Top Things to Do and See in Finland

Helsinki: design capital by the sea

Start in Helsinki, the laid-back seaside capital. Admire the neoclassical white Helsinki Cathedral on Senate Square, browse the Old Market Hall, and explore the Design District's studios and concept stores. Don't miss the Temppeliaukio Church, carved straight into solid rock with a copper-domed roof.

Suomenlinna sea fortress

A short ferry ride from Helsinki's Market Square brings you to Suomenlinna, a UNESCO World Heritage sea fortress spread over several islands. Walk the ramparts, picnic by old cannons and visit the small museums. The ferry runs year-round and uses the same HSL tickets as city transit.

Northern lights and Lapland

Fly north to Rovaniemi, the gateway to Lapland and the official hometown of Santa Claus Village, where you can cross the Arctic Circle line. From roughly September to March, this is one of the best regions on earth to see the aurora borealis. Add a husky-sled safari, a reindeer farm visit or a night in a glass igloo.

Saunas and lakeland

Finland has more than three million saunas, and trying one is essential. In Helsinki, the public Loyly sauna lets you plunge into the Baltic afterward. For nature, head to the Lakeland region around Savonlinna, where you can canoe between thousands of lakes and tour the medieval Olavinlinna Castle, which hosts a famous opera festival each summer.

National parks and wild nature

• Nuuksio National Park near Helsinki: easy day hikes, lakes and the chance to spot a flying squirrel.
• Koli National Park: panoramic ridge views over Lake Pielinen, one of Finland's national landscapes.
• Urho Kekkonen National Park in Lapland: vast fells and wilderness huts for serious trekkers.

Midnight sun and seasonal magic

Visit in June or July and the far north sees the midnight sun, with daylight around the clock. It is the perfect time for kayaking, berry-picking and cycling. In winter, swap it for snowmobiling, ice swimming and frozen-lake skating.

Tampere and Turku

Tampere, set between two lakes, mixes red-brick industrial heritage with great food halls and the quirky Moomin Museum. Turku, Finland's oldest city, has a riverside old quarter, a medieval castle and a lively cathedral square.

Practical tips

• Public transport is excellent; trains link Helsinki, Tampere, Turku and Rovaniemi.
• Tap water is among the cleanest in the world, so bring a reusable bottle.
• Summers are mild; pack layers and a windproof jacket year-round.

Stay connected in Finland

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