Port Arthur (Portsa) - staying in Turku's wooden-house district

A short history of Portsa

The quarter got its exotic name during the Russo-Japanese War (1904-05). Legend has it that a mason, tired of children asking what he was building, declared he was building "a new Port Arthur fortress" - after the besieged Far East port then in the news. The name stuck. The district survived post-war demolition waves almost intact, and its low wooden blocks with leafy courtyards are now protected. Locals consider Portsa the most beloved neighbourhood in Turku - and it regularly tops "most charming area" votes.

What to see and do in Portsa

• Wander the grid of Puutarhakatu, Annankatu and Korkeavuorenkatu - every block is photogenic, especially in evening light.
• Port Arthur’s courtyards: many open their gates during the annual Portsa Day (Portsan päivä) street festival.
• Café stops on nearby Puutarhakatu and the Port Arthur corner shops - small local bakeries and pizzerias, no chains.
• Turku Castle and the harbour are a 15-minute walk downhill; the Aura riverbank restaurants about the same towards the centre.
• Mikael Agricola church and Puolala park hill with its art museum sit between Portsa and the Market Square.

Where to stay in Portsa

• Fabia (Annankatu 1) - a 32 m² Scandinavian design studio for 2 guests with a full kitchen, workspace and fast WiFi. Free street parking in the area.
• Casa Rustica (Korkeavuorenkatu 2) - a 52 m² one-bedroom apartment for 2 in a classic Portsa block, with free street parking in the area.
• Both have self check-in 24/7 with a code, no booking fees when you book direct at turkuhomes.fi, and free cancellation up to 7 days before arrival.

Getting there

• From Turku railway station: 13-16 minutes on foot.
• From the harbour (Viking Line / Tallink Silja): one Föli bus or a 20-minute walk.
• From Market Square: 15 minutes on foot through Puolala park.