What does a day in our lives in Turku, Finland, look like? Here’s your chance to find out! If you’re intrigued about life in the Nordics, here is your chance to step into our shoes and immerse yourself in Nordic living. Join us on this virtual tour to experience living in the happiest country for the 6th year running.
Embracing the Nordic lifestyle
As the alarm clock rings at 6:30 AM, urging us to rise earlier than our sleepy eyes desire, we begin our day in Turku, Finland. Our Weekdays revolve around our day jobs, with evenings dedicated to nurturing our bodies and minds at the gym, learning the Finnish language, blogging, and planning our wedding. In Finland, it is quite common to start work as early as 7:00 to 9:00 AM to be able to finish early and utilize the time after work. While the Finnish work culture is well-known for its efficiency and productivity, one can’t talk about it without mentioning the country’s famous work-life balance. The average working day in Finland spans around 8 hours, leaving enough time to embrace the company of family, friends, and pursue hobbies.
During the weekends, we eagerly try to squeeze in some fun activities together. Depending on the season, we enjoy going out for movies, eating out, or taking long walks along the Turku riverside or getting out of the city. The summer months bless us with extended daylight hours, ensuring the city remains alive and vibrant well past 10:00 or 11:00 PM. The restaurants and cafes in the city centre also have summer terraces, allowing people to enjoy the warm sun while sipping a glass of wine. Many others opt to sit by the riverside and read a book or have a picnic.
While Turku has plenty to offer, the essence of Finnish life lies in connecting with nature. Most Finns have a summer cottage where they spend a significant amount of their time during weekends and holidays, particularly during the summer months. Others opt to explore the archipelago by boat or bicycle, while some enjoy nature trails in and around the city. The proximity of nature to Finnish cities makes them easy to access as well as suitable for a quick getaway. At the end of the day, it’s easy to enjoy nature in Finland. One could even say that Finland is a nature lover's paradise, where beauty and tranquillity intertwine harmoniously.
Experiencing the connection with nature at Katariinalaakso
But now it’s the weekend – giving us a little bit of extra time to unwind from the week and recharge for the next. And so, today, we decided to take a detour from the city and head to a picturesque nature trail in Turku called Katariinalaakso. This popular nature trail is easily accessible by public transportation, making it a perfect escape from the city. As we arrive, we notice that nature is already in full bloom, with trees flaunting fresh green leaves, vibrant flowers all around, and the sweetest noisy birds welcoming us. Even though the day is on the warmer side, the shade of the trees protects us from the sunlight, and the nearby water offers an occasional cool breeze.
Katariinalaakso is a haven for animal lovers, with informative signs along the trail highlighting the diverse species that can be found in the area. On our walk, we meet some cute furry friends along the way. As we offer them food, hungry and shy squirrels slowly start to make our acquaintance. The bushy-tailed beauties are not the only friendly ones, as we witness colourful birds at arm's length. Resting on the rocks, soaking in some sunlight, we take a moment to appreciate the serenity of the surroundings and indulge in a mid-walk picnic.
After living in Finland for 5 years now, we feel more connected to nature than ever before and appreciate the feeling of peace and calmness that the city rarely offers. Most days in our lives are busy and action-packed, but on some rare special days, time moves slowly, and all worries melt away. This day was one of those rare occasions, one that you instantly know you will cherish.