We believe Turku Archipelago is the best-smelling destination in the world. Not Paris. Not Athens either, whatever some lists claim. But a claim like that needs proof, and our own noses are hopelessly biased. So we're hiring one that isn't.
This is a real job with a real contract and real pay. All you need to bring is your nose.
As our Nose, you'll follow your nose across the islands and assess the archipelago's scents, from sea air and pine forests to saunas and freshly baked bread. You'll describe and analyse what you smell in a way that makes other people want to smell it too. And you'll document all of it yourself on video and in photos, which Visit Turku Archipelago will use in its social media and other channels. At the end, you report your findings. Honestly.
You don't need a diploma from a perfume school. You need a nose for the good things in life, the courage to stick it where others haven't, and the confidence to talk about it on camera. It also helps if you're not allergic to sauna.
You must be at least 18 years old, have the right to work in Finland (at the time of your application and for next May-June as well), own camera equipment suitable for shooting video and still images (such as a smartphone), and be available for the full work period in June 2027.
Visit Turku Archipelago chooses the Nose. We’re assessing applicants based on four things:
We don't hold interviews. We make the decision based on your video and application form alone, so make them count.
Post a short application video on Instagram or TikTok. In your video, introduce yourself as a Nose applicant, pick an object of your choice, smell it and give us your assessment. Show us how you smell, because your technique counts. Tag @saaristo_finland and use the hashtag #SaaristoNoseJob, and make sure your account is public so we can see your video.
Then fill in the application form below and add the link to your video. We only consider applications that include both the video and the form.
We review all applications after the deadline. Everyone who applies hears from us by email by 10 November, whether we choose you or not. Along with the selected Nose, we pick a few reserve candidates, and we may contact them if our first choice can't take the job. We announce the selected Nose on 17 November.
The pay and terms are fixed, and we don't negotiate them. Every candidate receives the same offer. We don't consider late or incomplete applications. We process your personal data in accordance with the GDPR, as stated in our Privacy Policy. The employment contract sets out the full details and terms of the job.
Got a nose for this? Apply by 25 October 2026. The Turku archipelago is waiting to be smelled.
A HUGE thank you to everyone who put their noses out there! Your enthusiasm and creativity has made a scent-sational impression on us.
We’re now sniffing through your applications to find Saaristo’s official Nose. Stay tuned!
Is this an actual job?
Yes. Visit Turku Archipelago Oy is hiring one person for a paid, fixed-term employment assignment in Saaristo, the Turku Archipelago of Finland.
The assignment lasts 5–7 days in May or June 2027. The selected candidate will receive €2,000 gross for the full assignment, plus statutory holiday compensation. Travel to Saaristo and accommodation during the assignment are covered by us.
What is a Nose?
In the fragrance industry, a “nose” is an established professional term for a trained perfumer who identifies, evaluates and combines scents.
We are looking for a Nose who is part explorer, part observer and part storyteller. Their job is to experience Saaristo nose first, put its scents into words and help other travellers discover the destination through a sense that travel guides often overlook.
No white coat required.
Who can apply?
You must be at least 18 years old and have the right to work in Finland both when you apply and during the assignment in May or June 2027. You must also be available for the full work period and have equipment suitable for recording video and taking photographs, such as a smartphone.
Applicants from outside Finland are welcome, provided they meet these requirements.
How much does the job pay?
The pay is €2,000 gross for the full assignment, plus statutory holiday compensation. The pay and employment terms are fixed and are the same for every candidate.
What would I actually do as the Nose?
You will spend 5–7 days following your nose across Saaristo and assessing its scents, from sea air and pine forests to saunas and freshly baked bread. You will describe and analyse what you smell in a way that makes other people want to experience it too.
You will also document the assignment yourself through video and photographs. Visit Turku Archipelago will use this material in its social media and other channels. At the end of the assignment, you will report your findings honestly. The final itinerary and assignments will be shared with the selected Nose.
Is Saaristo truly the world's best-smelling destination?
That is our bold declaration, not the result of a global laboratory test. Smell is personal, so there is no objective ranking that could settle the matter. Saaristo does, however, offer a convincing case: sea air, pine forests, wet rocks, meadows, apple trees, wild herbs, fresh bread, wood smoke and sauna steam. Finland’s air quality also strengthens our claim. According to the 2025 World Air Quality Report, Finland was among the world’s cleanest countries and ranked third in Europe.
What if Saaristo does not always smell wonderful?
Then your nose is probably working.
Nature is not odourless or identical: in every place and season all different kinds of scents are part of a living archipelago. The job is not to pretend that everything smells like perfume. It is to find the scents that make the place distinctive and authentic. Yes, even deer droppings may be a scent you could get acquainted with.
How does the claim of the world’s best-smelling destination square with the environmental challenges facing the Baltic Sea?
The health of the Baltic Sea is a serious and important concern for us. The archipelago’s natural environment and sea are the foundation of the entire region’s vitality, and we must look after them.
Taking a positive approach does not mean overlooking the challenges facing the Baltic Sea. On the contrary, when people discover the archipelago and develop a personal connection with it, their desire to protect it can grow stronger too. Through this campaign, we want to explore the archipelago through its authentic scents and people’s own experiences.
Responsibly developed tourism can also play an important role in sustaining the archipelago’s vitality: it supports local services, businesses and jobs, and helps keep island communities thriving throughout the year. Local travel businesses are also developing more sustainable practices through Visit Finland’s Sustainable Travel Finland programme.
Organisations such as the John Nurminen Foundation play an important role in protecting the Baltic Sea for future generations. Learn more about their work here.
Can I visit responsibly?
Every journey has an impact, but small, practical choices can help reduce it. When travelling to the area, consider arriving by train, bus or ferry instead of flying or driving alone. Where possible, travel by public transport, carpool or bicycle, stay on marked trails and leave no trace. Bring reusable items, respect wildlife and local residents, and choose local products and services.
You can also look for recognised labels such as Sustainable Travel Finland, the Nordic Swan Ecolabel and the EU Ecolabel when comparing tourism services. These choices do not make a trip impact-free, but they can help reduce pressure on the environment and support the local economy.
Read more about reducing the impact of your trip: Responsibility
Where is Saaristo, the Turku Archipelago?
Saaristo or the Turku Archipelago is located in southwestern Finland, on the coast of the Baltic Sea. It is a broad travel destination made up of thousands of islands, coastal areas and living communities across the coast. Turku, Naantali and Parainen are the main gateway cities. From there, the islands can be reached by bridges, ferries, connecting vessels and boats.
Find practical travel information on the How to get there page.
Saaristo (Finnish noun for a group of islands) is one of the largest archipelagos in the world, with its 40,000 islands stretching along Finland’s southwestern coast. This landscape shapes a Nordic travel destination perfect for island-hopping in a cool climate.
The starting point for Saaristo is Turku, Finland’s oldest city — established in 1229. You can easily travel to the area via Turku’s own airport, by ferry, or by bus or train from elsewhere in Finland.
Discover routes that can take you to the Turku archipelago.
