12 days in Finland Itinerary

Finland's largest and most populated metropolis, the maritime town of Helsinki boasts varied architecture, a lively cafe culture, and plethora of picturesque natural delights.

Your inner history buff will appreciate Seurasaari Island and Open-Air Museum and Sea Fortress Suomenlinna. Explore hidden gems such as Stand-Up Paddleboarding and Cathedral of Porvoo. Take a break from Helsinki with a short trip to Porvoo Old Town in Porvoo, about 50 minutes away. Next up on the itinerary: take in the spiritual surroundings of Temppeliaukio Church, walk around The Esplanadi Park, pause for some serene contemplation at Helsinki Cathedral, and look for gifts at Kankurin Tupa.

To find traveler tips, maps, photos, and other tourist information, refer to the Helsinki trip planner.

Lyon, France to Helsinki is an approximately 8.5-hour flight. You can also drive; or do a combination of train, bus, and ferry. You'll lose 1 hour traveling from Lyon to Helsinki due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Lyon in August, things will get a bit cooler in Helsinki: highs are around 24°C and lows about 13°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 6th (Thu) so you can drive to Turku.

Sitting at the mouth of the Aura River, Turku is one of Finland's quaintest and most historically rich towns.

Kick off your visit on the 7th (Fri): contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Turku Cathedral, then buy something for everyone on your list at Turun Kauppahalli, then get engrossed in the history at Turku Castle, and finally pause for some serene contemplation at Archangel Michael's church. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 8th (Sat): take a stroll through Naantali Old Town, then learn about all things military at Forum Marinum Maritime Centre, and then examine the collection at Luostarinmaen Kasityolaismuseo.

For more things to do, photos, where to stay, and tourist information, use the Turku trip planner.

You can drive from Helsinki to Turku in 2 hours. Other options are to take a train; or fly. August in Turku sees daily highs of 23°C and lows of 12°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 8th (Sat) early enough to drive to Rauma.

Rauma is a town and municipality of ca. Kick off your visit on the 9th (Sun): stroll the grounds of Burial Site of Sammallahdenmaki, appreciate the extensive heritage of Old Rauma, then enjoy the sea views from Kylmapihlaja Lighthouse Island, and finally take in the architecture and atmosphere at The Church of the Holy Cross.

For more things to do, photos, and tourist information, refer to the Rauma road trip planning tool.

Drive from Turku to Rauma in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In August, plan for daily highs up to 22°C, and evening lows to 12°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 9th (Sun) to allow time to drive to Tampere.

Finland's third largest city, Tampere boasts an array of cultural offerings and a lively music scene.

Kick off your visit on the 10th (Mon): take in panoramic vistas at Pyynikki Park and Observation Tower, identify plant and animal life at Hatanpaa Arboretum, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Tampereen Tuomiokirkko, and finally see the interesting displays at Vapriikin Museokeskus. On the next day, find something for the whole family at Sarkanniemi Theme Park.

To find traveler tips, other places to visit, where to stay, and other tourist information, read Tampere holiday planner.

Drive from Rauma to Tampere in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of bus and train. In August in Tampere, expect temperatures between 23°C during the day and 11°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 11th (Tue) early enough to drive to Imatra.

Although predominately an industrial town, Imatra boasts a long and impressive history of tourism, largely owing to its fierce rapids, considered to have been Finland's first ever tourist attraction.

Start off your visit on the 12th (Wed): admire the sheer force of Imatra Waterfall, see human ingenuity at work at Imatrankoski, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Church of St. Nicholas, then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Tainionkosken Church, then step off the mainland to explore Malonsaari, and finally take in the architecture and atmosphere at Rautjarven kirkko.

For where to stay, ratings, traveler tips, and tourist information, read Imatra trip planner.

You can drive from Tampere to Imatra in 4.5 hours. Other options are to take a train; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 23°C in August, and nighttime lows around 13°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 12th (Wed) so you can go by car to Savonlinna.

The picturesque town of Savonlinna sits on two islands surrounded by shimmering lakes and lush greenery.

Start off your visit on the 13th (Thu): pause for some serene contemplation at Pikkukirkko, step into the grandiose world of Olavinlinna Castle, then step into the grandiose world of Savonlinna Cathedral, and finally contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Kerimaki Church.

For reviews, photos, ratings, and more tourist information, read Savonlinna trip builder.

Drive from Imatra to Savonlinna in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. In August in Savonlinna, expect temperatures between 22°C during the day and 13°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 13th (Thu) to allow enough time to travel to Ranua.

Ranua is a municipality of Finland.It is located in the province of Lapland. On the 14th (Fri), learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at Ranua Zoo.

To find more things to do, photos, traveler tips, and other tourist information, use the Ranua road trip planning app.

Traveling by flight from Savonlinna to Ranua takes 7.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and train. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 14th (Fri) to allow enough time to travel back home.