Start your Finnish foodie adventure in the capital city, Helsinki. Kick off your day at Market Square, a bustling outdoor market where you can try local street food like Kaalikääryleet (cabbage rolls) and Korvapuustit (cinnamon rolls). Take a stroll around the city center and check out Karl Fazer Café, a charming café that specializes in Finnish chocolate and pastries. End your day with a fine dining experience at Olo Ravintola to enjoy Nordic cuisine with a modern twist.
Take a short train ride from Helsinki to Tampere, a charming city located between two lakes. Start your day at Tampere Market Hall for a traditional Finnish breakfast like Ruisleipä (rye bread) and Kalakukko (fish pie). Walk along the historic Tammerkoski Rapids before visiting the Pyynikki Observation Tower Café for some of the best donuts in Finland. End your day with a hearty Finnish dinner at Plevna, which also brews its own beer.
Take another short train ride to Turku, Finland's oldest city. Start your day at the Turku Market Hall, which features over 50 vendors selling local specialties like smoked salmon and reindeer meat. Visit the Turku Castle, one of the largest surviving castles in Scandinavia, before stopping at Teini-Pizzeria for some of the best pizza in the city. End your day with a dinner at Kaskis, a restaurant that emphasizes sustainability and locally-sourced ingredients.
Take a long but comfortable train ride to Rovaniemi, located in Finnish Lapland. Start your day at the Arctic SnowHotel, which features a bar made entirely of ice. Visit the Santa Claus Village, a popular tourist destination that features a post office, shops, and most importantly, Santa Claus himself. End your day with dinner at Roka Kitchen & Winebar, where you can enjoy a unique fusion of Lappish and Japanese cuisine.
Take a short road trip to Saariselkä, a small village in Lapland known for its winter activities. Start your day with a hearty breakfast at Kammi Restaurant & Café, which features traditional Finnish dishes like Poronkäristys (reindeer stew). Spend the day on a snowmobile or husky safari and enjoy the stunning winter landscape. End your day with dinner at Saariselkä Inn, which serves reindeer and local fish dishes.
Take a scenic drive to Oulu, a coastal city in northern Finland. Start your day at Santa's Hotel Aurora, which offers a unique breakfast experience in a Finnish log house. Take a stroll along the Oulu Market Square, where you can try local delicacies like Kalakukko and Salmiakki (salty licorice). End your day with dinner at Lapland Hotel Oulu, which offers a Nordic-inspired menu with a focus on local ingredients.
Take a leisurely drive to Vaasa, a historical coastal city in western Finland. Start your day at Royal Bakery Café, a local institution that has been around for over 90 years. Visit the Stundars Open-Air Museum, which showcases the traditional life and culture of the Ostrobothnia region. End your day with a dinner at Kauppahuone Vanha Kauppahalli, which offers fresh and locally-sourced seafood dishes.
Take another drive to Espoo, a city located just outside of Helsinki. Start your day with breakfast at Ostrobotnia, a popular café that serves traditional Finnish breakfast dishes. Visit the EMMA Museum, which features contemporary art from Finland and around the world. End your day with dinner at Palace Kebab Espoo, which offers some of the best kebabs in the city.
Spend your final day in Helsinki exploring some of the city's best restaurants. Start your day with brunch at Krog Roba, which offers a Scandinavian twist on classic brunch dishes. Visit Lapin Kulta Solar Kitchen Restaurant, which is run entirely on solar power and offers a unique Nordic dining experience. If you're in the mood for something sweet, stop by Päiväkahvibaari no 2, a café that specializes in traditional Finnish pastries. End your trip with a dinner at Aino, a restaurant that features modern Finnish cuisine with a focus on local and organic ingredients.
Most of the destinations in Finland can be easily reached by train or car. It is recommended that travelers rent a car to explore the more remote locations such as Saariselkä. Trains are comfortable and offer scenic views of the Finnish countryside, but they can be more expensive than renting a car. It is also important to note that driving in Finland during the winter months can be challenging due to snow and ice. Travelers should plan accordingly and take into consideration travel time and costs, especially when planning a longer road trip.
If you have more time, consider adding a visit to one of Finland's national parks, such as Nuuksio National Park or Lemmenjoki National Park. If you have less time, consider skipping the longer road trips such as the drives from Rovaniemi to Saariselkä and from Oulu to Vaasa. Additionally, if you are traveling during the winter months, be prepared for some daylight hours as short as four hours a day.
Finland's biggest airport is Helsinki Airport (HEL), located in the capital city. It is the main international gateway to Finland and serves as a hub for Finnair. Other airports in Finland include Oulu Airport (OUL), Tampere–Pirkkala Airport (TMP), and Rovaniemi Airport (RVN).