Spotwander: 81 rivers, islands & mangroves, 47 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 27 churches, 25 parks, 20 beaches & coast.

    Which is the nearest river spot to Oulu?

    Vänmanninsaari, about 1 km by road; Kiikeli (1 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest lake to Oulu?

    Lintulampi, about 3 km by road; Lämsänjärvi (5 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest church to Oulu?

    Oulun Vapaaseurakunta, about 1 km by road; Oulu Cathedral (1 km) is next.

    What is a good one-day trip from Oulu?

    Start in Oulu, visit Mannerheimin Puisto, then Heinätorin Puisto, then Kiikelinpuisto, then Oulu Castle, then Otto Karhin Puisto, and drive back — about 5 km by road in all.

    What is the best time to visit places near Oulu?

    September to February for rivers, islands & mangroves; August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open for lakes, dams & reservoirs; year-round for churches and parks.

    Towns near Oulu

    Sources: places from OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata and GeoNames; Oulu’s location and population from GeoNames; see also Oulu on Wikipedia. Data sources & credits.