16 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.

You'll visit kid-friendly attractions like Sea Fortress Suomenlinna and Senate Square. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Helsinki: Nuuksio National Park (in Espoo), Heureka (in Vantaa) and Teijo National Park (in Pernio). Pack the 20th (Thu) with family-friendly diversions at Linnanmaki Amusement Park. There's still lots to do: admire the landmark architecture of Temppeliaukio Church, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Kamppi Chapel of Silence, admire the masterpieces at Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma, and take an in-depth tour of The National Museum of Finland.

To find maps, where to stay, ratings, and other tourist information, you can read our Helsinki trip planner.

Montreal, Canada to Helsinki is an approximately 14-hour flight. Traveling from Montreal to Helsinki, you'll lose 7 hours due to the time zone difference. Expect somewhat warmer temperatures when traveling from Montreal in December; daily highs in Helsinki reach 3°C and lows reach -3°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 26th (Wed) early enough to travel to Rovaniemi.

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

Kids will appreciate attractions like Santa Claus Village and Feelapland. Step out of Rovaniemi with an excursion to Pyha-Luosto National Park in Pyhatunturi--about 1h 35 min away. The adventure continues: get in on the family fun at SantaPark - the Home Cavern of Santa Claus, pause for some serene contemplation at Rovaniemi Church, examine the collection at Santa's House of Snowmobiles, and see Santa Claus Office.

To find more things to do, traveler tips, other places to visit, and other tourist information, refer to the Rovaniemi road trip app.

You can fly from Helsinki to Rovaniemi in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. Traveling from Helsinki in December, things will get a bit cooler in Rovaniemi: highs are around -6°C and lows about -13°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 31st (Mon) to allow enough time to travel back home.