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 Linden Esplanade. Get out of town with these interesting Helsinki side-trips: Sipoonkorven Kansallispuisto (in Vantaa), Hiidenkirnut (in Askola) and Nuuksio National Park (in Espoo). The adventure continues: hunt for treasures at Old Market Hall, take in the spiritual surroundings of Kamppi Chapel of Silence, visit Katajanokka, and buy something for everyone on your list at Kamppi Shopping Centre.

Plan trip to Helsinki with our itinerary maker to find out where to go and what to do.

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 changes from Greenwich Mean Time to Eastern European Standard Time, which is usually a 2 hour difference. Plan for slightly colder temperatures traveling from London in March, with highs in Helsinki at °C and lows at °C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 18th (Thu) early enough to go by car 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 Boat Tours & Water Sports. Appreciate the collections at Turku Castle and Luostarinmaen Kasityolaismuseo. There's still lots to do: grab your bike and head to Bike Rental - by Carfield, trek along The Archipelago Trail, get engrossed in the history at Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova, and browse the different shops at Turun Kauppahalli.

To see photos, ratings, more things to do, and tourist information, refer to the Turku travel route planner.

Drive from Helsinki to Turku in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or fly. In March in Turku, expect temperatures between °C during the day and °C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 21st (Sun) early enough 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, thenenjoy 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, thenwalk around Hupisaaret Park, thengrab 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 °C and lows are around °C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Tue) early enough to travel back home.