Where to stay in Oulu

·5 December, 2022
·Samantha - Travelling King

Beautiful super wide-angle summer aerial view of Helsinki capital Finland with skyline and scenery beyond the city and harbour seen from the quadrocopter air drone

Travellers planning a visit to northern Finland will likely find themselves in Oulu Finland at some point as it’s the largest city of northern Finland and the fourth largest city in all of Finland. This is where you’ll find a transition from culture to nature, as both are very important in Oulu. Many visitors embark on wilderness expeditions from Oulu, but it’s worth a few days to explore this cozy city on the Bay of Bothnia.

Between outdoor adventures, entertain yourself with music, art, science, and cuisine. With our guide to hotels in Oulu Finland, you can find the best area for tourists, whether you are searching for family-friendly Oulu hotels or budget-friendly accommodations.

We will cover off all types of Oulu accommodation options from Hostels to luxury Oulu hotels as well as how to decide where to stay in Oulu 2023, the best Oulu hotels, best places in Oulu to visit, the best places to stay in Oulu, hotels near Oulu attractions, Oulu neighborhood guide and many more.

Plan your trip to Finland

Avoid hidden fees in the exchange rate while withdrawing from millions of ATMs abroad, paying in restaurants and shops, and buying your accommodation and flights using the Wise Card. You can hold up to 50+ currencies at once, and convert them in real time with the free Wise app.

Need help planning your trip from start to finish? Check out these:

Read more on Finland:

Looking for a particular destination, see below otherwise you can go to Finland Travel Guide to view current posts

This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

Table of Contents

Meritulli – Where to stay in Oulu for first timers

One main area of Oulu city center is Meritulli, home of government offices, shopping centers, and hotels. This is a popular area for tourists, as most of the best attractions are within walking distance and frequent bus stations for other destinations. Kauppahalli is a historic market hall located at Market Square, the perfect place to explore Finnish cuisine.

This is also the location of one of Oulu’s most popular statues, Toripollissi. For entertainment, there is a casino as well as a movie theater in Meritulli. Perhaps the biggest draw of all is the waterfront and the guest marina, where visitors who arrive by boat will land in Oulu. Meritulli is surrounded by water and green space, especially the parks that line the Oulu River.

Best places to stay in Meritulli

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Meritulli
Pikisaari Guesthouse

Budget Hotels in Meritulli
Forenom Oulu
TurusenSaha
Oulu Hotelli Apartments

Mid range Hotels in Meritulli
Scandic Oulu
Radisson Blu Oulu
Original Sokos Hotel Arina

Family Friendly Hotels in Meritulli
Best Western Hotel Apollo
Break Sokos Hotel Eden
Scandic Oulu Station

Affordable Luxury Hotels in Meritulli
Lapland Hotels Oulu

Old wooden houses in the old center around the harbor of Oulu. Finland

Myllytulli – Where to stay in Oulu with family

Another popular part of the city center of Oulu is Myllytulli, which is just across the Oulu River from Meritulli. Here you’ll also find many hotels and restaurants, plus several museums and attractions. Finland’s first science center, Tietomaa, is here as well as the Oulu Museum of Art and the Northern Ostrobothnia cultural history museum.

The Oulu Railway Station is located in this district, making trips to other areas of Finland quite easy. For nature lovers, a trip to the Hupisaaret Islands park is a must; this city park is popular with locals and also has fun attractions like a summer theater.

Best places to stay in Myllytulli

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Myllytulli
Pikisaari Guesthouse

Budget Hotels in Myllytulli
Oulu Hotelli Apartments
TurusenSaha

Mid range Hotels in Myllytulli
Scandic Oulu Station
Lasaretti Hotel
Radisson Blu Hotel, Oulu

Family Friendly Hotels in Myllytulli
Scandic Oulu City
Original Sokos Hotel Arina

Affordable Luxury Hotels in Myllytulli
De Gamlas Hem Hotel & Restaurant

View of the city hall. City of Oulu. Finland

Nalllikari Beach – Where to stay in Oulu for tourists

Just four kilometers from downtown Oulu is the summer resort area on Nallikari Beach. In addition to the main resort, there are hotels, apartments, and camping as well as restaurants and other recreation opportunities. There’s a miniature golf course, sports complex, even a horse riding school.

In the winter, you can still visit the beach and walk on the frozen sea for a uniquely Finnish experience. Even better, you can reach downtown Oulu by bus so you don’t have to miss out on any big city fun by staying out at the beach.

Best places to stay in Nalllikari Beach

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Nalllikari Beach
Pikisaari Guesthouse

Budget Hotels in Nalllikari Beach
TurusenSaha

Mid range Hotels in Nalllikari Beach
Nallikari Holiday Village
Break Sokos Hotel Eden

Sunset at the beach in Oulu Finland

If you’d like to save it for later, please save it to Pinterest.

Where to stay in Oulu

Article written by: Samantha - Travelling King

Hi, my name is Samantha, Finance Managing Guru by day, Travel Blogging Enthusiast by... well... day too! Haha! Travelling King is the destination hotspot for the wannabe traveller! Showcasing affordable, luxurious getaways for the budget conscious! With the combination of my financial knowledge and travelling experiences I aim to show you, with a little planning, the right budget and a realistic goal you can fulfil your travel fantasies and explore the world whatever your budget or desires may be!