43 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 Hanko to see Bellevue Beach about 1h 30 min away. Pack the 25th (Wed) with family-friendly diversions at Linnanmaki Amusement Park. There's still lots to do: learn about all things military at Sea Fortress Suomenlinna, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Helsinki Cathedral, wander the streets of Katajanokka, and take an in-depth tour of Seurasaari Island and Open-Air Museum.

For other places to visit, where to stay, and tourist information, read Helsinki tour itinerary website .

Hong Kong, China to Helsinki is an approximately 13.5-hour flight. You can also do a combination of flight and train; or do a combination of flight and ferry. The time zone difference moving from Hong Kong Time to Eastern European Time is minus 6 hours. Plan for cooler temperatures traveling from Hong Kong in December, with highs in Helsinki at 3°C and lows at -3°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 27th (Fri) so you can catch the train to Tampere.

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

Get out of town with these interesting Tampere side-trips: Pihamaa Estate & Winery (in Asikkala), Padasjoen Tuomastornit (in Padasjoki) and Haemeenlinna (Ahvenisto Activity Park & Birthplace of Jean Sibelius). see Sarkanniemi Theme Park. There's much more to do: soothe aching muscles at some of the top local wellness centers, steep yourself in history at Amuri Museum of Workers' Housing, kick back and relax at Rauhaniemi Beach, and tour the pleasant surroundings at Riihiniemen Uimaranta.

For maps, more things to do, ratings, and tourist information, use the Tampere trip itinerary planner.

You can take a train from Helsinki to Tampere in 2 hours. Other options are to drive; or fly. Prepare for a bit cooler weather when traveling from Helsinki in December: high temperatures in Tampere hover around 0°C and lows are around -6°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Thu) to allow enough time to drive to Pori.

Pori is a city and municipality on the west coast of Finland. Change things up with these side-trips from Pori: Rauma (The Old Town Hall Museum, Old Rauma, & more) and Automobile Museum (in Uusikaupunki). There's much more to do: stroll through Yyteri Beach, take an in-depth tour of Rosenlew Museum, take in the spiritual surroundings of Central Pori Church (Keski-Porin kirkko), and don't miss a visit to Juselius Mausoleum.

To find other places to visit, traveler tips, photos, and tourist information, read Pori travel app .

Getting from Tampere to Pori by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: take a train; or take a bus. In January in Pori, expect temperatures between -3°C during the day and -9°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 5th (Sun) early enough to 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.

Get out of town with these interesting Turku side-trips: Louhisaari Manor (in Askainen), Nagu Church (in Nagu) and Korpo Church (in Korpo). The adventure continues: enjoy the sand and surf at Ispoinen Beach and Sauna, see the interesting displays at Kylamaki Village of Living History, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Turku Cathedral, and head off the coast to Vepsa Island.

To find reviews, photos, ratings, and tourist information, go to the Turku day trip planning tool .

Drive from Pori to Turku in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. Expect a daytime high around -3°C in January, and nighttime lows around -9°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 10th (Fri) 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. Explore Kotka's surroundings by going to Mielakka Ski Center (in Kouvola), Salpa Line Museum (in Miehikkala) and Puumalan Lake (in Puumala). There's still lots to do: wander the streets of Linden Esplanade, pause for some serene contemplation at Stromforsin ruukki, enjoy the sand and surf at Aijanniemi Beach, and contemplate the long history of Kotka Church.

For maps, more things to do, photos, and other tourist information, use the Kotka online trip itinerary builder .

You can drive from Turku to Kotka in 3 hours. Other options are to do a combination of train and bus; or take a bus. Traveling from Turku in January, expect nights in Kotka to be about the same, around -12°C, while days are a bit cooler, around -6°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 15th (Wed) to allow enough time to travel to Koli National Park.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Koli National Park: Venajanhiekka (in Rautavaara), Joensuu (Utra Beach, Honkaniemi Beach, & more) and Tahko Farmi (in Tahkovuori).

To see reviews, other places to visit, photos, and tourist information, refer to the Koli National Park trip itinerary builder app .

Drive from Kotka to Koli National Park in 5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly. In January in Koli National Park, expect temperatures between -9°C during the day and -15°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 20th (Mon) to allow enough time to travel to Inari.

Inari is Finland's largest, most sparsely populated municipality, with four official languages, more than any other in the country. Start off your visit on the 21st (Tue): admire all the interesting features of Inari Reindeerfarm and then go for a walk through Otsamo Fell. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 22nd (Wed): examine the collection at Siida, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Pielpajarvi Wilderness Church, and then get your bearings at The Sami Cultural Centre Sajos.

To see where to stay, more things to do, ratings, and other tourist information, read our Inari day trip planner .

You can drive from Koli National Park to Inari in 9.5 hours. Another option is to fly. Traveling from Koli National Park in January, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be slightly colder in Inari, with lows of -20°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 22nd (Wed) early enough to travel to Levi.

Finland's largest and most popular ski resort, the fell of Levi provides excellent slopes and lively nightlife in an enchanting setting.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Levi: Pallas-Yllastunturi National Park (in Muonio) and Snow Village (in Kittila). On the 23rd (Thu), ski the day away in the pristine settings at Levi Ski Resort. There's lots more to do: admire all the interesting features of Ice Karting Levi, stop by Elan Ski Shop & Rental, fly down the slopes at Yllas Ski Resort, and have some family-friendly fun at Kid's Land.

To find traveler tips, more things to do, ratings, and other tourist information, you can read our Levi tour itinerary planner.

Traveling by flight from Inari to Levi takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. January in Levi sees daily highs of -11°C and lows of -21°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 26th (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to Rovaniemi.

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

Get out of town with these interesting Rovaniemi side-trips: Amethyst Mine Lapland (in Luosto) and Pyha-Luosto National Park (in Pyhatunturi). There's still lots to do: get in on the family fun at Santa Claus Village, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Rovaniemi Church, Head underground at Syvasenvaara Fell, and take an in-depth tour of Arktikum.

For maps, other places to visit, where to stay, and tourist information, use the Rovaniemi holiday planner .

You can drive from Levi to Rovaniemi in 2.5 hours. Another option is to take a bus. Traveling from Levi in January, plan for somewhat warmer nights in Rovaniemi, with lows around -17°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 31st (Fri) to allow enough time to travel back home.