Tervetuloa Suomeen! – Welcome in Finland, the country of the thousand lakes.
Travellers arriving by flight pick up their rental cars at the airport.
Travellers arriving by Finnlines ferry boat from Travemunde in Germany can drive to Turku for the start of their trip.

Former capital Turku, was founded in the 13th century and was the capital of Suomi (Finland) until the 1809. After the Finnish war, a war between Sweden and Russia that ended in 1809, Suomi became an autonomous part of the Russian Empire. Finland declared independence on 6 December 1917.
Officially Finland is still bilingual as 5% of the population has Swedish as their mother tongue.

The small town on the banks of the Aurajoki is manageable and cosy and can be explored wonderfully on foot. Turku Castle, called Turun linna in Finnish and Åbo slott in Swedish, is located directly at the harbour and is certainly the city’s most famous sight. The castle is the largest preserved medieval building in Finland. The Swedes once controlled shipping on the river and the sea route to Sweden from here. Today, the castle houses the History Museum. Be sure to allow yourself enough time to visit the castle. From the outside it looks rather small and inconspicuous, but inside it is huge.
You can spend many hours here without getting bored.

Museum enthousiasts a Turku Museum Walk Card . this card gives you access to the twelve participating museums in Turku.

Foodies can have a feast in Turku, please find here some top places to eat. So you can feast your way through the city’s various restaurants from starter to dessert and get to know the local cuisine of Turku. In between, you can always take a digestive walk and be hungry again at the next stop.
Restaurant Pinella should be on your list. It is one of the oldest restaurants in Finland the other restaurant we recommend is Smör, which serves delicious modern Finnish cuisine.

If you want to start your holiday in Finland on the most relaxing Finnish way, book this true Finnish Mökki experience (€ 40). Joonas and Una have created this tour so you can meet the locals and spend a typical Finnish evening with them. They pick you up at 18:00h and drop you off at 23:00h. In between you shop and prepare the barbecue at a quaint and typical Finnish holiday home. After dinner you will enjoy a warm “löyly” steam time and the brave hearted have the chance to dip in the Baltic Sea! Read more.

EXPERT TIPS

CLIMATE information Finland
Here you can find the climate information of Finland and current temperatures.

FERRY information from Travemunde Germany to Helsinki Finland
Finnlines.com for ferry from Germany (Travemünde) to Helsinki Vuosaari terminal.
On average the ferry transfer time is 29 hours.
In general the ferry departs Travemunde on day 1 at 03.00 hours (3:00AM) arrival Helsinki day 2 at 09.00 hours (9:00AM).
Departure from Helsinki on day 1 at 17:00 hours (5:00PM) arrival Travemunde day 2 at 21:30 hours (9:30PM).
Total rate for transfer round trip with a car < 6 meters, 2 adults, 1 economy hut starts at € 900,- / € 450,- p.p.
Maximum length is 12 meters, maximum height only 2.10 meter (so campers not possible).

Where can I find all the answers on my question I have about travelling with Finnlines Ferry to Finland?
Questions about making reservations, safety, changing dates, timetables and more you can find here.

Is Finland an expensive holiday destination?
You should plan to spend around €121 ($143) per day on your vacation in Finland, which is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors. Past travelers have spent, on average, €27 ($32) on meals for one day and €30 ($36) on local transportation. But the good news is that a beer in Finland is less expensive than in Sweden or Denmark.

Average price of accommodation in Finland
Again Finland is more expensive than Central Europe, but we have worked out some good value for money hotel tips.

Our hotel recommendations for Turku:
Bed&Breakfast Tuure, value for money, doubles, triples and family rooms, very friendly staff.
Laivahostel S/S Bore, sleep on a steamship, cabins with shared bathroom or rooms with own bathroom, breakfast and morning sauna included.
Hesehotelli Turku Linja-autoasema, 4 km from the harbour, doubles and family rooms, nice location, free parking!
Hotelli Helmi, 500m to centre, 10 min. walk to Turku Cathedral, rustic, very comfortable beds, free coffee in the hallway.
SkyCabin Turku apartment, 1 double bed and 1 sleepercouch, great value for money.
The Pineapple Apartment / Ananasyksiö lovely apartment for a couple, with fully equipped kitchen.
Our recommendation for luxury accommodation in Turku:
Park Hotel Turku, this is the most romantic hotel in Turku, stunning building, in a quiet place in the city centre.
Original Sokos Hotel Wiklund, 150m to centre, great breakfast, lots of restaurants in the building and rooftop terrace for cocktails.
Radisson Blu Marina Palace Hotel, only 700m to centre, beautiful location with view over river Aura, family rooms, fitnessroom and 3 sauna‘s.

Where to sleep in Turku?

Finland’s oldest city and former capital is beautifully situated on Finland’s south-west archipelago coast. Until 1812 it was the capital of Finland. Turku lies on the Gulf of Bothnia, at the mouth of the Aurajoki River. Worth seeing in Turku include the cathedral, the castle, one of Finland’s few preserved castles and the historic open-air museum.

The memory of Swedish rule is kept alive by Turunlinna Castle. The castle dates from the 13th century and houses a historical museum. From the castle you can take a walk of 3,6 km along the along the beautiful River Aura to the famous Turun tuomiokirkko. This cathedral was consecrated in 1300. Since then, the pronouncement of the Christmas Peace on the day before Christmas has been one of the most important events. Next to the cathedral lies the oldest music museum of Finland, Jean Sibelius Museum. Named after a famous Finnish composer. This interesting museum has many old musical instruments on display. Of course, you will also find much about his life in the museum. Around the centre of Turku, you will find many nice medieval markets.

For lunch visit Turku Kauppahalli, the market hall, just like the locals do. Turku has a great market hall that is a must-see during a city trip. There are around 50 stalls selling fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, fish and, of course, many Southwest Finnish specialties such as sultana sausage or reindeer meat, which you can take home as souvenirs. But you will also find many small cafés and restaurants with Finnish specialties in the market hall.

The evening is promising as another Foodies feast takes place in the Kakola Prison. https://kakolanruusu.fi/en/. Make discoveries from the wine cellar’s treasure list or enjoy the DJ’s rhythms in the lounge bar under the glow of a fireplace – with a classic cocktail, of course. Taste a pint at the Kakola Brewing Company. It serves pints ranging from a sour ale spiced with raspberry to a dry hopped saison.
Another fun place to have your evening meal is Kakolanruusu restaurant. Its thick walls evoke the prison it once was, but the creative sharing plates are more than canteen cuisine. You should try the mackerel escabeche with oyster emulsion and green juniper.

Drive along the west coast, make a stop at Rauma, the third oldest town in Finland. Rauma is famous for its colourful wooden houses and its long tradition in bobbin lace-making. Stroll through the streets of Old Rauma a UNESCO’s World Heritage Site. Visit the heart of the city, the market square where locals like to relax. Taste the famous vanilla doughnuts in the Kontio Café and visit the interior design shops and craft boutiques.
The Lumo grocery store in the heart of Old Rauma sells local organic products.

Admire the Church of the Holy Cross, the principal church in Rauma. It was built towards the end of the 15th century as a Franciscan abbey church. Have a look inside and admire the beautiful murals. These murals were painted during the Catholic period (1510-1522).

The Old Town Hall houses several exhibitions of the Rauma Museum. The Town Hall was completed in 1776. The police station was located downstairs and the city administration upstairs. The museum has been housed in the Old Town Hall since 1902. There are two town halls from the 17th century in Finland, one in Rauma and one in Porvoo, which have been preserved in their original state.

Manufacturing lace by hand is very popular in this town. Each last week of July is the Annual Lace week festival. Market stalls, lots of people on the streets and longer opening hours of the shops. Black lace night is the highlight of the week. All ladies wear black lace that night, it is a tradition in Rauma.

Pori and the surrounding region are wonderful for exploring the city and nature. The sandy beach of Yyteri is one of the most famous in Finland, and the area around Kirjurinluoto is the site of the extremely popular Pori International Jazz Festival. It is worth to pay a visit to the town hall in Venetian palace style is. Overnight in Pori.

Experience sandy beaches and the islands on your drive to Vaasa. Vaasa is a real holiday paradise, as it has the most hours of sunshine in the country.  The Kvarken Archipelago – another UNESCO World Heritage Site – and Vaasa’s Old Town are an inspiring feast for the eyes. Continue along the coast to Kokkola.  Kokkola is a traditional shipping and trading town. Today it has a modern, lively provincial centre with a wide range of cultural events throughout the year. The wooden old town of Neristan and the lighthouse island of Tankar are definitely worth a visit.

Kokkola has several museums: the Kaarlela museum of local history, Pedagogy, K.H.Renlund museum, housed in the oldest non-church building of Finland (1696). The K.H.Renlund Museum is spread out over several buildings. The museum offers a wide range of exhibitions, from the history of the city and the golden age of Finnish art to art exhibitions. The heart of the museums are the Roos House and the Museum Quarter, a living-room-style complex of several objects. At the edge of the city centre, in the English Park, there is an English boathouse with landing craft, and in the old town, the home of Fredrik and Anna Drake. The K.H.Renlund Museum also runs the Tankar Seal Museum, the Öja Fishermen’s Museum and the Lohtaja Local History Museum, which are open during the summer. Also the Kieppi, Kokkola Museum of Natural History is worth a visit.
Overnight in Kokkola.
Where are you sleeping in Kokkola? Our system is showing you the best price for hotels in Kokkola.

Near the seaside resort of Kalajoki are the famous white sand dunes, which are considered to be the most northern dunes in the world. Kalajoki is great for outdoor enthousiast, one can go hiking, cycling, fishing, golfing, paddling and surf on the waves or the ice. Continue via Raahe to Oulu, formerly a tar trading centre and now a technology hub, Oulu is the largest city within a 500 km radius and is considered the secret capital of Northern Finland. Cultural events take place throughout the year – the best-known event is the annual Air Guitar World Championship in August. Oulu is also known for its lively cultural program and first-class restaurants.
You can visit the idyllic island of Hailuoto in the Gulf of Bothnia.  More than 300 bird species have been recorded in Hailuoto. There are birdwatching trails all around the island, each of which allows you to see different species of birds. One of the most popular bird hides is Kirkkosalmi, where the ice in the strait melts earlier than the sea ice, bringing in a large number of geese, swans, coots, ducks and skuas.

The market square of Oulu, Kauppatori, or Torinranta, is one of the liveliest squares in the country. Whether it is its position right on the waterfront, or the fact that it is surrounded by buildings that are over a hundred years old, Kauppatori has definitely a lot of appeal. The lively market is open from dawn to dusk, and the old buildings around it are home to restaurants, cafés, craft shops, clothing stores and interior designers.

What are the most interesting attractions to visit in Oulu:
Northern Ostrobothnia, here the permanent exhibition focuses on how the city of Oulu was established and how it evolved from a town of craftsmen in the 17th century into a maritime hub of the 18th century, a centre of tar trade in the 19th century and a city of high technology of the 20th century.
Kierikki Stone Age Centre: The Kierikki Stone Age Centre takes you back in time thousands of years into the distant past of the North. The Kierikki Centre is located along the Iijoki River on a Stone Age dwelling site that has been studied since the 1960s.
Turkansaari Open Air Museum The Turkansaari Outdoor Museum is located on three islands upstream from Oulu along the Oulujoki River. The museum is the second oldest outdoor museum in Finland, dating back to 1925, when the wooden church on the island, which dates back to 1694, was restored to its original site. Buildings such as the old rectory in Yli-Tornio, Sorvo’s smokehouse in Sanginjoki and Yli-Juurus’ house in Maikkula have been moved to the island and saved. The old church on Turkansaari is used as a parish church in Oulujoe during the summer. Thousands of couples have been married and children baptised in our church.
Hupisaaret Park offers Oulu residents and tourists a piece of nature in the middle of city life. It is a very pleasant park for picnics. There is a lovely playground for children. Hupisaaret Park is a romantic place too, with lots of small bridges over the river and paths through the trees.
Find yourself a good value for money hotel in Oulu.

EXPERT TIPS FOR BIRDERS IN FINLAND
Bird hides of Hailuoto:
The Kirkkosalmi bird hide is located on a grassy lake that has emerged from the sea. The site is ideal for monitoring the spring migration of cormorants and birds of prey. The waterfowl and wader fauna is diverse. The best time for observation is from April to May. The tower is also accessible by wheelchair. Metsähallitus is responsible for the maintenance of the Kirkkosalmi Bird Tower.

The Viinikanlahti bird hide is located in Kutukari on the northern shore of the bay, on a coastal meadow. The area is rich in waterfowl. The varied breeding species include, for example, the red-crowned kingfisher and the red-legged kingfisher. The best period is between April and June.

The Syökarinlahti bird hide is located on a grassy inland lake. It is ideal for monitoring the spring migration of birds of prey. The waterfowl population is diverse. The area is home to breeding species such as the Eurasian Collared Heron. The best time to visit is between April and June.

The Maasyvänlahti bird hide is located on a grassy lake that has been dammed by the sea. The tower is suitable for spring and autumn migration. The area is home to grassland species such as the Common Duck. The best time to visit is between May and June. There is a picnic shelter, a campfire site and a toilet on the bay. WILL BE CLOSED DURING SUMMER 2021!

See the location of the bird hides on the map and check out the Oulu bird tower brochure.

Welcome to the untouched nature of Lapland! If you want, you can hike for days through the forests and fells without meeting a soul – only the odd reindeer will cross your path. You don’t want to go off on your own? No problem, experienced guides will take you to the most beautiful places and tell you interesting facts about the flora and fauna.
The next stop is Kemi, the seaport of Lapland home to the Icebreaker “Sampo” and the Gem Gallery. In  winter you’ll see here an abundance of snow and ice and then you can experience the dark and cold polar nights. In summer, you will nightless nights during the midnight sunshine.  In autumn the colourful “Ruska” will enchant you when leaves change colour from green to a wonderful mix of yellows, oranges and reds. The Snow Castle Resort in Kemi is open all year round since 1996. Now you can step into a winter wonderland any day of the year inside the SnowExperience365, an all-year-round ice restaurant and attraction.

Continue along the Kemijoki River, the longest river in Finland, you can reach Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland. Here you can experience a typical Finnish sauna. Inspired by nature and the rich sauna tradition of the Finns, the arctic forest spa Metsäkyly is a heavenly place full of warmth and relaxation in the middle of the middle of Mother Nature. The sauna in Metsäkyly has 50 seats, but the Mökö steam sauna is also worth a visit.

Rovaniemi is the home town of Santa Claus. Santa lives in  Santa Village and you can meet him in person 365 days of the year. You can meet his elves, feed his reindeer and send a letter from Santa’s post office with a special Santa stamp on it. Since 1985 Santa has received millions of letters from all over the world. You can visit Santa Claus for free, but no pictures may be taken. You can buy the picture of you and Santa from the kiosk (€ 40).
Meet Santa’s reindeer and other farm animals like the popular alpaca’s in the Elfs Farm Yard. You can walk with them in the nearby Pajakylä forest for an hour, or a shorter tour of 15 min. on the farm.
Cross over the The Arctic Circle!  The Arctic Circle is the northernmost circle of latitude and one of two polar circles, signalling the area known as the Arctic. In Santa Village you can cross the circle 50 meters below the surface and obtain a Arctic Crossing Certificate.

Rovaniemi is a great place to experience the Northern Lights, also known as Aurora Borealis. Watch the video in “expert tips” and learn how this incredible act of nature is created. There are different ways to discover this light spectacle. From a car to a snowmobile to a reindeer sleigh.

What is the best time to see the Northern Lights?
The best time to see the Aurora Borealis in Lapland is between the end of August and the beginning of April. Book yourself an iglo, or one of the stunning Arctic Tree Houses, both with a glass roof. Excursions start from €75 per person, please see our expert tips on Rovaniemi for links to various excursions and hotels.

During the winter, you can snowshoe, ski, fat bike, Arctic Ice Floating, ice climb, sail on an icebreaker, experience the world-famous Finnish sauna or dine in a real igloo, and much more. In the warmer summer months you can go kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, jet skiing, horse riding, cycling, …
Your holiday in Lapland is full of excitement!

Are you fascinated by the northern forests? Then Pilke Science Centre on the banks of the Ounasjoki River in Rovaniemi, is the place for you!
Great outdoor family outing is The Adventure Park Huima .
What is life like when living in the Artic? Visit Arktikum museum, the Artic Garden and it’s beach on the river side.

Tonight you can enjoy a typical Finnish dinner in Amarillo restaurant in Rovaniemi.
Overnight in Rovaniemi.

OUR TIPS FOR ROVANIEMI
There is a lot to see and to do in Rovaniemi. We are happy to add an extra night to your self drive route for on your smart phone. The Aurora BorEalis, the Northern Lights, explained in this video.

The best TOURS we recommend in Rovaniemi
Autumn Aurora Borealis Picnic  € 71
Hunting Northern Lights with Lappish Barbecue  € 71
Ice Floating in Forest Lake with Aurora Borealis € 91
Visit an Authentic Reindeer Farm with Reindeer Safari in Summer time.
Canoeing trip to Reindeer Farm and Husky Park visit  full day € 204
Surfing under Midnight Sun (SUP) € 65
Quad Bike Safari in the Wilderness  € 129

Best hotels in Rovaniemi:
Arctic TreeHouse Hotel, big windows on a forest hillside
Arctic Light Hotel, 5 star hotel for Aurora hunting
Apukka Resort, cosy igloo-style and a bedroom crafted from ice
Lapland Hotel Sky Ounasvaara, remote, 10 mins from Rovaniemi

Your destination for today is Kuusamo. Make a stop in Kemijärvi, a lovely town close to a lake and the arctic hills. Enjoy a (short) hike in the area. If you have time you can go onto the beautiful Kemijärvi Lake, by boat, kano or SUP.  Continue to Kuusamo, an arctic outdoor paradise. The area is located on the shores of Lake Ruka and offers a variety of water recreational opportunities and a beautiful natural environment.
Enjoy a midnight summer night through in your room with a glass ceiling in Iisakki Glass Village. In the middle of the summer, the sun never sets here.
In Iisakki Village you can rent fat bikes, canoes and SUP boards.

EXPERT TIPS FOR A STAY IN RUKA AND KUUSAMO
The best hotels of Ruka are:
Iisakki Glass Village, great view, lovely kitchenette, close to a lake.
Iisakki Village Cottages, amazing location, use of SUP, kayaks, bikes is for free.
Iisakki Guest House, value for money, Sauna and the excellent location by the lake
Find yourself a guest house, apartment, or hotel in Ruka for the best price.

The most popular places to stay in Kuusamo are:
A floating iglo on a lake, AuroraHut, 33 km out of town, very quiet and peaceful, great food!
Sininen Hetki, lakeside cottage with private sauna, a lake view terrace and BBQ facilities.
Ollilan Lomamajat, very remote, cottage on a lake with 300 meters of forest for yourself.

Find yourself a guest house, apartment, or hotel in Kuusamo for the best price.

Discover Kemijärvi tips:
Lake: rent a boat, SUP and kano rental.
For a hike or a scenic route in through the surroundings of Kemijärvi , click here.

Discover Ruka & Kuusamo surroundings in summer and rent a fatbike, SUP or canoe.

Free day in the Kuusamo area. It is worthwhile to take a walk to Mount Rukatunturi, on the top of which there is a chair lift. A summer toboggan run takes you back to the valley. So that is great for families. Guests can also hike part of the Bear Route, or take a canoe or white water tour on rafts. The brown bear is the national animal of Finland. Finnish people have a great respect for this animal, they have 200 different names for bear in their language.

If you want to go bear watching and spend a night in a bear hide to see the brown bear, then this is the best area. From Kuusamo it is about 100 km to the Martinselkonen Nature Reserve, next to the border with Russia. Tours include transport, accommodation and access to the bear hides. A little bit more to the South, one can see wolverines, brown bears, elk and if enough luck, also wolves and owls. Click on “Wild Taiga” and zoom in for the exact location. Wolverines are extremely rare and used to be killed by farmers to protect their reindeer’s. The population of wolverines is increasing in Finland and is now around 400 animals. If you want to see these animals from a hide during a overnight tour, please read our information under “expert tips”.

Also worth seeing is the Oulanka National Park with the famous Kiutaköngäs Gorge, the Kiutaköngäs Falls, Oulanka Canyon, many rapids and the nine hanging bridges which cross the Rivers Oulankajoki and Kitkajoki. If you have purchased this selfdriveroute for on your smartphone (€ 25), you can download the map of this National Park with all major sites on it.
Overnight stay as the day before.

The morning is available for excursions in Kuusamo. Afternoon drive to Kajaani. Sights in Kajaani include the colourful wooden houses, the Kainuu Museum, the castle ruins of Kajaaninlinna on the small island of Linnansaari which is today a National Park and the old tar canal through which the tar boats were once smuggled. Overnight in Kajaani.

Find yourself de best hotel deal for Kajaani here.

Drive via Nurmes and Jula to Joensuu in North Karelia. Karelia stretches between the great lakes Pielinen and Saimaa along the Russian border. On the east bank of the Pielinen stand the Koliberge, one of the most beautiful viewpoints of the entire Finnish lake area. This view is considered the Finnish national feeling par excellence. You can visit the nearby Koli Nature Centre and learn more about geology, nature and culture of Koli National Park.
North Karelia is great for berry picking, with many sorts of berries in the area, this is a great family outing.

The real Finland can be experienced from the water, they say. You can spend your day on a boat trip over Lake Pielinen. Embarkation is at Koli Harbour. Drive to Lieksa , one of the most touristy towns in northern Karelia and visit the Pielesen Museo, the second largest open air museum of Finland.
If you love nature, go hiking in the Petkeljärvi National Park on the Russian border.
Our tips for hiking in Petkeljärvi National Park
Kuikan Kierros Nature Trail (6,5 km), 2 – 3 hours |starts and end near Petkeljärvi Outdoor Centre
Harjupolku Trail (3,5 km), 1 – 2 hours | starts and ends near Petkeljärvi Outdoor Centre
Korkeasärkän polku Trail (2 km), 1 – 2 hours| starts at crossroads between Kokkolahti Bay and Lake Savulampi.
The town Lieksa is also home to the 120 km long Bear Trail, a long trail through the varied lake, moor and mountain landscape of northern Karelia.
Visit the town Ilomantsi, 50 mins drive to the East of Joensuu and learn more about the Karelian culture in the Parppeinvaara Poetry Village. Enjoy Karelian music, handicrafts, orthodoxy and traditional food plus some permanent exhibitions.
Overnight stay as the day before.

Our scenic route route to Mikkeli runs along the Kolovesi National park and in between the lakes of Orivesi and Haukivesi.  What to expect in the Kolovesi National Park? The Kolovesi National Park is well know for the endangered Saimaa Ringed Seal. The sheer cliffs rise straight out of the lake. Kolovesi’s landscapes were shaped during the last ice age by a huge ice sheet that carved out deep lakes and rugged crags. Next stop is Kerimäki, this town is home to the largest wooden church in the world.  This church that can accommodate 5000 people, was designed by Finnish architect A.F. Granstedt. The construction of the 45 meter long church, was completed in 1847. You can climb the separate tower and enjoy the view. Inside you will notice how spacious it is.
Go for a (late) lunch at the Kahvila Kaivopirtti restaurant opposite the church. It has a lovely terrace with a view onto the church and serves some very well priced local food.
Continue to Savonlinna, world famous for its International Opera Festival in Olavinlinna, which is considered the best-preserved fortress in Scandinavia. Your final destination of today is Mikkeli, on the northern shore of Lake Saimaa.
Overnight in Mikkeli.

Mikkeli has only 17 hotels and nine lovely guesthouses.

Visit one of the museums in the morning. Like the Infantry Museum located in old army barracks. It has good displays about the Finnish civil war as well as the World War II.
Drive to Lahti, the observation deck of the Ski Jump in Lahti offers great views over the city and the lakes.  It forms part of a larger sports complex, which also includes the Lahti  Ski Museum​. From Lahti you can drive to Helsinki via Porvoo, picturesquely situated at the mouth of the river. Old Porvoo and its waterfront and colourful houses, is one of Finland’s most photographed national landscapes. Worth seeing are the Porvoo Cathedral, the Old Town with the medieval warehouses, its historical atmosphere, narrow lanes and cobbled streets.
Continue to Helsinki area for overnight.

EXPERT TIPS FOR HELSINKI

Our hotel recommendations:
Hotel F6 boutique style, quirky, chic with a lovely courtyard centrally located, great value for money!
Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna in centre, family friendly, superb location, restaurants, sauna and gym.
Hotel Fabian trendy, cosmopolitan, cosy bar, close to museums and popular restaurants.
Hotel Haven overlooking the harbour, close to the Central Kauppatori Market, excellent Finnish restaurant.
Looking for another kind of accommodation in Helsinki? Our overview on hotel types in Helsinki, i.e. gay friendly or with a swimming pool, click here. We compiled a whole list of cool apartments in Helsinki for you as well.

Buy the Helsinki Card for the best deals on museums and other attractions.

Before the Russians made Helsinki their capital in the 19th century, Helsinki was just an insignificant coastal town. The Market Square and Senate Square are the most important squares in the city. On Senate Square you will find the Helsinki Cathedral. Other buildings on Senate Square include the University of Helsinki and the Oodi Helsinki Central Library and Senate Building. In summer you can make a boat tour through the canals of Helsinki.

What are the most interesting churches to visit in Helsinki?
The Russian influence on this Finnish capital is particularly evident in Uspenski Cathedral. The Russian Orthodox Cathedral  with its golden decorations, is located on a peninsula near Helsinki. Another interesting church is Temppeliaukio Church, a modern church that has been carved out of a rock. The rock walls and copper dome make for excellent acoustics. Because of its excellent acoustics, this church serves as a concert venue.

What are the most interesting museums of Helsinki?
This city has several museums that are well worth a visit. Art lovers should visit the Ateneum Art Museum or the Kiasma Museum of Contempory Art. Those who want to learn more about the country itself and its history, should visit the Finnish Museum of Natural History or the National Museum of Finland. Walk the 200 meter long pedestrian bridge to Seurasaari island, located on the Western side of Helsinki. This island is known for its Seurasaari open-air museum.

Are you looking for a cool tour in Helsinki? What about mushroom hunting in a Liesjärvi National Park? Or a 3 course dinner in a Kota, a Lapland style hut? The Segway is also a great way to explore Helsinki. Did you know that Finnish people have the bizarre traditions of picnicking on a grave? This and more fun facts are shared with you during a tour through  Helsinki with a local guide.
Overnight stay as the day before.

Depending on the departure time of your ferry, you can enjoy Helsinki a bit more.
Drive to the cruise terminal of Helsinki and take your Finnlines ferry back to Germany, or check in for your flight at Helsinki airport.

We hope that you can look back on an unforgettable and relaxed journey along the highlights of Finland. Our aim is that travellers take the most out of their road trip with the use of our travel app on the smartphone. With our day to day itinerary in the palm of your hand, we make sure you won’t miss out on anything!

Thank you for booking your hotels through our system, this generates some income for us and enables us to continue creating more awesome itineraries in the future.

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This will help us to grow our business and encourage other globe trotters to experience this new way of travelling.

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Ingrid Gorter & Team
selfdriveroutes.com

“Music begins where the possibilities of language end”
― Jean Sibelius ―

Finlandia is a symphonic poem, by Jean Sibelius a famous Finnish composer.