Tornio

Tornio (Swedish: Torneå) is a city in Finnish Lapland, by the border to Sweden.

Tornio is mostly a summer destination or a place to visit for extensive shopping. While it may be a good place to view the northern lights, many things are closed during the winter – without necessarily being advertised as such.

Understand

Having been established in 1621 Tornio is by far the oldest city in Lapland. Today the city has approximately 21,000 inhabitants (2021). Tornio forms a unique economical zone together with the Swedish town Haparanda; the border between the countries is hardly visible. Tornio-Haparanda golf course is probably the only 18-hole golf course on Earth located in two countries, and the nation border runs right across the modern market square. The town lives strongly from border trade.

The famous Lapin Kulta brewery was established in 1873 but was closed in August 2010, and nowadays this famous brand is made in southern Finland. In 2016 brewing was restarted by Tornion panimo in the same building. The biggest employer in the Tornio area is the Steel company Outokumpu. Their huge steel mill is about 8 km south of the town centre. Tornio steel mill is not only the world's largest integrated stainless steel mill, but also the largest individual consumer of electricity in the Nordic countries. Its employment impact for the region is estimated at almost 8,000 people.

  • 🌍 TornioHaparanda Tourist Information Office, Green Line, Pakkahuoneenkatu 1, ☏ +358 50-590-0562. 

Get in

Tornio lies by the border, next to Haparanda, at the junction of the roads E4 through Sweden and E8 between Turku in south-western Finland and Tromsø in north-western Norway. E75 from Helsinki in the south and Utsjoki in the north passes not too far away.

If arriving from Sweden, check Haparanda#Get in and notice the time zone difference. Also Norway uses CET.

By car

From most of Finland you will arrive along either the E8 or the E75, at least the last leg by the former.

E8 comes down from the north along the Swedish border. E4 comes down via Inari and Rovaniemi and joins E8 in Keminmaa 15 km south from Tornio.

E8 comes up from the south by the coast via Vaasa, while E4 keeps inland until before Oulu. Oulu also has some significant roads from the east.

From most of Sweden, E4 via Haparanda is the obvious choice, although there are other options.

By train

In season VR has a night train from the south to Kolari, stopping in Tornio. The station is named Tornio-Itäinen ("Tornio East"). More trains (those to Rovaniemi) stop in Kemi, 30 km away, where you can transfer to bus. The Haparanda station in Sweden is 3 km from the centre of Tornio, with a few trains from Luleå. The overnight trains from southern Sweden terminate in Luleå, with an express coach for the last stretch.

By bus

From Finland, check Matkahuolto for timetables and fares. There are direct bus connections from Oulu and Rovaniemi to Tornio.

From Sweden, check Länstrafik Norrbotten and Resrobot. Check also for Haparanda, as the bus station is just across the border. A direct express coach connection from Stockholm to Tornio is offered by Tapanis buss, ticket from Stockholm 870 kr. There are also direct coaches from Luleå to Haparanda.

From most of Norway the easiest route is through Sweden. From Troms and Finnmark, there are connections via Rovaniemi, some of them only in summer. There should be a service via Utsjoki year round. Eskelisen Lapinlinjat is the main operator.

By plane

The nearest airport is Kemi-Tornio 20 km from the centre, where Finnair runs scheduled flights from Helsinki. From there you'll have to continue with by bus (see Matkahuolto); the nearest bus stop from Kemi airport is named Kemi lentoasema th. Oulu airport is farther away, but the fares are usually cheaper and flights more frequent. From Sweden, fly to Luleå and take the bus to Haparanda-Tornio travel centre.

Get around

The city is small; you can get everywhere by walking. It is also easy to visit Haparanda in Sweden by foot (the border is barely noticeable).

Local transport is available. See route map. There is a route planner for local transport trips.

Demand-responsive service traffic is designed especially for those residents who have difficulty traveling on public public transport or who live outside public transport services. Call-driven service traffic complements the local traffic in the city of Tornio and is open to everyone. The ride is ordered from the driver on the previous visit or at the latest on the working day preceding the need for transport.

By taxi
  • Menevä Tornio, ☏ +358 50-471-0470 (head of office), toll-free: 0800-02120 (booking). Also bookable by app or web. Fixed price based on calculated route and time if destination address given when booking by app or web. Flag fall M–Sa 06:00–18:00: €7, other times and holidays: €7; 1–4 persons €1.00/km + €0.90/min, 5–8 persons minimum €20, €1.60/km + €0.90/min (March 2021). (updated Mar 2021)
  • Smartphone app: Valopilkku, 02 Taksi

See
  • 🌍 Church of Tornio. One of the most beautiful wooden churches still in use in Finland. The church was designed and completed by Matti Härmä in 1689, making the building over 300 years old. 
  • 🌍 Church of Alatornio. Classic church designed by Jacob Rijfin and completed in 1797. The church is part of the Struve Geodetic Arc, protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 
  • 🌍 Orthodox Church of Tornio. An Orthodox church completed in 1884 and dedicated to apostles Peter and Paul. Open during the summer. 
  • 🌍 Kukkola Rapids. Few kilometres long cascade of rapids in the Torniojoki river, some 14 km north of the town. The village has maintained its fishermen culture which probably dates back to the 13th century. Local way to catch fish is by dipnetting (Finnish: lippoaminen). The varrassiika, whitefish roasted on a spit by an open fire is a local delicacy. The fishermen village is included to the list of nationally significant built cultural environments. 
  • 🌍 Arboretum Park. An excellent teaching and observation area. No entrance fee. 
  • 🌍 Historical Museum of Tornio River Valley (Torniolaakson maakuntamuseo), Torikatu 4. A visit to the museum gives a good overall impression of the history of the entire Western part of Lapland. Entrance fee: €2-4. 

Handicraft
  • 🌍 Smeds Gold & Silver Gallery, Kemintie 6. Silversmith Jorma Smeds forges traditional Lap Silver using hammer and an anvil. 
  • 🌍 Jaur Showroom, Teollisuuskatu 8. M-F 12:00-16:30. A design gallery which presents the internationally renowned artefacts of Eero Hyrkäs. Free entrance.. 
  • 🌍 Aine Art Museum (Aineen taidemuseo), Torikatu 2. Open Tu-Th 11:00-18:00, F-Su 11:00-15:00. The art collection presented in the museum is from the Aine Visual Arts Foundation collection. Entrance fee: €4, children for free.. 
  • 🌍 Postelli Paula Salminen, Niemeläntie 2. Workshop is located by the sea in Laivaniemi 10 km from Tornio. 

Do
  • 🌍 Alkunkarinlahti Nature Trails. A bird reservation site with three observation towers, covered trails and a campfire site. A must-see for a bird-watcher! 
  • 🌍 Bothnian Bay National Park (Perämeren kansallispuisto). A group of islands lying far apart from each other; a characteristic view for Perämeri National Park! Many different bird species are nesting in the park and seals can be seen in the waters. A great experience for anyone enjoying swimming and sunshine! Only reachable by boat or, parts of it in winter, over the ice. A few tour companies offer cruises, paddling or skiing tours etc. 
  • 🌍 Arctic Iceroad Production, Hallituskatu 9, ☏ +358 40-555-8529. A wide range of programme services. For example guided tours with an authorised guide, guided fishing and hunting tours, extreme and survival adventures, rally and off-road safaris. Also equipment rental, bicycles, skies, ice skates and canoes. 
  • 🌍 Green Zone Golf. A unique golf course in the golfing world. The border is crossed four times during the game and you have the possibility to make a hole in one across the border on the sixth hole. The time difference between Finland and Sweden is one hour so it takes an hour to hit the green! In the middle of the summer the sun shines 24 hours a day so you can play even during the night. 
  • 🌍 Hovilompolo, Husantie 4, ☏ +358 40-531-9353. Situated 23 km north of Tornio. A traditional country manor with a large courtyard, terrace, a smoke sauna and a Lappish tent. A rental cottage for sunny summer days! 
  • 🌍 Nordic Safaris, Koskitie 130, Kukkola, ☏ +358 40-755-1858. River and white-water rafting safaris with rubber and rowboats in the summer. During winter time snowmobile safaris to Sampo Ice breaker and Snow Castle. 
  • 🌍 Traffic park for children, Juhannussaari, ☏ +358 40-776-5852. Open every day during summertime at 11-17 closed in case of rain.. Summer fun for children. The park is situated in Tornio, close to the water tower. 
  • 🌍 Kotieläinpiha Tara. Domestic animal farm in Arpela, 20 km from Tornio. Riding tours and camps. Open all year round. 

The hot summer days can also be spent swimming in the cool Tornio river, lake Karsikkojärvi or in the beautiful island of Seskarö.

Events
  • Twin City Festivals. Northern town atmosphere and top artists mainly from Finland and Sweden. 
  • Kalott Jazz & Blues. A yearly jazz and blues festival. 
  • Rajasoitto. Folk music, folk dance and accordion festival. 
  • Peräpohjola Historical Market. A market event that takes us to the 1800s. 
  • White fish festival and Kukkolafästit. Old traditions and culture are cherished on in the Kukkola villages on both sides of the river. 
  • Midnight Sun Golf Marathon. Four days and three nights of golfing; an exciting competition between teams. 
  • National Sauna Day. Enjoy sauna, music and good company at Kukkolankoski. 
  • Art Bazaar. An art event that was first organised in 1991 at Aine Art Museum. Artists from both Finland and Sweden. 
  • New Year Celebrations. The new year is celebrated on the border with double fireworks! As Finland and Sweden are in different time zones you can celebrate the arrival of the new year in Tornio, then cross the river and celebrate it again one hour later in Haparanda. 

Buy
  • 🌍 Rajalla - På Gränsen. Next to the Swedish border, the name of Tornio's largest mall translates in both languages to "on the border". 
  • 🌍 IKEA Haparanda Tornio, Norrskensvägen 2, 953 36 Haparanda. The World's northernmost IKEA is just 600 meters off the border in Sweden, and – to be honest – probably the most popular reason to visit Tornio. (updated Mar 2021)

Eat

Budget
  • 🌍 Kisälli, Urheilukatu 6, ☏ +358 10-343-4491. Lunch M–F 11:00–13:00. During summer time only café and bakery open 09:00-14:30. Catering student training establishment. À la carte, café and bakery. 
  • 🌍 Subway, Rajalla - På Gränsen Shopping Centre, Länsiranta 10, ☏ +358 50-582-3331. M–F 12:00–20:00, Sa 10:00–19:00, Su 12:00–18:00. French bread and salads. 
  • 🌍 Cafe Picnic (in the shopping mall Rajalla-På Gränsen). Lunch delicacies: French bread, salads, pasta, soup. 
  • 🌍 Tasty Fast Food, Laivurinkatu 5, ☏ +358 16 480-150. M 11:00–20:00, Tu–Th 11:00–22:00, F 11:00–04:30, Sa 12:00–04:30, Su 12:00–20:00. Lunch M–F 11:00–15:00. Chinese, Italian and Thai food and pizza. 
  • 🌍 Grillikioski Kukkolankoski Catering, Koskitie 4, Kukkola, ☏ +358 40-730-1524. Open in the summer Su–Th 07:00–22:00, F–Su 07:00–02:00. Delicacies from Peräpohjola: salmon soup, smoked fish, reindeer, grilled white fish. 
  • 🌍 Meerin Grilli, Länsiranta, ☏ +358 16 480-430. Su–Tu 10:00–02:00, W Th 10:00–04.30, F–Su 10:00–06:00. Delicious grilled food. 
  • 🌍 Turkinpippuri, Laivurinkatu 10, ☏ +358 16 611-116. M–Th 10:30–22:00, F–Su 10:30–04:30, Su 12:00–22:00. Kebab and pizza 

Mid-range
  • 🌍 Golden Flower, Eliaksenkatu 8, ☏ +358 16 481-384. M 11:00–18:00, Tu–F 12:00–20:00, Sa Su 12:00–22:00. The first Chinese restaurant in Tornio. Chinese food and pizza. 
  • 🌍 Umpitunneli, Hallituskatu 15 (right on the western bank of Tornio river), ☏ +358 16 430-360. M Tu Th 15:00–22:00, W–F 15:00–04:00, Sa 13:00–04:00, Su 13:00–22:00, food served until 22:00. A bar and steak restaurant with outdoor and indoor seating. The decor is Mexico-themed, but the menu is not. If you're hungry, order the XXL-burger! They have live music performances on weekends. 
  • 🌍 Saigon, Kauppakatu 13, ☏ +358 16 430-565. M 10:30–19:00, Tu–F 10:30–22:00, Sa Su 10:30–22:00. Lunch M–F 10.30–19:00. A Vietnamese restaurant. 
  • 🌍 Tornio Kerhoravintola, Puutarhakatu 9, ☏ +358 16 482-201. Lunch M–F 11:00–15:00. À la carte M–F 11:00–21:00, Sa Su 12:00–21:00. 

Drink

Coffee houses
  • 🌍 Arnolds Bakery & Coffee Shop, Rajalla – På Gränsen shopping mall, Länsiranta 10, ☏ +358 45-230- 7222. M–F 09:00–20:00, Sa 10:00–18:00, Su 12:00–18:00. Doughnuts, bagels, smoothies and other delicacies. 
  • 🌍 Café Aine, Torikatu 2 (in Aine Art Museum), ☏ +358 50-597-1189. Tu–Th 11:00–18:00, F–Su 11:00–15:00. Coffee shop. 
  • 🌍 Karkiainen, Länsiranta 9, ☏ +358 16 480-669. M–F 08:00–18:00, Sa 10:00–17:00, Su 12:00–17:00; lunch 11:00–15:00. Coffee house and restaurant. Bakery products for sweet teeth. 
  • 🌍 Lappelill Viihdekahvila, Länsiranta 9, ☏ +358 40-184-0104. M–F 10:00–20:00, Sa 12:00–20:00. A cosy cafeteria near the shopping centre. 
  • 🌍 Myllynpirtti, Koskitie, Kukkola, ☏ +358 16 472-044. Jun–Aug: M–Th 09:00–22:00, F Sa 09:00–00:00, Su 10:00–22:00. Coffee house and restaurant. 
  • 🌍 Pitoporras, Hallituskatu 14, ☏ +358 16 430-321. M–F 07:30–17:00, Sa 09:00–14:00. 
  • 🌍 Robert’s Coffee & SpiceIce, Rajalla – På Gränsen shopping centre, Länsiranta 10, ☏ +358 400-114-790. M–Sa 10:00–20:00, Su 12:00–19:00. 

Bars, pubs and night clubs

Sleep

Budget
  • 🌍 Motel Tornio, Kemintie 26 (in the centre), ☏ +358 40-196-3524, . A small, budget-friendly self-catering motel built on the premises of the old fire station. 
  • 🌍 Summer hotel Lappia, Urheilukatu 6 (in Tornio centre), ☏ +358 10-192-049. In June–July the students apartments are rented for travellers. The rooms have a toilet, shower and cooking facilities. Bookings M–F 08:00–16:00. 
  • 🌍 Camping Tornio (2,5 km south of the centre.), ☏ +358 16 445-945. May–Sep, closed in Midsummer. 15 cottages, 60 camping places with electricity for caravans and campers. A beautiful beach and riverside sauna. Rental boats. 

Mid-range

Splurge

Connect

Tornio and its approach roads have 4G from all Finnish carriers, which extends a few km across the border into Sweden. You should also pick up Swedish networks here. 5G has not reached Tornio.

Go next
  • The Swedish town of Haparanda is situated at the other side of the border.
  • In the other direction the city of Kemi is less than half an hour away by bus or car.
  • To the north is Tromsø, Norway via Kilpisjärvi along the Tornio River, or Nordkapp, Norway via Rovaniemi and Ivalo on another route.
Routes through Tornio
Sundsvall ← Haparanda ←  W  E  → MERGES WITH
Kilpisjärvi ← Ylitornio ←  N  E  → Kemi → Oulu


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