Places to Visit in Finland: Cities and Tour Routes

Helsinki, Rovaniemi and Lapland top the list of places to visit in Finland; for first-time visitors, the most solid route is centered on either the capital or Northern Finland. A visa is required for Turkish citizens. This guide covers the cities, seasons and route options in order, and also shows the Lapland tours currently on sale.

In brief

• Set aside at least 2 days for Helsinki, and at least 3 nights for a Rovaniemi-centered winter trip.
• Choose winter and Lapland for snow and northern lights; choose summer for cities and lakes.
• A visa is required for Turkish citizens; plan your application before your tour date.
• The Finland tours currently on sale are Lapland-themed; departures start on 17 December 2026.

How to plan a route in Finland

Finland is a long, sparsely populated country. The capital and coastal cities are in the south, the lakes are in the middle, and Lapland is in the north. Rather than trying to see everything on a single trip, pick your target from the start.

Three typical routes work well:

• City route: Centered on Helsinki, with Porvoo and Turku added as day trips. Suitable for spring, summer and autumn.
• Lakes and city route: Helsinki combined with Tampere, followed by a stop on a lakeshore. This makes the most sense for summer.
• Northern route: Rovaniemi and Lapland. Focused on winter and snow; one of the easiest options for families with children and those seeing snow for the first time.

If you're choosing a single destination for your first visit, the decision is simple: choose Lapland if you want snow, northern lights and a Christmas-themed trip; choose Helsinki if you want museums, design, the sea and sauna. If you're heading north on your own, you'll need a transport and transfer plan, which is why many travelers prefer a ready-made tour for this.

First decide on your dates, then build your route around them. This article covers Helsinki in order, the towns around it, Tampere and the lake district, then Rovaniemi and Lapland. At the end, you'll find season selection, visas and the tours currently on sale.

Helsinki: the starting point

Helsinki is Finland's gateway and a city that deserves at least two days. The center is walkable in scale; the tram network covers the rest.

Sights in the center

Senate Square and the Helsinki Cathedral overlooking it are the city's classic photo spot. Go early in the morning, when the square is quieter. The nearby Market Square sits by the harbor; stop by for local fish and, in summer, seasonal produce.

Temppeliaukio Church, carved into rock, is one of the city's most distinctive venues. Oodi Central Library is a good stop for those wanting to see modern architecture and city life.

Sea and sauna

Suomenlinna, a sea fortress reached by ferry, is a UNESCO-listed island complex. Set aside half a day and wear comfortable shoes. There are public saunas close to the city center for those wanting to try sauna culture; this is the most convenient method for first-timers.

How many days

Set aside at least 2 days for Helsinki. Spend the first day in the center, the second at Suomenlinna and the design district. Keep museums as a backup plan for rainy days. Check transport from the airport to the city and public transit information from official city sources before you go.

Porvoo and Turku: day trips from Helsinki

After spending two days in Helsinki, two nearby towns enrich the route. Don't try to fit both into the same day; each deserves its own day.

Porvoo

Porvoo is an old town known for its wooden warehouses along the river and its narrow stone streets. It's a place for walking, small shops and cafés; you don't need a museum checklist. Half a day is enough, and you can plan to return in the afternoon. It's one of the most comfortable options for travelers with limited time who want a different flavor outside Helsinki.

Turku

Turku is one of Finland's oldest cities and its former capital. Turku Castle and the banks of the Aura River are the main stops. Unlike Helsinki, the city offers a smaller scale and a calmer atmosphere. Turku is also the gateway to the archipelago; in summer it can be used as a base for sea and island routes.

Which one to choose

• For history and a castle: Turku
• For a small town and photography: Porvoo
• If you only have one day: Porvoo, since it requires less planning

Verify transport options (train, bus) and schedules from up-to-date sources before you go; this article doesn't provide durations or prices.

Tampere and the lake district

Finland's interior is known for thousands of lakes. Tampere is the right choice as a base for seeing this region.

Tampere

Tampere is an industrial city where old textile factories have been converted into museums, cafés and venues. It's built between two lakes; walking and sauna along the lakeshore are a special pleasure. The Finlayson district showcases the old factory buildings. The Moomin Museum is a good additional stop for families with children. 1 night, 2 days is a reasonable allocation for the city.

What to do at the lakes

In summer, lake tours, rowing and hiking routes stand out. Further east, Savonlinna and Olavinlinna Castle form one of the most striking historical structures on a lakeshore; however, getting there requires extra time and planning. Helsinki and Tampere are enough for a first trip; consider a second trip to go deeper into the lake district.

Who it suits

• Those wanting to visit Finland in summer
• Those seeking nature, sauna and a calm pace
• Those adding a second city after seeing Helsinki

The lakes freeze in winter and the region takes on a different character; however, most travelers head straight north for a winter trip.

Rovaniemi: the gateway to Northern Finland

Rovaniemi, the capital of the Lapland region, is the best-known entry point to Northern Finland. It stands out as the center for winter trips.

Things to see

• Santa Claus Village: Known as the place where the Arctic Circle line passes. Visitors come to cross the line and see the Christmas-themed atmosphere; it's a natural stop for families with children.
• Arktikum: A museum telling the story of Arctic nature, history and local life. A good option for spending time indoors on a winter day.
• Winter activities: Sleigh rides, reindeer and husky safaris, snowmobile tours. These are mostly done through organized tours; plan ahead if you'll be booking on your own.

How many nights

Set aside at least 3 nights for a Rovaniemi-centered trip. Spend the first day in the city and at Santa Claus Village, and the following days on activities and nature. Northern lights can't be guaranteed; your chances increase when the sky is clear and you're away from light pollution. This is why staying more than one night works in your favor.

If you're traveling alone, activity and transfer costs rise quickly. Tours that bundle accommodation, transfers and activity packages together are often more predictable.

Lapland: northern lights and winter

Lapland is not a single city but a vast region in the far north of Finland. Rovaniemi is the main gateway to the region; further north, centers like Saariselkä, Levi, Ylläs and Inari become calmer and more natural the further you go.

What to go for

• Snow and winter sports (skiing, sledding, snowshoeing)
• A chance to see the northern lights on winter nights
• Sámi culture and local traditions, especially around Inari
• Glass igloo and cabin-style accommodation

What to watch out for

Winter clothing is the most critical preparation; dress in multiple layers and don't forget gloves and boots. Northern lights are a natural phenomenon with no guarantee, so don't rely on a single night. Daylight is very short in winter, so plan your activity hours accordingly.

Which region

For first-time visitors and families with children, Rovaniemi is the easiest choice: transport is good and activities are varied. For those wanting somewhere quieter and more in nature, the ski resorts further north are suitable, though transport and organization are more difficult. If you're renting a car to head north on your own, check the international driving license requirements in advance; driving in snow and ice conditions in winter also requires experience.

When to go by season

Season choice shapes your route in Finland. The question of city versus nature, or snow versus lakes, is really a question of timing.

Winter

Northern lights, snow activities and a Christmas atmosphere stand out during the winter months. The busiest period for Lapland is around December and New Year's; during this time flights and accommodation fill up early. If you're planning a winter trip, look months ahead.

Spring and autumn

The transitional seasons are calmer and suitable for city trips. In autumn, nature changes color; this is a beautiful period for hiking in the north. It's not as crowded as winter, but there's no guarantee of snow.

Summer

Daylight is very long in summer, and in the north the sun almost never sets. Helsinki, Turku, Tampere and the lakes are at their liveliest during this season. It's the best period for the sea, lakes and outdoor activities.

Which to choose

• If it's your first visit and you want to see snow: winter, Rovaniemi
• For cities, museums and walking: summer and early autumn, Helsinki
• For nature and quiet: summer, the lake district

Check official meteorological sources for temperature and daylight hours before you go; this article doesn't provide figures.

Lapland tours on sale and visas

All the tours currently on sale for Finland are Lapland-themed. Departures start in mid-December: the first date is 17 December 2026, followed by 29 December 2026 and 31 December 2026.

Which tour

• Dolu Dolu Lapland Tour White Routes (3 Nights - Olof Hotel): departs 17 December, for a short first trip.
• Süper Promo Lapland Tour White Routes (3 Nights - Olof Hotel): same date and hotel, a different package option.
• Dolu Dolu Lapland Tour White Routes (4 Nights - Park Hotel): departs 29 December, a 4-night tour coinciding with the New Year period.
• Süper Promo Lapland Tour White Routes (4 Nights - Park Hotel): same departure, promo package.
• Dolu Dolu Lapland Tour White Routes (3 Nights - Park Hotel) and Süper Promo Lapland Tour White Routes (3 Nights - Park Hotel): departing 31 December, 3-night options.

To see all options, check the Finland tours page. The 3-night tours suit a short getaway, while the 4-night tours are better for increasing your chances of seeing the northern lights.

Visa

A visa is required for Turkish citizens traveling to Finland. For up-to-date application information, check the Finland visa page. Plan your application ahead of your tour date, allowing for possible delays in the process. You can use the international travel checklist for documents, tickets, insurance and baggage.

Frequently asked questions

Where should first-time visitors to Finland go?

For first-time visitors, the most balanced options are Helsinki along with Rovaniemi and Lapland. For a summer trip, Helsinki, Porvoo and Tampere stand out; for a winter trip, a Rovaniemi-centered route is more suitable. Choose your destination based on the season.

Can Turkish citizens travel to Finland without a visa?

No, Turkish citizens need a visa for Finland. For application requirements and up-to-date information, check our Finland visa page. Apply with enough time before your tour date.

How many days are enough in Finland?

Set aside at least 2 days for Helsinki, and at least 3 nights for a Rovaniemi-centered winter trip. For a city and lakes route covering Helsinki, Tampere and a day-trip town, you'll need more time. Determine the duration based on your destination.

Which season is best for seeing the northern lights?

The northern lights are seen on clear winter nights. There's no guarantee, so staying more than one night in Lapland increases your chances. In summer, the nights in the north are too bright for the lights to be visible.

What can be visited as a day trip from Helsinki?

Porvoo and Turku are the most common day-trip options. Porvoo, with its wooden houses and narrow streets, is suitable for half a day; Turku, with its castle and riverside, requires a full day. Check transport schedules before you go.

Should I go to Lapland on my own or with a tour?

For first-timers and those unfamiliar with winter conditions, a tour is more predictable; accommodation, transfers and activities come in a single package. Going on your own is more flexible but requires planning and cost tracking.