This calm Finnish town sits amid lakes and pine forests. Local markets sell fresh fish and produce, while nearby ski slopes draw winter visitors.
Salo, a city of 51,000 residents in southwestern Finland, sits between Helsinki and Turku along the Coastal Railway. You'll find locals gathering at sidewalk cafes around the market square on summer evenings, while hikers explore the marked trails and calm lakes of Teijo National Park. In October, local farmers create Finland's largest Halloween celebration by placing thousands of carved jack-o'-lanterns across their fields, drawing up to 100,000 visitors to the annual Pumpkin Weeks festival.
Getting to Salo
You can reach Salo by InterCity and Pendolino trains on the Coastal Railway from Helsinki (114 km) or Turku (52 km). If you're driving, take European route E18 which runs north of the city center. For international connections, fly into Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, or use the smaller Turku Airport for domestic flights.
Summer Markets and Shopping
Visit the market square on Thursday evenings in summer to experience local life at its peak. You'll find merchants selling their goods, ice cream stands, summer cafes, and Finnish musicians performing live. Walk the surrounding streets to discover family-owned boutiques, many run by third-generation shopkeepers who know their regular customers by name. These shops focus on local products and handmade items.
Exploring Teijo National Park
Walk the marked trails through forests and along lakeshores in Teijo National Park. At Lake Matilda, rent boats, canoes, kayaks, or stand-up paddleboards for a day on the water. Stop at designated campfire sites or take a break at the island rest stop during lake tours. Mountain bikers can rent equipment and ride the trails at Teijo Action Park within the national park boundaries.
Pumpkin Weeks Festival
Each October, the fields of Halikko fill with thousands of pumpkins and carved jack-o'-lanterns. Join the crowds sampling seasonal foods and participating in Halloween activities. The festival has grown into one of Finland's main autumn events, with attendance reaching 100,000 visitors annually.
Museums and Culture
See contemporary art exhibitions at the Veturitalli Art Museum. Learn about Finland's technology industry at the Salo Electronics Museum, where you can examine vintage televisions and radios. Try out working displays and interactive exhibits that tell the story of Finnish electronics manufacturing.
Sports and Recreation
Play skateboarding, volleyball, basketball, or tennis at the Salo Sports Park. Choose from three international-standard golf courses that stay open through most of the year. In winter, go downhill skiing; in summer, swim in local lakes or try canoeing. Watch the professional basketball team Salon Vilpas Vikings play their home games at Salohalli.
