31 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.

Go for a jaunt from Helsinki to Espoo to see Nuuksio National Park about 48 minutes away. Next up on the itinerary: learn about all things military at Sea Fortress Suomenlinna, get engrossed in the history at Seurasaari Island and Open-Air Museum, don't miss a visit to Senate Square, and contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Uspenskin Cathedral (Uspenskin Katedraali).

To find ratings, where to stay, photos, and other tourist information, you can read our Helsinki online itinerary planner .

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania to Helsinki is an approximately 21-hour flight. The time zone difference when traveling from Dar es Salaam to Helsinki is minus 1 hour. Prepare for colder weather when traveling from Dar es Salaam in October: high temperatures in Helsinki hover around 10°C and lows are around 1°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 6th (Sun) so you can go by car to Turku.

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

Go for a jaunt from Turku to Pernio to see Teijo National Park about 1h 15 min away. There's still lots to do: step into the grandiose world of Turku Castle, grab your bike and head to Bike Rental - by Carfield, find something for the whole family at Vaski Adventure Island, and let the kids burn off some steam at Adventure Park.

To find traveler tips, photos, where to stay, and other tourist information, read Turku trip itinerary builder tool .

Getting from Helsinki to Turku by car takes about 2 hours. Other options: take a train; or fly. In October, daytime highs in Turku are 10°C, while nighttime lows are 1°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 9th (Wed) early enough to take a train to Tampere.

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

Explore Tampere's surroundings by going to Visavuori (in Valkeakoski) and Seitsemisen Kansallispuisto (in Ylojarvi). There's still lots to do: get up close and personal with brilliant marine life at Sarkanniemi Theme Park, enjoy some diversion at Pyynikki's Swim Hall, enjoy breathtaking views from Pyynikki Park and Observation Tower, and identify plant and animal life at Hatanpaa Arboretum.

To find reviews, other places to visit, maps, and more tourist information, read Tampere online vacation planner .

Traveling by train from Turku to Tampere takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of flight and train. In October in Tampere, expect temperatures between 8°C during the day and 0°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 12th (Sat) to allow enough time to take a train to Vaasa.

Vaasa is a city on the west coast of Finland. Start off your visit on the 13th (Sun): see the interesting displays at Pohjanmaan Museo - Osterbottens Museum, then head off the coast to Kvarken Archipelago World Heritage Site, and then enjoy breathtaking views from Saltkaret. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 14th (Mon): pause for some serene contemplation at Isonkyron Vanha Kirkko, then see the interesting displays at Terranova, then pause for some serene contemplation at Mustasaaren kirkko, and finally examine the collection at Vaasa Car & Motor Museum.

To see where to stay, maps, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read our Vaasa trip planner .

Traveling by train from Tampere to Vaasa takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. October in Vaasa sees daily highs of 9°C and lows of 1°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 14th (Mon) early enough to travel to Rovaniemi.

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

Rovaniemi is known for wildlife, museums, fun & games, nightlife, and theme parks. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: make a trip to Santa Claus Village, get engrossed in the history at Arktikum, stroll through Poro Farmi, and identify plant and animal life at Arctic Emotions Oy.

To find where to stay, more things to do, ratings, and other tourist information, read our Rovaniemi trip planning app .

Traveling by flight from Vaasa to Rovaniemi takes 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Traveling from Vaasa in October, expect nights in Rovaniemi to be about the same, around -1°C, while days are slightly colder, around 3°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 17th (Thu) so you can travel to Lieksa.

Lieksa is a town and municipality of Finland.It is located in the province of Eastern Finland and is part of the North Karelia region. Lieksa is known for museums, wildlife, outdoors, and nature. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: head outdoors with Neitikoski Rapids, tour the pleasant surroundings at Herajarvi Hiking Trail, look for all kinds of wild species at Patvinsuon Kansallispuisto, and examine the collection at Pielisen Museum.

To see where to stay, ratings, more things to do, and more tourist information, use the Lieksa vacation maker website .

You can drive from Rovaniemi to Lieksa in 6.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of flight and car. In October, plan for daily highs up to 6°C, and evening lows to 0°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 20th (Sun) early enough to travel to Joensuu.

Joensuu is a city and municipality in North Karelia in the province of Eastern Finland. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Joensuu: Siikalahti Wetland (in Parikkala), Koli (Koli Shop Retkitupa & Koli Nature Centre Ukko) and Savonlinna (Pikkukirkko, Olavinlinna Castle, & more). There's lots more to do: trek along Paha-Koli Hill, tour the pleasant surroundings at Ukko-Koli Hill, don't miss a visit to Joensuu Church, and explore the wealth of natural beauty at Kolovesi National Park.

For photos, maps, ratings, and tourist information, use the Joensuu road trip planning website .

Traveling by car from Lieksa to Joensuu takes 2 hours. October in Joensuu sees daily highs of 6°C and lows of 0°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Thu) so you can travel to Kuopio.

Kuopio is a city and a municipality located in the region of Northern Savonia, Finland. Get out of town with these interesting Kuopio side-trips: Southern Konnevesi National park (in Rautalampi) and Riuttala Farmhouse Museum (in Karttula). There's still lots to do: test your problem-solving skills at popular escape rooms, explore the activities along Valkeisenlampi, have fun at Vainolanniemi, and make a trip to Kuopio Harbor.

To see where to stay, maps, photos, and tourist information, read Kuopio trip itinerary builder .

You can drive from Joensuu to Kuopio in 2 hours. Expect a daytime high around 7°C in October, and nighttime lows around 1°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 27th (Sun) early enough to go by car to Kotka.

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. Get out of town with these interesting Kotka side-trips: Kouvola (Repovesi National Park & Niivermaki Nature Conservation Area) and Salpa Line Museum (in Miehikkala). And it doesn't end there: hike along Santalahti Nature Trail, step off the mainland to explore Varissaari - Fort Elisabeth, admire the natural beauty at Palotorninvuori Park, and make a trip to Linden Esplanade.

To find reviews, photos, maps, and tourist information, read our Kotka planning app .

Traveling by car from Kuopio to Kotka takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or do a combination of flight and train. Expect a daytime high around 8°C in October, and nighttime lows around 1°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 31st (Thu) so you can travel back home.