21 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.

Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Rock Church and Helsinki Cathedral. Visit Sea Fortress Suomenlinna and The Esplanadi Park for their historical value. When in Helsinki, make a side trip to see Nuuksio National Park in Espoo, approximately 46 minutes away. Pack the 27th (Sat) with family-friendly diversions at Linnanmaki Amusement Park. The adventure continues: wander the streets of Katajanokka, take in the spiritual surroundings of Uspenskin Cathedral (Uspenskin Katedraali), and stroll through Korkeasaari Zoo.

To see reviews, photos, traveler tips, and tourist information, refer to the Helsinki road trip planner.

San Diego, USA to Helsinki is an approximately 18-hour flight. You can also do a combination of train and flight. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 10 hours traveling from San Diego to Helsinki. Prepare for little chillier weather when traveling from San Diego in July: high temperatures in Helsinki hover around 71°F and lows are around 55°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 29th (Mon) early enough to travel to Rovaniemi.

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

On the 30th (Tue), take an exotic tour of a safari tour, stop by LAURI, then see Santa Claus Office, and finally find something for the whole family at Santa Claus Village. Here are some ideas for day two: take in the architecture and atmosphere at Rovaniemi Church, get engrossed in the history at Arktikum, and then explore the different monuments and memorials at German Soldier s Cemetery.

For where to stay, other places to visit, and more tourist information, go to the Rovaniemi trip itinerary builder .

Getting from Helsinki to Rovaniemi by flight takes about 4 hours. Other options: do a combination of flight and train; or drive. In July, daily temperatures in Rovaniemi can reach 67°F, while at night they dip to 52°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 31st (Wed) to allow enough time to drive to Inari.

Inari is Finland's largest, most sparsely populated municipality, with four official languages, more than any other in the country. Here are some ideas for day two: take in the architecture and atmosphere at Pielpajarvi Wilderness Church, see the interesting displays at Siida, and then get interesting insight from Tours.

To find ratings, more things to do, reviews, and more tourist information, refer to the Inari route builder tool .

You can fly from Helsinki to Inari in 4 hours. Other options are to drive; or do a combination of train and bus. Traveling from Helsinki in July, things will get a bit cooler in Inari: highs are around 64°F and lows about 49°F. You'll set off for Levi on the 1st (Thu).

Kouvola is a town and municipality in southeastern Finland. Start off your visit on the 4th (Sun): look for all kinds of wild species at Arboretum Mustila, take an in-depth tour of World Heritage Site - Verla Groundwood and Board Mill, and then identify plant and animal life at Niivermaki Nature Conservation Area. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: pause for some serene contemplation at Pyhan Ristin kirkko and then get in on the family fun at Tykkimaki Amusement Park.

To see ratings, reviews, photos, and more tourist information, refer to the Kouvola trip itinerary planning tool .

You can do a combination of flight and train from Inari to Kouvola in 5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus, flight, and train; or drive. Traveling from Inari in August, expect Kouvola to be a bit warmer, temps between 69°F and 53°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 5th (Mon) early enough to go by car 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 6th (Tue): look and learn at Sarkanniemi Theme Park. On your second day here, look for all kinds of wild species at Hatanpaa Arboretum, examine the collection at Vapriikin Museokeskus, and then enjoy the sand and surf at Rauhaniemi Beach.

For photos, other places to visit, where to stay, and tourist information, go to the Tampere travel app .

Traveling by car from Kouvola to Tampere takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of train and bus; or take a train. In August, daily temperatures in Tampere can reach 68°F, while at night they dip to 50°F. On the 8th (Thu), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can take a train to Turku.

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

Start off your visit on the 8th (Thu): step into the grandiose world of Turku Castle. Keep things going the next day: get lost in a book at Turku City Library, examine the collection at Luostarinmaki Handicrafts Museum, then explore the world behind art at Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova, and finally gain insight at Turku Cathedral.

For where to stay, more things to do, ratings, and more tourist information, read Turku trip itinerary builder website .

Traveling by train from Tampere to Turku takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of train and flight. August in Turku sees daily highs of 68°F and lows of 51°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 10th (Sat) early enough to drive to Pori.

Vaasa is a city on the west coast of Finland. On the 11th (Sun), steep yourself in history at Stromso and then find something for the whole family at Powerpark. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 12th (Mon): take in the architecture and atmosphere at Mustasaaren kirkko, then indulge your thirst for a good beer at Bock’s Corner Brewery, and then cool off at Tropiclandia.

For maps, more things to do, reviews, and other tourist information, refer to the Vaasa day trip tool .

Traveling by car from Turku to Vaasa takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or take a train. In August, plan for daily highs up to 67°F, and evening lows to 51°F. On the 13th (Tue), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel back home.