16 days in Finland Itinerary

Kotka is a city and municipality of Finland.Kotka is located on the coast of the Gulf of Finland at the mouth of Kymi River and it is part of the Kymenlaakso region in southern Finland. Kick off your visit on the 2nd (Sun): identify plant and animal life at Arboretum Mustila, make a trip to Stromforsin Ruukki, and then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Pyhtaa Church of Saint Henry. On the 3rd (Mon), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: take in the architecture and atmosphere at Marian Kirkko, look for all kinds of wild species at Riverside Park, take a stroll through Linden Esplanade, then hike along Santalahti Nature Trail, and finally enjoy the sand and surf at Lehman.

To see photos, traveler tips, other places to visit, and other tourist information, go to the Kotka trip planner.

Sydney, Australia to Kotka is an approximately 27- hour combination of flight and car. The time zone changes from Australian Eastern Standard Time to Eastern European Standard Time, which is usually a -8 hour difference. Prepare for a bit cooler weather when traveling from Sydney in September: high temperatures in Kotka hover around 17°C and lows are around 9°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Mon) to allow enough time to drive to Savonlinna.

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

On the 4th (Tue), step into the grandiose world of Savonlinna Cathedral, make a trip to Pikkukirkko, step into the grandiose world of Olavinlinna Castle, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Paaskylahden kirkko, then contemplate the waterfront views at Siikalahti Wetland, and finally take in the spiritual surroundings of Kerimaki Church. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 5th (Wed): explore the striking landscape of Linnansaari National Park.

To find traveler tips, maps, photos, and more tourist information, you can read our Savonlinna holiday planner.

Traveling by car from Kotka to Savonlinna takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or do a combination of train and flight. Expect a daytime high around 16°C in September, and nighttime lows around 7°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 5th (Wed) to allow enough time to travel to Inari.

Inari is Finland's largest, most sparsely populated municipality, with four official languages, more than any other in the country. Kick off your visit on the 6th (Thu): wander the wide-open spaces of Reindeer Farm Petri Mattus, then see the interesting displays at Siida - Sami Museum and Nature Center, and then go for a walk through Otsamo Fell.

To see photos, other places to visit, and tourist information, go to the Inari holiday site.

You can do a combination of flight and shuttle from Savonlinna to Inari in 7 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of train, flight, and shuttle; or drive. Traveling from Savonlinna in September, things will get little chillier in Inari: highs are around 13°C and lows about 4°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 6th (Thu) so you can travel to Pori.

Pori is a city and municipality on the west coast of Finland. Start off your visit on the 7th (Fri): get a taste of the local shopping with Pori Art Museum, then make a trip to Juselius Mausoleum, then kick back and relax at Yyteri Beach, and finally stroll through Herrainpaivat Beach. On your second day here, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Central Pori Church (Keski-Porin kirkko), walk around Kirjurinluoto, then take in the architecture and atmosphere at The Church of the Holy Cross, then get to know the fascinating history of Old Rauma, and finally get your game on at Space Bowling & Billiards.

To see where to stay, more things to do, reviews, and more tourist information, you can read our Pori tour planning website.

Traveling by combination of flight and bus from Inari to Pori takes 8 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of flight and train; or drive. Expect somewhat warmer temperatures when traveling from Inari in September; daily highs in Pori reach 17°C and lows reach 8°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 8th (Sat) early enough to 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 9th (Sun): contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Turku Cathedral, then tour the pleasant surroundings at Ispoinen Beach and Sauna, then explore the historical opulence of Turku Castle, and finally explore the wealth of natural beauty at Kurjenrahka National Park. Here are some ideas for day two: don't miss a visit to Naantali Old Town, then get engrossed in the history at Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova, and then kick back and relax at Vepsa Island.

To find traveler tips, maps, ratings, and more tourist information, go to the Turku trip planner.

You can drive from Pori to Turku in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. In September, daytime highs in Turku are 18°C, while nighttime lows are 7°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 10th (Mon) to allow enough time to drive to Kimito Island.

Kick off your visit on the 11th (Tue): admire the masterpieces at Soderlangvik Gard, make a trip to Helsingholm Guest Harbour, and then identify plant and animal life at Oro. On the 12th (Wed), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: explore the wealth of natural beauty at Archipelago National Park.

To find where to stay, reviews, photos, and tourist information, read our Kimito Island online travel planner.

You can drive from Turku to Kimito Island in 1.5 hours. Another option is to take a bus. In September, plan for daily highs up to 19°C, and evening lows to 7°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 12th (Wed) early enough to drive to Helsinki.

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.

You'll get in some beach time at Aurinkolahti Beach and Hietaranta Beach. Step off the beaten path and head to Seurasaari Island and Open-Air Museum and Hakaniemi Market. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Helsinki: Hagen - Ramsholmen - Hogholmen (in Raseborg) and Porvoo Old Town (in Porvoo). And it doesn't end there: test your problem-solving skills at popular escape rooms, wander the streets of Ullanlinna, examine the collection at Design Museum, and stroll around Sibelius Monument.

To see maps, more things to do, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read our Helsinki day trip site.

Getting from Kimito Island to Helsinki by car takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: do a combination of bus and train; or take a bus. In September, daily temperatures in Helsinki can reach 19°C, while at night they dip to 8°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 15th (Sat) early enough to travel back home.