Oulu, a European Capital of Culture for 2026, may be just 60 miles south of Arctic Circle – but it offers a warm welcome ...

As well as the heat, conversation flows in the Koivurannan Saunalautta, a floating sauna raft on the Oulujoki River. A visit, which can include time in a hot tub, costs around €17 for 1.5-hour slot.

The 3km lake flows into the Gulf of Bothnia and is the highest in the Oulujoki water system. At its narrowest, the lake is around 10 m wide with rocks 50 m high. The most popular activities are ...