<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Christmas in Turku<\/h2>\n\n\n\nLocal Specialties<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Karjalanpiirakka (Karelian Pie)<\/strong>: A traditional Finnish pastry, Karjalanpiirakka has a rye crust filled with rice porridge. It’s often eaten with egg butter and is a regional staple.<\/p>\n\n\n\nLohikeitto (Salmon Soup)<\/strong>: Lohikeitto is a creamy salmon soup with potatoes and leeks. You’ll find it warming and comforting, especially in the winter chill of the market.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPiparkakut (Gingerbread)<\/strong>: These spiced cookies are synonymous with Christmas in Finland. You can buy them individually or in decorative tins, making them a popular gift choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\nGl\u00f6gi<\/strong>: A mulled wine or juice spiced with cloves, cinnamon, and cardamom, gl\u00f6gi is a quintessential drink to keep you warm. It’s often paired with almonds and raisins.<\/p>\n\n\n\nRiisipuuro (Rice Pudding)<\/strong>: A simple dish made of rice cooked in milk, riisipuuro is traditionally eaten at Christmas. It’s sometimes topped with cinnamon and sugar for added flavour.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHernekeitto (Pea Soup)<\/strong>: This is a hearty green pea soup, often flavoured with smoked ham. While it’s a typical dish in Finland, it holds a special place in winter festivals.<\/p>\n\n\n\nJoulutorttu (Christmas Star)<\/strong>: This Finnish Christmas pastry is made of puff pastry in the shape of a star, filled with prune jam. It’s a seasonal speciality and commonly found at the markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSalmiakki (Liquorice)<\/strong>: Though enjoyed year-round, salmiakki frequently appears over the Christmas season. It’s a liquorice and comes in various shapes and sizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\nLeip\u00e4juusto (Cheese)<\/strong>: This fresh cheese is served warmly and topped with cloudberry jam. <\/p>\n\n\n\nJoulukinkku (Christmas Ham)<\/strong>: A smoked and slow-cooked ham, joulukinkku is a Finnish Christmas staple. Many stalls serve it sliced, sometimes accompanied by root vegetable casseroles.<\/p>\n\n\n\nKorvapuusti (Cinnamon Roll)<\/strong>: A variant of the classic cinnamon roll, korvapuusti is spiced with cardamom. The pull-apart design makes sharing easy, though you might not want to.<\/p>\n\n\n\nRunebergin Torttu (Runeberg’s Tart)<\/strong>: Though more associated with Runeberg’s Day in February, some stalls offer this almond-flavoured tart topped with raspberry jam as a seasonal treat.<\/p>\n\n\n\nGifts and Stocking Fillers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Moomin Merchandise<\/strong>: Originating from Finland, Moomin characters are well-loved and widely recognised. You can find Moomin-themed items such as mugs, notebooks, and soft toys. These make ideal gifts for children and adults who are fans of the series.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFinnish Knitwear<\/strong>: Local artisans sell hand-knitted items such as woollen socks, mittens, and hats.<\/p>\n\n\n\nKalevala Jewellery<\/strong>: Distinctive and steeped in Finnish folklore, Kalevala Jewellery is a unique find at the Christmas market. The designs are inspired by ancient Finnish artefacts, making them unique souvenirs or gifts.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTuohi Products<\/strong>: These are eco-friendly items crafted from birch bark, an abundant natural resource in Finland. You’ll find everything from small containers to ornamental pieces, all offering a slice of Finnish sustainability.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHimmeli Ornaments<\/strong>: Traditionally made from straw, himmeli are intricate geometric ornaments. They serve as festive decor and are believed to bring good fortune.<\/p>\n\n\n\nKantele Instruments<\/strong>: A string instrument with ancient roots in Finnish culture, smaller versions of the kantele can be found as a keepsake or for musical exploration. <\/p>\n\n\n\nTravel Information<\/h3>\n\n\n\n To get up-to-date information on winter activities and the latest events, use the city’s website, Visit Turku<\/a>. It provides different guides to help you make the most of your time in the city and the surrounding region.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSustainable Travel Tips<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Here are some tips for travelling responsibly in Turku at Christmas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eco-friendly Hotels<\/strong>: Look for hotels that rely on renewable energy sources. These types of places actively participate in reducing carbon emissions and are increasingly common in Turku. By booking such a place to stay, you directly support the local push toward sustainability.<\/p>\n\n\n\nReducing Food Waste at Markets<\/strong>: When eating at the Christmas markets, keep portion sizes in mind. Many stalls allow you to choose portion sizes. By ordering only what you can finish, you contribute to reducing food waste, an issue that the city is committed to tackling.<\/p>\n\n\n\nEthical Consumption<\/strong>: While it may be tempting to purchase numerous souvenirs and products, consider what you truly need. Turku has a strong culture of recycling and sustainability, so aim to buy products you’ll use or give away rather than items that may end up as waste.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSustainable Diets<\/strong>: Many Turku stalls sell vegetarian or vegan food options, which require fewer resources to produce than meat dishes.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSustainable Transport<\/strong>: Turku has an efficient public transport system, including electric buses. By using public transport instead of renting a car, you contribute to reducing carbon emissions. The city also has a network of pedestrian-friendly routes, ideal for exploring the market and surrounding attractions on foot.<\/p>\n\n\n\nComment below if you want to leave a review of Turku Xmas Market or have any questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research. This post contains affiliate links to hotels and tours in Turku, Finland. This means I get a small commission from any bookings at no extra cost to you.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"An interesting holiday destination this winter is Turku, a coastal city only two hours from Helsinki. Known for its Medieval sites and lively waterfront, the city is also home to the Turku Christmas Market. In this article, I’ll help you plan a visit, listing all the essential details, including the unconfirmed 2024 dates and what…<\/p>\n
Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":15726,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nTurku Christmas Market 2024: Finland's Oldest City<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n