21 days in Finland Itinerary

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

You've now added Pyha-Luosto National Park to your itinerary. Step off the beaten path and head to Ranua Zoo and Santa's House of Snowmobiles. Get a sense of the local culture at Rovaniemi Church and Arktikum. Next up on the itinerary: identify plant and animal life at Napapiirin Porofarmi, have some family-friendly fun at Snowman World Igloo Hotel, see Santa Claus Office, and get engrossed in the history at Rovaniemi Local History Museum.

To find where to stay, reviews, traveler tips, and tourist information, read our Rovaniemi trip itinerary planner.

Sydney, Australia to Rovaniemi is an approximately 27-hour flight. The time zone difference moving from Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) to Eastern European Standard Time (EET) is minus 8 hours. Plan for much colder temperatures traveling from Sydney in December, with highs in Rovaniemi at -6°C and lows at -13°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 19th (Sun) to allow enough time to travel 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.

Discover out-of-the-way places like Katajanokka and Bellevue Beach. Get a sense of the local culture at Sea Fortress Suomenlinna and Johannes Church. Get out of town with these interesting Helsinki side-trips: Inkoon kirkko (in Inkoo), Nuuksio National Park (in Espoo) and Tulliniemi Nature Path (in Hanko). There's still lots to do: admire the striking features of Temppeliaukio Church, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Helsinki Cathedral, steep yourself in history at Mannerheim Museum, and explore the world behind art at Sinebrychoff Art Museum.

To see other places to visit, ratings, reviews, and other tourist information, read our Helsinki trip maker tool.

You can fly from Rovaniemi to Helsinki in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. Traveling from Rovaniemi in December, things will get somewhat warmer in Helsinki: highs are around 3°C and lows about -3°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 25th (Sat) to allow 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.

You've now added Turku Castle to your itinerary. On the 26th (Sun), see the interesting displays at Kylamaki Village of Living History, then enjoy the sand and surf at Ispoinen Beach and Sauna, then explore the galleries of Turku Castle, and finally examine the collection at Luostarinmaen Kasityolaismuseo. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 27th (Mon): admire the landmark architecture of Kuusisto Manor, then head off the coast to Vepsa Island, then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Martinkirkko, and finally have fun at Adventure Park.

To find traveler tips, more things to do, other places to visit, and more tourist information, use the Turku trip maker site.

You can drive from Helsinki to Turku in 2 hours. Other options are to take a train; or fly. In December, plan for daily highs up to 1°C, and evening lows to -4°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 28th (Tue) to allow enough time to drive to Porvoo.

Porvoo, one of Finland's oldest and prettiest towns, boasts cobbled streets, famous red-brick warehouses, and a charming river.

Get some historical perspective at Church of Ruotsinpyhtaa and St. John's Church. Step off the beaten path and head to Cathedral of Porvoo and Marian Kirkko. Get out of town with these interesting Porvoo side-trips: Stromforsin Ruukki (in Ruotsinpyhtaa), Hamina (Saint Peter and Saint Paul Cathedral & Main Building of Military School) and St. Nicholas Orthodox Church (in Kotka). And it doesn't end there: tour the pleasant surroundings at Kokonniemi, get some fabulous bargains at Brunberg Candy Factory Shop, contemplate the long history of The Runeberg Home, and don't miss a visit to Porvoo Old Town.

To see reviews, maps, traveler tips, and tourist information, read Porvoo tour builder.

Traveling by car from Turku to Porvoo takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of train and bus; or fly. In December, daily temperatures in Porvoo can reach 1°C, while at night they dip to -4°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 31st (Fri) early enough to travel to Suomussalmi.

Suomussalmi is a municipality in Finland and is located in the Kainuu region. Your day by day itinerary now includes Hossa National Park. Start off your visit on the 1st (Sat): explore the wealth of natural beauty at Hossa National Park. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: head outdoors with Hossan Lomakeskus, learn about all things military at Winter War Museum Raatteen Portti, and then see the interesting displays at Suomussalmen Kotiseutumuseo.

Plan my trip to Suomussalmi with suggested itineraries provided by Inspirock.

Explore your travel options from Porvoo to Suomussalmi with the Route module. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 2nd (Sun) early enough to travel back home.