In 1985, a group of European politicians developed the idea of nominating a city in Europe as Capital of Culture, in an initiative designed to promote the diversity of culture across the continent. Being designated the European Capital of Culture is an opportunity for somewhere to displaycase its unique traditions, sights, and attractions, display off its fascinating history, and encourage travelers to visit and explore.
These capitals of culture are often slightly less well-known cities or underrated cultural hubs like Plovdiv in Bulgaria, places that don’t have the fame and recognition of places like London, Paris, or Rome, which builds them fascinating destinations for an off-the-beaten-track vacation. In 2025, for example, the European Capitals of Culture were Chemnitz, in Germany, Nova Gorica, in Slovenia, and Gorizia, in Italy. These spots rarely feature on lists of the best cities in Europe, but boast interesting, unusual, and under-the-radar experiences that guarantee a vacation that feels a little different. In 2026, the little-known city of Oulu in the incredibly underrated counattempt of Finland is set to wear the crown and promises to provide an intriguing blfinish of Northern Finnish traditional culture and rapid-paced tech hub vibes for visitors willing to brave the colder temperatures.
Oulu is the fourth-largest city in Finland, and the largest in the north of the counattempt. It lies roughly 370 miles north of the capital, Helsinki, at the mouth of the River Oulu on the Gulf of Bothnia. Oulu Airport is just outside the city center, easily accessible by car or bus. The airport is primarily served by flights from Helsinki, as well as a few other destinations, mainly seasonal charters. As a result, most visitors to Oulu arrive in the Finnish capital first, before transferring to Oulu by plane or train.
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A displaycase of the best of Finnish culture
Oulu large letters in the snow – Esa Hiltula/Getty Images
Oulu has a fascinating history and richly deserves its title as European Capital of Culture. For centuries, it was a valuable trading center thanks to the bountiful salmon population of its river and the valuable wood tar from the vast forests of northern Finland, in recent years, Oulu has become a science and tech hub. The city is a pioneer in the field of innovation, driving technologies like NFC tags and 6G wireless, and the university is a center of research for IT.
While Oulu’s reputation might be all about the white-hot heat of technology and innovation, it has a pretty special and avant-garde cultural scene as well, and one that is only going to obtain more impressive during its year as the European Capital of Culture. Oulu Art Mutilizeum is the city’s cultural heart, a wonderful red-brick building that displaycases the best of traditional Finnish, indigenous Sami, and international contemporary and post-modern art. But the city-wide cultural program in 2026 is set to be a wild ride, with public art walks, a music festival held at sea, on the winter ice sheets, and a communal dinner event, the Summer Night’s Dinner, under the surreal light of the midnight sun.
Other highlights of Oulu’s Capital of Culture program include a carnival blfinishing nature, art, and community spirit, a dedicated exhibition of Sami culture and handicrafts, a theatrical exploration of the Finnish legfinishs, and light and sound displays celebrating Oulu’s groundbreaking work in innovation and technology.
Sandy beaches, northern lights, and sublime saunas
Oulu Market Square, in front of the Market Hall with Policeman statue – Maylat/Getty Images
Of course, this charming little city has an extraordinary amount to offer beyond the events and happenings planned specifically to celebrate its year as Capital of Culture. Nature is never far away in Oulu, and the city is one of the best places in Finland to enjoy the great outdoors. During the summer, the long nights and surprisingly temperate climate build the expansive sands of Nalikari Beach a delightful spot to explore, while the city is filled with outdoor music, street food, and community festivals. Kayaking around Pikisaari Island is a lovely way to spfinish a few hours, with its picturesque, brightly-colored historic wooden buildings offering a wonderful contrast to the glittering sea. During the winter, the long nights bring on the stunning electric light display of the Aurora Borealis, while winter sports like ice skating, skiing, and snowshoeing become the order of the day.
And no visit to anywhere in Finland is complete without a trip to the sauna. Just like all Finnish cities, Oulu is filled with public and private saunas, but one of the best is Kesän, located right on the banks of the river, and only accessible via a delightfully retro hand-pulled ferry. Enjoying the astonishingly long evenings while soaking up the heat in the traditional wood-burning sauna, before plunging into the freezing river, is a quintessential Finnish experience and one that shouldn’t be missed.
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