Set between culturally and historically valuable arable land and a sheltered sea bay, Paimio has one of Alvar Aalto's most famous pieces of design.
Located near the city of Turku, Paimio is known for the Paimio Sanatorium, designed by the architect and designer, Alvar Aalto, and the hillside meadows nearby along the River Paimionjoki are areas of outstanding national beauty. You can also learn about the wonders of electricity and handicrafts at the town's various museums.
Start your visit by following the central Vista trail to see the chainsaw animal sculptures. The route through central Paimio is just under two miles and has several important places to visit. Around the corner from the main route lies the 17th-century St. Michael's Church.
Make sure to visit the Miila Handicrafts Museum and the Paimio Electrical Museum. The Miila Museum has a versatile display of crafts and regularly changing special exhibitions, whilst the Paimio Electrical Museum is a great place to explore the history of electricity generation and supply. Further from the centre lies the Paimio Local History Museum, where you can see cottage life and everyday objects dating back to the 19th century.
The best-known attraction in Paimio is undoubtedly the Paimio Sanatorium. Despite being completed in 1933, its functionalist architecture seems modern. The hospital still uses furniture and lamps designed by Alvar Aalto. As the sanatorium is still in use, you can only visit by pre-booked guided tour. However, you can explore the hospital's impressive grounds on your own.
An easy and refreshing way to have an inexpensive holiday in Paimio is to plan your holiday around the many natural attractions, such as the Askalankoski Rapids area. You can also go hiking along the Paimio Nature Trail, with its views of swamps, ponds and a "devil's field" of ancient glacial boulders. The most diverse landscape is Paimionlahti Bay, a narrow body of water running deep inland and favoured by a wide variety of birds.
Paimio has excellent transport links and is located midway between Turku and Salo. The Turku-Helsinki motorway runs through the town, so travelling by car once you’re in Finland is easy. The Finnfoam Paippi Ski Tunnel allows visitors to enjoy year-round skiing.
