The legendary icebreaker Sampo arrives in Turku
In April 2026, an experience usually reserved for a select few will become accessible to the general public with the arrival in Turku of Sampo, one of the most iconic and long-serving icebreakers in Finnish maritime history.
For the first time in southern Finland, this extraordinary historic vessel—still fully operational today—will offer visitors the opportunity to explore up close a symbol of Arctic naval engineering and the country’s seafaring tradition. The exceptional visit of Sampo, organized in close collaboration with the maritime center Forum Marinum, represents far more than a simple museum event: it is an immersive journey through technology, adventure, historical memory, and experiential tourism, capable of attracting navigation enthusiasts, families, scholars, and international travelers alike.
Sampo
In the spring of 2026, Sampo will undertake a rare and significant sea voyage from the city of Kemi in northern Finland to Turku, crossing waters that tell decades of navigation history in icy seas. This transfer is in itself an exceptional event, considering that the vessel normally operates in the Gulf of Bothnia and is rarely moved so far south. Starting on Saturday, April 11, 2026, the icebreaker will be moored on the Aura River at Forum Marinum, joining the maritime center’s museum fleet and taking its place behind the historic steamship s/s Bore. Sampo’s presence in this setting further strengthens Turku’s role as a key hub for Finnish maritime culture and history.
Sampo is not merely an impressive testimony to the past, but a living, fully functioning and technologically fascinating icebreaker. Finnish icebreakers are internationally recognized for their reliability and technical expertise, and Sampo perfectly embodies this tradition of excellence. During the visit, the public will be able to explore every aspect of the vessel, gaining insight into how these ships are designed to face the extreme conditions of Arctic seas. The experience will allow visitors to appreciate not only the ship’s size and power, but also the engineering and human expertise that have ensured its operation for more than sixty years.
Sampo’s arrival is expected to attract visitors from across Finland and abroad. To meet this interest, daily guided tours will be organized and can be booked in advance through Forum Marinum’s online store. The vessel will be open to visitors for four weeks, from April 11 to May 1, 2026, during which the museum will also present an extensive program of accompanying events.
The guided tours will lead participants through a comprehensive route, from the engine room—the beating heart of the ship—to the bridge, offering an in-depth understanding of how an icebreaker operates. In collaboration with Forum Marinum, the program will be designed for visitors of all ages, combining educational content, technical insights, and historical storytelling. Even the most experienced navigation and maritime history enthusiasts will find the visit a unique opportunity, thanks to detailed explorations of ice navigation techniques, Arctic routes, and the operational challenges faced by crews.
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Sampo at sunset
Built in Helsinki in 1960, Sampo actively served as an icebreaker in the Gulf of Bothnia from 1961 to 1987, playing a crucial role in keeping maritime routes open during the harshest winters. After completing its operational career, the ship was transferred to Kemi, where it began a new life as a tourist attraction.
Over the past more than thirty years, Sampo has become a true icon of Finnish tourism, as well as one of the very few icebreakers in the world used for tourism purposes. It has welcomed more than one million visitors, taking them into the heart of frozen seas and offering immersive experiences that have earned it international fame. Today, approximately 95% of its visitors are international guests from more than 80 countries. In 2025 alone, the vessel recorded over 40,000 visitors, confirming its role as an ambassador of Arctic maritime culture worldwide.
The most eagerly awaited moment of the visit will undoubtedly be May 1, 2026, when Sampo will host a one-of-a-kind VappuCruise. On the occasion of May Day—one of the most widely celebrated holidays in Finland—the ship will become the stage for a maritime celebration blending Vappu traditions, Finnish seafaring culture, and the evocative atmosphere of a legendary vessel, promising a truly unprecedented experience.
After concluding its stay in Turku, Sampo will continue its journey to the Naantali shipyard, where it will undergo scheduled maintenance and refurbishment. During the dry-docking period, key components of the Wärtsilä-built engine will be replaced, along with other extensive maintenance work. These interventions are essential to ensure that the vessel can continue operating safely and reliably in icy waters in the years to come, while preserving its historical and symbolic value.
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Snowcastle restaurant
The visit of the icebreaker Sampo to Turku in 2026 represents an event of exceptional cultural and tourism significance. It is not merely the arrival of a historic vessel, but an opportunity to connect with a fundamental part of Finnish maritime identity—rooted in technical expertise, resilience, and a profound bond with the sea.
Through guided tours, special events, and a comprehensive cultural program, Sampo will offer thousands of visitors an authentic and unforgettable experience, demonstrating how a ship can continue to break the ice not only in Arctic waters, but also in memory and collective imagination, projecting its legacy into the future.
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