finland road trip itinerary summer

• ↠ Costa Rica
• ↠ Dominican Republic
• ↠ Western USA
• ↠ Abu Dhabi
• ↠ Philippines
• ↠ Sri Lanka
• ↠ Czech Republic
• ↠ French Islands
• ↠ Switzerland

Travelling to Finland in summer: a week-long road trip

One week itinerary for your trip to Finland in summer

If you are looking for an unusual destination to visit in the summer , Finland is the place to go ! Composed of 70% forests and 10% water, the Finnish lands will seduce travellers in search of nature and calm. Finland is the perfect country to try the “slow life”!

Summer road trip in Finland: one week

During this one-week trip to Finland , I focused on the heart of the country, namely the Finnish Lakeland, the largest lake region in Europe!

Practical information for your road trip in Finland

↠ how to get to finland.

From France, I advise you to fly to Helsinki.

Find here the best prices for air tickets thanks to Skyscanner . Take advantage of -10€ on your first booking by registering via our link.

↠ Rent a car for your road trip in Finland

Use the Skyscanner comparison tool to find the best prices for your car rental.

↠ What budget for a week’s travel in Finland in summer?

Finland is a fairly expensive destination. Prices are correlated with the country’s wages, which are higher than in France. The local currency is the euro. Here are the details of the budget for a trip to Finland in summer :

Flights from Paris to Helsinki: 230€ per person (August 2022 prices) Car rental: 350€ for the week Petrol costs: 170€. Hotels: 150€ per night on average Restaurants: 70€ per day per person for 2 meals Total = 2 860€ for a 6 night stay or 1 430€ per person , excluding activities.

Please note: this budget can obviously vary depending on the price of car rentals and aeroplanes, but also depending on the standard of the hotels/restaurants you choose. I speak only from my experience.

↠ When to go to Finland?

Summer or winter, it is possible to have an exceptional trip to Finland!

Between the months of November and February, I recommend you to go to Finnish Lapland. Here on the blog you can find travel guides to Lapland to discover the magic of Santa’s country.

In summer, the experiences are obviously different but just as unmissable. It’s a must to experience the midnight sun. Basically, it never gets dark: it’s magical! The average temperature is between 20 and 25 degrees. You can swim very easily in the lakes, the water is very good thanks to the fact that the sun shines almost 24/24h. ?

↠ What should you pack to go to Finland in the summer?

The first thing that comes to mind is inevitably a mosquito repellent. To my surprise, Finland is overrun with mosquitoes as soon as the snow melts. So during the summer months when it’s hot, these little beasts, which we all hate, proliferate. At the same time, the playground is ideal for them with all the water and vegetation there is! Arm yourself with bug spray (even during the day) and everything will be fine.

Otherwise, think of the usual summer stuff: swimwear, light clothes, trainers for walking and a little jacket in case of a cool evening.

Travel to Finland: one-week summer itinerary

• Days 1 to 3: Jyväskylä region
• Days 4 to 6: Savonlinna region
• Day 7 (bonus): Helsinki

Day 1: Arrival in Helsinki and departure to the Finnish lake district

Once the plane has landed and the rental car has been collected, drive straight to the Jyväskylä region (pronounced youvaskoula ?). It’s about a 3-hour drive.

Overnight stay and experience at Keurusselkä Resort

Keurusselkä Resort is a typical Finnish resort, located on the lake of the same name. Many activities are possible:

• Swimming in the lake
• Walking in the forest
• Water activities (kayaking, paddle boarding)
• Tennis and padel
• Spa (8€ per person)
• Private sauna by the lake (150€ for 2h) ? Online booking

Day 2: What to do in Finland in Jyväskylä

Enjoy the morning at leisure, swimming in Lake Keurusselkä or doing other activities.

Lunch in Jyväskylä

On the way to your next accommodation, stop in the small town of Jyväskylä for lunch. I chose the restaurant Viilu , located on the harbour area. You will have a beautiful view of the lake and you can enjoy fine cuisine.

For those who want, it is possible to enjoy the saunas on the spot!

Unusual experiences at Kapeenkoski Travel

My stay at Kapeenkoski Travel is one of the best memories I have of Finland. Not only are Titta and Jani very welcoming, but their estate, nestled in the heart of the forest, is beautiful.  You feel like you are in a movie, with beautiful nature and few people.

Plenty of activities are offered: fishing, hydrospeed, 100% traditional wood-fired sauna, forest walk… In the evening, you will be served dishes concocted with love, based on fresh and local products.

? Book your stay

Day 3: Continuation of the one-week trip to Finland in summer

Hike to hyyppäänvuori hill.

Put on your trainers and climb Hyypäänvuori Hill, which offers a breathtaking 360° view! Once at the car park, small wooden signs will guide you to the top. The walk is through the forest, so don’t forget your mosquito repellent during the summer months.

? Access: To park, go to this GPS point . You will see parking spaces on the left hand side of the road. Trail is 4km round trip with a rather steep climb.

Relaxation at the Revontuli Hotel

After the effort, the comfort! For the rest of the day, I invite you to head for the next accommodation, namely the Revontuli Resort. There you will find many activities: bowling, trampoline, paddle, water bike, sauna, jacuzzi… Impossible to get bored.

Several types of accommodation are available. I personally chose the package in the glass igloo, including 1 night on site, 1 dinner for 2, breakfast and access to the Beach sauna with jacuzzi (price: 399€). For those on a smaller budget, the other options are cheaper, I’ll let you check that out by clicking here.

? Book your igloo online

Day 4: Visit to the Savonlinna region in Finland

Hiking in south konnevesi national park.

To start the day off right, I recommend that you take the Kalajan Kierro Trail, which passes through Konnevesi National Park. There is an easy section of about 1 km round trip, but you can also do the whole hike which is 4.6 km. You will walk through the woods and see beautiful views of the surrounding lakes. ? Itinerary by clicking here

? Take your mosquito spray with you!

Kuru Resort Hotel

Are you looking for a real haven for a couple’s time? The Kuru Resort is the place for you! The hotel consists of 16 villas with a panoramic view of the lake or nature. Each villa has its own private sauna!

In the heart of the resort, you can swim freely in the lake, take a relaxation class, dine or even book a treatment at the Sisley spa.

? Rates and Booking

Day 5: Summer activities in Finland

Seal watching safari.

During the summer season, seals can be seen in Finland, especially in the Savonlinna area. Meet at the harbour of the Nature Hotel & Spa Resort Järvisydän for the start of the excursion. I didn’t see any seals but I wish you better luck than I did!

? Price: €87 per person. Click here

Other activities

At the same location, you can enjoy kayaking / paddling or relax at the SPA. Info & booking

Departure to Savonlinna

Savonlinna is a typical Finnish town surrounded by lakes and forests. I recommend you to take a walk through the market place and Olavinlinna castle.

Cruise on the historic steamer S/S Punkaharju

At the end of the day, enjoy a cruise on a steamer to admire the surrounding landscape . There is a bar on board where you can enjoy a drink! Choose the 5pm or 7pm cruise so that there is a beautiful light.

? Booking here

Where to eat in Savonlinna?

For dinner, go to the Linnakrouvi restaurant which is located right next to the castle! Nice service, varied choices and good value for money for Finland.

Where to stay in Savonlinna?

At the Resort Hotel Norppa , you will enjoy a pleasant lakeside setting with rooms and flats.

? Book on Booking

Day 6: Back to Helsinki.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to visit Helsinki, the capital of Finland.

If you have the opportunity, you can book this free guided tour of the city.

For other activities, book as you wish on Civitatis or GetYourGuide.

Where to stay in Helsinki?

Find a wide range of accommodation for all budgets on Booking.com

I hope I’ve helped you with this one week road trip itinerary in Finland in summer ! Feel free to ask me any questions in comments and share the article if you enjoyed it.

Further Reading...

What to do in the South West?

What to do in santorini in 3 days .

Munduk – Bali : Waterfalls, Lakes and Nature

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What to do in Cortina d'Ampezzo in Dolomites ? 

A week in corfu : what to do .

Article mis à jour le 14 December 2022 par Amoureux du Monde

The Perfect 5 to 7 Days in Finland Itinerary (Winter or Summer)

Last Updated on January 31, 2024

by Olivia Ellis

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see our privacy policy.

Planning a perfect 5 to 7 days in Finland itinerary is a great experience if you’re searching for a European destination off the beaten path from traditional tourist-heavy routes. In unique proximity to Scandinavia, Russia, and the Baltics, Finland is saturated with rich history and culture and “the happiest people” in the world.

From cosmopolitan and sustainable Helsinki to the country’s oldest city, Turku, Finland is a country waiting to be explored with open arms. This itinerary will help you plan an ideal trip to Finland, exploring both cities and nature while discovering unique corners in between.

Table of Contents

How Many Days in Finland?

Many potential visitors wonder how many days to spend in Finland in order to do this beautiful Nordic nation justice.

Finland is one of the largest countries in Europe, and with that being considered, there’s a great amount to visit. With that being said, I recommend a minimum of 5 days in Finland; this way you can visit and wander around Helsinki, but also manage to get to another city/town or two. 

On top of that, I believe that the ideal length of time to spend in Finland is around 1 week. With 7 full days in Finland, you’ll experience all that you can in 5 days, but also be able to go beyond.

You’ll truly be able to do the country justice, explore a few different regions of the country and go beyond major cities to further off regions, such as Finnish Lapland to perhaps visit a reindeer farm, go dog sledding or see the Northern Lights.

Getting To & Around Finland 

Getting to finland.

Regarding this particular itinerary, the best and most convenient option will be to first fly into the capital city of Helsinki.

Helsinki Vantaa Airport is the fourth largest Nordic airport by passenger numbers and has frequent routes year-round connecting Finland mainly to Europe but also intercontinental.

Due to the large airport and frequent flights, the Finnish capital is also typically a fairly affordable destination to fly into. You can get from the Helsinki airport to the city center by bus, train or private transfer.

Another unique option for those visiting Finland from neighboring Tallinn, Estonia or Stockholm, Sweden , is to reach Finland by ferry.

There are frequent ferry routes to/from each city and depending on your chosen journey, they can also be more affordable than flight transportation. You can browse ferry schedules here.

Getting Around Finland

When organising your transportation plans for getting around Finland, it’s important to keep in mind the time of year. This itinerary is best suited for the winter months, so unless you’re someone with at least some experience driving in wintery/snowy conditions, I’d recommend against driving.

For those that will be driving, the country is well-prepared for winter weather with cars equipped with the right winter tires so you don’t need to worry about anything out of the ordinary.

If you decide to opt-in to rent a car, I’d suggest only renting it for the time in Rovaniemi. Like most European and Nordic cities in particular, you’ll have an excellent public transportation system at hand to get around with and no necessity to rent a car whilst in the capital city. You can browse Rentalcars.com to compare prices on car hire.

Helsinki is also an incredibly walkable city, with most sights and points of interest in close distance, you’ll find it a joy to walk around the pleasant capital Finnish city. 

Furthermore, the other destinations outside of Rovaniemi are easily accessible to Helsinki by bus and train. The last two days of the itinerary are in Finnish Lapland and with such a long drive from southern/central Finland (~10 hours), it would take a day out of your trip to drive.

Rovaniemi is the most “wild” part of the itinerary and having a car would be an advantage (especially if you’re determined to spot the Northern Lights), but it isn’t completely necessary. There are several car rental companies in Rovaniemi, both in the city and at the airport if you’re keen to drive during your time in Lapland. 

5 to 7-Day Finland Itinerary

Regardless of how long you have, you’ll find spending time in Finland to be a Nordic treasure. If you have 5 days, you’ll get to know Finland through its capital city, Helsinki, along with other authentic towns and major cities.

For those continuing onwards to a 7-day itinerary, you’ll make your way north to the wild Arctic Lapland region and its capital city of Rovaniemi where you can enjoy either incredible winter activities or, in the summer months, basque in the midnight sun. 

Day 1 – Arrive in Helsinki

The first 3 nights of this itinerary are spent in the capital city of Helsinki. Once arriving, you’ll likely first notice the beautiful and diverse architecture and styles painting the capital city.

The city is a unique blend of Finnish, Swedish, and Russian architecture – reflecting the deep history and heritage not just of Helsinki but also of Finland itself. 

Helsinki is a fairly small and compact city, which makes it convenient to see most of the main sights during day 1 of your time in Finland. Begin at the Senate Square in the center of the city (Kruununhaka neighborhood) to marvel at the stunning white Helsinki Cathedral along with the National Library of Finland. 

A short walk brings you to one of the most unique churches you’ll probably ever visit, the Temppeliaukio Church. Built within a solid rock, the church is a must-visit in Helsinki and for that reason, it’s one of the most popular attractions in Helsinki. 

For a taste of some of the best Finnish cuisine in the city along with affordable options, make sure to visit Helsinki Market Square & Old Market Hall. The market square is particularly special if you’re visiting Helsinki during the winter , where you’ll find a joyful Christmas market full of independent stands and vendors.

The Old Market Hall is the oldest market in Finland as well as the perfect spot to enjoy a traditional meal.

Where to Stay in Helsinki

Bob W Kluuvi – This hotel is perfect for mid-range visitors. They have a great, central location for exploring the city along with plenty of great rooms to choose from and breakfast available in the mornings.

Hotel Mestari – This luxury hotel is perfect for those looking for a plush stay in the Finnish capital. They have a number of wonderful rooms to choose from, great amenities for guests to enjoy and a fantastic location for seeing all Helsinki has to offer.

The Yard Hostel – Those visiting Finland on a budget will love this cool hostel in the center of Helsinki. They have both private rooms and dorms to choose from along with good self-catering facilities and common areas.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Helsinki hotels!

Day 2 –  Helsinki

After a wonderful first day exploring Helsinki and getting acquainted with Finland, a great way to continue your trip is by making a day trip to the Suomenlinna Fortress. This sea fortress also happens to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Suomenlinna Fortress is situated on a group of 8 islands off of Helsinki and demonstrates key elements of Finnish history and independence from both Sweden and Russia. 

Suomenlinna is easily reached by a short 15-minute ferry ride (tickets are included within the Helsinki transport system) from Helsinki Market Square. 

Finland has a wonderful fashion scene, with both local and high-street shops with a big influence on sustainability. Pohjoisesplanadi, the main shopping street in the heart of Helsinki is about a kilometer long and is the perfect place to take a look at Finnish trends and maybe find a souvenir to bring home. 

Day 3 – Porvoo

On day 3, I suggested making a day trip to the nearby middle-aged town of Porvoo . Porvoo is best reached from Helsinki by bus, with just around an hour’s journey. I recommend booking with Omnibus, as buses are frequent (around every 10 minutes) and the system is reliable. Schedules can be found here. You can also book a guided tour .

Porvoo is a lovely little town giving a completely different feel to Finland than big-city Helsinki. The town is the second oldest in Finland and wandering through the old streets can’t be any more idyllic; especially in the snow during a Finland winter itinerary.

I recommend warming up with a hot chocolate at Petris Chocolate in the town center before heading back to Helsinki.

Day 4 – Turku

After spending 3 nights in Helsinki, make your way to the charming Finnish archipelago city of Turku. Turku is easily reached by train from Helsinki in just under 2 hours and train schedules and booking can be found here . 

The city of Turku was founded almost 800 years ago and is a unique must-visit on any visit to Finland. With the Aura River meeting the archipelago as the centerpiece for Turku, you’ll find the city to be an exciting destination full of soul and history as it was once Finland’s capital city before Helsinki. 

Stop by the 13th-century Turku Castle to get a better insight into Finnish Heritage in its oldest town as well as the Turku Cathedral, which also happens to be the seat of the Archbishop of Finland. 

If you’re visiting in the summer, a great way to enjoy Finland’s bountiful nature is to take a ferry to the Turku Archipelago. Spending the day in the long daylight is best spent wandering the trails, taking a dip in the water, and discovering the archipelago’s 40,000 tiny islands by bicycle. 

For a meal with a nice ambiance, the riverside area has wonderful restaurants with gorgeous views no matter the time of the year that you visit.

Where to Stay in Turku

Centro Hotel Turku – This hotel in central Turku is an excellent choice for those after a mid-range option in this Finnish city. They have myriad great rooms to choose from and a lovely breakfast available in the mornings.

Solo Sokos Hotel Turun Seurahuone – Located in the center of Turku, this hotel is a great choice for those who want something a bit more high-end while visiting Finland. They have a range of rooms to choose from, fantastic amenities and an on-site restaurant/bar.

Forenom Aparthotel Turku – This aparthotel is great for those who want their own flat but don’t want to sacrifice the convenience of a traditional hotel. There are a range of apartments on offer and they also have a great, central location.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Turku hotels!

Day 5 – Tampere

On your 5th day in Finland, a quick hour-and-a-half train from Turku will bring you on a day trip to the quirky city of Tampere. Tampere is the second biggest city in Finland with a lot to offer but is regularly missed by tourists, making it a great destination for any trip to Finland off the beaten path.

Tampere is the sauna capital of Finland, with over 50 public Finnish saunas waiting for you to relax and rejuvenate in the Finnish style. If you’re looking to tick visiting Finland’s oldest sauna off of your travel list, head to Rajaportti Sauna to experience a sauna heated by wood in the most traditional method.

The city is full of unique and exciting museums such as the Moomin Museum, the quintessential destination for any lover of the Moomin cartoon world. Another great museum option in Tampere for a particular perspective on Finnish culture and social history is Werstas – The Finnish Labour Museum

During your time in Tampere, make sure not to miss the largest Market Hall in all of the Nordics , Tampere Market Hall. This is the perfect destination to sample quintessential Finnish delicacies in a pleasant spot with friendly locals and authentic Finnish food.

If you’re spending just 5 days on you trip, this is the last day of your Finland trip. There is an airport in Tampere with a handful of European connections, making it a convenient ending if you can leave from Tampere. Otherwise, take the train back to Helsinki to continue onward.

For those continuing onward to the city of Rovaniemi in Lapland, the best transportation options from Tampere are to either return to Helsinki to fly to Rovaniemi or take an overnight train/bus from Tampere. 

Day 6 – Rovaniemi, Lapland

The last two days of your Finland travel itinerary will be spent in Finland’s largest region, enchanting and magical Lapland.

While also an ideal destination for the summer months because of the incredible nature and lush boreal forests of the northern Finnish region, it’s hard to find any travel destination more perfect in winter than Lapland. 

When planning accommodation, the costs of Lapland nature-surrounded hotels are much higher than in the center of Rovaniemi, it enhances the fairytale Lapland experience if you can afford the cost. 

The city of Rovaniemi is quite small in comparison to most other Nordic and Finnish cities, but it feels like an entirely different world in itself. To learn more about Arctic and Lappish culture, science, and history, head to the Arktikum Museum for a perfect taster to educate you for the rest of your time in Lapland. 

Rovaniemi is the main hub for most activities in the area and they’re plentiful. Whether you’re interested in taking a cosy reindeer sleigh ride in the Arctic forest or an Aurora Borealis expedition with a cup of hot chocolate, there’s something for everyone.

The majority of tour and activity groups leave from Rovaniemi with pick-up from surrounding hotels, making it an effortless trip if you decide not to rent a car to explore Rovaniemi, Lapland. 

If you’re visiting Lapland and following this itinerary in the summertime, it’s a completely different atmosphere but still incredibly special in its own right. From long days spent exploring Lapland’s wildly deep nature and forests to midnight-sun bonfire nights, summer in Lapland is truly special as well.

Where to Stay in Rovaniemi

Arctic Light Hotel – This modern hotel in Rovaniemi, this is a great base for exploring Lapland. There are several chic rooms to choose from, an airport shuttle, free parking and a superb breakfast.

Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle – The perfect arctic escape, the glass igloos located outside of Rovaniemi are excellent for a unique visit. They have several different pods on offer, a great restaurant, room service and other amenities.

Hostel Cafe Koti – A good budget option in Rovaniemi, this hip hostel has both dorms and private rooms, a bar and cafe on site, a sauna and good self-catering facilities.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Rovaniemi hotels!

Day 7 – Santa Claus Village

One of the most popular attractions when visiting Rovaniemi, Lapland is the magnificent world of Santa Claus Village.

Santa Claus Village is just about a 10-minute drive (or 20-minute bus ride) outside of Rovaniemi city center and is a must-visit magical stop while in Rovaniemi, for both adults and children. You can also take a guided tour  from Rovaniemi.

The village is a large wonderland, full of activities from ice skating and sledding to visits at the husky park and postcards and a meeting with Santa at Santa’s workshop. You’ll find conveniently placed fire pits throughout the village and the village’s forest area to warm up if you decide to walk among the snow-dressed Arctic trees.

The official boundaries of the Arctic Circle run through Santa’s Village and even though it’s just a line, it’s truly thrilling to pass back and forth through the Arctic Circle! 

Food options are plentiful in the village no matter your budget or preferences; from cafeteria-style food to classic Lappish food (I recommend the open-fire cooked salmon!) in a traditional hut. 

With so much joy and winter wonderland from just around every corner, it’s easy to spend a long day at Santa’s Village. It’s also safe to say that there’s no better send-off from a trip to Finland than heading to the snowy paradise of your childhood dreams. 

If you’re visiting in the winter, you may be able to find a return flight from Rovaniemi depending on the city, but otherwise, return to Helsinki to wrap up a marvelous week in Finland.

Have More Time?

In the case that you are drawn to the Lapland region and would like to explore further, I highly suggest heading further north to experience the region on a deeper level in the resort town of Levi.

In Levi, you can hit the slopes and ski on Finland’s biggest ski slopes, search further for the Northern Lights with a higher chance of seeing them, and find yourself in further bewilderment by Finland’s stunning natural beauty. 

On top of that, if you want to continue your trip and are looking to go beyond Finland, Swedish Lapland is just over the border with more outdoor adventures waiting for you.

Finnish Lapland is a lot more “developed” and touristy in comparison with Swedish Lapland, so if you’re interested in experiencing more of a local experience in Lapland, Swedish Lapland is a great way to continue your trip. 

A Finland trip undoubtedly has something for all kinds of travelers, whether you’re a city-seeker or someone happiest among nature. With this Finland itinerary, you’ll see all aspects of Finland, giving the perfect representation of this dynamically beautiful, and kind country. 

Are you planning a trip to Finland? Have any questions about this itinerary? Let us know in the comments!

Related Posts:

The Ultimate 2, 3 or 4 Days in Lapland Itinerary

A Guide to Visiting Finnish Lapland in Winter

Is Finland Expensive? A Finland Trip Cost Guide

About Olivia Ellis

Olivia is a writer for The World Was Here First. Originally from Michigan, USA, she is currently living in Athens, Greece exploring Europe and filmmaking. When she’s not travelling or writing, Olivia can be found cooking delicious new recipes from around the world, reading, and spending time outdoors.

Hi, Olivia: Thank you so much for sharing! It does make my coming Finland travel plan clearly. I am wondering how about Levi in Summer, and do you have any suggestions about summer in Rovaniemi?

With many thanks Sherry

Love the very informative initinery. Will certainly follow it. Planning to go in November 2023. Bravo!

Very very informative, thanks Olivia

Very very helpful review. We hope to have a family trip to Finland and these suggestions were terrific.

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How to plan the perfect Finland road trip

I first fell in love with Finland when we spent time in Lapland two years ago and have been itching to return to the country ever since. This time, however, we swapped snowscapes and sleigh rides for forests and lakes, and planned a Finland road trip summer itinerary.

Excited by the prospect of long summer days and plenty of time in the Great Outdoors we decided to spend two-weeks on our Finland road trip. This route starts in Helsinki, travels north to the Lakeland region, heads across country to Tampere and back south again to Turku.

Updated for 2020

During our cross-country road trip we swam in pristine lakes and picked berries on a family farm. We took a boat in search of the rare Saimaa ringed seal and ate enough pastries to last us a lifetime – and much more!

If you are planning a trip to Finland then this post is for you. Here, I share our Finland tour itinerary, tips for driving in Finland and all of our favourite sights in Helsinki , Finnish Lakeland , Tampere and Turku .

For more tips and ideas when planning your holiday, take a look at our Finland with kids guide.

Your perfect two-week Finland Road Trip 

Table of Contents

Two weeks is the minimum you want to allocate for a Finland road trip. We had 12 days and definitely felt that we wanted longer.

Our route covered the southern part of the country but if you want to visit Lapland then you can drive from the Finnish Lakeland region. It will take approximately eight hours to reach Äkäslompolo and about seven hours to drive to Rovaniemi.

If you do want to head north, this post details our magical week in Lapland with kids .

The following itinerary follows broadly the same route as we did. I have added an extra day in Finnish Lakeland, where we would have happily spent much longer. I’ve also included a couple of days in Tampere. We didn’t get to visit Tampere on this trip but everything I’ve heard about it makes me want to go back to Finland.

Read on to discover, how to plan the perfect Finland vacation.

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Finland Road Trip Itinerary

Days 1 & 2: Helsinki

Days 3 – 8: Finnish Lakeland

Days 9 & 10: Tampere

Days 11 – 13: Turku & Naantali

Day 14: Return to Helsinki

[/author_info] [/author]

Disclosure: We were guests of Visit Finland, Visit Saimaa and Visit Turku for this trip and for the purpose of producing this Finland guide. All my opinions are, as always, entirely my own.

This post may contain affiliate and commercial links. If you make a purchase or booking after clicking on the link then globetotting receives a small commission; if you don’t then we don’t! These are not pay-per-click links. For more information see our disclosure policy .

Helsinki (Days 1 & 2)

Finland’s capital is a fun place to spend a couple of days . In the summer it’s a place for swimming and soaking up the endless sunshine. During the winter months it’s a destination for making the most of its excellent museums and delicious dining scene.

We visited Helsinki in August and actually passed through the city a number of times on our Finland tour. Some of our favourite things to do when visiting Helsinki include:

Swimming at the Allas Sea Pools

Located on Helsinki harbour, this outdoor swimming complex offers three pools. There’s a 25m heated lap pool, a shallow children’s pool and my favourite, the sea pool, filled with waters from the Baltic sea!

Visiting the island fortress of Suomenlinna

Meaning “the Fortress of Finland” construction on this military complex started in 1749. It’s located on a series of small islands, 20 minutes away from Helsinki by ferry, and makes for a great day trip. There are tunnels to discover, a submarine to explore and plenty of small coves and beaches for paddling.

Suomenlinna is also a living and working community. There are around 800 residents who call the islands home and you’ll spot some of their pretty wooden houses when you first arrive on the island. There’s also a library, shop and a primary school here.

Spending time at Children’s Town at the Helsinki City Museum

This exhibition has been designed specifically for kids and is a wonderful, immersive way for children to learn about Helsinki’s history . Pretend to be a schoolmaster, go to work in an 18th century shop, jump in a horse-drawn carriage and discover more “old stuff” as my kids like to say!

Try local foods at the Old Market Hall

Helsinki is home to three market halls but if you only have time to visit one then the Old Market Hall , located on the harbour, is our favourite. It first opened in 1889, making it the oldest indoor market in Finland and is the place to come and try some local Finnish delicacies.

Discover the Kamppi Chapel of Silence

One of our favourite places to visit in Helsinki was also the place where we spent the least amount of time! Sights where “silence” is a key requirement are not always a winner with young children but we loved this beautiful multi-faith chapel . There are no services held here, rather the chapel was designed as a place to calm down and disconnect.

This post has more ideas on things to do in Helsinki as well as hotel and restaurant recommendations.

Finnish Lakeland Days 3 – 8

We  loved our time in the Finnish Lakeland region and it was a true highlight of our road trip.

During the summer months, Finland is awash with blues and greens, the forested landscape scattered with patches of brilliant blue water. There is so much water in Finland, in fact, that it has been given the nickname “the land of the thousands lakes” . This moniker is not entirely correct, however, as there are actually 188,000 lakes in Finland. These stretch from Helsinki in the south right up to the northernmost part of the country in Finnish Lapland.

We stayed in two different places in Finnish Lakeland. Our first two nights were spent at the absolutely beautiful Anttolanhovi Art & Design Villas on the banks of Lake Saimaa. We could have happily spent a week here enjoying lake life in Finland. When planning your Finland trip, I would definitely recommend spending longer here.

The next two nights were spent further north, at the Jarvisydan Hotel & Spa Resort and the gateway to the Linnansaari National Park . When driving from Anttola to Jarvisydan Hotel we stopped along the way in Savonlinna to visit Olavinlinna Castle . Some of our favourite things to do in Finnish Lakeland include:

Exploring Lake Saimaa

Sublime Lake Saimaa is the largest lake in Finland and the fourth biggest natural freshwater lake in Europe. Measuring approximately 4,400 square kilometres, the lake is also home to some 14,000 islands. In fact, there are so many islands, that Lake Saimaa doesn’t look like one body of water, rather a series of lakes, connected via inlets and waterways.

During the summer months, holidaymakers arrive to spend time in the summer cottages that sit perched on the myriad islands. Here, they spend their days boating, kayaking, swimming and more in the clean waters of Lake Saimaa.

Searching for the Saimaa Ringed Seal

The waters of the Linnansaari National Park are home to the rare and endangered Saimaa Ringed Seal . The best way to try and spot one of these cute creatures is on a boat safari from Jarvisydan Hotel & Spa Resort. We spent a wonderful morning with our captain, Jarri, whose family have been in the area since 1658, searching for seals. Sadly, we were not successful but we did have an incredible day on the water.

Climbing Neitvuori Hill 

There is not that much hiking to be done in Finnish Lakeland but if you want to stretch your legs then definitely take a hike up Neitvuori Hill . Meaning Maiden’s Hill, the summit stands at 184m above sea level and offers beautiful views of the sun-kissed waters of Lake Saimaa. Even better, go with a local guide and have a picnic at the top of the hill. This post has more information on climbing Neitvuori Hill .

Visiting Santa’s Hideaway

Even Santa needs a break and when he wants a holiday he heads to Kenkävero vicarage , near the town of Mikkeli, in Finnish Lakeland. You can visit his summer cottage and even see the machine he uses to learn whether you’ve been naughty or nice. If you visit between June 24 and August 6 then you’ll get the chance to meet Santa and some of his elves .

If he’s already gone back to Lapland by the time you visit then don’t worry, you can rent his cottage for overnight stays.

Discover Olavinlinna Castle

The 15th century Olavinlinna Castle is located in the town of Savonlinna on an island in the Kyrönsalmi strait. It is one of the star attractions in Finnish Lakeland. Originally built to defend against marauding invaders, the castle is today most famous for the annual Savonlinna opera festival that is held within the castle walls every summer.

Our favourite thing about Olavinlinna Castle was the dressing up room on the ground floor where the kids could pretend to be knights, guards and princesses. The kids also enjoyed spotting the medieval toilets attached to the sides of the towers!

This post has more ideas on visiting Finnish Lakeland , including a detailed itinerary.

Tampere (Days 9 & 10)

Here’s where our Finland tour deviates slightly. I really wanted to visit the city of Tampere but we didn’t have time on this Finland trip. So, when we left Finnish Lakeland, we drove back towards Helsinki and then on to Turku, which was a quicker route than driving across the country.

If you have longer, then I highly recommend spending a couple of days in Tampere , a beautiful city and an increasingly popular destination in Finland.

Even though we’ve yet to visit Tampere, I’ve done my research and I know that the following are some of the most popular things to do.

Enjoy the Särkänniemi Theme Park

This enormous amusement park also includes an aquarium, planetarium, carnival game area and the Näsinneula observation tower, the tallest free-standing structure in Finland. If your kids are into Angry Birds, in particular, then they will  love this place as it has the world’s first themed land dedicated to this insanely popular video game.

Visit the Moomin Museum

The Moomins are a national treasure in Finland and the Moomin Museum in Tampere celebrates everything about Tove Jansson’s books through a collection of illustrations and artwork. The museum is also home to a full-scale dollhouse version of the Moomin House, built by Jansson and her partner Tuulikki Pietilä.

Go undercover at the Spy Museum

Time to get out your false moustache and Fedora and get to work solving crimes. Tampere’s Spy Museum explores the world of cloak-and-dagger activities, focusing in particular on the Cold War era. Discover original documents telling stories of real life spies and try out the lie detector test.

Eat local goodies at the Market Hall

Food plays a big part in our travels and I love visiting markets. It’s not surprising, then that Finland’s myriad Market Halls are a winner with me. Tampere’s market hall has been around since 1901 and offers a huge range of food stands, cafes and places to grab a delicious lunch.

Turku & Naantali (Days 11 – 13)

Turku just may well be our favourite city in Finland . Lying on the southwest coast, just two hours from Helsinki, Turku is the oldest city in Finland and was once the country’s capital. It’s laid-back, compact and filled with fun things to do. There’s also an ever-growing food scene with plenty of lively cafés and restaurants and a cool creative buzz with lots of fun independent brands based here.

Turku is also the gateway to the pretty harbour town of Naantali , which is, in turn, how you get to magical Moominworld, home to Finland’s most famous residents. Some of our favourite things to do in Turku include:

Discover Turku Castle

The 700-year-old Turku Castle is the city’s star attraction, and rightly so, a visit here is a lot of fun. Filled with stories of daring escapes, treacherous families and romantic promises, the castle has a story to capture everyone’s imaginations. Our favourite tale was of the tourist who was held in place by a ghostly presence on a guided tour of the castle! There’s a fun dressing up room for kids and the castle also runs a Little Knights tour for groups of children.

Cruise along the Aura River

Running through the heart of Turku and out to the Archipelago is the Aura River . In winter months the river can freeze over, turning it into an ice skating rink and during summer months, ships sail up and down its waters. During summer months you can hire an electric boat and cruise along the Aura River yourself. It’s a great way to see the city and even more fun if you bring along a picnic.

Sail to Naantali 

Jump on board the steamship S/S Ukkopekka , the oldest steamship in Finland still in commercial use, and sail from Turku to nearby Naantali . The two-hour trip takes place between June and mid-August and is a lovely way to see the coastline and dream about which summer cottage you’d like to buy. You can also have a buffet lunch on board if you wish.

Meet the Moomins!

Naantali is the gateway to Moominworld , home to Tove Jansson’s loveable characters and the unofficial symbol of Finland. Moominworld is a wonderful place to escape for the day with the kids, even if you didn’t grow up with Moomin tales. The park is divided into different areas and at the heart of it is Moomin House, where you’ll get to meet the Moomins themselves.

This post has more ideas on things to do in Turku as well as hotel recommendations.

What you need to know about driving in Finland

Driving in Finland is very easy ; there is hardly any traffic, roads are well maintained and places are well signposted.

If you’re driving in Finland in winter then take comfort in the fact that this is also very straightforward (although there can be a lot of snow in places). All cars in Finland use winter tires and the speed limits are reduced during the winter months. You can also hire a ‘normal’ car and there is no need to hire an SUV. Just remember that daylight hours are few and far between during the winter months, especially the further north you travel.

For more information on driving in Finland, take a look at my Finland with kids guide.

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About the author.

Katja Gaskell

9 thoughts on “how to plan the perfect finland road trip”.

I love road trips and think you’ve picked a great place to explore in Finland. Yet in my view one of the flaws of the blogging world is the habit of so many bloggers of pushing the concept of the ‘perfect trip’. It’s unrealistic. Ups, downs and things going wring are part of travel and overcoming challenges helps bring people together during road trips.

What an adventure – I would love to visit the spy museum!

It really was an adventure! And yes, the spy museum sounds good doesn’t it?

Amazing! This is just the sort of trip we love to do! Finland is definitely on the list.

It’s filled with fun outdoor experiences that your family would really enjoy, you will love it!

I was about to say summer is the best time to visit (with the exception of lapland). My sister used to live in Finland and I remember visiting in the summertime and that it never got dark!

We enjoyed such long, lovely, sunny days! I completely agree that summer is a brilliant time to visit 🙂

This sounds like such an amazing trip! What a wonderful experience to have had with your family. I love the sound of Finnish Lakeland and also Santa’s Hideaway. Added to my ‘must-visit’ list.

It really was an incredible trip, thank you!

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Our epic 3 week finland road trip itinerary: south to north.

As part of our epic 3 month adventure around Scandinavia , we had just less than 3 weeks to spend in Finland.

Famed as the home to Lapland and, more importantly, Santa Claus, we were very excited to visit!

And with so much time to spare, we planned out a truly epic trip , driving from Helsinki to Lapland, taking us from the deep south to the northernmost point at the border with Norway.

Along the way, we wild camped almost every night, drove through stunning Finnish Lakeland , hunted the northern lights and even stayed in some wondrous igloo hotels .

Sound exciting?

Well, it was!

And I’m keen to share with you our exact 3 week Finland road trip itinerary, which can hopefully help you in planning your own route here.

Our Finland road trip video guide

Interactive map of our Finland road trip itinerary

Travellerspoint

Pssst, do you need car rental for your Finland road trip? Then check out Discover Cars for the best prices!

Before I get stuck in, I just want to make it clear that, though this route is 95% the one we followed, we did have to alter course slightly to head up into Norway and get more propane gas, before returning to complete the rest of our route.

Also, our visit to Ranua Wildlife Park (on day 11) actually happened a couple weeks later when we returned to Finland with friends.

However, if that hadn't been the case, we would have slotted it in perfectly with where it is located on the route below.

So besides these 2 minor tweaks, the route is exactly the one we followed.

Lasting 19 days, so just shy of 3 weeks, you can easily lengthen some of the days and stop at a few other incredible spots in Finland.

So, without further ado, let’s get stuck in!

Week 1 In Finland

Day 1: helsinki to sipoonkorpi national park.

Though it’s the capital city, we didn’t actually spend any time in Helsinki.

Our ferry from Tallinn (Estonia) arrived quite late and there were no sites in Helsinki that we were particularly interested in seeing.

So, we decided to start our journey north and spend the night in the Sipoonkorpi National Park.

The drive isn’t very far, in fact many people visiting Helsinki likely take day trips out here.

We spent our night camping here and in the morning took a nice leisurely walk through the forest.

Day 2: Sipoonkorpi National Park to Lake Päijänne

As the 2nd largest lake in Finland, we were excited to head north here and take our first looks at the famous Finnish Lakeland .

We were not disappointed as this day was one of our most scenic drives in Finland.

From Google Maps, Lake Paijanne looks like hundreds of smaller lakes, because it is broken up by pieces of land all over.

This means that the roads and bridges cross over or next to large stretches of open lake, and the drive really is beautiful.

This night we camped at this spot here .

Oh yeah, before heading north, I recommend taking a detour to the small town of Porvoo.

We spent a few hours roaming the town, enjoying a local cafe and taking in the old wooden storehouses on the river there.

Day 3: Lake Päijänne to Mikkeli

There were no particular towns or attractions on the roads across to Mikeli, but the most enjoyable part of the day was just taking in the surroundings.

As one of my top tips below, I recommend taking the longer, less-trafficked roads when making your way through Finland.

Do exactly that here, and enjoy stopping off at the many picture-perfect spots to grab a few Instagram shots .

Day 4: Mikkeli to Savonlinna

Our main reason for heading to Savonlinna was to visit Olavinlinna , a well-maintained 15th century castle.

Located in the middle of a lake, it is a really cool site and is the northernmost stone fortress in the world.

The town of Savonlinna is also very charming, certainly one of the nicest places in Finland .

I highly recommend taking the longer route between Mikkeli and Savonlinna, heading down route 62.

This is one of the most famous and popular roads in Finnish Lakeland as it takes you right through Lake Saimaa, the largest lake in Finland.

Much of the road is made up of bridges stretching over the lake, and this was perhaps my favourite day of driving in this part of Finland.

One random spot we stopped off at to walk to was Kummakavi .

This is a large boulder, perched precariously upon another rock below, making for one of the strangest yet most intriguing tourist spots in Finland.

Day 5: Savonlinna to Ukko-Koli

Before saying goodbye to the breathtaking Lake Saimaa, take the longer road east from Savonlinna towards Punkaharju Ridge Area . 

It’s one of the best driving routes in Lakeland and well worth heading to.

After this, we headed north to Ukko-Koli , which is a scenic viewpoint located high in the Koli National Park.

Though it was only a few hundred metres higher than the lakes below, this is the first time we encountered snow in Finland.

By the time we reached the winding road up to the visitor centre, it seemed we had entered into a winter wonderland.

It makes sense that this is a popular ski resort, and to get to the viewpoint you actually park up and take a lift up to the base of the ski camp.

It’s then only a short walk to the viewpoint and you can take a number of other walking trails when here.

The views were incredible, and one of the highpoints of our Finland road trip.

Read Also: The Best Backpacking Destinations In The World (Finland is one of them!)

Day 6: Ukko-Koli to Tiilikkajärvi National Park

There are national parks all over Finland, and the one we ended up in on this day was Tiilikkajärvi.

If you’re touring Finland, then I recommend stopping here as well.

There is a big car park area, and even public toilets to use!

They have a fire pit by the lake and it’s even possible to call up and hire out the sauna there.

It’s also the starting point for a circular trail that goes around the lake.

In the summer months, I imagine this is a really great spot for berry picking and wild lake swimming.

It wouldn’t let me mark the exact spot on Google Maps, but the entrance is just to the right of this point here .

Day 7: Tiilikkajärvi National Park to Laahtanen

This wasn’t a particularly long day of driving, so we enjoyed a late start, and a lengthy stop off in the small town of Kajaani.

Here, you see the remains of Kajaani Castle; which is little more than a few remaining stone walls.

The road into town passes through the castle remains, so it’s not possible to walk in it.

Still, I really liked this little town, in particular Cafe Mokka , which was a great place to get some work done!

Week 2 In Finland

Day 8: laahtanen to kuusamon portti hotel.

After one too many nights spent wild camping, and in desperate need of a good hot shower, we figured it was time to stay at an official campsite for the night.

However, it’s not easy in October when there are no other campervans around and almost all campsites have shut down for the winter!

Luckily for us, we found ourselves ending near the Kuusamon Portti Hotel , one of the few resorts still open, and who also offered spots for campervans.

If you find yourself passing by this area, then I highly recommend staying here, it was actually one of the highlights of our day!

The couple running it are so friendly and it really is a lovely place to stay.

The other most noteworthy stop of the day was very unexpected!

At the side of the road, here , there is a giant field covered in hundreds of “Silent People” .

The owner of the land has filled the area with rows and rows of wooden people, all dressed in real clothing.

It’s really quite bizarre, and caused us to double take as we passed it by.

Like us, I recommend returning and checking it out up close.

Day 9: Kuusamon Portti Hotel to Oulanka National Park

Though this day wasn’t filled with very much distance to cover, we still ended up spending a good few hours driving.

Wel, we headed WELL off the main road and went high up into the mountains, entering a winter wonderland.

If you take the Route 8694 off the E10, it heads up higher into the mountains, and the winding, narrow roads are a lot of fun and the views are great.

If you visit at a similar time to us, then you might also find it covered in snow.

After heading past Juuma (a small town) we found a secluded camping spot at the side of the road well away from other houses, and it was great!

Sure, we were a little concerned about Russian bears and wolverines coming through the forest to eat us, but what’s life without a little excitement?

Day 10: Oulanka National Park to Salla

Oulanka National Park is another beautiful park, well worth visiting if it falls on your route.

But for us, the highlight of this day was a visit to the Salla Reindeer Park , located just south of Salla.

Once again, we were the only visitors, able to take a long walk through the snowy forests where the reindeer live.

They also offer the chance to meet huskies at certain times of the year and have an on-site nature exhibit that was quite cool.

That is, as long as you’re happy to see a range of stuffed animals, including birds, reindeer and lynx.

Day 11: Salla to Ranua Wildlife Park

Rather than heading straight to Rovaniemi from Salla, it’s worth first heading southwest to the Ranua Wildlife Park .

We visited during our second trip into Finland in November, and it was a really unique experience.

Also a lot cheaper than other wildlife parks we’ve been to around the world, despite being home to a really cool array of animals.

For me, I was most excited to see polar bears, and I was not disappointed.

As well as this, they have dozens of other animals such as moose, wolves, reindeer, owls and beavers.

A visit here takes a couple of hours, just remember to wrap up warm as it can get cold out on the trail!

Day 12: Ranua Wildlife Park to Rovaniemi

By this point of your time in Finland, you are nicely inside the zone where you have good chances of seeing the Northern Lights.

That’s why, on our first night in Rovaniemi we decided to wild camp in hopes of seeing them.

We ended up camping on the shores of Lake Rukajarvi, at this spot here .

Here, you’ll find toilets, a large car park, a lake to swim in (if you’re that way inclined) and a hut for having fires and cooking food.

It seemed like the perfect place to see the Northern Lights, as you can chill by the fire, warm and cosy whilst keeping a keen eye on the sky.

It turns out we’re not the first to have this idea and it’s actually one of the most popular spots where tour companies come to help people find the Northern Lights !

So, if you are road tripping Lapland, then it’s definitely a great spot to camp for the night.

We also found out that, in the depths of winter when the lake freezes over, it’s a popular ice fishing spot as well.

On our second visit here in November, just 3 weeks after our first, the lake had completely frozen over and we went for a walk out on it!

Day 13: Day in Rovaniemi

Rovaniemi is one of the most popular places to visit in Finland , and this is unsurprising as it’s also the capital of Lapland.

Some refer to it as the “gateway to the Arctic Circle”, as it is situated right on the border.

From here, you can go on all kinds of tours and take part in many of Finland's most famous activities.

Such as husky rides, reindeer visits and northern lights tours.

With so many things to do in Rovaniemi , we ended up needing three full days here.

Here’s what we got up to:

• Went on a husky ride with Bearhill Husky
• Stayed in the stunning Arctic Treehouse Hotel
• Stayed in a glass igloo at the Arctic Snow Hotel
• Went on a Northern Lights wilderness tour
• Took part in the official Christmas opening ceremony at Santa Park (on our second visit in November)
• Visited Santa Park and met the elves and MUCH MORE! (Also on our second visit in November)

Day 14: Day in Rovaniemi

This day was spent doing many of the activities listed above.

We also took some time to visit the city itself, which isn’t particularly big, but still a great place to pick up a few bits we needed for the rest of our trip.

We also got some work done at Coffee House Rovaniemi , which I highly recommend visiting.

Week 3 In Finland

Day 15: final day in rovaniemi.

You get the idea …

If you plan on heading to Rovaniemi in the winter months, you should check out Cazzy’s complete guide to spending Christmas in Lapland .

Day 16: Rovaniemi to Pyhän Asteli

After staying at two amazing glass igloo hotels , it was time for us to jump back in the camper and head off on the road again.

But not for long, as that night we stayed at yet another igloo, this time Phyan Asteli .

Located a couple hundred kilometres west, we suddenly re-entered snowy Lapland and instantly fell in love with this area!

It’s a popular ski region and thousands flock here every year from late November onwards when the ski season gets underway.

For us, it was virtually empty so we had an incredible night stay, which you can read more about here.

The drive here is really cool as well.

Day 17: Pyhan Asteli to Levi

In our quest to see the elusive Northern Lights, we headed even further north, this time up to the Northern Lights Ranch , located just outside the popular city of Levi.

Which is once again one of the best places to visit in Lapland for skiing and a range of other winter activities.

I would 100% recommend checking out the Northern Lights Ranch, as their accommodation is amazing, located far enough outside of Levi to see the Northern Lights without light pollution.

Which we did, whilst chilling in our own private hot tub!

On the way up, we also stopped off at the Lampivaara Amethyst Mine .

It’s a really quirky thing to do, offering you the chance to dig out your own amethysts, in the traditional way they have been doing it here for generations.

You even get to keep one amethyst to take home, so long as it fits within your fist.

Read more about our experience at the Amethsyt Mine in Finland here .

Day 18: Levi to Inari

At this point in our trip, we actually had to make a 2 day detour all the way north to Alta (in Norway) to refill our propane gas tanks.

It turns out you can only refill Finnish LPG tanks in Finland, and we had just run out!

Our route cut back into Finland to Lake Inari, but it’s much easier just to drive straight between the two.

It turns out that Inari is one of the more popular tourist destinations in Northern Lapland as it offers some great opportunities for seeing the Northern Lights.

That night, we camped in a car park and walked to a fire pit ( located here ), just over a wonderful bridge with rapids flowing below.

With snow falling all around, we roasted sausages and ate them with sinappi mustard, in true Finnish tradition.

This was one of my top 3 wild camping spots, and it turns out this is another of the really popular spots to see the Northern Lights in Finland .

Whilst there, a few tour vans came in the night and parked up next to us, walking down to the fire pit to change their luck at seeing the Auroras.

Day 19: Inari to Kirkenes

The final day of our Finland itinerary took us north, along the shores of the massive Lake Inari (the third biggest lake in Finland) all the way across the border and up into Kirkenes.

There are lots of great photos pots to stop off at along the way and if you look at a map, the roads are surrounded on all sides by either lake or different national parks; a great way to end your road trip in Finland.

Other places to add to your Finland itinerary

As it’s such a big country, there are plenty of things to do in Finland , that we never got the chance to experience.

Based on our research, here’s a few added places in Finland we would love to visit, and will hope to do next time we return …

• Archipelago National Park
• Aland Islands

If you’ve visited Finland and have any places to recommend, let us know in the comments below so we can bookmark them for the future.

My 5 top tips for road tripping Finland

1. stock up on gas.

One issue we never anticipated in Finland was running out of gas.

Typically, you can visit an LPG station in most countries in Europe and they will be able to refill your containers.

Yes, many countries use different taps to fill the tanks so you should have adaptors for yours, however, this is not the case in Finland.

After lots of digging around, it turns out that Finnish gas stations only let you refill propane gas tanks if they are Finnish tanks.

It took a stupidly long amount of time for someone to tell us this, and anyway, the last thing you want is to run out of gas in northern Finland, especially if winter is fast approaching!

With nighttime temperatures of - 25 degrees Celisus, you need gas to warm your caravan.

In order to get some, we had to alter our route and head north from Levi into Alta (Norway) and then cut back down again to continue our Finnish road trip.

So, as a word of warning, have enough gas to last for your expected time in Finland.

Otherwise, the only alternative is to buy a Finnish tank of gas which costs more than 100 Euros.

2. Make use of wild camping

Without a doubt, one of the best parts of our entire road trip in Finland was the ability to wild camp.

Just like Sweden and Norway, Finland has the Right To Roam in their constitution which permits wild camping, as long as you follow a few key guidelines .

What’s great is all across Finland they have hundreds of purpose built camping spots, most with fires, toilets and chopped, dry wood.

Not only will wild camping save you a lot of money, it means you get to spend your nights sat round a campfire, enjoying the incredible surroundings and, hopefully, the Northern Lights.

Read More: How To Convert A Campervan (that's what we've done! :D )

3. Head off the main roads wherever possible

Compared to many European countries, Finland doesn’t actually have any major, multi-lane motorways.

Meaning, you are always pretty close to nature and able to enjoy spectacular beauty right at the side of the road.

However, instead of always following the quickest route north (or south), I recommend taking the smaller, more winding roads.

These will oftentimes take you through truly dramatic landscapes where few other cars are.

4. Visit in off-peak seasons

Or 3 week Finland road trip took place in the middle of October, which is firmly off-peak.

For our entire drive north from Helsinki to Rovaniemi , we only saw perhaps 2 or 3 other campervans on the road, and they were all headed south.

Better yet, not once did we stay in a wild camping spot and have any other campervans there, it was just us.

It was like we had the whole country to ourselves and it was incredible.

It also meant that there was very little traffic anywhere, so we had long leisurely drives everyday without traffic and without the need to feel like we had to reach a destination early.

The only issue you may face is that some attractions will be closed, and also that very few campsites are available.

That being said, we still found a few campsites, and scheduled to stay in one every 3 or 5 nights, depending on whether we needed access to any shower or charging facilities.

Oh yes, and make sure that, if you do plan to visit Finland in winter, that you have proper winter tyres! These are a must, especially when driving in Lapland if the snow comes earlier than expected, which it did in 2019 for us.

5. Avoid driving once the sun sets

One of the most dangerous times to drive in Finland is once the sun starts setting, because this is when moose come out to start feeding.

Most main roads in Finland aren’t lit by lights, so you might not see a moose until the last second when it’s too late.

Besides this, it can get very cold in Finland once the sun goes in, especially if you are up north in late autumn/winter time.

Meaning the roads can get icier and far more dangerous.

Personally, I never really liked driving at this time and always avoided it; much preferring to spend time unwinding by a campfire!

I hope you can tell from this that we really did love Finland .

I particularly love how diverse it is, where in the southwest the landscape is covered in gorgeous lakes and forests and in the north you are greeted by snowy Lapland and Northern Lights.

Of course, much of the latter two points will depend on which time of the year you visit!

If you have any other tips for road tripping Finland or think I missed off any great Finnish destinations or attractions, just leave a comment below .

For more help planning your own Finland road trip itinerary, here are some useful guides we published:

• 21 Incredible Things To Do In Finland
• Finnish Lakeland: Our Ultimate Travel Guide
• Christmas In Lapland: Everything You Need To Know

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Journey of a Nomadic Family

Finland in summer. authentically finnish itinerary suggestions.

You’re looking for the best places to travel in June, July & August and you think you’re interested in a summer holiday to Finland? But with over 40 national parks and half a million islands, where in Finland should you go? We try to found out with this post where we asked other people to tell us about their best ‘off the beaten track holiday’ Finland in summer experience.

Table of Contents

What To Expect From Holidays To Finland In Summer?

Midsummer is a national holiday in Finland and it’s a big deal. Midsummer is seen as the beginning of warmer weather and the start of the summer holidays. Midsummer in Finland takes places in the third week of June (around the 20th) and celebrates the solstice; the longest day of the year.  There are lots of festivities to celebrate around midsummer too. Finland has more than 20 annual music festivals with most taking place in idyllic lakeside towns. See here for more rock festivals.

There are no northern lights (aurora borealis) in Finland in summer months and that’s because of the near-endless summer with almost full sun and white nights. For two months northern Finland experiences ‘The Land of the Midnight Sun’ whilst in the southern parts of Finland it is never really dark either, just a period of twilight for a few hours. This is why Finland is a perfect summertime destination; you can just achieve so much more!

The Weather In Finland In Summer

Finland in summer is never going to be tropical but it’s also not as cold as other Scandinavian countries. Between June and August, the weather in Finland reaches between 15°C to 32°C giving you around 100 days of sunshine.

So, if you’re looking for the best place to holiday in June, July or August, we think Finland in summer sounds perfect.

15 Bucket List Things To Do On A Summer Holiday To Finland

• Visit a lighthouse island:  Where there are islands, there are lighthouses and some you can rent, sleep in and eat in . Bengtskär on the west coast is the tallest lighthouse in the Nordic countries. Söderskär lighthouse is a must-see. It is possible to visit Söderskär by boat from Helsinki. The journey takes just over an hour and the visit itself is for two hours. Just enough to climb the lighthouse and have a cup of coffee in the little lighthouse keeper’s cottage next to it. Carry on reading for Josh’s tip on visiting The Kvarken Archipelago. 
• Go see the old wooden town:  Many of Finland’s original towns were built 300 years ago from wood. No surprise as 70% of Finland is forest. The Helsinki districts of Käpylä and Vallila showcase such olden buildings, as does Old Porvoo , an hour from Helsinki, but so do Rauma in the west and Loviisa in the south
• Finland has 7 UNESCO sites: Six of these are cultural and one is natural. The most well known is the fortress & dungeon island of Suomenlinna but the others are the Bronze Age Burial Site of Sammallahdenmäki, old Rauma the wooden village, Petäjävesi Old Church, Struve Geodetic Arc, Verla Groundwood and Board Mil
• Wild camping in a National Park: There are 40 national parks in Finland, scattered around the country’s archipelago, lakes, forests and fells.  Finland’s “Everyman’s rights” mean that you can venture just about anywhere in the parks as long as you respect the nature and clean after yourself. Hossa National park features the Varikallio rock paintings where you can also canoe, paddleboard & swim in rivers but carry on reading for Katalin’s tips on Wild camping and hiking in Koli National Park.
• Pick wild forest berries & mushrooms: Finland has its own unique berries; bilberries; cloudberries and lingonberries are immensely healthy and free to pick between July & September. Due to  ‘Everyman’s Rights’, you can pick anything you want so long as you don’t destroy the habitat and leave enough for others.
• Sweat it out in a sauna: Finns go mad for their saunas and with over 3,000,000 saunas in Finland alone you’d be crazy not to visit one. With 188,000 lakes, many Finns combine the simple pleasure of saunas with lakeside dips and why not as many of them have log cabins sat over the water.
• Stay in a lakeside cottage: 188,000 lakes means there’s a lot of lakeside cottages in Finland giving you the chance to truly be in the middle of nature.
• Ride a steamship cruiser:  There are currently 80–90 functional steamships in Finland . Most are privately owned and most steamships are located in Lake Saimaa, Lake Päijänne and Lake Näsijärvi. The most northern place to experience ‘steam magic’ is Lake Oulujärvi, 550 km north of Helsinki. Find some more info here. 
• Sleep in a tree-house in the middle of a forest: I previously wrote about Glass Igloos in Finland but you can also stay in a treehouse too. If moss blanketed, forest floors and scenes from Brother’s Grimm tales are your thing, then you’ll love Forest Villages. The Forest Village can be found in Storfinnhova Gård, on Kemiö Island
• Gorge yourself at the Fazer chocolate factory:  Is there anything better than chocolate? Finland’s Karl Fazer is part of the Finnish cultural heritage and dates back to 1922. Decorated with distinctive blue and gold colourings, I’m surprised it isn’t more popular. They also offer healthy gum, liquorice tastings and sourdough.
• Dig for amethysts: The village of Luosto is home to the unique Amethyst Mine where deposits of semi-precious gems formed over 20 million years.  You can even dig for your precious stones here.
• Hunt for endangered seals: Take a boat through  Linnansaari National Park and search for the Saimaa ringed seal. You can try and spot one of these mysterious creatures and learn more about their environment and life.
• Fat bike through a forest: Ride through mesmerising forests on a mountain bike with fat tyres.  Either hire one yourself or sign up for a tour and ride through Finland’s nature.
• Take a tandem paraglide: Visit Hyvinkää and take a tandem paraglide. You can see how hawks feel as they glide high above the skies, looking down below.
• Travel to Estonia: You can take a return ferry to Tallinn in one day. Most Finns do this for a cheap booze run but the Old Town of Tallinn is  gorgeous.

Top Things To Do In Finland

Visit vaasa – the town given chartership in the 1600s.

One of the things I love to do when travelling is picking locations that aren’t listed in every guidebook. This way you get to experience a country more like a local. See what real life is like in a country instead of just checking out the touristy highlights.

Vaasa is a perfect destination for that. Vaasa is a laid back university town located a five-hour drive north-west of Helsinki.

A direct train from Helsinki gets you here in roughly four hours, but you can also fly into Vaasa or combine it with a visit to Sweden and take the ferry from Umea to Vaasa.  If you visit Vaasa in summer, you’ll have a great time enjoying the outdoors, drinks on terraces and attending a few outdoor events.

I would recommend staying in Vaasa for at least three days. Because although it isn’t a big city,  there’s enough to do in and around Vaasa to keep yourself entertained for a few days. Explore the centre with its shops, cafes, restaurants and a mix of new and historic buildings. Check out Onkilahti Park for some greenery and lovely views.

Vaasa also has nine public beaches to enjoy and all the water that surrounds the city is great for paddleboarding, kayaking or jet skiing. The city is surrounded by beautiful nature so don’t miss out on that and check out some of the great hikes in the area.

And of course, you can’t visit Finland without trying a Finnish sauna. A cottage by the sea would be my choice, but many hotels and Airbnbs offer saunas for you to use and Vaasa even has a Floating Sauna! Lastly, if you are travelling with kids, check out Waterpark Tropiclandia. That will surely keep you and the kids entertained for a day!

Vaasa feels young and trendy because of the universities but at the same time, it has a very relaxed and clean vibe. Spending a few days in Vaasa will show you what life in Finland is like and I’m sure it will help you fall in love with this beautiful country!

Written by Sanne from Spend Life Traveling. See more from Sanne on Facebook. 

Stay Near Vaasa

Take A Ferry To The Kvarken Archipelago

Countless islands, small beaches, hiking trails, an unlimited source of wild blueberries, and long endless nights. Not an image you would always associate with Finland. This is the summer lifestyle on Finland’s Kvarken Archipelago and some of the reasons it is one of my twelve most beautiful places to visit in Finland

Unless you are from Sweden, you’ve probably never heard of the Kvarken Archipelago. The world has done a good job of keeping it a secret until now. This beautiful collection of islands is located midway up the west coast of Finland, in the Gulf of Bothnia that separates Finland from Sweden.

Listed as one of Finland’s UNESCO World Heritage sites, the archipelago is home to numerous historical fishing villages such as Svedjehamn. Here you will find rows of small wooden boathouses, some converted into secluded Airbnb holiday rentals, and local stores where you can get a tasty bowl of Salmon soup for breakfast or rent a bicycle to explore where cars can’t go. There is also one very unique natural occurrence across the region. The islands are actually are rising out of the water year on year.

The best way for most visitors to reach the Kvarken Archipelago is to drive. We suggest including it as a stop on a Finland road trip. While there are daily train and bus services to Vaasa, the nearest major city on the mainland, public transport is otherwise quite limited to the archipelago.

Once on the islands, you can explore most areas by foot, bicycle, or car. More remote parts can be reached by kayak or rowboat. It is best to allow about 3 days to properly explore and appreciate the region. We recommend staying waterside if possible as the late-night summer sunsets are truly amazing and will be one of your most memorable experiences in Finland.

Written by Josh from The Lost Passport. See more from Josh on Facebook.

Where Could You Stay On The Kvarken Archipelago

Josh from The Lost Passport

Wild Camp And Hike In The Koli National Park

The Koli National Park is the most popular national park in Eastern Finland . We used to live for about a decade in a nearby city, Joensuu, which meant that we were quite frequent visitors to the park as it was only an hour away.

One time we walked from Joensuu to Koli, while other times we took a bus, drove by car or hitchhiked and explored different parts of the park and slept in the free wilderness huts, and hiked in between them. While the park is trendy during the winter, you can do several fun hikes in summer too, not to mention picking and eating blueberries.

If you would like to see the highlight of the park, the view of Pielinen lake from the top of Ukko Koli, you can easily do it in one day, as it is less than a kilometre from the headquarter. For more adventurous people, I highly recommend hiking the Herajärvi trails (40 or 60 km), which you can complete in one day, or divide it to 2-4 days and sleep in the shelters or your tent on the way. In case you want to overnight in summer, make sure you have a decent sleeping bag and mosquito repellent as summer is the favourite season for the little insects too.

You can start the loops either near Ukko Koli or at Eteläpää, at the southern end of the park. If you start it in the north, clockwise, you first walk on the top of the hills along the lake, and then some other adventurous parts come as you descend. For example, you need to cross the River Herajoki and cross Herajarvi by a self-pulled ferry at Sikosalmi. Later, you will walk along with more forests and mires before returning to the starting point in the north.

Written by Katlin from Our Life Our Travel. See more from Katalin on Instagram. 

Book Your Stay Near Koli

Get Cheap Flights to Finland

If you’re interested in seeing how we book cheap flights, you can read our g uide on how to search for cheap flights. Alternatively, read our guide on finding cheap accommodation and what to pack to keep your bags light. 

To look for flights to Finland, click this link

Other things to do in Finland

Explore pallas-yllästunturi national park with an rv.

Hiking in the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park is one of our favourite summer activities in Lapland as there is over 300 km of summer hiking trails. You can walk the 55 km trail path Hetta to Pallas as we once did, or just visit different locations near the border of the park and hike from there. From late May till the end of July, the sun doesn’t set, and you can enjoy the brightness all day and night long, and if you have a little luck, you will encounter reindeer and other local wildlife.

The national park has two main areas: the southern one around Ylläs and the northern one is around Pallas. Both locations got their names from the nearby fells where in wintertime ski slopes open, while in summer, there are numerous hiking and biking trails, several of them suitable for short, one-day hikes too.

Since we have a family, we often visit the park by RV, park in one place for a couple of days and hike nearby. Besides the above mentioned two locations, Pallas and Ylläs, our other favourite stopping place is Akäslompolo, where you can walk to a nearby lake and the fells, with the shortest loop trails of 6-8 kilometres. It is a very usual distance for the smallest nature trails in all areas.

You can easily stay 2-3 nights at each spot, and choose different day hikes, or move to the next parking place after each night if you have less time to relax under the midnight sun. It is quite time-consuming to drive around, but we can recommend you to do it. There aren’t many gas stations or shops, only in the bigger settlements, so make sure you have enough freshwater, gas and fuel before driving to a more remote location.

Written by Katalin from Amazing Lapland. You can see more from Katalin on Facebook.

Book Your Stay Near The Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park

Stay In Ylläs In Finnish Lapland

Ylläs in Finnish Lapland is a paradise for any outdoor enthusiast and a perfect destination to enjoy the endless days of Lappish summer.

Located 170 km north of the Arctic Circle, Yllas has the cleanest air in the world (2016) and the seven fells that surround the villages here give it a unique character.  Due to the fells, the area is great for hiking and biking and the challenging Ylläs-Levi mountain bike trail is popular with local bikers.  Ylläs has a large number of lakes, rivers, ponds and creeks which provide a brilliant opportunity to canoe & kayak whilst watching out for reindeer resting by the lakesides.

The small town of Kolari, nestled in the Tornio River Valley is close by and has a rich history. Check out the 200-year-old church on Kolarisaari island, or take a scenic hike on the Lukkarinvainio Natural Trail (3.5 km), birdwatchers will love the Teuravuoma-Kivijärvenvuoma Protected Mire. Considered one of the best birdwatching sites in the whole of Finland, this area features duckboards, lean-tos, campfire sites and observation towers.

Stay Nearby Ylass

Hire A Car In Finland And Self-Drive

Head To The Reserves Of Kuusamo

The centre of Kuusamo is located approximately 60 km (37 miles) south of the Arctic Circle where the population density is 2.2 people per km2! This leaves a lot of untouched wilderness to explore.

In the summer, the region of Kuusamo (which is surrounded by three national parks; Oulanka, Riisitunturi and Hossa) is famed for its greenery and remains a haven for wildlife where you’ll find the Saimaa ringed seal, the flying squirrel, brown bear, wolf, wolverine, lynx, the golden eagle and white-tailed eagle.

Bear watching sites are located near the Russian border in the Eastern Kuusamo. You stay even overnight in a hut. Bear watching trips are organized in Kuusamo by Ruka Safaris ,  Karhutupa   and   Karhu-Kuusamo between June-August.

Perfect for hiking, biking on the ski slopes and water-based activities on the rivers.  Kuusamo has  799 km² of water which attracts swimmers, paddlers, SUP boarders, canoers, rafters and floaters! You can don a warm floating suit where rapids will carry you down streams.  The white rivers of Kuusamo roar loudly in the summer with white, foam crested waves perfect for white-water rafting.

The Ruka sled track , close by, is a 1km run where you descend the mountain on a toboggan at speeds of up to 60km/h but yoga is also a big thing in Kuusamo. There’s hot yoga, after-ski yoga and Saunayoga.

Relax In Riverside Oulu

Oulu is a charming little city on the north-west coast of Finland. It sits on the mouth of the Oulujoki River where it meets the Bay of Bothnia and it’s immensely bike-friendly with the most extensive cycle network in Finland.

Its waterfront square, Kauppatori, is home to food stalls and the Toripolliisi, a squat policeman statue. The Tietomaa Science Centre offers interactive exhibits and a large cinema screen for 3D films. Nearby, the Oulu Museum Of Art showcases regional works.

Oulu has a  Cathedral, the Tietomaa Science Centre. the Oulu Museum Of Art, slightly north of the city are the University of Oulu Botanical Gardens and the Kauppatori (Market Square) in the centre of town, is a bustling place where the terraces are full of market stalls selling arctic berries. The square has a prime position in the town and sits right on the riverfront. You must get a photo with the bronze sculpture on the policeman, Toripolliisi which honours the policemen that used to patrol the market place.

Oulu is a green city and the Hupisaaret Islands have been turned into an elaborate urban park. It is characterised by it’s white, wooden bridges and small brooks and waterways which divide up the park into islands.  The Northern Ostrobothnia museum is located on one of the islands. The first museum building, a national romantic villa built in 1888 was destroyed in a fire in 1929.

There are a number of local beaches; Kiikelin is a small beach located near the centre, whereas Nallikari, which is a wide sand-swept bay, is a short distance away. Kalajoki beach on Hailuoto is about two hours’ drive from the city but a good day trip with its large sandy beach however a ferry runs between the city and the sand dune island during the summer.

If you’re looking for a Finnish spa experience, you could visit the sauna raft Kesän Sauna which floats on a platform in the river. After the sauna, you could take a dip in the river but if you visit Oulu in August, you can take part in the Air Guitar World Championships. The Oulu August festival attracts famous performers and hundreds of multi-art events.

So Oulu, Finland in summer sounds very relaxing and a great opportunity to visit some of its sand islands and enjoy Finnish berries.

Stay In Oulu

Where Will You Visit In Finland In Summer?

Have we managed to convince you that Finland in summer is an exceptionally magical place that is worth visiting? If not, maybe some of these longer tours will convince you? Let us know if you visit Finland.

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Finland’s best road trips: lakes, Lapland and local delicacies (think reindeer)

May 22, 2022 • 6 min read

Road trips in Finland take you through snowy forests, into charming villages and by many, many lakes © nblx / Shutterstock

With its vast landscape of pine forests and silvery lakes, fringed by a coastline dotted with thousands of islands, Finland was made for road trips.

Travelers following open roads through the wildernesses of Lakeland and Lapland will find that each season brings a different beauty, from autumn colors to snowbound winters. Most of the following routes are doable year-round, with ferry timetables restricting travel to summer in a few cases. Here are the five best road trips in Finland.

See the islands on a road trip to Porvoo and Pellinge

Helsinki–Söderby; 85km (53 miles); allow two days

After a few days in the Finnish capital , head out of town on the Kulosaaren Bridge for a first impression of the island-dotted Gulf of Finland coastline. The first stop is Porvoo , just 50km (31 miles) from Helsinki yet seemingly centuries removed, its atmospheric old town filled with traditional wooden houses. Wander the cobbled streets to the maroon riverside warehouses, first given a lick of red paint to celebrate an 18th-century Swedish king’s visit. With local delicacies such as Runeberg torte pastries beckoning from the windows of cafes, bakeries and chocolatiers, Old Porvoo is worthy of a Hans Christian Anderson fairy-tale, especially when dusted with snow.

Swedish is widely spoken along the Finnish coast, and you will hear the language more frequently – a trend that grows on Porvoo’s neighboring Pellinge (or Pellinki) islands . Moomins creator Tove Jansson would spend months at her single-room summer cabin here, drawing inspiration from the rugged coastal landscape. Road-trippers can hop between the forested islands on a cable ferry and bridges as far as the tiny fishing village of Söderby.

Visit ironworks villages and the Finnish Riviera along the southern coast

Espoo–Bengtskär; 120km; allow three days 

Beat the city traffic by picking up your hire car in Espoo , connected to Helsinki by a short ride on public transport that runs with Nordic efficiency. Continuing the theme of sophisticated development, the area on the western side of the Laajalahti and Seurasaarenselkä bays is Finland’s Silicon Valley. 

Detour north along the pine-ringed Nuuksion Pitkäjärvi lake to Nuuksio National Park (also served by buses from Helsinki), where rugged, glacier-carved landscapes await. The spruce forests are also home to a significant population of Siberian flying squirrels.

Choose your landscape: arc past forest-lined lakes (get used to these) on the E18 highway to Fiskars , or take the coastal Rte 51 to this picturesque 17th-century village. The area’s best-known ironworks village, Fiskars’s workshops are now occupied by artisanal craftsmen, offering distinctive souvenir shopping. At road’s end, the equally pretty 19th-century spa town of Hanko is mainland Finland’s southernmost point, known as the Finnish Riviera for its sunny weather, sandy beaches and seafood restaurants.

The journey finishes with a boat trip to Bengtskär lighthouse , the tallest in the Nordics at 52m (171ft), which cuts an imposing figure on its lonely islet.

Watch the water sparkle on Lake Saimaa and Puumala in Finnish Lakeland

Ruokolahti–Jyväskylä; 250km; allow two days

In Finland’s southeastern corner, Ruokolahti is the starting point of the Rte 62 drive through some of the Lakeland region’s most pristine scenery. The journey is a driver’s delight, as the tarmac soars across serene waters on slender bridges, then reconnects with thickly forested peninsulas, surrounded by islands bristling with pines. It’s also known as the Puumala Ridge or the Lietvesi Scenic Rd, respectively referring to the main town and one of the vast lakes en route. 

While views of Finland’s largest lake, Saimaa , should keep you occupied, a top activity is a  picnic cruise  from Puumala to Rokansaari island in the Saimaa Geopark. You can also view 80 prehistoric rock paintings at Astuvansalmi in the park, or toast Finland’s version of the Ozarks at the roadside Ollinmäki winery , before Rte 62 ends at lakefront Mikkeli .

It’s easy to loop back to Helsinki from Mikkeli, but if you’re continuing north for further adventures in Lakeland or Lapland, Jyväskylä makes an excellent staging post. Reached through more forest (which covers 75% of Finland), the university city offers authentic Finnish experiences in the many saunas that earned central Finland the grand title of Sauna Region of the World . There’s also a trove of noteworthy architecture, including the wooden Petäjävesi Old Church – one of Jyväskylä’s two World Heritage Sites – and the world’s largest collection of buildings by celebrated Finnish modernist Alvar Aalto. 

Have a few car-and-ferry adventures on the Turku Archipelago loop

Turku–Nagu–Kustavi–Turku; 200km; allow three days

Finland’s indented coastline and glacial hinterland are riddled with more than 180,000 lakes and almost as many islands, making this archipelago route a rite of passage. The starting point is southwestern Turku , Finland’s oldest city and former capital. The vibrant port and university city gives Helsinki a run for its euros with its galleries, museums, restaurants and nightspots, overlooked by a medieval castle and Gothic cathedral. 

With some 20,000 islands and skerry islets in the Turku Archipelago , there are as many routes as there are summer cabins and kayakable coves. All offer an unbeatable island-hopping experience, with more seaside tranquility than blockbuster sights among the fishing villages, sandy beaches, under-the-radar accommodation and traditional Finnish cuisine. It’s one for the summer months of June and August.

From Turku, we recommend crossing the bridge-connected splatters of land to Lillmälö, followed by a ferry across the bay to Prostvik. Via a dozen ferry terminals, Rte 180 continues across Nagu, one of the archipelago’s five major islands, to Pärnäs, the launchpad for the sailing-and-driving route to Heponiemi. Then you’re back on dry land for good – no sweat. 

Although this land-and-sea route might sound like a maritime odyssey, many boat crossings are short hops with on-demand departures. It’s just 70km (43 miles) back to Turku from Heponiemi, with the possibility of a final night on Kustavi island, enjoying rustic accommodation, a generous seafood buffet and the red-painted 18th-century church .

Take an epic Christmas journey at the Arctic Circle in Lapland

Rovaniemi–Inari; 325km; allow three days

Whatever time of year you visit Finnish Lapland, it will be Christmas in the regional capital of Rovaniemi . Drawing on the folkloric figure of the Yule goat, who distributed gifts to Lappish children, as well as the rugged area’s permanently wintry landscape, Rovaniemi has established itself as Santa’s home base. At the Santa Claus Village theme park, you can visit Father Christmas at his office year-round, as well as Mrs Claus’s cottage and the festive couple’s reindeer herd.

Rovaniemi is an impressive 825km (513 miles) north of Helsinki, but it’s well worth carrying on to cross the Arctic Circle (marked by a sign just north of town) and experience the Lappish landscape. Snow-piled forests and icy fells, frozen lakes and ski resorts await in winter, while autumn brings a glorious spectrum of golden hues. Even the sky varies its display throughout the year, from summer’s 24-hour daylight to the aurora borealis during spring and autumn.

The E75 highway passes Saariselkä , Europe’s northernmost ski resort and a gateway to the 2,500-sq-km (965-sq-mile) wilderness of Urho Kekkonen National Park . Here, you can go trekking, cross-country skiing, cycling, stay in an Arctic retreat and find more Christmas mythology – Finns believe the park’s reindeer-roamed Korvatunturi fell is Santa’s home. 

On the lake of the same name, Inari is a center for the Sámi, the European Union’s only Indigenous population. Experience their culture on a berry-foraging expedition into the forest or by trying traditional dishes such as renskav – sautéed reindeer.

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Sidewalk Safari | Part-time Travel Blog

11 of the best places to see on a quick finland road trip.

1. Visit Kotka on the Gulf of Finland

Things to do in kotka, kotka sculpture promenade.

The Maritime Museum of Kotka

Sapokan Vesipuisto

Kotka's Stunning Sunsets

Places to Eat in and Around Kotka

Koti pizza - try a berlesconi.

Vausti Ravintola

Sam's Pub in Karhula

2. Road Trip to Lappeenranta

Craft beer at teerenpeli.

Harborside Walks

Lappenranta Fortress

3. Finland's Oddest Roadside Attraction: Parikkala Sculpture Park 

4. Eastern Finland's Siikalahti Nature Reserve

5. Stop in Scenic Savonlinna

Olavinlinna castle.

Savonlinna Provincial Museum

Paistetut Muikut at Kalastajan Koju

6. Kenkävero at Mikkeli

7. Rural Finland Road Trip Rest Stops

8. Coffee and a Riverside Walk near Kouvola

Sisustus-Kahvila Kaarnasydän

SIDEWALK SAFARI SPOTLIGHT: Interested in other Nordic travel ideas? Why not consider a Norway road trip covering things to do in Bergen , Alesund , Trondheim , and Oslo ? You'll find vibrant cities and of course world class scenery.

Hamina's concentric circles.

Hamina Bastion

Hamina's Birdwatching Wetlands (Beware of Mosquitos)

10. Passing Through Porvoo

Craft beer at porvoon paahtimo.

Porvoo Cathedral

World Class Curry at Nepalilainen Ravintola Pokhara

Turku Market Hall

Turku Cathedral

Aboa Vetus and Ars Nova

Good Eats at Foija Restaurant and Wine Bar

Craft Beer at Panimoravintola Koulu

Turku Castle

Fibonacci Smokestack

Return Drive to Helsinki Airport

Map of our self-drive road trip itinerary in southern finland.

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One Week in Finland: The Perfect 7 Day Itinerary

So, you’ve got one week in Finland? Great. Get ready to explore one of the true jewels of Scandinavia. Rolling from the cold Baltic Sea in the south to the snow-plumed trees of Lapland up north, this country is a whirlwind of culture, history, thrill-seeking adventures, foodie enjoyments , and more…

Our 7-day guide will take deal with the highlights of Finland one by one. First, you’ll delve into the design-mad capital of Helsinki, to see 1800s palaces and taste roastery coffee in cool cafes. Then, you’ll move onto the wooded Finnish lakes, the wild Baltic coast, and – eventually – to the shiver-inducing deep north.

In just one week in Finland, you can look forward to all manner of bucket-list-experiences. On this trip, you’ll get a chance to meet a certain Santa Claus in the Arctic, spot the Northern Lights dancing on the sky, and sample a traditional Scandinavian sauna. And that’s just scratching the surface…

Table of Contents

Day 1: Arrive in Helsinki and explore

There are a few main ports of entry to Finland but Helsinki is the most popular. It could be more expensive to fly into than other airports in smaller Finnish towns, but it is the best connected and starting your Finnish adventure in the capital is certainly the best idea. Alternatively, you could do this guide in reverse and finish in Helsinki (this one week in Finland itinerary works both ways).

Finnair, British Airways, EasyJet, and a host of other airlines fly into HEL airport. Once you have arrived, it is easy to catch public transport into the city center to check into your accommodation. Most of the action is concentrated in the commercial downtown of the city, which is located just east of Mannerheimintie, south of Pikasilta, and west of Unionkatu. That said, any of these neighborhoods are great places to stay.

(We can recommend staying at the Solo Sokos Hotel Helsinki ($$-$$$), a super-central stay with real style and noir, NYC-esque rooms, or the Bob W City Centre ($$-$$$), a spacious and more personal aparthotel that even has units with their very own sauna!).

You’ll be dedicating the whole of your first day to getting to know this open-air, fashionable, and friendly city at a slower pace. Helsinki comes alive with outdoor cafes in the summer and it is very walkable. The coffee culture is also super-important, so why not begin at one of the hip roasteries that pepper the town? Our favorite is the Deja Brew on Annankatu. Closer to the center is Cafe Succes, which also serves famous Finnish cinnamon rolls known as korvapuusti .

Caffeine ingested? Good. Now it’s time for the Senaatintori Square. A symphony of Neoclassical design, it’s the beating heart of the Finnish capital. Helsinki Cathedral looms large right above it. The bright facade and blue domes of that Lutheran church have helped earned Helsinki the name of The White City of the North. It was built between 1830-1850, to honor the then-Duke of Finland Tsar Nicholas I of Russia. Behind, you’ll find the grand House of the Estates (the former Finnish Parliament building) and the large central docks.

Later on, you’ll be hitting the pumping Esplanadi district. It’s the most vibrant quarter of the town, coming replete with hipster drinking holes, music bars, and cocktail speakeasies. Those with cash to splash might want to sample the latest in Finnish New Nordic cooking at the exquisite Restaurant Savoy. We also love the more affordable Ravintola Emo that’s just down the street.

Day 2: Museums, culture, and culinary scene (still in Helsinki)

There’s plenty more to see in Helsinki, so kick-start your first full day in Finland by exploring the museum scene in the capital. Enjoy the frescoes of the Kalevala in the National Museum. Or hit the Kiasma Gallery and Amos Rex for contemporary art and strange futuristic exhibitions. Don’t forget the Designmuseo too. Located in Kaartinkaupunki, it celebrates the Finnish penchant for all things design. Inside are collections that showcase clothing, prints, and even furniture,

Next stop: Suomenlinna. Built over eight islands, around four kilometers southeast of the center, Suomenlinna is an 18th-century sea fortress and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The landmark is a monument of military history and architecture, and a must-see in Helsinki. It takes about 15 minutes to get there on the public ferry. They leave all the time from morning until night.

The grounds of Suomenlinna comprise an extensive nature area that’s totally enclosed by centuries-old defensive walls. There are also plenty of walking trails, spanning two kilometers from the King’s Gate drawbridge to the Suomenlinna Museum. Be sure to check out the restored Submarine Vesikko, a 1930s vessel deployed in the Second World War and one of the most popular attractions on site. 

Suomenlinna is even home to a brewery and several waterfront restaurants, so you can enjoy a relaxing mug of local beer and a light lunch. Then, it’s time to head back to the city. Your aim is the legendary Temppeliaukio Church (also known as the Rock Church). It’s the Töölö area of town and is famed for its cutting-edge architecture – the whole thing is carved straight into a plinth of granite! After that, get over to the Chapel of Silence, another of the city’s striking religious buildings. Finish off with a stroll down Aleksanterinkatu, Helsinki’s main shopping street

For the evening, the upcoming Kallio neighborhood awaits. It’s Helsinki’s hipster center and has some edgy bars and art cafes. Alternatively, you can follow the food and get down to trendy Punavourit district. That’s home to Skiffer , which serves up traditional Finnish favorites and craft drinks.

Day 3: Finnish Lakeland

You can’t run your finger across a map of Finland without brushing like a billion lakes. Okay, maybe not a billion, but the country is home to a staggering 188,000 bodies of water. They all offer something different, too. Some are good for beaches and sunbathing, others for sledding and ice fishing. 

The good news is that many of the lakes are easy to access on Finland’s efficient and cost-effective cross-country trains. They serve the so-called Finnish Lakeland from the capital in just a few hours. However, we would recommend getting your own wheels for this part of the journey. Not only will that mean you’ll be able to travel out to any like that stokes your wanderlust, but the drive in itself is also sure to be a gorgeous one! Plus, you’re going to need to drive even further north in the coming days, so why not hire right away?

Reachable in four hours by train or car from the capital, Savonlinna is a stepping stone between islands and is punctuated with great lakes like Saimaa, Mikkeli, and Vuokalanjarvi. The village is right in the center of Europe’s largest lake district and is home to a 15-century castle (stick around for the July opera festival if you happen to be in town in the early summer).

Alternatively, you could head slightly further north to Kuopio. Summer still boasts some pleasant temperatures and blissful sunshine. It trickles through the spruce forests onto wooded trails and hidden swimming spots. The world’s biggest wood-smoke sauna is also located in Kuopio. It’s a must for anyone hitting this corner of Scandinavia and perfect for evening’s relaxation after a day on the lake.

Aim to spend your night in the city of Tampere. It’s a fun place that thrums with the energy of a big student population. It also has whitewater rapids ripping through the center of town – something you don’t see every day. Get down to the rejuvenated Koskipuisto Park area for the evening to share beers in the open-air cafes (weather permitting). Oh, and true fans will surely want to drop into the Moomin Museum. For hotels, we especially like the Kotimaailma Apartments Tampere ($$). They are clean, bright, and super-close to the center.

Day 4: Turku and the Turku Archipelago

No trip to Finland could possibly miss out on the second-city: Turku. The onetime capital of the country, it has a history that would make Helsinki blush. You’ll notice that right away, as the center of the town is a maze of winding cobbled streets fringed by crooked homes. There’s evidence to show that the spot was first inhabited in the Stone Age. But the venerable buildings seen today mostly date from the 12 th , 13 th and 14 th centuries.

Before you begin, though: Coffee. Turku is famed for its student vibes and liberal leanings. There are cafes of all shapes and sizes to match that rep. Our all-time favorite has to be Bokachá, a bubble-tea outlet that does tasty chocolate cakes and all sorts of hot beverages. Then it’s onto a walking tour of the old core of the town, which should include all the following sights:

• Pharmacy Museum – A charming little red-painted house that contains a pharmacy museum with exhibits dating to 1700.
• Turun linna (Turku Castle) – This is the historic highlight of Turku. It was once the most important fortress in the country. Later, it became a palace. If you have time, there’s a great local museum inside.
• Forum Marinum – An historic shipyard with vintage sailing vessels on show.
• Turun Tuomiokirkko – The oldest basilica in Finland, and the only one dating from the Middle Ages, this redbrick church rises above Old Great Square. Notice the handsome Lutheran design and soaring main spire.

The old center of Turku is really just half the story here. There is a whole other side to this city, awaiting out in the fragmented isles of the Turku archipelago. That’s where you’ll head in the afternoon. We actually recommend a guided tour for that, since you can hop on a private boat and see loads more islands. What awaits is a world of salt-washed coves filled with seabirds and islets covered in beech forests.

Day 5: Lapland 

There are few places in the world with a reputation like Lapland. The Arctic Region in Finland is something out of a frozen fantasy; somewhere you really have to see to believe – think fells that rise and fall from icy lakes and ice-blasted forests and tundra that roll away towards the Nort Pole.

After exploring Turku, you’re certainly best off flying direct to Rovaniemi. That’s the transport hub of the region and home to the largest airport in the Finnish Arctic. You can also reach by train from Helsinki if you have more time but expect it to be a long ride. That said, the cross-country rail network offers unbeatable scenery, and it’s not too expensive, either.

If you want to experience a true winter paradise with snow-covered polar nights, Lapland is best visited between late-November and mid-February. Then, opportunities for ice activities are at their peak and temperatures dive below zero, draping the Arctic north in a cloak of darkness. Still, summer brings its own unique beauty in the form of the Midnight Sun, when you can partake in wild salmon fishing in the fast-flowing rivers and enjoy great hiking in the national parks. 

Lapland covers a third of Finland and there’s so much to see, but choose your base wisely. Rovaniemi is your best bet if you’re pressed for time and don’t want to be too remote, but there’s also Levi for skiing and nightlife.

Getting to Lapland is sure to be an adventure in itself, but your accommodation can be a real highlight when do arrive. Camp out under the Northern Lights in glass pods, rent an alpine lodge, or even spend the night in an ice hotel if you dare, Lapland is the place for once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Here are just a few of the most amazing hotels in the region:

• Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos ($$$) – One of the most legendary experiences in the north of Finland, an ice hotel is made and remade every year. They do have year-round rooms, though, in the form of glass-dome igloos with stunning views of the Northern Lights if they happen to make an appearance.
• Hotel Levi Panorama & Levi Chalets ($$) – One for the skiers, Hotel Levi Panorama & Levi Chalets sits right at the base of the slopes in the resort of Levi.
• Korvala log cabins ($$) – Get away from it all with a stay in one of these pioneer-style wood lodges deep in the forests of the north.

Day 6 and 7: Snow adventures and Northern Lights 

Two whole days in Lapland is the perfect way to end your trip to Finland. If you’re staying in Rovaniemi, be sure to get your dose of culture before adventuring into the snow. That means checking out the Arktikum, where visitors can traverse long glass-tunnel shelters exhibiting the remote Sámi culture and their crafts. You can also go and see Santa for free in his village home, a perfect Christmas excursion for families. Then, it’s onto the ice…

On the fringes of town you can do everything from husky sledding, snowmobiling, and reindeer-driven sleighing. For more wilderness, it doesn’t get much more remote than Utsjoki, at the furthest northern corner of the country. The village of Utsjoki is where the Sámi people of Finland reside, living in harmony with nature . A fifth of this region is covered in water and national parks, bordering Norway with ancient trails that cross the fells. Research well and never venture off into the wilderness without a guide. Luckily there are plenty of tours you can book in Utsjoki and even a number of different accommodation options despite the small, isolated population.   

The Northern Lights are also an undoubted pull to Lapland and if you’re lucky, they might come out to play on your trip. The Aurora Borealis is unpredictable. Winter brings the best long nights and clear skies for viewing them, while in autumn and spring, you are more likely to experience more solar flares. Book a midnight husky sledding experience or hike out to Rovaniemi’s best viewing locations with your experienced Lapland guide to huddle under the stars with flasks of hot chocolate and wait for the displays to show.

One week in Finland – our conclusion

Your one week in Finland will have whisked you from the salty bays of the south coast around Turku, through the amazing cultural sights of Helsinki, through the amazing Finnish lake lands, and up north to the incredible region of Lapland. In that way, it checks off all the major highlights of the country. We will say this, though – a week will be tight. If you can spread this trip out anymore, it’s certainly worth doing, if only to add in the unforgettable train ride from the south to the north. Once you’re finished, you can either fly south from Lapland to Helsinki or carry on your travels over into Arctic Norway.

When is the best time to visit Finland?

The best weather for exploring Finland’s capital and southern coast can be found in the summer months of June, July, and August, when highs reach 80 degrees Fahrenheit and the days are longest. However, school-holiday crowds hike the prices .

Winter can be dark and bleak in the south but is a much cheaper time to visit , and equally magical around the festive period. However, November until February is the most exciting season in the north, when Lapland becomes a winter wonderland and the ski season is in full swing.  

How many days do you need in Finland?

Finland is a vast country with a whole host of different regions and towns to explore and a host of different holidays on offer. If you want to get the most out of every region, at least two weeks is the perfect amount of time to see south and north with enough days in the capital and still time to experience the best of Lapland. Still, if you’re short on time, four to six days in one region, either within the Arctic Circle or Helsinki, will suffice. 

Is Finland safe? 

Not only is Finland one of the happiest places in the world, but it’s also one of the safest both for travel and daily life. Violent crime rates across the nation are among the lowest globally and effective policing, a fair justice system, a neutral political position, and very abiding citizens help keep it that way. The biggest concern of visiting Finland is the extreme weather, especially in the north. Blizzards and landslides are common in the height of winter in remote areas and it can be easy to get cut off from civilization. Still, tornados, typhoons, earthquakes, and volcanic activity are virtually non-existent in Finland. 

Reece is the creator and editor of Travel Snippet. He has visited more than 38 countries over a 10-year period. His travels have taken him through the majestic mountains of Italy, into the cities of central Europe, across the islands of Indonesia, and to the beaches of Thailand, where he is currently living. He is passionate about travel and shares his expertise by providing the best travel tips and tricks to help you plan your next adventure.

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Summer in finland: the essential 4-day travel itinerary.

I visited Finland for the first time this summer and fell in love with the people, their culture and the wealth of natural beauty that covers the land in lake and forest. With that in mind here is my essential travel itinerary for a 4-day holiday in Finland, covering all the best and most luxurious things to do. Smoke sauna? Check. Night in a treehouse reserve? Double Check. Enjoy!

Day 1 – Helsinki: Dining & Drinking Capital of Finland

Finnair Flight departs London Heathrow and lands a mere few hours later in the buzzing capital of Finland, Helsinki , where our Nordic journey begins

After landing at the modern airport, take a short taxi ride to the hotel for the night, Klaus K . The hotel is clean and bright with plenty of examples of Nordic design to get yourself submerged in. There are also some very serviceable restaurants, and the breakfast buffet is reason enough to make Klaus K your hotel of choice. The hotel is also brilliantly located in a central hub of the city that means you can explore the town and coast by foot.

Spend the day exploring Helsinki, checking out the town with its traditional dome pitched Nordic houses through to the lovely Senate house with its Neoclassical architecture and then along the coastline dotted with lazily floating boats.

Full of amazing things to eat and drink, tailor your own culinary exploration of Helsinki. Try Hotel Lilla Roberts with a few modernist creations which are described as ‘meeting creativity and positive Nordic madness’. Hell yes.

After some suitably mad and seriously avant garde creations, head to brunch at the hotel’s restaurant Krog Roba , whose fresh bread and open sandwiches, plentiful smoked salmon and Nordic cookies will keep most likely everyone happy.

A fantastic dinner restaurant to check out is Restaurant Bronde , where you can try some of the most progressive food that Helsinki has to offer.

Spend the day exploring the culinary and cultural prowess of Helsinki, and then call it a night at A21 Decades , an exclusive little nook in central Helsinki that specialises in botanical mocktails.

Day 2 – Gardens, Lakes & Lighthouse Islands

Your journey continues. Leave the modernity of the capital and book a bus to explore the wild, southern Finnish Archipelago, comprised of over 70,000 islands, old wooden towns, lighthouses, historical manors and stone churches, large national parks stretching over land and sea; and all of it summing up Coastal Finland in a nutshell.

A transfer bus can be booked to take you from the hotel in Helsinki to Kokkila ferry, with a transfer to Kimito Islands, and your first stop the Westers Garden .

The Westers Garden is an oasis of Flowers, herbs and vegetables, grown side by side in harmonious ecological cultivation. Its roots lie in the old kitchen plots of the farmers and seafarers, but the modern day garden itself stretches far and wide, scented with an unfathomable number of different types of herbs. The Westers Garden is also composed of a shop, art gallery and café which is located in an old atmospheric cow house, and many of the products are made from the gardens own yield.

After lunch head out to the Bengtskär lighthouse island.

Bengtskär lighthouse is the tallest in the whole of the Scandinavian region, and is located at the entrance of the Gulf of Finland. Towering 52m above the Baltic Sea, the massive stone structure has provided ships with safe passage for over 9 decades. At various times of the year the lighthouse shows exhibitions, and also houses a boutique hotel and a breathtaking view from the tower.

Day 2 ends on a literal high, with a boat transfer to the beautiful Högsåra island and Villa Cecilia where you can stay the night.

Day 3 – Högsåra & Treehouse’s

Begin Day 3 at Villa Cecilia on the gorgeous island of Högsåra . The boutique hotel fits the aesthetic of the rest of the island, which is dotted with bright wooden country houses and full of small-town charm. Cows and sheep saunter on the fields and lie resting on hot days, and life suddenly gets much more relaxed.

Breakfast at Farmors Cafe (”grandmother’s cafe” in Swedish), the island’s number one meeting spot and the archipelago’s most famous cafe. The scent of fresh baked good wafts deliciously on the island air, and people far and wide come here to take delight in a fantastic breakfast spread.

In the afternoon take another boat back to Kimito island and to Söderlångvik Manor with its art collection and seasonal exhibitions.

Continue with a bus ride to Storfinnhova Forest Village , where you get to sleep in these amazing tree-huts for the night:

Explore the midst of the mystic Finnish forest and and leisurely relax in the granite-smoke-sauna with its candle lit interior and natural cooling pool.

Day 4 – Cakes, Water Sports & the Endless, Magical Forest

Wake up bright and early after a night in the forest and take a bus to the Mathildedal ironworks village.

After a quick sea-view lunch at Mathilda Marina restaurant, tour the idyllic village with its historic red-earth buildings, manor house milieu, old factories and… Alpaca!

The very unlikely alpaca farm, alpaca mill and boutique are great to wander through, and sell some beautiful and unique item made from alpaca wool.

Relax with a coffee and pastry in the local Kyläkonttori café , where the cakes and ice creams are out of this world.

coconut and strawberry ice cream from @adabakes in @ourfinland’s Mathildadal region 😍 A photo posted by Mehreen A (@wrapyourlipsaroundthis) on Jul 19, 2016 at 9:44am PDT

Before taking a bus to the Teijo National Park and Nature Centre where you can enjoy all the experiences of being in the Finnish forest, including canoeing, fishing, wild swimming, hiking, berry and mushroom picking.

End an amazing day at the idyllic Kirjakkala hotel in the historic Ironmills village , which offers beautiful country style accommodation at the foot of one of the thousands of lakes that dot the Finnish Archipelago.

Be sure to also spend some time in the sauna , the best bit of which is jumping into the lake every so often to cool down. It doesn’t get any better than this, or any more authentic.

Rest assured that by now you’ve experienced some of the very best of what Finland has to offer in summer, take one last look around, have one last fresh salmon lunch and then head to the airport.

I was a guest of  Visit Finland  for this trip 

I never thought of visiting Finland before but your photos are simply stunning! What incredible scenery!

Thanks Angie :) I loved Finland, it’s such a beautiful place x

Do you hv any recommendation for winter?:)

I haven’t yet been in winter but I’ve heard Lapland is breathtaking :)

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Southern Finland Road Trip

Expect on your itinerary.

Best months to drive

Road trip costs.

How much does it cost to go on a Southern Finland Road Trip in Finland?

Southern Finland Road Trip Itinerary

Start helsinki.

• Fast - The infrastructure and traffic allow an average speed of >80 km/h (or 50 mi/h) on this stage. This means a speedy and smooth ride for you without any unplanned delays.
• Modest - The infrastructure and traffic allow an average speed of >50 km/h (or 30 mi/h) on this stage. This means a reasonably smooth ride for you without unplanned delays.
• Slow - The infrastructure and traffic allow an average speed of well below 50 km/h (or 30 mi/h) on this leg. This means a slow ride for you. Unplanned delays are to be expected at any time.
• HEL - Helsinki Vantaa Airport

1 Helsinki - Porvoo

2 porvoo - lappeenranta, 3 lappeenranta - lahti, 4 lahti - hameenlinna, 5 hameenlinna - tampere, 6 tampere - rauma, 7 rauma - turku, 8 turku - helsinki,   helsinki, southern finland road trip at a glance.

• Start : Helsinki
• End : Helsinki
• Distance : 1,067 km
• Stay : 7 days
• Getting there : Helsinki Vantaa Airport (HEL)
• When to drive : June, July, August, September
• More info : More info you can find in the "Itinerary" section at each stage.

Facts for safer driving in Finland

Recommended trips.

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Our top 10 road trips in Scandinavia and Finland

Against the backdrop of COVID-19, road trips are one of the best ways to keep travelling. Explore our top 10 road trip suggestions for our region.

If you’re planning on travelling in the age of the COVID-19 pandemic, road trips are the safest, most controlled way to do so due to the fact that you won’t be sharing a space with an undefined number of strangers. Road trips are also a fantastic option due to the fact that you see a more authentic side of any destination. Driving through the countryside allows you to see more up-close what life looks like in the quiet heart of a country, away from the trendy, fashionable capital cities.

However, despite the image of freedom and the open road, road trips actually take a significant amount of planning, particularly if you’re travelling for several days and cover hundreds of kilometres. With this in mind, we have taken the need for planning out of the equation by listing our top 10 road trip packages and itineraries in Scandinavia and Finland. Note that most of our accommodation options are charming, hand-picked boutique hotels and lodges instead of major chain hotels.

Roadtrip 1: Oslo to Bergen in Norway

The 6-day Oslo to Bergen road trip itinerary is a classic route that combines beautiful accommodation with spectacular views of Norwegian fjords, mountains and valleys. Enjoy historical hotels and fresh local produce.

Roadtrip 2: Norway by Design and History with Juvet Design Hotel

Norway by Design and History with Juvet is a 9-day premium option that combines romantic manors and hotels steeped in history and design with some of Norway's most spectacular and scenic areas. Drive the dramatic hairpin bends of the Troll Road and visit Sognefjord, Norway's longest fjord.

Day 1: Bergen Day 2: Fjærland - drive around Lusterfjord Day 3: Briksdals Glacier and Ålesund Day 4: Explore Ålesund and drive to Juvet Day 5: Visit the Geirangerfjord Day 6: Troll Road and Atlantic Road Day 7: Håholmen - Deep sea fishing or ocean walks Day 8: Trondheim – marvel at the Nidaros Cathedral Day 9: Departure day![Atlantic Hwy Norway ]

Roadtrip 3: Tromsø, Senja & Lofoten in Norway

The 8-day Tromsø, Senja & Lofoten itinerary is one of our all-time favourites. The drive from Tromsø via Sommarøy and Senja to Å in Lofoten is one of the most spectacular ones in the world, each bend revealing another majestic fjord, quaint village, white sandy beach or spectacular mountain peak.

Roadtrip 4: Log Cabins & Bears of Finland

The 8-day Log Cabins & Bears of Finland self-drive itinerary is something altogether different. Travelling along the eastern half of Finland, you have a unique chance to explore five different national parks and even see brown bears in the wild!

Roadtrip 5: Green Forests & Blue Lakes, Finland

The 9-day itinerary Green Forests & Blue Lakes takes you away from Helsinki and into the heart of the Finnish lake district. That is truly saying something considering that Finland has over 188,000 lakes . This is a beautiful, scenic, and serene road trip along the lakes, forests and rolling hills of eastern Finland.

Day 1: Helsinki to Lappeenranta - old towns, intriguing architecture and beautiful gardens Day 2: Lappeenranta - fortress town by Lake Saimaa Day 3: Lappeenranta to Imatra - Stay at an Art Nouveau castle Day 4: Imatra to Joensuu – forests, ridges and lakes Day 5: Joensuu - visit Koli National Park Day 6: Joensuu to Valamo to Anttolanhovi – Monks, wine and food Day 7: Anttolanhovi – relax by the lake Day 8: Anttolanhovi – visit Mikkeli and Savonlinna Day 9: Anttolanhovi to Lahti to Helsinki – Lakes and ski jumps![Green Forests & Blue Lakes - self drive in Finland ]

Roadtrip 6: From the Sea to the Lakes, Finland

The 10-day itinerary From the Sea to the Lakes follows Finland’s south-western coastline before taking a turn towards the centre and completing the circle. Discover Finland’s cultural heritage by visiting many of its castles, fortresses, manor houses and other places of historical and cultural importance.

Roadtrip 7: Gothenburg to Stockholm in Sweden

The 5-day Gothenburg to Stockholm self-drive itinerary allows you to get a taste of the picturesque Swedish countryside. Stay in the romantic Bjertorp Slott, an elegant 100-year old Art Nouveau manor hotel and explore the lush green countryside nearby.

Roadtrip 8: Stockholm return, Sweden

The 6-day Stockholm return self-drive itinerary takes you to the lovely coastal villages and castles in the lush Swedish countryside. Explore the many lakes, forests, and nature trails at your own pace.

Roadtrip 9: Denmark's Viking Trail Tour

The 7-day Denmark's Viking Trail Tour explores the spiritual and historical home of the Vikings. Gain insights into the everyday life of the Vikings while driving through Denmark’s finest scenery.

Roadtrip 10: Journey through Lapland in Norway, Sweden and Finland

Lastly, the 8-day Journey through Lapland combines the northern Norway, Sweden and Finland – something very different to the drives down south. The midnight sun is even stronger this far up, you get a stronger sense of the indigenous Sami cultures in the north, and the landscape is more rugged, with a beauty very much its own.

Day 1: Tromsø to Kiruna Day 2: Enjoy the amazing Treehotel Day 3: Head to Rovaniemi and the Arctic Circle Day 4: Rovaniemi's Santa village Day 5: Rovaniemi to Karasjok (the heartland of Norway’s Sami people) Day 6: Karasjok to Honningsvåg Day 7: North Cape - the northernmost point of Europe Day 8: North Cape to Tromsø

The Road Trip Guy

Find The Best Road Trips Around The world!

Finland Road Trip Itinerary – Santa Clause, Reindeer, Sauna & Mosquitos!

Table of Contents

Finland Road Trip Itinerary – Santa Clause, Reindeer, Sauna & Mosquitos!

I finally did it! I had reached the most northern part in Europe and the North Cape was totally worth the extra kilometers Louie and I had to drive to get to the famous cliff. The northern part of Norway had been an absolute pleasure. It was time for my  Finland Road Trip Itinerary!

Let’s go!

With my adventure on the Lofoten Islands and a visit to “The Globe” statue at the North Cape, my journey through the land of  Fjords had ended. I had to drive into a southern direction and about 200 km down the road was the border of Finland.

Finland; the land of Santa Clause, reindeer, sauna’s and mosquitos! I was excited was for this one. Oh yes, and slowly but surely I would experience nighttime again as I had not seen darkness for the last 3 weeks due to the midnight sun!

Finland Road Trip – What Route Should You Take?

On this Finland Road Trip, I came down from the North Cape. I passed the following cities: Rovaniemi, Oulu, Lahti and Helsinki. The distance was almost 1,500 Km with a total driving time of 20 hours.

Planning a trip to Finland is not that difficult. Everybody speaks very good English and all the roads and routes are of great quality. I was wondering though;

Would Finland be an interesting place to visit during the summer?

Best Time to Visit Finland

Whilst driving from the North Cape to Rovaniemi I started to notice something was off. I was thinking, “Wow, these road are really quiet. Where is everybody?” . Shops were closed, most large supermarkets were not open and it just seemed like a scene from “The Walking Dead”.

I did not think about it too much until I arrived in Rovaniemi and started talking to some local people.

Son, it is midsummer Finland holiday. All people from Finland move to the mountains and countryside to celebrate a holiday week. There will be nothing to do for you.

Great, just my luck! I drove all the way to Santa’s Village and hoping to visit some Husky Sledding and now it was a holiday week.

I found out that during the summer the best time to visit Finland is during the July/August period and during the winter from October to December and February to March. 

When traveling in the winter makes sure your car is suitable for driving in Finland in winter. This means checking your tires and type of car and of course the weather forecasts.

Places to Visit in Finland

There are a lot of beautiful cites in Finland, but the country is also known for its stunning wildlife and nature reserves. Let me show you!

Things to do in Rovaniemi

Rovaniemi santa village.

When Santa Claus declared Rovaniemi as his hometown, he told how his home at Ear Mountain (Korvatunturi) was revealed at the beginning of the last century and how this closely guarded secret spread the world over. In order to retain the privacy of his secret location, the Elf folk decided to built a place where Santa could meet people from near and far at the Northern Arctic Circle.

Santa Claus spends his time at the Santa Claus Village every day of the year to take care of his mission in life; to enhance the wellbeing of children and the kindness of grown-ups, as well as spreading the message love and goodwill of Christmas Spirit throughout the globe. Rovaniemi is The Official Home of Santa Claus.

Kakslauttanen – Igloo Hotel

Surrounded by nature, this Arctic Resort is located in the Saariselkä Fell region of Finnish Lapland. The property offers igloo hotelrooms and traditional wood chalets and has the world’s largest smoke sauna. Free WiFi and free parking are available.

The thermal glass igloos feature a bedroom with a glass roof and luxury beds. Some igloos include a bathroom with sauna, while others have shared shower facilities.

The chalets feature cooking facilities, a seating area and fireplace. A private sauna is also included. And of course, once you are there you must book a northern light tour !

Ps. – If you are interested to visit Rovaniemi during autumn, please check out this amazing blog post .

Things to do in Helsinki

And sure thing, all the way up to Helsinki it was like visiting ghost town after ghost town. Rovaniemi was known for Santa Village and the beautiful Iglo chalets, but due to the summer period these were also closed. I decided to drive quickly to Helsinki as I was sure that the capital of Finland would have more energy and things to do.

Once I arrived in Helsinki I was happy to see that the hostel I was staying at was full. What I found out later was that it was full of people who made the same mistake as I did!

From this moment, it became a funny subject as all the foreign hostel guest were explaining their first encounter with the news when they arrived in Finland.

We decided to make our own party and for 3 days we visited a quiet down-town Helsinki and saw some impressive architecture and city parks.

It is a beautiful and large city where you can visit a wide variety of museums, but also max out your credit card with all the large clothing and electronic brands available. And yes, these were open during the holidays!

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Rovaniemi in Summer: 10 Things to Do and See

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Rovaniemi is an ideal winter destination ( read our winter guide here ), but summers are also unique with the white nights and the midnight sun. And don’t forget about the sauna! Lapland offers several unique places in summer  to explore, and Rovaniemi is one of them.

Check these ten summer activities in Rovaniemi, which will make your visit special.

This post may contain affiliate links.

1. Visit Santa Claus in the Santa Claus Village

Probably the main reason you are here is to meet with Santa. Luckily it is possible at any time of the year, even during summer. The Santa Claus Village will show a totally different picture than in the primary tourist season.

No snow, no crowds, but the Xmas-themed music is still heard from the loudspeakers, and the decorations continuously remind you of the holidays.

The opening hours of the shops, the Post Office, and the Home of Santa are shorter than in winter, but you won’t be waiting an hour or two to see him either. You can even send a postcard which will be delivered only at Christmas! Just head to the Post Office and look for the special box to drop your letter!

2. Visit Arktikum and Learn About Local Life

The Arktikum Museum is our favorite in the city. If you don’t know much about Lappish life, nature, and Sami people, it’s a must. There is an interactive part for kids too, and they can even see northern lights there. 😉 You’ll spend 2-4 hours easily wandering around the exhibits (often there are temporary ones as well).

3.  Walk on Ounasvaara

On the opposite side of the center, a hill is a popular place for walking, hiking, running during the summer. The observation tower gives a great view of the city, and you can even have a barbeque there. You can walk all the way or take a car to the parking lots near the hotels and ski lift to shorten the walking distance and elevation.

4. Try Finnish Sauna

Sauna is part of Finnish life. Although you can’t do ice-swimming , it is a not-to-miss and unique activity in Finland also during the summer. You may encounter swarms of mosquitos, too – that’s also the essential part of the short Finnish summer. 😉

Read more about Finnish Sauna .

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5. Enjoy the White Nights and the Midnight Sun

During the summer, the sun doesn’t set for a month in Rovaniemi (from mid-June till mid-July). The white nights are even longer than these couple of weeks. It is very bright from mid-May till mid-August despite the sunsets, as the length of the days is still over 20 hours.

If you can, make sure you visit Rovaniemi around the midsummer (Juhannus) celebration . You can take part in the free festivities in the city.

>> If you want to see the northern lights , you should visit Rovaniemi from September till March

6. Visit a Husky or Reindeer Farm

Although husky and reindeer sled rides are not available throughout the summer, you can still visit a farm, admire these cute creatures, and learn more about their importance in Finnish culture.

7. Swim With Locals or Swim With Reindeer

The most famous beach is the city beach (Ounaskosken Uimaranta or Rovaniemen Uimaranta) is at the bottom of Ounasvaara hill, next to the Lumberjack bridge. On hot summer days (when the thermometer climbs above 20°C), you will find numerous locals sunbathing and swimming there. On warmer days, even the reindeers may visit the beach , as they did in July 2018 on several occasions.

Finland Road Trip Itinerary

If you have longer time, take a day or two-day trip to one of the nearby national parks to experience the true Lappish wilderness:

8. Visit Pyhä-Luosto National Park

The closest national park to Rovaniemi. It takes about 1.5 hours to reach it by car, and you can spend there a day or two easily. Based on your fitness, you can choose from easy to moderate day hikes, visit an amethyst mine, or do a 2-3-day long trek across the whole park.

Read more on Pyhä-Luosto National Park .

9. Hike in Oulanka National Park

One of the most spectacular and, in my opinion, the most diverse park in Lapland, but it takes 3 hours to get there. It is possible to fit all the highlights into one day (as the days are never-ending), but if you can, plan 2 to 3 days there.

If you want to see waterfalls, canyons, an old watermill, walk on suspension bridges or hike on the most famous Finnish trail, add this to your Lapland itinerary!

Read more on Oulanka National Park .

10. Hike in Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park

The southern part of the national park is 1.5, and the northern part is 3 hours away from Rovaniemi. If you want to hike on the fells, that’s the best choice for you! It offers several easy to demanding day hikes and spectacular multi-day hikes across the almost 200 km long park.

Read more on Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park.

Hotel next to Pallastunturi: Lapland Hotels Pallas

Luxury Stay in a Cabin:  Lapland Dream Villas

Rent a Car for Your Adventure

Rent a car at Rovaniemi airport to make your arrival easier.

Car rental options: SiXT , Hertz , Europcar

Comparison site: Rentalcars

Where to Stay in Rovaniemi

More info about rovaniemi and finland.

• Best hotels in Rovaniemi
• Rovaniemi in winter
• Lapland in summer
• Lapland road trip (7-10 days, winter)
• Finland Road Trip Guide 
• 10 Best cities in Finland
• Finnish souvenirs

Travel Resources

There is nothing better than a relaxed holiday. To ensure your rest, make sure you reserve and book your accommodation and transportation in advance of your trip.

• Don’t forget to insure yourself during your travels: SafetyWing . Check out their policies HERE . It also covers several virus-related expenses.
• Look for the best prices on flight tickets, hotels, and car rentals: Expedia
• Car rental: SIXt
• Accommodation: Booking.com , Agoda or Hostelworld if you travel on a budget. Don’t forget that you can search for Apartments also on Booking.
• Activities: GetYourGuide
• Opinions on hotels and restaurants: TripAdvisor
• Was your flight canceled or delayed? Get up to 600€ back with the help of Compansair!

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About the Author

Katalin Katalin is a Lapland-based outdoor enthusiast who loves hiking, road-tripping, and traveling with her family. She spends her free time far away from civilization in one of the national parks around the world, explores off-the-beaten-path places, or hops on a road trip with her kids in an RV. Read more about her adventures and the blog .

4 thoughts on “Rovaniemi in Summer: 10 Things to Do and See”

Wow what a lovely place to be in during summers..wish to visit this place sometime .thanks for sharing

Indeed! It shows a totally different face than during the winter months.

Christmas all year round but with longer days and warmer weather… I’m in! Looks like a magical place. I just visited Helsinki in December and wish I’d had more time to explore more of Finland

Helsinki is a great city, but you definitely need to see Lapland next time.

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Ultimate 1 week finland itinerary.

So you’re looking to travel to Finland, but don’t know where in the country to spend your time?

Well you’ve come to the right place!

Following my fabulous trip to this country, I’m now bringing you my ultimate Finland itinerary with all the info you need to have an amazing week in this country.

From where to go, what to see and do while you’re there, through to how to travel between destinations and where to stay, this is the full lowdown on the ideal 1 week Finland itinerary…

Related Posts

• What Is It Like Staying in a Glass Igloo?
• 15 Things to Know Before You Travel Finland
• How to Plan the Best Christmas Trip to Lapland

Intro to this Finland Itinerary

Needless to say, you could easily spend a lot longer in Finland than a week and, with so much to see in this country, there’s no question you’d have a wonderful time doing just that.

However given the price of travelling in Finland, which it must be said is not unsubstantial! – you can learn more in this post I wrote about the costs of a week-long trip here – there’s not many travellers that tend to spend much longer in this country… even if they’d like to.

For a week really is a great time to get a wonderful flavour for Finland and to balance this against the costs of travelling here.

A week is also enough if visiting Finland as part of a longer Scandinavian trip – because there’s so much to see in this gorgeous region of Europe, that spending longer in one part will deny you the chance to see other amazing areas.

And so, once again it’s a question of balance.

With all this in mind, I thought a 1 week itinerary would be the best timeframe for a destination guide to this amazing country, although I have made suggestions for if you have longer too.

And on that note, here’s the ultimate 1 week Finland itinerary…

It’s arrival day, the day when you fly into Helsinki, so depending what time you get there will depend how much of the city you can see on day 1.

When it comes to arriving into Helsinki you’re probably going to get there by flying – arriving into the international airport (IATA code: HEL), which is a short distance from the capital’s centre.

Both Finnair, British Airways and a host of other airlines arrive into HEL and you can get the best prices by checking Skyscanner .

Once you arrive into Helsinki airport, it’s easy to catch public transport into the city centre and your accommodation.

Check out my list of the top 10 Helsinki Airbnbs if you want some self-catering accommodation, otherwise Hotel F6 , Hotel Helka or Scandic Helsinki Hub are great choices in this city.

Once again, depending what time you arrive, it might be nice to stroll around the area near your accommodation, before cracking on with a full day of sightseeing the next day.

Otherwise, with a longer amount of your time up your sleeve, you can begin ticking some of the top Helsinki attractions off your list – head to my day 2 tips to see what these are…

This is the day to tick some major sightseeing in Finland’s capital, Helsinki, off your list.

Thankfully, Helsinki has a very small city centre (home to just over half a million people) and is easy to navigate and enjoy on foot as part of a long jampacked day.

When it comes to museums, the top ones to see in this city are the National Museum, the Design Museum, the HAM Art Museum and the Amos Rex.

Following this, you should certainly head to see some of Helsinki’s iconic buildings including the Finlandia Hall, the National Theatre, the Central Library, the Government building and the Senate Square.

Many of these you can enter and explore, or else you can carry on to explore some of the city’s religious buildings including the Rock Church, the Chapel of Silence, the Helsinki Cathedral, the impressive St John’s and the Russian-influenced Uspenski Cathedral.

Don’t miss the statues of Havis Amanda and Marshal Mannerheim too while you’re at it!

For a refresher and some different after all the sightseeing, why not head to one of Helsinki’s main shopping streets, including Aleksanterinkatu, where you can visit the classic Finnish café, Fazer, and enjoy an elegant coffee and lots of chocolate!

Or, if you want something more substantial, then the Green Hippo group of cafes are a great veggie / vegan friendly option in Helsinki, as well as Fafa’s – something of a Finnish healthy-eating institution.

In the afternoon, it’s then all about heading out on a ferry into the bay of Helsinki to explore the UNESCO-listed fortress on the island of Suomenlinna .

On your way to the ferry (you can buy tickets there or use your public transport card), wander through the lovely Market Square and marvel at the bathers dipping in the ice-cold water (during winter at least) at Allas Sea Pool.

Then spend the rest of the day exploring the island of Suomenlinna, including the 2km walking trail around the island, which gives some stunning coastal views.

Head back to Helsinki and the trendy district of Punavuori for a casual dinner at local favourite Skiffer , followed by some drinks.

On day 3 of your Finland itinerary, it’s time to take a day trip out of the capital to see some of the beautiful areas around Helsinki.

And top of this day trip list is to Porvoo.

Thought to be the oldest town in Finland, dating back to the Medieval times, it’s the painted traditional buildings which are most famous here.

A fairytale spot, with old houses, cobbled streets, a historic cathedral and some charming small museums, taking a walking tour is a great way to explore this quintessential destination.

Otherwise, Porvoo offers some adventures in the natural world too.

With forests, rivers, parks, the sea and a number of islands all easily accessible from Porvoo, there’s loads of nature trails, not to mention kayaking opps, cycling possibilities and river cruises to enjoy in and around the town too.

From Helsinki, it takes around an hour to get to Porvoo either via the bus or by driving.

Alternatively, you can also take a guided tour here, which is probably the easiest and least stress-free option. Check out this half-day activity , which includes a full tour of the Old Town there.

More Time for Helsinki?

Why not extend this Finland itinerary by exploring more parts of the capital, including the local districts of Kallio and Vallila (home to some gorgeous and historic painted wooden houses), which both lie just outside the centre of the city.

Presuming you do only have a week in Finland and need to motor on, it’s time to head to your next destination on day 4 of your Finland itinerary.

A destination which is in the iconic north of the country… it is, of course, the fabled spot of Lapland!

Situated pretty far away, I’ve written a full post about how to travel from Helsinki to Lapland here , which I recommend you check out for the full lowdown.

After reading that post, you’ll also have decide where exactly in Lapland you want to head, as this region is huge and pretty spread out.

With a number of different resorts and towns to choose from, my top picks based on attractions and accessibility are Rovaniemi, Inari, Ivalo, Levi and Kemi

Check out these top-rated accommodation options in Rovaniemi if you want to stay near the official Santa Claus Village, otherwise if you need any more help deciding, check out this post I wrote about how to holiday in Lapland for less , or consider out my fav spot of Ranua.

Off the beaten track, Ranua is a great spot to get away from the tourist crowds and really will allow you to experience a truly authentic Finnish town, whilst still enjoying all the wonderful activities Lapland has to offer.

Accommodation-wise there, check out either Arctic Guesthouse & Igloos or Ranua Resort Holiday Villas for your stay here.

Anyway, once you do decide which part of Lapland you’re heading for, you can either take a long train journey (either during the day or overnight) to get there, or hop on a domestic flight up there.

Even the domestic flights, which are operated by Finnair, take an hour, so once you add in the check-in time, travel time to the airport and luggage collection, this is still a fairly sizeable travel day.

What this means is that even if you leave Helsinki in the morning, you’re not likely to arrive into Lapland until the afternoon, when you then have to settle into your new accommodation and this very different part of Finland.

If you’re travelling during winter and hiring snow gear in Lapland, then you’ll likely want to get this sorted following your arrival too.

And, if you still have some time left in the day, and the forecast is looking favourable, you may want to undertake a Northern Lights tour during your first evening in Lapland too!

Only possible during the winter months, just make sure you check the local Aurora app first – many parts of Lapland have their own free apps and this is a great way to ensure you undertake (and pay for) a Northern Lights tour, when you actually have the best chance of seeing them!

Day 5 & 6:

You now have 2 full days in Lapland stretching ahead of you and it pays to know that the time of year you’re visiting will hugely influence what sort of activities you get to enjoy.

For more details, check out my list of the top 10 things to do in Lapland , which details all my fav ones plus some of the iconic others, that take place during the winter months, which is when most people travel to Finland.

If you’re tight on a budget, then keeping your activities to a minimum is a great way to avoid costs spiralling out of control, so it really does pay to do your research and make your selections ahead of time.

As a base, 2-3 activities a day is plenty, as don’t forget enjoying a sauna, rolling in the snow or generally taking in the beauty of the landscape is delightful in and of itself.

Although that said, husky sledding or snowmobiling is hard to top!

Check out these top picks for more ideas…

• Ranua Wildlife Park Guided Tour
• Apukka Husky Adventure from Rovaniemi
• Northern Lights Wilderness Tour with Camera

Thankfully, seeing Santa can be done at his official home in Rovaniemi for free.

Otherwise, if you undertake this Finland itinerary during the summer months, there’s lots of great hiking, lake swimming, boating and cycling to enjoy in the never-ending daylight you get this far north during May through July.

And finally, on your last day in Finland, it’s time to wrap up your Lapland activities and sadly head home.

If you’ve booked return flights, then you can head back to Helsinki and continue your adventures from there.

Otherwise, there are some international flights straight out of Lapland to some major European destinations, including London, which means if you’re heading home from Lapland and ending your Finland itinerary, this might be a better option for you.

More Time for Finland?

You can either explore more of Lapland, including the ski resorts further north or return to Helsinki and head out of the city to explore the middle lake regions of Finland, which have some stunning scenery and delightful walking opps.

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Mini Travel Guide to Finland

When to Visit Finland?

In my opinion, the best time to enjoy your Finland Itinerary is definitely during the winter months between December and February, this is when you’ll see the most beautiful snow coverage and get this winter wonderland at its most scenic.

Visit Finland during December for the full festive experience, or consider January or February for cheaper winter rates, albeit with lower temperatures.

How to Travel to Finland?

Direct flights with Finnair from Helsinki arrive at all the Lapland airports – yes there’s more than one. Learn more in this article I wrote.

Otherwise, you can also fly direct to Lapland’s main airport from London and a few other major European cities.

From the best deals on all flights, I highly suggest checking out Skyscanner .

5 Essential Packing Items for a Finland Winter Trip

• Good Camera
• Thermal Socks
• Hand & Feet Warmers

Learn more in this article I wrote all about what to pack for a winter trip to Finland .

Travel Insurance for Finland

Alternatively, if you’re a long-term traveller, digital nomad or frequent remote worker seeking travel health cover, check out Safetywing’s Nomad Insurance policies.

PIN IT TO PINTEREST!

So there it is, my ultimate Finland itinerary for 1 week travelling in this country.

Hopefully, it will help you enjoy an amazing trip to this country like I did.

Have you got any suggestions to add to the itinerary?

Don’t hesitate to drop them into the comments below… I’d love to hear them!

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Creator of Big World Small Pockets, Stephanie Parker is a travel addict! Originally from Jersey in the Channel Islands, Stephanie adventures the world collecting tips, advice and stories, to share with a smile

4 thoughts on “ Ultimate 1 Week Finland Itinerary ”

I loved your article on 1 week itinerary to see highlights of Finland . Thanks.

Great to hear Vilas! Many thanks for your comments, best wishes Steph 🙂

I loved reading your Finland itinerary! It’s given me so many ideas for things to do when I visit Finland next winter. I’m especially interested in visiting Helsinki Cathedral, taking a sauna, going on a dog sledding tour, and seeing the Northern Lights. Thanks for sharing your tips and recommendations!

So great to hear this Ferida… enjoy! Steph 🙂

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Norway & Finland Trip: 7 Stops to Add to Your Lapland Itinerary

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Excited to do a combined Norway Finland trip? I was too. Hubby and I enjoyed this scenic arctic itinerary in autumn. 

The red beach of Pallas, gentle fells of Kilpisjärvi, views of Muotkatakka, the roaming Rovjok waterfall, the lively city of Tromso, the fishing village of Sommaroy, and the glacier of Blåvatnet. 

If you’re an outdoor enthusiastic like us, you’re going to love this scenic arctic itinerary that features both Finland and Norway. 

This itinerary makes a wonderful summer or autumn trip. It will give you incredible scenery, attractions and plenty of exercises too. 

You’ll need to be in good physical health to do some of the activities in this itinerary. You’ll definitely need good hiking boots and hiking poles will be very helpful too. 

This itinerary is perfect to do with a friend, spouse, or as a small group. I wouldn’t recommend it to small children. So, jump in your rental car, fill up the tank, get ready for the destination of a lifetime, and add the places below to your vacation guide. 

Table of Contents

Norway & Finland trip: Tips & basic information

Rovaniemi in finland, the red beach and arctic fells of pallas, beautiful views from kilpisjärvi, the roaming rovjok waterfall, lively tromso in norway , sommaroy in norway, glacier of blåvatnet.

• You will be crossing the border between Norway and Finland so make sure to have all needed traveling documents to travel in both countries.
• Renting a car is usually cheaper in Finland. I recommend having some kind of navigation app or system in use. 
• If you take a ferry in Norway, the staff will take a picture of your license plate and send the invoice to you later. Our invoice arrived after 8 months and it was less than 15 euros. 

7 Scenic places to visit in northern Norway and Finland 

If you plan on heading towards the Arctic region this summer season and are an outdoor fan, here is a list of things everyone should add to their itineraries. 

The starting point of your journey might be driving or taking the train to Lapland or arriving by plane to Rovaniemi. 

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Rovaniemi is about at the Arctic circle and is one of Finland’s most popular tourist destinations, with awe-inspiring landmarks you have to see, the most important being the Santa Claus Village where you can visit Santa Claus every day.  

Not in the Christmas spirit? That’s okay; you can also enjoy some time on the water, white water rafting on the Arctic river, or go Canoeing under the midnight sun. I have a complete Rovaniemi guide for you but here are some of my favorite accommodation options when in town:  

Places to stay in Rovaniemi:

• Arctic Light Hotel
• Sokos Hotel Rovaniemi

You head north and after driving for three hours, you’ll get to our next stop in Pallas. Just a short stroll from the dirt road you’ll find the Red Beach of Pallas .

On the red beach, you’ll have lovely views to the fells. There’s also a camping place with a hut over campers, a fireplace, and an outhouse. These huts are something you’ll see across Finland in most national parks. They are a wonderful and free accommodation system for avid hikers. Very simple, but effective. 

You can either stay the night in a tent on the Red Beach, continue the road trip, or then spend the night in Lapland hotel Pallas . If you stay there, don’t miss the highest peak of the National park, Taivaskero, quite nearby. It’s the place where they lit the Olympic Flame for the Helsinki Olympic Games in 1952 and you’ll find a marking about this at the top. The climb requires that you are in good physical condition. 

Drive further until you reach Kilpisjärvi. This road is very beautiful and my favorite time of the day is to drive it when the sun is setting and the waters on the left are shimmering in the evening light. 

Our next destination is just next to the road: Muotkatakka

Before Kilpisjärvi, Muotkatakka is a great spot to stop and admire the views. It’s perfect if you are not into hiking because in Muotkatakka the ascend is quite small and the views are still wonderful. If you cannot do the arduous hike of Saana fell in Kilpisjärvi, this is definitely a must. You can find the exact location via this map link .

Kilpisjärvi is a village in the municipality of Enontekiö near the Norweigan border. Kilpisjarvi is the only alpine village in Finland and is famous for its lake and fells, which tourists seek out to hike and explore.

In Kilpisjärvi, you can take a boat cruise with the boat Malla to the world’s northernmost spot for three national boundaries. Take a stroll around the yellow cairn and you have been in Finland, Sweden, and Norway in seconds. 

My favorite place to stay in Kilpisjärvi is Arctic Land Adventure where you can get up close and personal with reindeer at this Sami reindeer ranch. There are also wonderful chalets in the village center. 

This is an amazing hidden gem just next to the road after you drive a short distance from the Finland-Norway border. There are clear brown signs to it. Definitely a must! If you want to go all the way down be prepared to do some proper climbing. There are no steps or no extra help for you.   

Tromsø is the 12th most populous municipality in Norway, where it is home to many islands and mountains with amazing views and natural beauty to explore, including Tromos Fjords, which are natural, steep inlets carved by glaciers.

If you are looking for a little adventure, take the Fjellheisen cable car 421 meters above sea level to a panorama, where dinner is served using all local ingredients, or take advantage of the city life here by stopping by local art galleries, the local Museums, and the Historical Sites. 

Sommaroy (aka Summer Island) is an island in Norway where that doesn’t set for 69 days during the summer, giving the area plenty of time to enjoy the land and water around them. 

Sommaroy is an old fishing village with white beaches, plenty of herring fishing, and beautiful scenery everywhere you look. Once you get to this little island, you can take a Sommaroy cruise, and do a little ice fishing. We had lovely time at Sommarøy Arctic Hotel which I warmly recommend. 

A car drive and ferry away, you can see an actual glacier. This is definitely a full-day hiking day. Come packed with snacks and water. Also swimming suit if you want to take a dip in the incredibly blue lake under the glacier.

There’s my list of seven wonderful arctic places to visit in Finland and Norway. 

All of these places offer amazing scenery you will never forget and make the perfect sporty vacation spot whether you’re going on a romantic getaway, a fun vacation, or flying solo to experience the adventure of a lifetime.  

Would you want to visit both Finland and Norway in one trip? Let me know in the comments below.

More travel guides about Finland? Here are some of my favorite places in Finland:

• Detailed Travel Guide to Ruka-Kuusamo
• 25 Fun Activities to Do in Tampere
• 100 Ideas to Do in Helsinki
• 11 Things to Do in Turku
• How to Travel Sustainably in Finland

About Varpu I’m the founder of Her Finland. I love cultural tidbits, aha moments, Finnish folklore, and cinnamon buns. My newest interest is learning bird songs. Read more about me..

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Monday 1st of May 2023

Hei. I enjoy your blog! If you only do the drive - how many days should you allow? We are traveling with old folks :-)

Sunday 4th of December 2022

Please send me an itinerary for Finland and norway

Friday 9th of December 2022

Hei Salim, thanks for your comment! Based on our experiences, I think this 7 stop route is a great option to use as the base of your trip. Have the best time!

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