10 Top Destinations in Finland

Finland is known as the goodest country in the world. It´s also clean, safe, and the land of thousands of lakes and forests. Thus, the best way to explore Finland's nature, history, and culture is through a tour of its cities.

1 Helsinki 

As the capital of Finland, Helsinki offers much to explore and to enjoy all year round. It's safe, easy to walk and bike everywhere from the Senate Square to the Helsinki Cathedral and Presidential palace. The astonishing architecture of remarkable buildings such as the Oodi Library, the Market Hall, Sauna, and discover free entrance museums. Enjoy the lively seafront and events around the year. Take a dip in refreshing pools and saunas all over the town. Try the excellent public transportation system or hop on one of the many islands with beaches, including the UNESCO heritage fortress island Suomenlinna, and experience the effectiveness and freshness of one of the best cities in the world.

2 Vantaa

Vantaa is a city situated in Southern Finland, just a 15-minute ride from the Helsinki-Vantaa airport. Although the city is young, the history of Vantaa has already been there for centuries, offering many events and festivals every year. There are also several interesting places to explore in Vantaa such as nature, shopping malls, theatres, museums, sightseeing points lakes, street art, and architecture. Heureka the Finnish Science Centre, Fazer's chocolate visitor centre, Finnish Aviation Museum, Sauna experience at Lake Kuusijärvi, Vantaa City Museum, Church of St.Lawrence/Pyhän Laurin kirkko, Nature and green areas, are all among the many attractions which Vantaa offers.

3 Espoo

Espoo is part of the Finnish Capital Region, the second-largest city and municipality in Finland. It is a city rich in culture and nature. Espoo hosts Nuuksio National Park and the Baltic Sea; the coast and archipelago are easily accessible. You will discover the Museum of Modern Art EMMA, The only Museum of Horology- Kellomuseo, Toy Museum, exhibition center Weegee, and Gallen Kallela Museum. You can enjoy the Serena Waterpark during winter and summertime and stroll to one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Finland, Westend.

4 Tuusula

The fantastic coastal area of Lake Tuusula is a road with a beautiful landscape. It is a place to discover the rich cultural history of Finland and find home museums of various famous Finnish artists. These artists who have lived and worked around Lake Tuusula are among those who had a significant and cultivating influence on Finnish society and culture through music, literature, and visual art. Therefore, the shore of Lake Tuusula hosts some beautiful historical villas and museums worth visiting. It is not only history but also beautiful nature and the rural scenery of this region which attracts many visitors. 

5 Porvoo

Porvoo is the second oldest city in Finland and also a popular day trip from Helsinki. It has been officially existing as a town since the 13th century, but most buildings are from the time of Russian rule in the 19th century. Porvoo has been historically a famous city for commerce and trading post and goods to destinations across Europe. The old town attracts visitors and its ancient streets lined with colorful wooden houses and creates an artistic atmosphere of a charming and adorable center for the visitors. There's also a lot to explore and enjoy by walking to the side roads and streets outside of the old city center surrounded by buildings from more than 200 years ago.

There are many stunning pictures of the city of Porvoo in any travel guide made from the red shore houses. Since the 18th century, the red houses were painted in honor of King Gustav III of Sweden, who visited the city back then. These houses on the Porvoonjoki shore were used as storehouses for coffee and tobacco, but nowadays, they are mostly used as houses. It is possible for visitors to enjoy walking around this area comfortably or to experience paddling on the Porvoonjoki.

Finland's national poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg (1804–1877) lived with his wife Fredrika Runeberg in Porvoo. The house of J.L. Runeberg was opened to the public in 1882. It's the oldest home museum in Finland that remembers the everyday and social life of the family. 

6 Tampere

Tampere is situated in southern Finland and is among the most significant Finnish cities. It is located between two great lakes; Näsijärvi and Pyhäjärvi. The history of Tampere includes the beginning of industrialization and its development. Today, Tampere remains as the center of Finnish industry. 

The nature of the Tampere region is also remarkable. The large gravel formed during the ice age, called Pyynikki ridge, gives a lovely view over the two lakes. The fantastic, colorful area of well-preserved wooden houses called Pispala is among the famous attractions of the city. 

Also, Tampere's social and cultural life consists of many different kinds of public saunas, exciting museums such as the Finnish Labour Museum Werstas, Spy Museum (Vakoilu-Museo), Lenin Museum, and Moomin Museum, as well as events and festivals during the year. 

7 Turku 

Turku, as Finland's oldest and third-largest city, shows us also medieval Finland. Turku, the ex-capital town, is a vital harbor city with a compelling history. River Aura, Turku Cathedral, and Turku Castle are among beautiful places worth a visit, especially for people who love history. Turku archipelago is undoubtedly another attractive site to spend time in summer. There are many national parks all over Finland, and Kurjenrahka is one of them, which is situated 40 km from Turku. People enjoy many hiking trails, nature, marvelous sights, and wildlife in the well preserved national parks.  

8 Savonlinna 

Saimaa is Finland's largest lake connecting several cities, including the stunning city of Savonlinna. Lake Saimaa region has an amazing and calm countryside, a real natural paradise offering peace and beauty. Savonlinna is also situated on four islands between lakes Haapavesi and Pihlajavesi. There are two national parks in the region, Kolovesi, and Linnansaari, for various outdoor activities such as trekking, hiking, and cycling, giving nature and culture lovers a reason for a rewarding and satisfying destination visit to Savonlinna.

The Olavinlinna medieval castle surrounding the amazing Lake Saimaa makes a delightful attraction to invite people from around the world to the famous and well known Savonlinna Opera Festival each year in July. It is almost 100 years now that the city of Savonlinna hosts this event for music lovers to enjoy and experience the Finnish talent and quality performances. The Opera Festival is famous not only within the locals but also in the international scene. The organizers of this festival mostly showcase the best Finnish opera singers along with foreign artists. 

9 Pori

Pori was founded as a harbor city in 1558, and currently, it is Finland's 10th biggest city. Pori hosts a stunning jazz festival, an enchanting lighthouse, and an accessible and the most amazing beach in Finland. Yyterin Hiekkasärkät, which means The Sand Dunes of Yyteri, is located in Pori and attracts thousands of people each summer. 

For the fans of architecture, Pori offers Villa Mairea, a famous building by the known Finnish architect Alvar Aalto. There is a stunning collection of 20th-century designer masterpieces in Villa Mairea, and the public can now enjoy visiting it.

10 Lapland

Lapland is not only a beautiful and unforgettable place to visit throughout the year, but also a magical destination because of its awesome landscape that transcends across all seasons, and its unique natural phenomena; the Northern lights or the Aurora Borealis as the popular one, polar nights, autumn colors, and arctic cite nestled among ice age fells. 

Depending on interests and in which season, Finland's most significant and northernmost region provides a wide range of attractions, travel services, and activities to enjoy. During winter, fall in love with white snow and special polar nights. Spring showcases the beauty of nature, awakening with summer lights, and then changing to the beautiful colors of autumn. All these calls for a one-of-a-kind trip to Lapland throughout the year. 

Lapland covers 30% of Finland's land area, but only 3% is populated. It means that more than the cities, Lapland's nature has a lot to offer. To make the most out of exploring, go to the vast open area and enjoy the silence of the wild wilderness on foot, skis, or sled. Most people know Lapland for its snow and cold temperatures, but it is also the land of amazing rivers and lakes, various typical plants, trees, and animals.