14 days in Helsinki & Vaasa 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.

Deepen your sense of the past at sights like Sea Fortress Suomenlinna and Temppeliaukio Church. Appreciate the collections at Seurasaari Island and Open-Air Museum and Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Helsinki: Stromforsin Ruukki (in Ruotsinpyhtaa) and Bellevue Beach (in Hanko). Pack the 2nd (Mon) with family-friendly diversions at Linnanmaki Amusement Park. There's still lots to do: explore the world behind art at Kansallisgalleria, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Kallio Church, take an in-depth tour of The National Museum of Finland, and hunt for treasures at Hakaniemi Market.

To find more things to do, reviews, ratings, and other tourist information, you can read our Helsinki trip maker site.

Stavanger, Norway to Helsinki is an approximately 7-hour flight. You can also do a combination of car and ferry; or do a combination of train and ferry. The time zone difference moving from Central European Standard Time to Eastern European Standard Time is 1 hour. While traveling from Stavanger, expect a bit warmer days and about the same nights in Helsinki, ranging from highs of °C to lows of °C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 9th (Mon) early enough to travel to Vaasa.

Vaasa is a city on the west coast of Finland. Museum-lovers will appreciate Arctic Museum Nanoq and Lebellska kopmansgarden. Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Neristan (Old Wooden Town) and Skata. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Vaasa: Kristiinankaupunki (Ulrika Eleonora Church & Carlsro Museum), Wolf Cave (in Karijoki) and Salgrund Pilot Station (in Kaskinen). There's lots more to do: enjoy the sand and surf at Hietasaaren uimaranta, take in the views from Raippaluodon Silta, examine the collection at Bragen ulkoilmamuseo, and take in the exciting artwork at Tikanoja Art Museum.

To find traveler tips, where to stay, photos, and tourist information, use the Vaasa trip maker tool.

Fly from Helsinki to Vaasa in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. July in Vaasa sees daily highs of °C and lows of °C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 14th (Sat) to allow enough time to travel back home.