Self-guided cycling tour around Turku archipelago

Explore Finland independently with our self-guided cycling tours

Tour Length 8 days / 7 nights

- Average cycling 45km per day, maximum per day 65km
- Difficulty rating Easy-medium: generally easy, but with occasional rolling sections

Finland is made for cyclists: the roads are relatively flat and safe, there is little traffic, and most villages have marked cycle lanes. Scenery varies from lakes to forests, from small villages and countryside to towns with local museums and other attractions.

Cycling offers you the absolute freedom to see Finland at your own speed and travel off the beaten track.

Guild Travel offers two independent tours to choose from: beautiful island-hopping near Turku or romantic manors and old churches along the King’s Road from Helsinki to Turku.

We can also tailor-make your tour according to your exact requirements. You can combine your cycling tour with a stay in Helsinki, visits to Stockholm, Tallinn or St Petersburg, or a relaxing time on a lakeside cottage.

The Turku archipelago

The Turku archipelago are one of Finland’s most stunning natural phenomena – 20 000 islands stretching out into the sea from the city of Turku in the country’s south-west.

Cycling a circular “island hopping” route around the main islands is made easy and exciting by a system of local ferry services, constantly going back and forth acting like bridges. As well as the fun of the ferries, there are also picturesque harbour villages to visit, and the true peace of the nature. The tour starts and ends in Turku – the formal capital of Finland, and a bustling, attractive market town.

You can easily combine this cycling tour to your travel itinerary in Finland as we have not included any flights in the package price. Turku can be reached in a variety of ways: by air, by 2 hour train from Helsinki or Tampere or by sea from Stockholm.

Nauvo

Example itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival to Turku
Personal arrival to Turku, Finland’s oldest city. Turku is a bustling summer town, on the south-west coast of Finland, with the River Aura cutting right through the heart of the town. There is plenty to see, including medieval castle and cathedral, and a wide selection of excellent bars, cafes, and restaurants. Overnight in Turku centre BB basis – lots of nearby restaurants to choose from for dinner.

Day 2 – Turku-Heponiemi (in Kustavi municipality) approx. 65Km
Bicycles are collected in the morning, with time to enjoy a ride around the historic city with its medieval castle, cathedral, and riverside cycle paths. Note: today’s one ferry ride departs at 15:00, approximately 45km from Turku (around 3 hours riding time) so you need to leave early enough from Turku in order to catch this ferry.

Ferry crossing

Continue from Turku via nearby Naantali. Soon after Naantali the island-hopping begins, first with a stunning ride across the bridge to Merimasku and then take a break from peddling with a relaxing 45 minute ferry journey. Continue by bike to your overnight hotel. Overnight in Kustavi region in a guest house. Dinner at nearby restaurant.

Day 3 – Kustavi region – cycling distance according to personal wishes
Spending a second night in Kustavi, today gives the chance for a circular ride around Kustavi with some spectacular coastal scenery. Overnight as above.

Day 4 – Heponiemi (Kustavi)-Iniö-Houtskär-Korpoo-Nauvo approx. 60Km
Today is the main island-hopping day with seven ferry journeys reaching the very heart of the archipelago region. The tiny peaceful island of Iniö is the remotest spot of the trip. Houtskär Island has some of the region’s most challenging cycling, but you can rest on the half hour ferry ride to Korpoo! From Korpoo it’s a short ferry hop to Nauvo, where you overnight in a wonderful B&B, a former barn converted to a guest house located amongst beautiful nature. Overnight with dinner on Nauvo Island.

Day 5 – Nauvo island – cycling distance according to personal wishes
Spending a second night on Nauvo Island there are several choices of circular cycling routes, plus the possibility to go canoeing or take a traditional seaside sauna. Overnight on Nauvo Island.

Day 6 – Nauvo-Rymättylä-Naantali approx. 45 km
Take the ferry northwards from Nauvo 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 a spa hotel in Naantali, with plenty of local restaurants to choose from for dinner.

Day 7 – Naantali-Turku 14 km
Free time in Naantali, or in Turku according to your preference. Short ride back to Turku. Return your bicycle by 5pm. Overnight in Turku centre BB basis.

Day 8 – Personal departure from Turku

Package prices

from £1044 per person sharing a twin room when 2 persons travelling together
from £994 per person sharing a twin room when 3 persons travelling together
from £964 per person sharing a twin room when 4 persons travelling together
from £1574 per person for a single traveller

What is included in the price?

• 7 nights accommodation with breakfast, 2 dinners
• 7 or 21-speed bicycle with panniers, repair kit, pump, and helmet for 6 days
• All necessary island ferry fees
• Cycling road map (1 for every 2 persons)
• Detailed route notes indicating suggested route and ferry timings
• 24 hour emergency phone service
• Luggage transportation between hotels (maximum 1 piece of luggage per person)

Please note that this is a self-guided cycling tour. Each guest will receive full details on the route, ferry timings, etc, but there is no guide included. All guests cycle independently although there are certain departure dates.

We reserve the right to change the route and overnight accommodations.

Bicycles are unisex models; no men nor womens models separately.

Please note that flights are not included in this price.

How to get to Turku

• by air via Helsinki – see our on-line flight reservations
• by sea from Stockholm
• by train from Helsinki or Tampere

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is not included in your holiday cost. It is strongly recommended that insurance be taken out to protect you and your group against many unforeseen insurable events.