Best Places to Visit in Finland, Top Attractions

A beautiful and sometimes mysterious land known for its breathtaking forests, stunning aurora displays, vast areas of unspoiled wilderness and its fondness for saunas. Finland is a country definitely not short on magical places to explore and discover. Finland is a stunning country to explore. It’s one of those places that’s really diverse and actually quite different depending on what region of the country you visit. That being said, it can be hard to narrow down all of the best places in Finland into one trip, especially if you want to cram in as much as possible. It's also a relatively unknown corner of Europe, likely because it is so far from the mainstream tourist routes, but the country's many cultural and historical sites add to the unspoiled natural surroundings to make it an ideal destination. Finland's lakes, fells, rivers, and vast wild areas, along with the certainty of snow in the winter make it a Nordic playground for both winter and summer activities. Helsinki is the main point of entry for most visitors to Finland. The busy Baltic port is where you'll find the most important museums, as well as architecture by some of the greatest Finnish architects, and numerous things to do. Within easy reach of Helsinki are the charming smaller cities of Turku and Porvoo. But it would be a shame to confine a trip only to the Baltic coast, when so much beautiful open countryside beckons. To the west lie the Finnish lakes, and in the north is the vast area beyond the Arctic Circle, home of the midnight sun, northern lights, and some of Europe's best winter sports. The thing is, you’ve got the incredible Finnish cities and towns to visit but then, you’ve got dreamy places like Lapland and the hundreds of islands that perched all around its shores. Honestly, you will be spoilt for choice! 

#1- Helsinki
Helsinki has an interesting history. It was founded by King Gustav Vasa. There are many old cathedrals, churches, historical sites, and also buildings with modern architecture and amenities that can can view in this city. You can get a taste of Nordic culture when you visit this city. Summers in Helsinki are pleasant. This is a city where you can find people who speak English as well. The locals are friendly. You can visit this city for its beer and drinks. You can get around the city in trams, trains, metros, buses, taxis, or take ferries to visit nearby places. There are parks, islands, cathedrals, churches, and other places to see and things to do in Helsinki.

#2- Hameenlinna
Hameenlinna is a municipality with about 68000 inhabitants located in the heart of Tavastia which is a historical province and Kanta Hame to the south of Finland. Hameenlinna is one of the oldest inland cities which has got loads of historical significance and has been one of the popular regional centres. Loaded with all sorts of natural beauty, it attracts zillions of tourists all through the year visiting Europe. Palanderin Talo, Aulanko, Hämeenlinnan Taidemuseo, Sibeliuksen syntymäkoti, and Museo Skogster are some of the best sightseeing places in Finland that you must think of visiting during your trip.

#3- Vantaa
Vanta showcases an appealing amalgamation of rural, suburban, and urban landscapes. Packed with a host of picturesque natural lakes, the city of Vantaa is naturally beautiful. The city of Vantaa features a myriad of important landmarks, spread across its length and breadth. The famous attractions you will find in this city include the Vantaa Museum, the Finnish Aviation Museum, The Church of St. Lawrence, and Heureka. On your tour to Vantaa city, you can spend time exploring the rich biodiversity of the Sipoonkorpi's National Park, taking a refreshing swim in the small lake of Kuusijärvi, and shopping your heart out at the Jumbo Shopping Centre. You can also enjoy an invigorating massage at the famous Flamingo Spa in the city.

#4- Tampere
The city is popular for its striking concrete architecture that will give you insights about the past era. You will find a number of exhibition halls and cathedrals dotted all through the city. A trip to Tampere would never ever be complete without stopping over Museum Vapriikki, Pyynikki Observation Tower, Tampere Cathedral, Kaleva Church, Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame, Sarkanniemi, Nasinneula Tower, Hatanpaa Arboretum, and Saunas. Tampere offers some of the best activities for the guests such as taking various food trails through Tammelantori Market and Kauppahalli Indoor Market, capture the glance of the amazing graffiti art at the abandoned matchstick factory in Pispala, and indulge in some of the local festivities like Tammerfest. Tamper is located at an elevation of about 97 meters above the sea level with a cold and temperate climatic condition.

#5- Espoo
Espoo city is packed with natural splendors, including lush forests, a breathtaking national park, serene lakes, and a 58 kilometers long shoreline. The rich fauna and flora of the city also add to its ever-charming natural beauty. Having a lot of exciting attractions makes it a most sought-after tourist destination. The prime places of interest that have gained much tourist attention include Nuuksio National Park, Serena Water Park, Turku Castle, Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova, Forum Marinum Maritime Centre, and the Espoo Museum of Modern Art. While you are in Espoo, you can enjoy a myriad of fun activities. You can try cross country skiing, take a refreshing dip in the ice cold waters, feed the reindeer, enjoy a BBQ picnic at the Kaitalampi Lake, and seek blessings at the Espoo Cathedral. Espoo is blessed with a cold and temperate climate with a significant amount of rainfall occurring during the year.

#6- Joensuu
The ever-charming beauty of Joensuu is well described by its breathtaking national parks and impressive museums. With a huge amount of snowfall happening at various parts of the city, Joensuu appears even more beautiful during the winters. The city of Joensuu brims with a host of interesting tourist attractions. The most recommended places to check out in Joensuu include the Joensuu Bunker Museum, the town hall, the Pielisjoki Castle, the Greek Orthodox church of Saint Nikolaos, the Museum of North Karelia, and the Carelicuma. On your tour to Joensuu, you can admire the impressive artworks at Taitokortteli, soak in the lush greens of Perhos-Botania, and witness ancient and modern art at Joensuun Taidemuseo. You can also seek blessings at the Evangelical-Lutheran Church and take a leisure stroll through the breathtaking Freedom Park.

#7- Porvoo
Porvoo happens to be the one of the six medieval townships and one of the best places to visit in Finland in winter that has been mentioned in the texts that dates back to almost the 14th century. It is adorned with some of the scenic landscape and age old architectural marvels. Tourists heading over to this place will surely be impressed by the local art and culture. Vanha Porvoo, a vibrant port and market, Tuomiokirkko, historic stone-and-timber cathedral, Walter Runeberg Sculpture Collection, Taidetehdas, exhibition space, with rotating exhibitions of contemporary art, and Porvoon Nukke- ja Lelumuseo, a house of a thousand dolls are some the best places in Finland that you must marvel at during your visit.

#8- Rovaniemi
The city is situated about 6 km from the south of the Arctic Circle in the middle of the hills of Ounasvaara and Korkalovaara close to the confluence of River Kemijoki and its tributary Ounasjoki. Rovaniemi is home to some of the ideal places to visit in Finland where you head out on fishing and hiking tours. You can spot colorful waves of the aurora borealis and also enjoy the wilderness of Finish Lapland. Some of the top Finland attractions that you must visit during your trip to Rovaniemi are Santa Claus Express Santa Claus Village, Reindeer Sled Rides, Visit a Village Made of Ice,  Korundi House of Culture, and much more. Spending some fun filled moments with the Finnish Reindeer, taking a guided tour to learn more about the culture, nature, and history at the Arktikum Science Museum are some of the best things that you can think of trying out in Rovaniemi, one of the best places to visit in Finland.

#9- Santa Claus Village
The Santa Claus Village is one of the best and most famous attractions in the country. Also known as Santa’s official North Pole residence, this village is the hometown of Santa Claus and opened its doors to visitors in the late 1900s. This is where you can find a real-life Santa receiving all your letters and greeting his fans in person. In addition to meeting Santa and Mrs. Claus, you can also see the Elf School where Santa’s elves work all day long to receive your letters and send presents to children all over the world. Additionally, the village also has Santa’s official Post Office, from where you can send a letter to your family and friends. There are several handicrafts and souvenir shops located here, where you can get your hands on small knick-knacks or learn about the Finnish Christmas traditions and folklore.

#10- Turku
The city dates back to almost the 13th century and is very much popular for its Turku Castle, which is a medieval fortress with a historical museum. Heading out to one of the most sought after sightseeing places in Finland, you will be able to pass through cobbled riverside streets and multi cuisine restaurants. You will also be able to come across some of the grand buildings and old great squares, which were the centre of trade in the bygone times. During your visit to Turku which is one of the best places to visit in Finland in winter, you must find time to marvel at some of the must see Finland attractions like Turun Linna, an age old castle, Forum Marinum, an excellent maritime museum, Luostarinmäen Käsityöläismuseo, a well known handicrafts museum, Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova, home to almost 37,000 artefacts, and Taidekappeli, St Henry's Ecumenical Art Chapel.

#12- Vaasa
Vaasa happens to be one of the best places to visit in Finland located on the western coast. It was formed in the year 1606 in the course of the reign of Charles IX of Sweden. The city has been named after the Royal House of Vasa. The city is also the regional capital of Ostrobothnia. It is one of historical cities that is known for its beautiful architectural designs and remarkable centre of art, history, education, and culture. Vassa offers some of the exotic tourist places Finland like The Kvarken World Heritage Archipelago, Meteoria Söderfjärden, Kuntsi Museum of Modern Art, Tikanoja Art Museum, Bergö Local Museum, Fänrik Ståls Centre, Harrström old fishing harbour, Harrström Windmill Hill, Harrström old fishing harbour, Meteoria Söderfjärden, Aava Kertun Kotitila - Farm, HopLop Vaasa, and The Church of Korsholm.

#13- Oulu
It is the fifth most popular city in Northern Finland and the fourth largest urban city in the country. Being a waterfront square, it is one of the famous tourist places in Finland where you will be able to find a bustling marketplace with zillions of food stalls. You can capture the surreal views of the water bodies and spend time in relaxation along it. Tourists love this place for its beautiful sunrise and sunset views. During your visit to Oulu, make sure that you find time to visit some of the best Finland attractions like Nallikari beach, Kemi Snow Castle, Kauppahalli shopping destination, Ainolan Puisto Park, and Tourism vessel Icebreaker Sampo. Some of the exciting activities to indulge in Oulu are wandering around the idyllic wooden town of pikisaari, getting inspired by finnish originality in oulu’s design shops, heading to the nallikari beach hidden in beautiful woodlands, embracing the arctic spirit with a stay at the lapland hotels,  starting a conversation over coffee and pulla like a true finn, putting your brain to the test at the tietomaa science centre, and hiring a car and discovering the best of finnish nature.