18 days in Finland 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.

Head to Marimekko and Flamingo Entertainment Centrefor some retail therapy. Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Fortress of Suomenlinna and Ullanlinna. Step out of Helsinki with an excursion to Nuuksio National Park in Espoo--about 48 minutes away. Pack the 4th (Sat) with family-friendly diversions at Linnanmaki Amusement Park. There's lots more to do: stroll through Aurinkolahti Beach, kick back and relax at Hietaranta Beach, meet the residents at Korkeasaari Zoo, and take in the architecture and atmosphere at Helsinki Cathedral.

For where to stay, traveler tips, photos, and tourist information, use the Helsinki online trip builder .

Geneva, Switzerland to Helsinki is an approximately 6-hour flight. You can also drive; or do a combination of bus and ferry. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 1 hour traveling from Geneva to Helsinki. Traveling from Geneva in August, you will find days in Helsinki are a bit cooler (24°C), and nights are about the same (13°C). Cap off your sightseeing on the 8th (Wed) early enough to catch the train to Lahti.

Lahti is a city and municipality in Finland.Lahti is the capital of the Päijänne Tavastia region. Start off your visit on the 9th (Thu): tour the pleasant surroundings at Messila Maailma Oy Ski Center, then admire the local landmark of Musical Fountain, and then get into the urban bustle at Sibelius Hall.

To find reviews, where to stay, other places to visit, and tourist information, read our Lahti trip planner .

Traveling by train from Helsinki to Lahti takes an hour. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In August in Lahti, expect temperatures between 23°C during the day and 13°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 9th (Thu) to allow time to travel to Rantasalmi.

Rantasalmi is a municipality of Finland.It is located in the province of Eastern Finland and is part of the Southern Savonia region. On the 10th (Fri), explore the wealth of natural beauty at Linnansaari National Park. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: take in the architecture and atmosphere at Savonlinna Cathedral, pause for some photo ops at The Spirit of the fortress, pause for some photo ops at Olavinlinnan Musta Passi, then step into the grandiose world of Olavinlinna Castle, and finally see the interesting displays at Savonlinna Provincial Museum.

To see more things to do, where to stay, reviews, and tourist information, you can read our Rantasalmi day trip planner.

Drive from Lahti to Rantasalmi in 3 hours. In August, daily temperatures in Rantasalmi can reach 24°C, while at night they dip to 11°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 11th (Sat) early enough to travel to Mustasaari.

Korsholm is a municipality of Finland. On the 12th (Sun), head off the coast to Kvarken Archipelago World Heritage Site.

To see maps, ratings, photos, and tourist information, use the Mustasaari tour itinerary maker website .

Traveling by car from Rantasalmi to Mustasaari takes 6.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly. August in Mustasaari sees daily highs of 22°C and lows of 11°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 12th (Sun) so you can travel to Pori.

Pori is a city and municipality on the west coast of Finland. Start off your visit on the 13th (Mon): browse the different shops at Kauppakeskus Puuvilla, explore the world behind art at Pori Art Museum, and then stroll through Yyteri Beach.

To see other places to visit, traveler tips, where to stay, and other tourist information, you can read our Pori trip site .

Drive from Mustasaari to Pori in 3 hours. Expect a daytime high around 22°C in August, and nighttime lows around 12°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 13th (Mon) to allow enough time to drive to Turku.

Sitting at the mouth of the Aura River, Turku is one of Finland's quaintest and most historically rich towns.

Turku Castle and Turku Cathedral will appeal to history buffs. Take a break from the city and head to Ispoinen Beach and Sauna and Kurjenrahka National Park. And it doesn't end there: enjoy some diversion at Moomin World, stroll through The Archipelago Trail, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Naantali Church, and browse the different shops at Kauppakeskus Mylly.

To find traveler tips, ratings, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read our Turku trip maker site .

Traveling by car from Pori to Turku takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In August, plan for daily highs up to 23°C, and evening lows to 12°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 16th (Thu) early enough to catch the train to Tampere.

Finland's third largest city, Tampere boasts an array of cultural offerings and a lively music scene.

Start off your visit on the 17th (Fri): take in the spiritual surroundings of Vanha Kirkko, then enjoy the sand and surf at Rauhaniemi Beach, and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Suolijarvi Beach. Keep things going the next day: look and learn at Sarkanniemi Theme Park.

To see traveler tips, photos, reviews, and other tourist information, read our Tampere journey maker tool .

You can take a train from Turku to Tampere in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In August, daily temperatures in Tampere can reach 23°C, while at night they dip to 11°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 18th (Sat) so you can travel back home.