Begin your Finnish adventure in the capital with a visit to the Old Market Hall. This indoor market offers a variety of traditional Finnish foods, such as reindeer meat and salmon. Sample some of these dishes while learning about their significance in Finnish cuisine. In the evening, head to the trendy neighborhood of Kallio and visit the Bar Loose for a drink and some live music.
Take a scenic drive to the historic city of Turku and start your day with a visit to the Turku Market Square. Here you will find local delicacies such as Finnish pasties and cloudberry jam. After lunch, head to the Turku Castle, which dates back to medieval times and features exhibitions on Finnish cultural history. End your day with a visit to the Åbo Akademi University, where you can enjoy traditional Finnish coffee and pastries while admiring the architecture.
Start your day in Tampere with a visit to the Tamperen Kauppahalli, the city’s indoor market hall. Here you can try traditional Finnish dishes such as blood sausage and smoked fish. After lunch, take a stroll through the Pispalan Uittotunneli, a picturesque canal district, and enjoy some Finnish craft beer at the Plevna Brewery Pub.
Travel to the coastal town of Rauma, famous for its UNESCO-listed Old Town. Start your day with a visit to the Rauma Market Square and try some fresh Finnish fish before exploring the beautiful wooden houses of the Old Town. End your day with a visit to the Sarjaton Café for some Finnish coffee and cake.
Porvoo is one of the oldest towns in Finland and is known for its well-preserved Old Town. Start your day here with a visit to the Porvoo Market Square, where you can sample traditional Finnish pastries. Afterward, visit the Porvoo Cathedral, one of the oldest stone churches in Finland. End your day with a visit to the Helsingin Kahvipaahtimo coffee roastery, where you can try their traditional coffee blends.
Savonlinna is a picturesque town located in the Finnish Lake District. Start your day with a visit to the Savonlinna Market Square, where you can try some Karelian pies. After lunch, explore the Olavinlinna Castle, built in the 15th century. End your day with a visit to the Antikka Cafe & Bookstore, where you can enjoy some Finnish jazz music while sipping on coffee.
Begin your day with a visit to the Kuopion tori, the city’s market square. Here you can try some smoked Finnish cheese and other regional specialties. After lunch, take a cable car ride to the top of Puijo Tower for a stunning view of the surrounding landscape. End your day with a visit to the Ravintola Mesimarja for dinner, where you can try traditional Finnish dishes made with local ingredients.
Oulu is a thriving university town located on the Gulf of Bothnia. Start your day with a visit to the Toripolliisi statue, located in the city’s market square. Here you can try some smoked salmon and other local specialties. Afterward, visit the Oulu Museum of Art, which showcases Finnish and international art. End your day with a visit to the Oulu Brewery, where you can try their award-winning craft beers.
Your Finnish adventure ends in Rovaniemi, the gateway to the Arctic. Start your day with a visit to the Rovaniemi Market Square, where you can try some Finnish smoked reindeer meat. After lunch, visit the Arktikum Science Museum, where you can learn about the history, culture, and nature of the Arctic region. End your day with a visit to the Napapiirin Saarituvat restaurant for a farewell dinner of traditional Finnish Lapland dishes.
Travelers can rent a car to drive between cities, which will offer flexibility to stop at smaller towns and villages along the way. Alternatively, Finland has a good train and bus network, and tickets can be booked in advance. The estimated cost for transportation is around $250 for the entire trip, and travel time between cities ranges from 1.5 to 4 hours.
If travelers have more time, they can consider adding a visit to the Santa Claus Village outside of Rovaniemi or spending an extra day in Helsinki to explore the Design District. For those with less time, the trip can be modified to exclude some of the smaller cities and focus on the larger ones.
The main airport in Finland is the Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL), located about 17 km from central Helsinki. Rovaniemi Airport (RVN) is the second-busiest airport in Finland and is about 10 km north of the city center.