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Tornio from A to Z: map, hotels, attractions, restaurants, entertainment. Shopping, shops. Photos, videos and reviews about Tornio.

• Tours for the New Year to Finland
• Last minute tours to Finland

Tornio is a unique city in Finland. Located in Lapland, it is united with the Swedish municipality of Haparanda into one city - Eurocity. Each of its components is subject to the laws of its own state, but the mixture of two cultures makes a great impression on tourists.

In Tornio-Haparanda, some services are shared, and a large golf course is located in two countries at the same time. Residents of Eurocity celebrate the New Year twice - according to Finnish and Swedish clocks.

How to get there

Tornio is usually reached by plane or train. Kemi-Tornio Airport is located 20 kilometers from the city. It receives daily flights from Helsinki (fly just over an hour). Air carriers - Blue1, Finnair, Finncomm Airkines.

The train journey to Tornio from Helsinki takes 8.5 hours. From the railway station to the city it is a 20-minute ride by minibus.

Search for flights to Helsinki (closest airport to Tornio)

Transport

You can get around Tornio for 2 EUR by minibus. You can master the bicycle and explore local attractions along the way.

For those who prefer a comfortable journey, taxis are available, including airport taxis. The order must be made by calling +358 200 68 000 no later than two hours before departure. The road to Kemi will cost approximately 50-60 EUR.

To get to neighboring Haparanda, you need to cross the Tornijoki River bridge. With a Schengen visa you can easily move from one city to another.

Prices on the page are for April 2019.

Hotels

There are not many hotels in Tornio; they all offer a standard set of services. For example, in the famous Tornio City Hotel, located next to the river and 10 minutes from Haparanda, you can book a single or double room with free breakfast, parking, internet and sauna.

The cost of living is from 117 EUR for a single room and from 132 EUR for a double room.

You can also stay in the Swedish city of Haparanda. Many tourists do this: thanks to the common border of the cities, they spend the night in Sweden and end up in Finland in the morning.

In Haparanda, an economy class hotel will cost on average 50-60 EUR for a single room and 65-80 EUR for a double room. This also includes free breakfast, internet, and parking.

Another accommodation option is near Kemi-Tornio Airport. True, every day you will have to travel 40 kilometers in both directions by minibus. Accommodation in this case will cost from 50 EUR per night.

Tornio has a unique golf course - it is located in Finland and Sweden.

Restaurants

There are several restaurants in Tornio that can offer national cuisine - Scandinavian, Italian, Chinese. In these establishments you can have lunch or dinner for an average of 40-50 EUR.

In addition, the city has many small cafes and fast food restaurants. Here you can have a good breakfast and refreshment throughout the day for only 8-15 EUR.

The shops

Well-known retail chains in Finland such as Alko, Intersport, Isku and others operate in Tornio. Here you can easily spend the whole day shopping, visiting one store after another.

For example, in Tornio there are several stores of inexpensive furniture, clothing, both casual and sports, a hypermarket with a large assortment of goods, a jewelry store and, of course, alcoholic beverages.

Entertainment and attractions in Tornio

The peculiarities of the local landscapes make it possible to make the most of them for active recreation. In winter, ski tracks and dog sled racing tracks are laid on the ice of the Tornijoki River. Connoisseurs of ice fishing can sit for hours waiting for a catch, while extreme sports enthusiasts like to immediately cool off in the river after a hot sauna.

Tornio has a unique golf course - it is located in Finland and Sweden. When tournaments take place, players often cross the border of two countries during the day. Hotels located near the course often offer golf organizing services.

In the summer, the city hosts the annual Lohifeast salmon fair. In general, salmon fishing is a favorite activity of tourists who come to Tornio. So, during the fair, guests can taste a huge fish pie, and then take part in a vote - residents choose the most beautiful fisherman of the summer.

One of the attractions of Tornio is a wooden church built at the end of the 19th century. It is one of the most beautiful churches in the country.

The bell tower of the church is surrounded by five towers. Among the interior details, tourists most like the painted ceiling, brass chandeliers and wooden pulpits.

You can freely visit the church only in the summer; the rest of the time you must make prior arrangements to be allowed in. The church is located at Kirkkokatu, 95400 Tornio.

In the village of Pello, not far from Tornio, a wedding celebration continues for several days - brides and grooms from opposite banks of the river get married.

Museums Tornio

The Aine Art Museum has a large collection of Finnish expressionism from the beginning of the last century. More than 2 thousand works of art from all over the country are collected here, most from Northern Finland.

Every year the museum hosts temporary exhibitions dedicated to fine art, as well as photographic and industrial art. The museum is located at Torikatu 2, FIN-95400, Tornio.

Another museum - the province of Tornionlaakso - is located in the valley of the Torniojoki River. It tells the history of western Lapland. Various historical objects are collected here, such as equipment and furniture of artisans.

The museum is open all summer and is located at Keskikatu 22, FIN-95400, Tornio.

Northern Finland and Lapland

• Where to stay: We advise those who like to conquer the slopes to stay directly at the chosen resort. Arctic hotels in Saariselka are an interesting experience to live in one of the northernmost resorts in the world. It's a little expensive here, but the views will blow you away. There is also a spa and even a water park. Vuokatti is perhaps the most family-friendly of all Finnish resorts; the choice of accommodation is very, very large. And very close to Kajaani and Kuhmo, there is also accommodation for tourists. We are going to Kemijärvi with the children to visit Santa. For fun city adventures, welcome to Oulu. Hotels - for every taste, fresh sea air - free. Rovaniemi hotels are a choice for those who want everything from Lapland at once. There is nature, sports, culture and art, and shopping, of course.
• What to see: Sometimes it seems like stopping at any point

The sun is the source of life on the planet. Its rays provide the necessary light and warmth. At the same time, ultraviolet radiation from the Sun is destructive to all living things. To find a compromise between the beneficial and harmful properties of the Sun, meteorologists calculate the ultraviolet radiation index, which characterizes the degree of its danger.

What kind of UV radiation from the sun is there?

Ultraviolet radiation from the Sun has a wide range and is divided into three regions, two of which reach the Earth.

• UVA. Long-wave radiation range
  315–400 nm

  The rays pass almost freely through all atmospheric “barriers” and reach the Earth.

• UV-B. Medium wave range radiation
  280–315 nm

  The rays are 90% absorbed by the ozone layer, carbon dioxide and water vapor.

• UV-C. Shortwave range radiation
  100–280 nm

  The most dangerous area. They are completely absorbed by stratospheric ozone without reaching the Earth.

The more ozone, clouds and aerosols in the atmosphere, the less the harmful effects of the Sun. However, these life-saving factors have a high natural variability. The annual maximum of stratospheric ozone occurs in spring, and the minimum in autumn. Cloudiness is one of the most variable characteristics of weather. The carbon dioxide content also changes all the time.

At what UV index values ​​is there a danger?

The UV index provides an estimate of the amount of UV radiation from the Sun at the Earth's surface. UV index values ​​range from a safe 0 to an extreme 11+.

• 0–2 Low
• 3–5 Moderate
• 6–7 High
• 8–10 Very high
• 11+ Extreme

In mid-latitudes, the UV index approaches unsafe values ​​(6–7) only at the maximum height of the Sun above the horizon (occurs in late June - early July). At the equator, the UV index reaches 9...11+ points throughout the year.

What are the benefits of the sun?

In small doses, UV radiation from the Sun is simply necessary. The sun's rays synthesize melanin, serotonin, and vitamin D, which are necessary for our health, and prevent rickets.

Melanin creates a kind of protective barrier for skin cells from the harmful effects of the Sun. Because of it, our skin darkens and becomes more elastic.

The hormone of happiness serotonin affects our well-being: it improves mood and increases overall vitality.

Vitamin D strengthens the immune system, stabilizes blood pressure and performs anti-rickets functions.

Why is the sun dangerous?

When sunbathing, it is important to understand that the line between the beneficial and harmful Sun is very thin. Excessive tanning always borders on a burn. Ultraviolet radiation damages DNA in skin cells.

The body's defense system cannot cope with such aggressive influence. It lowers immunity, damages the retina, causes skin aging and can lead to cancer.

Ultraviolet light destroys the DNA chain

How the Sun affects people

Sensitivity to UV radiation depends on skin type. People of the European race are the most sensitive to the Sun - for them, protection is required already at index 3, and 6 is considered dangerous.

At the same time, for Indonesians and African Americans this threshold is 6 and 8, respectively.

Who is most influenced by the Sun?

People with fair hair
skin tone

People with many moles

Residents of mid-latitudes during a holiday in the south

Winter lovers
fishing

Skiers and climbers

People with a family history of skin cancer

In what weather is the sun more dangerous?

It is a common misconception that the sun is dangerous only in hot and clear weather. You can also get sunburned in cool, cloudy weather.

Cloudiness, no matter how dense it may be, does not reduce the amount of ultraviolet radiation to zero. In mid-latitudes, cloudiness significantly reduces the risk of getting sunburned, which cannot be said about traditional beach holiday destinations. For example, in the tropics, if in sunny weather you can get sunburned in 30 minutes, then in cloudy weather - in a couple of hours.

How to protect yourself from the sun

To protect yourself from harmful rays, follow simple rules:

Spend less time in the sun during midday hours

Wear light-colored clothing, including wide-brimmed hats

Use protective creams

Wear sunglasses

Stay in the shade more on the beach

Which sunscreen to choose

Sunscreens vary in their degree of sun protection and are labeled from 2 to 50+. The numbers indicate the proportion of solar radiation that overcomes the protection of the cream and reaches the skin.

For example, when applying a cream labeled 15, only 1/15 (or 7 %) of the ultraviolet rays will penetrate the protective film. In the case of cream 50, only 1/50, or 2 %, affects the skin.

Sunscreen creates a reflective layer on the body. However, it is important to understand that no cream can reflect 100% of ultraviolet radiation.

For everyday use, when the time spent under the Sun does not exceed half an hour, a cream with protection 15 is quite suitable. For tanning on the beach, it is better to take 30 or higher. However, for fair-skinned people it is recommended to use a cream labeled 50+.

How to Apply Sunscreen

The cream should be applied evenly to all exposed skin, including the face, ears and neck. If you plan to sunbathe for a long time, then the cream should be applied twice: 30 minutes before going out and, additionally, before going to the beach.

Please check the cream instructions for the required volume for application.

How to Apply Sunscreen When Swimming

Sunscreen should be applied every time after swimming. Water washes away the protective film and, by reflecting the sun's rays, increases the dose of ultraviolet radiation received. Thus, when swimming, the risk of sunburn increases. However, due to the cooling effect, you may not feel the burn.

Excessive sweating and wiping with a towel are also reasons to re-protect the skin.

It should be remembered that on the beach, even under an umbrella, the shade does not provide complete protection. Sand, water and even grass reflect up to 20% of ultraviolet rays, increasing their impact on the skin.

How to protect your eyes

Sunlight reflected from water, snow or sand can cause painful burns to the retina. To protect your eyes, wear sunglasses with a UV filter.

Danger for skiers and climbers

In the mountains, the atmospheric “filter” is thinner. For every 100 meters of height, the UV index increases by 5 %.

Snow reflects up to 85 % of ultraviolet rays. In addition, up to 80 % of the ultraviolet reflected by the snow cover is reflected again by clouds.

Thus, in the mountains the Sun is most dangerous. It is necessary to protect your face, lower chin and ears even in cloudy weather.

How to deal with sunburn if you get sunburned

Use a damp sponge to moisten the burn.

Apply anti-burn cream to the burned areas

If your temperature rises, consult your doctor; you may be advised to take an antipyretic

If the burn is severe (the skin swells and blisters greatly), seek medical attention

The Struve Geodetic Arc is a magnificent grandiose structure and an international scientific monument included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The arc was created in the 19th century over a period of 40 years with the goal of measuring the shape and size of the Earth.

Now the arc passes through the territory of 10 modern states, including Finland. Initially, the arc consisted of 265 points, and its total length was 2820 kilometers. However, today only 34 have survived, six of which are located in Finland in the Lapland region in the settlements: Stuorrahanoaivi, Avasaksa, Puolakka, Tornea, Porlom II, Svartvira.

By the way, even in our time the arc quite clearly repeats one of the meridians. It is extremely difficult to overestimate the significance of the arc, because thanks to such a structure, scientists were able to calculate the parameters of the Earth with an accuracy of centimeters.

Aine Art Museum

On the border of Finland and Sweden there are two well-known cities: Tornio and Haparanda. Despite the 400-year military history of redrawing borders, these two neighboring cities are still in the same harness. Thanks to this, they acquired a unique culture and their own local dialect, quiet and calm, like the Tornio River, on the banks of which these cities are located.

The Aine Art Museum is a landmark of the city of Tornio. Here visitors are invited to get acquainted with Finnish art and culture. This art museum was founded by Eila and Veli Aine. Over the decades they collected a wide range of works of art, and in 1974 they opened the Aine Art Foundation.

The city of Tornio and the Aine Foundation signed an agreement in 1979, which stated that the city should build and maintain the museum itself, and the foundation would transfer its collection there. And in 1986, the Aine Art Museum hospitably opened its doors to visitors.

Eila and Veli Aine were interested in works of art from Northern Finland, especially Finnish Expressionism. All these works, and there are about 2,300 of them, are presented in the museum. The museum sets itself the goal of making these works accessible to a wide range of viewers. In addition, exhibitions of fine art and photography by emerging artists are held here annually.

What attractions of Tornio did you like? Next to the photo there are icons, by clicking on which you can rate a particular place.

Kemi Church

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Kemi is located in the Finnish city of Kemi.

The church was built in 1902 according to the design of the architect Joseph Stenbeck in the neo-Gothic style from red brick and attracts the attention of visitors not only with its beauty, but also with a capacity of up to 1000 people at a time. The crucifix inside is impressive in size.

The bell tower of the church serves as a good landmark for both local residents and sailors, because the city is located on the shores of the Gulf of Bothnia on the Baltic Sea. The war memorial located outside the church is striking in its scale.

The church hosts sacred and classical music concerts throughout the year, and the excellent acoustics of the church allow visitors to fully enjoy them.

In 2003, the Kemi Church was renovated and is now open to parishioners and tourists all year round.

Tornio Church is located in Lapland, Finland. It was built in 1686 by the architect Matti Härm. The church is made of wood and is considered the most beautiful church in Finland. Once upon a time it was even the personal temple of Queen Hedwig Eleonora.

The roof of the church bell tower is covered with tiles, and five towers are built around it. The inside of the church looks gorgeous - unique paintings on the ceiling, magnificent large chandeliers made of brass, and patterned pulpits made of wood make an indelible impression.

The first "version" of the church, as well as the entire city, were burned to the ground in 1682. In 1686 it was rebuilt, and it is in this form that the church has survived to this day. There was also an interesting moment in the 18th century - the scientist and astronomer Pierre Louis de Montpertuis was captivated by the idea of ​​​​calculating and determining the shape of the Earth, and he chose the spire of the Tornio church as the main point of reference for himself.

Nowadays, Tornio Church welcomes tourists who are interested in the history of Lapland at any time of the year. This is due to transport - in winter, flights are very difficult, and trains do not run there. Not far from the church, there is an observation deck from which you can see Lapland in all its glory. For the convenience of tourists, a cafe has been installed on the observation deck in order to combine the aesthetic pleasure of admiring the surrounding beauty with the opportunity to please your taste buds with healthy and delicious dishes.

The most popular attractions of Tornio with descriptions and photographs for every taste. Choose the best places to visit famous places in Tornio on our website.

Tornio (Finnish Tornio, Swedish Torne, Sami Duortnus) is a city commune in Finland, in the province and province of Lapland. The commune has a population of 22,453 (as of March 31, 2010) and covers an area of ​​1,348.42 square kilometers of which 161.47 is water.

The commune borders the Swedish municipality of Haparanda. Tornio and Haparanda have a history of sister cities, and are united into one city, EuroCity. A new city center is being built on the international border and some municipal services are shared. The cities also share a golf club located right on the border. The new IKEA store in Haparanda has signs in Finnish and Swedish, and all prices are shown in two currencies.

Photos

Transport

The railway in Tornio is changing gauge from the Finnish to the Swedish railway system.

Kemi-Tornio Airport is located in Kemi, about 18 km southeast of the center of Tornio.

Finnish motorway 29 (part of the European route E08 between Keminmaa and Tornio) is the northernmost highway in the world. Tornio is also the northern end of the European route E04

Story

The Torneälven delta has been inhabited since the Ice Age and as of 1995, 16 settlements had been found dating back to approximately 6000-5000 BC. e. The Swedish part of the region is located near the oldest settlement in Scandinavia (known in 2004). The old theory that the area was uninhabited and was "colonized" by the Vikings has now been discarded. Until the 19th century, the population spoke Kemi Sami, a language of the Eastern Sami subgroup, similar to Finnish.

Swedish rule

Tornio was named after the river Turnelven.

Tornio received its charter from the King of Sweden in 1621 and was officially founded on the island of Suensaari (translated as "Wolf Island", possibly named after one of the landowners). The charter enabled Tornio to be a center of trade in Lapland throughout the 16th century. Tornio was the largest trading city in the North at that time and for some time was considered the richest city in the Swedish kingdom. Despite brisk trade with Lapland and other regions, the city's population remained stable over the centuries at just 500 people.

During the 18th century, Tornio was visited by several expeditions from Central Europe to explore the Arctic. The most outstanding expedition (1736–1737), led by Pierre Louis de Maupertuis, a member of the French Academy, arrived to take measurements along the Tourneelven River, which were supposed to show that the Earth was elongated towards the poles.

The Lapland trade on which Tornio depended began to decline in the 18th century, and the pier had to be moved downstream twice due to rising ground making the river too shallow to navigate.

However, the most severe blow to the city's well-being was dealt by the last Russian-Swedish War (1808-1809). Already in March 1809, Tornio was a garrison town for the Russian army. In September of the same year, the war ended with the signing of the Friedrichsham Peace Treaty. As a result of this war, the Russian Empire annexed Finland. The border was drawn along the deepest channels of the Tornio and Muonio rivers, dividing Lapland into two parts and affecting trade. Tornio was left on the Russian side of the border at the special insistence of Emperor Alexander I. The Swedes founded the village of Haaparanta (now Haparanda) on their side of the border to balance the loss of Tornio. The final delimitation of territories was secured by a separate Act of Delimitation, signed in Tornio on November 8 (20), 1810.