How to Visit the Pharmacy Museum & Qwensel House in Turku
The older I get, the more I love a niche museum. I am not even sure if that is the correct word, but I just mean a museum dedicated to a specific trade, collection, etc.
And one of the museums I have enjoyed the most in recent years is the Pharmacy Museum & The Qwensel House in Turku, Finland.
Maybe it was because it was housed inside the cutest red building made from wood. Or maybe it is because it is a glimpse into the past with methods still used today, making it somewhat tangible.
I don’t know what it was, but I thoroughly enjoyed Turku’s Pharmacy Museum, and in this guide, I will tell you everything you need to know before visiting.
If you have any questions or concerns before you visit the Pharmacy Museum and Qwensel House in Turku, let me know in the comments. Please note that I use Pharmacy Museum and Qwensel House interchangeably. It all falls under the same ticket. Thanks!
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the following:
About the Pharmacy Museum & Qwensel House in Turku
The Qwensel House is the oldest wooden building in Turku, and it is located along the Aura River, pretty much in the city center.
It is both a family home from the 1700s (Joseph Gustav Pipping, a name associated with surgery in Finland) and a pharmacy from the 1800s under a single roof. However, the name ‘Qwensel’ is from its original owner, Wilhelm Johan Qwensel, a man from Stockholm who came to Turku in 1695. It withstood the Turku fire of 1827.
The interior showcases styles of the late 18th century (Gustavian and Rococo), while the Pharmacy Museum’s shop houses show the old interiors that go back to 1858.
Inside, you’ll find a few rooms you can walk through, like the gift shop (where you’ll purchase your ticket), workrooms for the pharmacy, two labs, and a room that displays and stores the herbs that go into making the medicine.
There is plenty to see inside, but it is also essential to stay and grab a drink at the cafe! The courtyard has plenty of tables around and transforms into a cozy garden with flowers and small trees around. The cafe also offers drinks that are a throwback to the 18th century.
Practical information for visiting the Pharmacy Museum & Qwensel House
One of the biggest things to note about visiting the Qwensel House is that it is closed on Mondays.
I don’t know why I always tend to be traveling on a Monday and find so many things closed in a city, but this was the case in Turku. Fortunately, I was also in the city on a Tuesday and was able to visit!
When is the Pharmacy Museum in Turku open?
The Turku Pharmacy Museum and Qwensel House is open year-round from 10 am until 6 pm, but closed on Mondays. It may have limited public hours on a few days of the year and may be closed on public holidays. Check their official website for additional information.
I went in the afternoon and didn’t find it crowded at all. While you can probably avoid crowds by visiting right at opening or before closing, I don’t suspect that it will ever be excessively crowded.
How much is a ticket?
There are different prices for tickets to the Qwensel House. They are as follows:
- Adults: €7
- Children 7-15: €2.50
- Seniors, Students, Unemployed: €3.50
- Groups over 10 get a 25% discount
Payment is accepted by card or cash. If you are a Museum Card holder, this museum is included in the price! It is a great investment if you’re spending a lot of time in Finland and plan to visit a handful of museums throughout the country.
Where is the Pharmacy Museum located?
It is located at Läntinen Rantakatu 13B in Turku (right along the Aura River).
How long do you need to visit the Pharmacy Museum & Qwensel House?
I would say an hour is plenty. Do plan a little time to visit their cafe after your walk through the museum, though (and sit outside if the weather is nice, as the inside is a bit small)!
Notes & Tips for Your Visit
Don’t head there on a Monday! It will be closed, and you can only see it from the outside. It’s in a beautiful building, so worth seeing the exterior even if you can’t get inside.
While this is a pharmacy museum, it is truly about aesthetics. The interior is a throwback to the 18th and 19th centuries and I found that to be the coolest thing about visiting. Why did Finns have such nice fireplaces back in the day, and how do I get my hands on one?!
Be sure to walk around the courtyard after your visit. There are herbs planted (with markers) in the gardens that were also used in the making of the medicine back in the day.
The entrance to the building is through the courtyard. So, if you’re looking at the museum straight on (with the river behind you), you will need to venture left just a bit and go behind the red building.
The cafe hours are the same as the museum’s hours.
Other Places Worth Visiting Nearby
Turku is a small and walkable city. Within a stone’s throw of the Pharmacy Museum, you can also visit:
- Luostarinmäki Open-air Museum: A collection of houses and businesses that survived the fire of 1827. Definitely worth the stop!
- Panimoravintola Koulu: Brewery that is set in an old schoolhouse. Also serves food.
- Turku Cathedral: An iconic cathedral dating back to the 13th century. Has a summer terrace throughout the late spring and summer where you’ll find food stands, music, and more.
- Turku Market Hall: A must-visit market hall with tons of food stalls (Chingon and Bageri Å are my faves!) that dates back to 1896.
Do you have any questions about visiting the Pharmacy Museum and Qwensel House in Turku? Let me know in the comments – thanks!
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