15 days in Helsinki & Rovaniemi 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.

Kids will enjoy Sea Fortress Suomenlinna and Temppeliaukio Church. There's much more to do: take in the architecture and atmosphere at Helsinki Cathedral, don't miss a visit to The Esplanadi Park, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Espoo Cathedral, and explore the world behind art at Kansallisgalleria.

To see other places to visit, reviews, where to stay, and tourist information, you can read our Helsinki road trip tool.

Sao Paulo, Brazil to Helsinki is an approximately 20-hour flight. You'll lose 5 hours traveling from Sao Paulo to Helsinki due to the time zone difference. Plan for much colder temperatures traveling from Sao Paulo in December, with highs in Helsinki at 3°C and lows at -3°C. You'll have a few hours on the 26th (Sat) to wrap things up before traveling to Rovaniemi.

An urban center set amongst the great Arctic wilderness, Rovaniemi serves as the capital of Lapland province.

Attractions like Santa Claus Village and SantaPark - the Home Cavern of Santa Claus make great kid-friendly stops. Step out of Rovaniemi with an excursion to Ski Resort Ritavalkea in Pello--about 1h 30 min away. Next up on the itinerary: see exotic creatures in open habitats at a safari tour, explore the fascinating underground world of Syvasenvaara Fell, wander the wide-open spaces of Orbas Reindeer Farm, and see the interesting displays at Santa's House of Snowmobiles.

Quickly create a custom-made itinerary for Rovaniemi using our trip planner.

Traveling by flight from Helsinki to Rovaniemi takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. Prepare for a bit cooler weather when traveling from Helsinki in December: high temperatures in Rovaniemi hover around -6°C and lows are around -13°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 3rd (Sun) early enough to travel back home.