Business Class Flights to Turku, Finland

Finland’s oldest city, Turku, is located on the country’s southwestern coast on the Aura River. Turku’s history dates back to the 13th century when the city was part of Sweden. Turku’s medieval Old Town and the Turku Castle, a fortress built in the 1200s that overlooks the harbor, are popular tourist attractions. The city is home to about 200,000 residents. It’s outlying urban area and suburbs are home to about 345,000. Turku is also one of the largest urban areas in Finland after Helsinki and Tampere. The city served as Finland’s capital before the country’s government was moved to Helsinki in 1812. 

Flights to Turku, Finland, arrive at Turku International Airport (TKU). The publicly owned airport serves about 450,000 passengers each year. Direct flights to Turku are more readily available during the summer months, which is the city’s main tourist season. During the rest of the year, flights to Turku are often routed through Helsinki or Stockholm. Travelers who want to book cheap flights to Turku might find that getting a good deal on airfare is easier during the winter season, though flight traffic will be less, since direct flights are mostly available during the summer.

Tourists fly to Turku to see its historic architecture and to experience the city’s food and culture. Because of its long history, Turku was named a European Capital of Culture in 2011, and it wears this badge proudly. 

Among Turku’s most visited attractions are Turku Castle and the Turku Cathedral. The cathedral, which today is part of the Lutheran Church of Finland, is the only medieval basilica in the country. Built in the late 13th century, Turku Cathedral is still used as a place of worship today, and it’s a gorgeous and iconic tourist destination for travelers looking to explore architecture and religious history. It is also an important part of Finland’s annual Christmas celebrations.

Turku is also home to the world’s oldest Funicular. The Funicular, which is still in operation, takes passengers to the top of the city’s highest point, Kakolanmaki Hill, a popular destination for sightseers. 

Many of the visitors who fly to Turku come to the city to attend one of its many annual events and festivals. The city is particularly well known for its Christmas celebrations, which include the annual declaration of Christmas Peace on Christmas Eve, a tradition that is more than 700 years old and can be traced back to medieval Sweden. For Christmas lovers and tourists interested in history, it’s a must-visit event that offers unique, holiday-themed activities full of joy and good cheer. 

Other annual events in the city include its Medieval Market, a historic reenactment event; the Animated Film Festival; the Turku Jazz Festival; and the Ruisrock rock festival, the oldest rock music festival in Europe. The Medieval Market is a free public event around June and July where history comes alive. Vendors and visitors show up in period-accurate clothing, and an open-air market is set up offering handicrafts, food, and other wares appropriate to the era. The Turku Animated Film Festival is an international event that celebrates art, creativity, and animation in its many forms. This festival is recent, having been in operation for over 8 years. 

Notable people from Turku include professional ice hockey player Rasmus Ristolainen, a member of the Philadelphia Flyers; classical pianist Henri Sigfridsson; influential Scandinavian textile designer Marjatta Metsovaara; and Niilo Sevanen, bass player for the Nordic death metal band Insomnium. For tourists who book flights to Turku, the city has plenty to offer in the way of culture, history, holidays, and breathtaking views.