How To Spend Two Weeks In Finland

There is so much to see and do in Finland that it would take months to experience it all. But if you only have two weeks here, it’s still possible to take in much of the countryside, sites, culture and arts. Use this itinerary as a guide to spend two weeks exploring Finland from top to bottom.

Don’t fancy planning an adventure here yourself? Join Culture Trip’s expertly curated five-day adventure in Finnish Lapland, in which our Local Insider will show you the very best of the region… and, yes, that includes the Santa Claus Village.

Day 1: Arrive in Helsinki

Your point of arrival in Finland will most likely be Helsinki-Vantaa Airport. Travel to the city centre is easy, with buses running every 20 minutes. The central bus station is right in the middle of the city so it won’t be too difficult for you to find your hotel and get something to eat. For a nightcap, there are plenty of bars open late, particularly along Helsingkatu. You might also want to use this time to experience a real Finnish sauna – it’s more than likely the place you are staying will have one.

Helsinki is full of cultural and historical sites and quality restaurants. The Suomenlinna island fortress is a must-see, as are the Church of the Rock, Senate Square and Sibelius Park. On the cultural side there is the National Gallery, Kiasma Contemporary Art Museum, and the Seurasaari Open Air Museum. These can all be reached easily with a day travel pass.

The Suomenlinna island fortress and church is a must during your time in Helsinki

Day 3: Day trip to Porvoo

Finland is highly spread out, so the best way to explore the rest of the country is to rent a car. If this isn’t possible, there are regular buses and trains between most major destinations. The historic city of Porvoo is less than an hour from Helsinki and buses leave from the city centre regularly. In the city, you can take in more Finnish history by touring the old buildings and museums.

The historic city of Porvoo is less than an hour from the capital

Day 4: Travel to Savonlinna

Begin to experience the vastness of the Finnish countryside by taking the four- to five-hour drive or train ride between Porvoo and Savonlinna. Along the way you will experience the breathtaking forests for which Finland is known. Regular rest stops will provide you with places to refuel, eat, and pick up local souvenirs.

Day 5: Visit Olavinlinna

Olavinlinna Castle is one of the largest and best-preserved castles in Finland. After spending several hours looking around the castle, spend the rest of the day relaxing in the town of Savonlinna, particularly the market square and the lakeside beaches.

Explore the history of Finland at the 15th-century Olavinlinna castle

Day 6: Cruise across Lake Saimaa

The best way to experience the lakes of Finland is to take a boat tour across them, particularly Lake Saimaa, one of the largest lake systems in the country. There are several tour operators running day cruises across Lake Saimaa leaving from Savonlinna.

Speak to a tour operator to arrange a cruise across Lake Saimaa

Day 7: Hike across Koli National Park

After taking the two- to three-hour drive from Savonlinna to Koli National Park, spend the day exploring one of the most stunning national parks in Finland on foot. Experience breathtaking views before spending the night camping or in a log cabin.

Book a lakeside cottage for an authentic Finnish stay in Koli National Park

Day 8: Travel to Oulu

The journey across central Finland to Oulu takes around five hours, but offers even more chances for indulging in nature. If you can’t drive, you can take a bus from Joensuu for around €35.

Day 9: Explore Oulu

Oulu is the gateway to the North on the Gulf of Bothnia. There you can see the old buildings, view the public artworks, or relax on the beach.

The old granaries in Oulu are now used as cafes and boutiques

Day 10: Travel into Lapland

No trip to Finland is complete without seeing Lapland, but it is so vast that it will take several days to see it all. Driving or taking the train between Oulu and the Lappish capitol of Rovaniemi takes several hours, but will allow you to see the amazing Lappish wilderness. After arriving at Rovaniemi, be sure to have dinner in one of the restaurants to try local Lappish dishes such as reindeer.

Reindeer meat is a traditional ingredient in Lappish cuisine

Day 11: Explore Rovaniemi

Rovaniemi is the hometown of Santa Claus and there is plenty to see and do in the city at any time of year. You can visit the Santa Claus village, ride on a reindeer-pulled sleigh or, if you’re a little more adventurous, try sporting activities around the town such as husky sledding, hiking or cycling.

Husky sledding is a great way to see the hometown of Santa Claus, Rovaniemi

Day 12: Day trip to Inari

Inari is further north from Rovaniemi, but the trip of a few hours will allow you to see even more of Lapland. Inari is the central hub of the native Sami community, where you can visit the Siida museum to learn more about Sami culture then spend the night in the village.

Visit the Siida Museum in Inari for an in-sight into Sami culture

Day 13: Hike to Inari Wilderness Church

As a final excursion, take the 9km (6mi) roundtrip from Inari to the Wilderness Church, an ancient Sami meeting place and location of one of the oldest surviving churches in Lapland. The trip takes around three hours and afterwards you can head back to Rovaniemi and perhaps enjoy another sauna for your final night in Finland.

The Wilderness Church in Inari is an ancient Sami meeting place

Day 14: Say goodbye to Finland

After taking in all of Finland that you can, connecting flights back to Helsinki leave from Rovaniemi Airport several times each day. If you wish to extend your travel in the Nordics further, you could also travel from Rovaniemi into Sweden or Norway.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

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