Major city · Finland
SjälöSeili
Go as a summer day trip from Turku or Nagu: 3–5 hours on the island, last boat back by late afternoon. Skip outside June–August unless you have your own boat.
Själö (Finnish: Seili) is a small Archipelago Sea island about 30 km southwest of Turku, reached only by boat. It held a leper colony from 1619 and later a mental hospital that closed in 1962; the 1733 wooden church and the 1851 hospital buildings survive, and the University of Turku now runs a research station in them. Organised tourism, with a restaurant and rooms, began in 2017. Most people come for a few hours on a summer day; a night on the island buys you empty evening light and the sauna.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Jun–Aug
- avoid Nov–Mar (boats limited, most services closed)
- Airport
- TKU
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Nordic countries ↗Decide light or dark before anything else: summer trips (June–August) and aurora trips (September–March in the Arctic) need different countries, clothes and bases.
- Nordic countries ↗Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and the Faroes sell stronger alcohol only in state shops with short hours; buy before evening and before Sundays and holidays.
- Finland ↗Finland is in the EU and the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors at the first Schengen border.
- Finland ↗The land border with Russia is closed to travellers; do not plan a route across it.
- Finland ↗Everyman's rights let you walk, camp for a night and pick berries on most land, but not near homes, and not to make fires without permission.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Själö112 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance112
- Medical helpline (24 h)116 117
- Visit Seili (summer, daytime)+358 40 156 0064
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Själö, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).Finland-wide
- SIM or eSIMEU roaming applies.Finland-wide
- Tap waterTap water is excellent.Finland-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Not expected; round up for great service.Finland-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Finland-wide
- SafetyVery safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree in libraries, malls and many stations; some charge €1 (≈ US$2) by card.Finland-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police, fire, ambulance · 116 117 Medical helpline (24 h) · +358 40 156 0064 Visit Seili (summer, daytime) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums often close Mondays; many summer cafés and island services open only June–August.Finland-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportTKU Turku Airport (About 30 km (19 mi) from Turku's boat departures; bus 1 to the city centre, then walk or taxi to the river harbour.).TKU Turku Airport (About 19 mi (30 km) from Turku's boat departures; bus 1 to the city centre, then walk or taxi to the river harbour.).
- Getting aroundOn foot or by bike.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Museum or sight ticketChurch entry€3.50 (≈ US$5) adult, €2 (≈ US$3) child, €8.50 (≈ US$10) family
- Budget bedApartment with kitchen, a night, per room€120 (≈ US$140)
- Mid-range bedRoom in the old hospital building, a night, per room€105 (≈ US$130)
- High-end bedRoom in the old hospital building, a night, per room€120 (≈ US$140)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €45 (≈ US$55) · Mid €90 (≈ US$110) · High €160 (≈ US$190)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- TKU Turku Airport (About 30 km (19 mi) from Turku's boat departures; bus 1 to the city centre, then walk or taxi to the river harbour.)TKU Turku Airport (About 19 mi (30 km) from Turku's boat departures; bus 1 to the city centre, then walk or taxi to the river harbour.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
Feb
Avoid
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
Mar
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Apr
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
May
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Jun
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jul
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Aug
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Sep
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Oct
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Nov
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Dec
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Best: Jun–Aug. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)), coolest Feb (−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C) low), wettest Oct (12 rain days), driest Apr (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Själö: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
11 rd
Feb
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
9 rd
Mar
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
8 rd
Apr
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
7 rd
May
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
7 rd
Jun
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
7 rd
Jul
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Aug
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
10 rd
Sep
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
11 rd
Oct
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
12 rd
Nov
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
12 rd
Dec
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
On foot or by bike. Gravel roads are in good condition and everything sits within about 1 km of the jetties. Cars cannot be landed on the island even though one ferry carries them.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 2 h each way
m/s Norrskär return cruise from Turku, about 1 h 45 min each way
The simplest way to visit: one boat out and back, no other connections to arrange.
Door to door: About 30–45 min
Ferry from Kyrkbacken, about 30 min
Combine with the Archipelago Trail; coaches run from Turku to Kyrkbacken.
Door to door: About 1 h from Turku
Coach or car from Turku to Pargas, then onward ferry connections
Själö is part of Pargas; check which jetty your boat uses before booking.
Door to door: Half a day or more
Archipelago Trail ferries via Nagu and Korpo
A different Själö sits on the Houtskär–Iniö border; do not confuse the two.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hospital building rooms
Rooms and apartments for 1–5 people in the old hospital and later buildings; €90–120, breakfast €9 per person (2026 estimate). Book ahead from October to April.
Guest harbour (post and station jetties)
For your own boat: €28 per night including basic services and evening sauna; pre-booking +€7. Day visits free.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Day tripper
- €40–70 (≈ US$50–85) excl. travel to the harbour (boat, church, lunch)
- Overnight, mid
- €120–170 (≈ US$140–200) (room, breakfast, lunch, sauna)
Trip budget
| Room in the old hospital building1 × 1 night × €105 | €105 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €90 | €180 |
| Return boat from Turku2 × €39 · check | €77 |
| Return boat from Nagu (Kyrkbacken)2 × €15 · check | €30 |
| Church entry2 × €4 | €7 |
| Lunch at Restaurant Seili2 × €16 | €32 |
| Bike on the ferry2 × €6 | €12 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €44 |
| Trip total≈ €244 per person per day, bed included | €487≈ US$600 |
1–5 person rooms and apartments; breakfast €9 per person extra
2026 estimate in euro; travel to the harbour excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Return boat from Turkucheck | €38.50 (≈ US$45) adult, €23 (≈ US$30) child |
| Return boat from Nagu (Kyrkbacken)check | €15 (≈ US$18) adult, €7.50 (≈ US$9) child |
| Church entry | €3.50 (≈ US$5) adult, €2 (≈ US$3) child, €8.50 (≈ US$10) family |
| Buffet lunch at Restaurant Seili | €16 (≈ US$19); soup lunch €12.50 (≈ US$15); children €8 (≈ US$10) |
| Room, per night | €90–120 (≈ US$110–140), breakfast €9 (≈ US$11) per person |
| Guest harbour, per night | €28 (≈ US$35), pre-booking +€7 (≈ US$9) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Ticks in the long grass: check yourself after walking.
- Strong sun on open shore paths; there is little shade.
- Do not pick flowers or disturb grazing animals: most of the island is a nature reserve.
- The hospital is a working research station; keep to the public ground floor and marked paths.
- Boats are few and seasonal: confirm the return time when you buy your ticket.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 112
- Medical helpline (24 h)
- 116 117
- Visit Seili (summer, daytime)
- +358 40 156 0064
Pocket card
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Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
SjälöSeili
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Själöhön, kiitosTo Själö, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance112
- Medical helpline116 117
- Visit Seili+358 40 156 0064
Embassy
No embassies on the island; most are in Helsinki. The nearest consulates are in Turku (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Turku → Själö, m/s Norrskär: €25 (≈ US$30) single, €38.50 (≈ US$45) return, about 1 h 45 min (check)
- Kyrkbacken → Själö: €9 (≈ US$11) single, €15 (≈ US$18) return, about 30 min (check)
- Guest harbour, per night: €28 (≈ US$35) including sauna
Say or show
- Kiitos — Thank you (KEE-tos)
- Hei — Hello (hay)
- Yksi menopaluulippu, kiitos — One return ticket, please (OOK-si MEH-no-pah-loo-lip-pu KEE-tos)
- Milloin viimeinen vene lähtee? — When does the last boat leave? (MIL-loin VEE-mei-nen VEH-neh LAH-teh)
- Voinko maksaa kortilla? — Can I pay by card? (VOIN-ko MAK-sah KOR-til-la)
- Missä on vessa? — Where is the toilet? (MIS-sa on VES-sa)
Boats are seasonal and some run on request only: call the operator the day before in May, September and winter.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Själö. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Aug · avoid Nov–Mar (boats limited, most services closed) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Boat timetables for all three operators, with last-return cutoffs, field-checked for 2026.
- Church and hospital opening hours with ticket prices, plus the guided-tour booking route in English.
- Restaurant and kiosk hours with last orders, and the picnic alternative when both are shut.
- Winter access note: the northern Nagu ferry calls on request, so a winter visit needs a phone call the day before.