Oulu Travel Guide

Oulu is a great place to visit around the year. I suggest summer. It's not that expensive either. The best place to stay is Hotel-spa Eden, which is right next to the sea. It's one of the best spas in Finland, in my opinion. If you have a low budjet, there's a hostel called Turisti opposite the train station. And of course you can go camping, there's a great area for that next to Eden.

A nice medium sized Finnish city.

Good to visit during summer, while you can see the nearby islands and the sights downtown very easily and in decent weather (it can get really cold during winter). Most places are open. Tietomaa is an interesting place for, say under 12-year-old, children and perhaps their parents too. Adults will likely enjoy the other sights better.

Avoid the crowds when bars start to close and ask the locals which city part to avoid.

!!Follow up Omenahotelli (omenahotels.com) situation, since you can save some serious money staying a night there instead of any other hotel. They don't have a hotel in Oulu yet but announce ongoing negotiations.

It's easy to come and go to and from Oulu. You can use plane, train, bus, private car etc.

Visit Oulu during Vappu, which is Labor Day on May 1st.  Downtown there are large celebrations and concerts that are well-attended by families.  On the days leading up to Vappu, there are many student celebrations.  Students wear overalls, whose colors identify the faculties to which they belong.  Technical students wear white caps with long tassles.  The first year technical students must undergo "initiation" before they receive their caps.  This culminates with the "fuksi kaste" in Ainola Park, when they must go for a swim in the icy creek water.  On May 1st, all graduates of the lukio/high school proudly where their white caps (without tassles) throughout the country.