Car & Van Hire in Raisio

To the Finns, Raisio is synonymous with shopping. The Mylly Shopping Centre is one of the largest in all of Scandinavia, and people from far and wide travel here at the weekends to spend the day. If you want to shop 'til you drop, you'll be in heaven, but there's more to Raisio than its mall. Use it as a base to explore the nearby city of Turku and the surrounding area and discover one of the most beautiful parts of Finland.

Dating back to 1280, Turku Castle is one of the city's main attractions. This is the largest medieval castle in Finland and often played an essential role in the country's defences. Today, the imposing building houses a fascinating museum. Here, you can learn more about Turku in the medieval era and admire a tableau of small models showing the castle as it was at various points in its history.

Another old building worth checking out is Turku Cathedral, built on the banks of the River Aura. This mighty Lutheran cathedral has a particularly impressive tower, with a height of 102 m. It can be seen from anywhere in the city, and it demands a closer look. The interior is strikingly atmospheric. Unlike a Catholic cathedral, Lutheran churches are generally rather plain, with little in the way of elaborate decor, but the vast vaulted central chamber is definitely worth a look. While you're here, take a stroll along the river. If you visit in winter, the Aura freezes over entirely, and locals use it as a skating rink.

If you're travelling with the kids - or if you're still a big kid at heart - then use car hire in Raisio to visit Moominworld. Just a 15-minute drive away, this theme park is based on the lovable Moomins, one of Finland's most enduringly popular exports. The park has daily shows, incredible sets to explore and fun attractions, such as a maze, a swaying suspension bridge and a barefoot trail. You won't find rollercoasters or thrill rides, but the warmth, friendliness and incredible attention to detail are sure to put a smile on everyone's face.

You can use a car or van hire in Raisio to see more of the surrounding area. A particular favourite for locals is Ruissalo. In summer, it fills up with daytrippers, but it's never crowded. Relax on the beach, hike through the oak forests, and even dare to go for a dip, but be warned, even in the height of summer, Finnish waters are pretty chilly!

A car is a good idea for getting around the surrounding area, as there are many great options for day trips from Raisio. However, when you visit Turku, you'll probably want to park and explore the city on foot. The city is divided into three different parking zones, with Zone 1 (downtown) being by far the most expensive. When you find a car park, look for a brightly coloured sticker on the parking meter. Red means you can only park there for half an hour. Yellow gives you a maximum of two hours, while green gives you unlimited time. Turku's modern parking meters accept cash, card and contactless payments. There is also an app for paying online. Parking is free on Sundays.

This part of Finland sees snow from late October to mid-April. Winter tyres are a common sight on the roads and are obligatory from 1 November to 31 March in snowy conditions. The Finns are well-prepared for their harsh winters, so things will usually run smoothly. Roads are not gritted, but they are regularly cleared by snow ploughs. To be on the safe side, stick to main roads and avoid driving at night. Watch out for black ice, which is particularly dangerous. Drive slowly during the Finnish winter - there are often special winter speed limits in place.

If you are visiting Raisio in the summer, you may also have problems. In this part of the world, the sun never fully sets in the summer months. Instead, there is a purple twilight that lasts all night. This can play havoc with your body clock, causing you to feel far more fatigued than usual. Remember that tiredness is a major hazard on the roads. Take driving breaks as often as you need to, particularly in the first few days while your body is adjusting to the unusual light conditions.

Turku is a major port, and there are daily car ferries to Stockholm and Kapellskär in Finland. The crossing takes 11 hours, but the time passes quickly, thanks to onboard facilities like live entertainment, tax-free shopping and a sauna. Finland and Sweden are both members of the Schengen common travel area. If you want to turn your trip to Raisio into an international road trip, be sure to discuss it first with your Enterprise Rent-a-Car agent, as there may be insurance implications.