Finland Road Trip | Campervan Hire

Stop one: Helsinki

Highlights:

Suomenlinna: A giant maritime fortress spread across seven islands, Suomenlinna is great for both sightseers and those wanting to learn about the area's history. Admission is free.
Helsinki Cathedral: This whitewashed neoclassical cathedral towers above the city, offering great views of the area. Free to enter.
Esplanadi: A strip of green space right in the middle of the city, this is where tourists and Helsinki residents come to picnic, relax and be entertained. Free to enter.

Where to Eat:

Viking Restaurant Harald ($$): A Viking-themed place with great food served in fun, kitsch surroundings.
Restaurant Pompier ($$): This French restaurant is renowned for its excellent dishes made from quality local ingredients.
Ravintola Spis ($$): An informal, brick-lined eatery with a menu featuring creative local dishes, unique desserts and excellent wine.

Where to Park for the Night:

Explore Helsinki on foot

Finland’s southern capital, Helsinki, sits on a peninsula in the Gulf of Finland. It charms visitors with its varied architecture, seafront scenery, Nordic cuisine and world-famous design. The city is compact enough to explore on foot and features several world-class attractions that draw people from across the globe.

Among the city’s many sights are a UNESCO-listed fortress, uniquely beautiful churches and traditional markets dating back to the 19th century.

Helsinki’s nightlife is renowned worldwide, especially among alternative music fans — there are numerous live bars and concert halls putting on heavy metal gigs almost every night. The city also hosts one of Europe’s largest annual music festivals, bringing famous metal bands from across the world.

Whether you’re into great food, picturesque sights or heavy metal, Helsinki has something for you.

Stop 2: Savonlinna

Highlights:

Olavinlinna Castle: Built in the 15th century, this castle is the oldest of its kind in northern Finland. The entrance fee is 9.00 euros.
Savonlinna's Old Town: Explore the old streets and buildings of yesteryear in Savonlinna’s Old Town. There are plenty of cafés and shops to keep you busy, too.
Kerimäki Church: Kerimäki Church is the largest wooden church in the world, measuring 45 metres long, 42 metres wide, and 27 metres high. Entrance is free.

Where to Eat:

Ravintola Majakka ($$): A nautical-themed restaurant offering casual meat and seafood plates.
Kiinalainen Ravintola Zhong Guo Long ($$): Delicious Chinese fare at extremely reasonable prices.

Reconnect with nature in Savonlinna

If you love nature, you’ll find plenty to keep you busy in Savonlinna. Just a stone’s throw from Linnansaari and Kolovesi National Parks, the area has to be seen to be believed. It’s also in the centre of Finland’s largest lake system and is home to some unique wildlife, including the Saimaa seal and the white-backed corncrake.

Located on four islands between the Haapvesi and Pihlajavesi lakes, Savonlinna is as delightful as its surroundings and has remained one of Finland’s top attractions for decades.

Each July, the town hosts a world-renowned opera festival in one of Europe’s most beautiful medieval castles. If you’re into nature or love a good opera, Savonlinna is a destination you shouldn’t miss.

Step 3: Rovaniemi

Highlights:

Santa Claus Village: Just 8 km north of Rovaniemi is the Santa Claus Village, home to all things St Nick. Entrance is free.
Korundi House of Culture: Made up of the Chamber Orchestra of Lapland and the Rovaniemi Art Museum, the Korundi House of Culture is on the edge of Rovaniemi city centre.
Northern Lights: One of the most beautiful natural phenomena in the world, the Northern Lights are not to be missed when you visit Finland.

Where to eat:

Nili Restaurant ($$$): A warm, family-owned eatery with traditional local décor serving specialities from Lapland and Finland.
Lapland Restaurant Kotahovi ($$): Great food with friendly staff and a rustic interior.

Visit Father Christmas in Rovaniemi

Rovaniemi is the capital of Lapland, in northern Finland. Almost completely destroyed during World War II, it's now a bustling metropolis known for being the 'official' hometown of Santa Claus. As a result, it's home to the Santa Claus Village at the Arctic Circle and SantaPark Arctic World, 8 km from the city centre.

When people aren't flocking to prove they've been nice this year, they're looking upwards. Rovaniemi is one of the best places in the world to see the spectacular Northern Lights.

The city itself is no slouch either. Lappish design, fine dining, a world-class museum and a student-fuelled nightlife are just a handful of the many highlights that make Rovaniemi a great stop on any Finnish road trip.

Stop 4: Vaasa

Highlights:

Vanhan Vaasa: A historic part of Vaasa, Vanhan Vaasa is a lesson in history. Explore the ruins yourself to uncover ancient wonders, or join a guided tour to learn about its past.
Vaasan Kirkko: Built in 1862, this unique church features typical Neo-Gothic architecture. Its beautiful interior is well worth a visit for anyone who appreciates historic churches.
Bragen’s outdoor museum: A unique open-air museum, it’s a must-see if you want to soak up the local culture.

Where to Eat:

Ravintola Gustav Wasa ($$$): An upmarket Scandinavian restaurant serving some of the best food in the city.
Illyrian's ($$): This casual Mediterranean spot offers pizzas, kebabs and salads.

Take in Vaasa's rich history

Vaasa is located on the west coast of Finland, facing the Gulf of Bothnia. It’s known as a major university and college town and is one of the few bilingual towns – 69.8% of the population speak Finnish as their first language, while 24.8% speak Swedish.

The centre of the Finnish Ostrobothnia region, this gorgeous coastal city is a great destination at any time of year. It’s steeped in colourful history and is rich in interesting sites to visit.

The 400-year-old town is both colourful and lively, perfect for art lovers, history buffs and nature admirers. Apart from its brilliant sightseeing, Vaasa also hosts several renowned festivals, including the Vaasa Festival, Night of the Arts, Korsholm Music Festival and more.