Haukipudas: Church Art, Dunes and River

Haukipudas offers many different reasons to visit: baroque church art, the dune landscape of Virpiniemi, kayaking on the Kiiminkijoki River and fresh fish at Kiviniemi harbour. If you are planning a family trip, you can consider which of these aspects should shape your stay—culture, time outdoors or culinary discoveries. This personal focus is also a useful starting point when looking for a holiday apartment.

Church Art and Cultural Sites

Haukipudas Church contains several notable paintings. In the north transept, a painting of the Last Judgement covers an entire wall. Art historians have described it as Finland’s most significant baroque composition. The church also contains biblical paintings by Mikael Toppelius, which he created in 1774, 1775 and 1779. For art lovers, this offers a clear focus: a large-scale work with a religious subject, alongside other paintings from different years of the artist’s career.

The area around the church is also culturally significant: it is a nationally valuable built cultural environment. Isoniemi offers a different historical perspective and is a nationally significant archaeological VARK cultural heritage site. Those interested in cultural heritage will find different points of interest at these named sites—from paintings and the church surroundings to archaeology.

Dunes, River and Outdoor Activities

Distinctive shifting sand dunes and hilly landscapes shape the scenery in Virpiniemi. They offer opportunities for outdoor experiences; Meriniemi Beach is also located there. Another specific activity is the 18-hole disc golf course, which is suitable for beginners and somewhat more experienced players. If you are planning an activity together, you can take this information into account when deciding whether a round of disc golf suits your stay.

The Kiiminkijoki River offers a different perspective on nature: you can go kayaking on the river in Haukipudas. The Kiiminkijoki is also a Natura area and is protected under the Rapids Protection Act. For trip planning, this means a protected river and a named activity to consider, without implying anything further about the route or conditions of a trip.

Another clearly defined option is a cross-country skiing trip to Kaasamatalan Island. Together with the disc golf course and kayaking, this gives you a selection of different activities. You can weigh up whether you would rather include a trip on the water, a round on a course or a cross-country skiing route in your plans.

Performing Arts and a Taste Experience

Teatterikuoppa, located in Haukipudas, offers stages for various forms of performing arts, including theatre, dance, music and visual arts. If you want to look beyond church art when planning cultural activities, you can include this variety in your trip as well.

Teatterikuoppa can be reached from Oulu city centre by bus route 20. From the stop at the junction of Haukiputaantie and Haukiväylä, it is a 2–3-minute walk to Revontie. This information provides a specific landmark for an outing from the city centre. At the fishing harbour in Kiviniemi, you can sample fresh fish—an independent culinary highlight for travellers looking for a local taste experience alongside culture and activities.

Choose the Right Focus for Your Holiday Apartment

Once you know which experiences you want to focus on, you can choose your preferred destination area in a way that better suits your travel plans.

Other Destinations

Other destinations: Savilahti, Haapavesi, Savio, Komsi, Ruka, Jokioinen, Kärkölä, Yli-Valli.

For the broader travel overview: Northern Ostrobothnia.