8 days in Turku & Helsinki Region Itinerary

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

Get outdoors at Teijo National Park and Ispoinen Beach and Sauna. You'll discover tucked-away gems like Turku Castle and Ett Hem Museum. Step out of Turku with an excursion to Bellevue Beach in Hanko--about 1h 55 min away. Next up on the itinerary: enjoy the sand and surf at Vepsa Island and contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Turku Cathedral.

To find reviews, ratings, traveler tips, and tourist information, you can read our Turku road trip site.

Athens, Greece to Turku is an approximately 9.5-hour flight. You can also drive. In October, Turku is colder than Athens - with highs of 10°C and lows of 1°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 6th (Sat) to allow enough time to drive 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 Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma. Get a sense of the local culture at Sea Fortress Suomenlinna and Temppeliaukio Church. There's lots more to do: explore the world behind art at Kansallisgalleria, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Helsinki Cathedral, kick back and relax at Hietaranta Beach, and take an in-depth tour of Seurasaari Island and Open-Air Museum.

For where to stay, ratings, and other tourist information, go to the Helsinki online tour planner.

You can drive from Turku to Helsinki in 2 hours. Other options are to take a train; or fly. In October, plan for daily highs up to 10°C, and evening lows to 1°C. On the 10th (Wed), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel back home.