An archipelago winter in three ways
An archipelago winter as a family
Rent an archipelago cottage and holiday with the family away from the routines. For a few days when no one has to go to work, be in day care, go to school, have training, or do the chores, you can rediscover the forgotten sides of family life. Where the highlight of the day is a board game, a dip in icy water from the sauna or skating across the frozen sea. Moments that you’ll treasure forever!
You can explore the archipelago more through its official homepage. There are plenty of islands to choose from and activities to keep you going for days! Explore the saunas, spend the night stargazing and enjoy the local food.
If you prefer to have your autumn or winter vacation with diverse services of a hotel, try the Kasnäs Archipelago Spa. As the name suggests, there are plenty of heated pools, which are always a favourite with the kids. As an alternative to the hotel rooms there are also seaside cabins, with peace and quiet and their own views of the Archipelago Sea.
Traditional countryside surroundings are offered at Hotel Stallbacken, which operates from an old horse farm in Nagu. Connected to the hotel is Bed & Breakfast Grännas, where guests stay in the idyllic cottage of the former farm manager. Stallbacken is well known for its good food and splendid party facilities, so don’t forget if you have a big to celebration coming up!
The Archipelago Sea is a region of the Baltic Sea, which borders Turku to the east, Åland to the west, Bengskär lighthouse to the south and to the Gulf of Bothnia in the north. The Archipelago Sea has around 40,000 islands and islets, making it the most prolific in the world. To locals and to sailors the area is often simply referred to as the Turku Archipelago.
Although Turku is a world-renowned nature destination, it has been relatively spared the ravages of mass tourism, such as overcrowding, refuse and marginalised authenticity. Boaters love the Archipelago Sea, its idyllic guest harbours, local restaurants and cuisine, as well as its tranquil coves. Cyclists have also discovered the archipelago, with routes including the Archipelago Trail as well as the Coastal Route, which is new in 2018.
When the winter weather is good, Turku’s archipelago offers the best tour skating in the world as well as a glorious setting for winter fishing. The nature paths around the Kemito Islands are inviting all year round. Get to know the various route options on the Kemito Islands from here.
Weather permitting, in the archipelago you’ll find stunning cross-country skiing routes on both land and sea. When the weather situation doesn’t provide enough natural snow, you can still enjoy skiing at Paimio’s Finnfoam Paippi. The ski tunnel is 700 metres long and the conditions are always excellent for waxed skis. Ski hire and sauna available.
Speaking of saunas, some of the saunas in the archipelago have access to ice swimming. Many who go to swim in the frozen water praise the positive effects on your mood and levels of stress – what more encouragement do you need? Winter swimming in Turku’s archipelago can be found in at least two places, in Labbnäs on the Kemiö Islands and at Nagu’s guest harbour.
Opportunities to go winter ice swimming from October to April are also available on Turku’s most famous island, Ruissalo. The sauna in Saaronniemi is warmed up four times a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3pm-7.45pm as well as Saturdays and Sundays from 12pm-5pm).
Story in cooperation with Pargas and Kemitö Islands.
Text by Liina Komi. Photos from Pargas and Kemitö Islands as well as Lillan Housing.
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