Hailuoto

Travel Guide

Situated in the Bay of Bothnia, Hailuoto is recognised as having one of the most beautiful landscapes in the whole of Finland.

Hailuoto is an islet and a municipality situated near Oulu. Hailuoto is known for its unique nature that features spectacular dunes, vast beach meadows and gloe lakes, which were separated from the sea owing to land rising due to post-glacial rebound. The forests of the island are known for having extensive pine forests dominated by white lichen. Enjoy hiking on the paths along the largest island on the Bay of Bothnia or bask in the sun in its vast beaches.

Hailuoto is an excellent destination for birdwatching. The island's forests and beaches have several birdwatching towers, from where even rare species of birds can be observed. Several species of birds migrate through Hailuoto in the spring and autumn. Migration time offers you a brilliant opportunity to photograph the hundreds of birds, especially swans, stopping at the islets.

In addition to nature, Hailuoto has sights created by man. The Marjaniemi Lighthouse, situated in the western part of the island, was built in 1871. The lighthouse is open to visitors during summer for free. Another point of interest is the interactive nature exhibit in Marjaniemi, where you can get more acquainted with Hailuoto's cultural history and its wildlife. The exhibit is free of charge. The exhibit features an outdoor nature walk along planks known as Rannan Reitti (a walk on the coast), enabling you to experience Hailuoto's unique nature and culture.

If you're interested in the history of the island, visit Kniivilä local history museum, which features exhibits related to the traditional occupations of the people of Hailuoto. The museum charges a small entrance fee in the summer.

The oldest surviving seamark on the north side of the island is the Keskiniemi beacon tower, which was built in 1858. This culturally significant structure once warned seafarers of the sandbanks that spread out towards the north.

Art lovers should visit the galleries at Kylätalo Pääkauppa. Galleries Luoto and Peräkammari often have exhibitions related to local themes. Once you have perused the exhibitions, you can shop in the arts and crafts shop located in the same building and have a coffee in the cafeteria conveniently located in the same building.

Visit Ulkokarvo with its Hailuoto Organum installation art piece to experience a different kind of art. Designed by Lukas Kühne and installed in 2014, this acoustic sculpture comprises three domes of different sizes, each with its own resonance. Be adventurous and step inside the sculptures to listen to the timbre of your own voice, or maybe just enjoy a moment of silence within these artworks, designed to be a harmonic part of the nature around them.

Travelling to Hailuoto by car is convenient, and the journey from the centre of Oulu takes approximately 1.5 hours. Oulu airport serves many national domestic routes, however, so you’ll need to stopover in Helsinki first. There are no roads to the island, but there is a ferry service that regularly operates from Riutunkari in Oulunsalo. During the winter, the island can be accessed by an ice road, provided the ice is thick enough. You don’t necessarily need a car to get to Hailuoto, as a bus from Oulu visits the island three times every weekday. At weekends, the bus visits less frequently.

Your holiday to Hailuoto will give you a unique chance to see one of the most beautiful landscapes in Finland that will keep you coming back again and again.

GreenStar Hotel Oulu

GreenStar Hotel Oulu

3 out of 5
26 Uusikatu, Oulu
The price is P4,973 per night from Sep 11 to Sep 12
P4,973
P5,669 total
Sep 11 - Sep 12
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Stay at this 3-star hotel in Oulu. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Rotuaari and Oulu Cathedral are located ...
8/10 Very Good! (680 reviews)
"Clean"

Reviewed on Jun 14, 2025

GreenStar Hotel Oulu
Radisson Blu Hotel, Oulu

Radisson Blu Hotel, Oulu

Hallituskatu 1, Oulu
The price is P8,952 per night from Aug 17 to Aug 18
P8,952
P10,205 total
Aug 17 - Aug 18
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Book a stay at this eco-certified hotel in Oulu. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,007 reviews)
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Reviewed on Aug 6, 2025

Radisson Blu Hotel, Oulu
Scandic Oulu Station

Scandic Oulu Station

3.5 out of 5
Kajaaninkatu 17, Oulu
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P7,503 per night from Sep 14 to Sep 15
P7,503
P8,554 total
Sep 14 - Sep 15
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Oulu. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and room service. Popular attractions Oulu Cathedral and Oulun Tuomiokirkko are located ...
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Overnight in Oulu
"Quick overnight stop in Oulu ut seemed like a nice city, very friendly and helpful staff"

Reviewed on Jul 30, 2025

Scandic Oulu Station
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Forenom Aparthotel Kempele

Forenom Aparthotel Kempele

3.5 out of 5
Pekurintie 2, Kempele
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Kempele. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (316 reviews)
"We hadn't completed the Identity verification before arriving. The website wouldn't allow us to enter pictures of our passports. The local customer service number in Finland was not working. We had to call the customer service number in Germany to talk to someone who sent us another link to take ..."

Reviewed on May 31, 2025

Forenom Aparthotel Kempele
Nallikari Seaside Cottages

Nallikari Seaside Cottages

3 out of 5
Leiritie 10, Oulu
Stay at this 3-star cottage in Oulu. Enjoy free parking, a beach locale, and airport pick-up service (surcharge). Popular attractions Oulu Beach and Nallikari ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (394 reviews)
Sujuva yöpyminen Nallikarissa
"Vuorokauden yöpyminen matkan varrella Lappiin sujui mukavasti. Kiva ympäristö, hyvä palvelu, hienot merimaisemat takasivat viihtyisän oleskelun. Mökissä oli kaikki tarvittava ja neljä henkilöä mahtui hyvin yöpymään. Sänky oli aavistuksen liian pehmeä."

Reviewed on Jun 8, 2025

Nallikari Seaside Cottages
Oulu Hotelli Apartments

Oulu Hotelli Apartments

3 out of 5
Asemakatu 41, Oulu
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly apartment in Oulu. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an in-room espresso maker. Popular attractions Oulun Energia Areena ...
9/10 Wonderful! (289 reviews)
Good location
"The apartment was well-furnished for our short stay and a good location, close to the water and market. I would stay here again."

Reviewed on Jul 16, 2024

Oulu Hotelli Apartments
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