12 days in Helsinki, Turku & Oulu 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.

Popular historic sites such as Sea Fortress Suomenlinna and Helsinki Cathedral are in your itinerary. Get a sense of the local culture at Temppeliaukio Church and Uspenskin Cathedral (Uspenskin Katedraali). Get out of town with these interesting Helsinki side-trips: Sipoonkorven Kansallispuisto (in Vantaa), Nuuksio National Park (in Espoo) and Hiidenkirnut (in Askola). There's lots more to do: get a dose of the wild on a nature and wildlife tour, take in the spiritual surroundings of Kamppi Chapel of Silence, make a trip to Linden Esplanade, and stop by Katajanokka.

For other places to visit, maps, traveler tips, and tourist information, refer to the Helsinki attractions app.

London, UK to Helsinki is an approximately 6.5-hour flight. You can also do a combination of car and train; or do a combination of car and ferry. The time zone difference when traveling from London to Helsinki is 2 hours. Expect a bit cooler temperatures when traveling from London in March; daily highs in Helsinki reach 3°C and lows reach -5°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 18th (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.

Take a break from the city and head to Ispoinen Beach and Sauna and Bike Rental - by Carfield. Appreciate the collections at Turku Castle and Luostarinmaen Kasityolaismuseo. Next up on the itinerary: trek along The Archipelago Trail, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Turku Cathedral, take a tour by water with Boat Tours & Water Sports, and browse the different shops at Turun Kauppahalli.

To see other places to visit, more things to do, where to stay, and more tourist information, go to the Turku road trip planning tool.

You can drive from Helsinki to Turku in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or fly. In March, daytime highs in Turku are 3°C, while nighttime lows are -5°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 21st (Sun) to allow time to travel to Oulu.

Oulu is a city and municipality of inhabitants in the region of Northern Ostrobothnia, Finland. Start off your visit on the 22nd (Mon): make a trip to Kauppahalli, appreciate the history behind Toripolliisi, then enjoy the sand and surf at Nallikari Beach, and finally engage your brain at Tietomaa. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: see the interesting displays at Pohjois-Pohjanmaan museo, then walk around Hupisaaret Park, then grab your bike and head to Outdoors Oulu Oy, and finally examine the collection at Turkansaaren Ulkomuseo.

For more things to do, reviews, where to stay, and tourist information, you can read our Oulu travel planner.

You can do a combination of train and flight from Turku to Oulu in 5 hours. Other options are to fly; or drive. Prepare for slightly colder weather when traveling from Turku in March: high temperatures in Oulu hover around 0°C and lows are around -8°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Tue) early enough to travel back home.