Finland Roadtrip | Campervan Hire

Stop One: Helsinki

Highlights:

Suomenlinna: A giant maritime fortress spread across seven islands, Suomenlinna is great for both those who want to sightsee and those who want to learn about the history of the area. Entrance is free.
Helsinki Cathedral: This whitewashed neoclassical cathedral soars above the cityscape, offering awesome views of the area. Entrance is free.
Esplanadi: A finger of green space right in the middle of the city, this is a place where tourists and Helsinki residents come to have picnics, relax, and be entertained. Entrance is free.

Where to Eat:

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

Explore Helsinki on foot

Finland’s southern capital, Helsinki sits on a peninsula in the Gulf of Finland. It delights visitors with its diverse architecture, sea-facing landscape, Nordic cuisine, and world-famous design. The city is compact enough to explore on foot and features some world-class attractions that entertain people from all over the globe.

Among the city’s many sights are a UNESCO-listed fortress, beautifully unique churches, and traditional marketplaces that date back to the 19th century.

Helsinki’s nightlife scene is world-renowned, attracting alternative music fans with numerous live bars and concert halls hosting heavy metal gigs just about every night. The city hosts one of Europe’s largest annual music festivals, hosting famous metal bands from all over the globe.

Whether you’re into good food, picturesque sights, or heavy metal music, there’s something for you in Helsinki.

Stop 2: Savonlinna

Highlights:

Olavinlinna Castle: Built in the 15th century, this castle is the oldest of its kind in the North of 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 cafes 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 ($$): A nautical-themed restaurant offering casual meat and seafood plates.
Kiinalainen Ravintola Zhong Guo Long ($$):

Get back to nature in Savonlinna

If you’re a nature-loving person, you’ll find plenty of things to occupy you in Savonlinna. Located just a stone’s throw from the Linnansaari and Kolovesi National Parks, its surroundings have to be seen to be believed. It’s also located in the centre of the biggest lake system in Finland and is home to some unique wildlife, including the Saimaa Seals and the white-backed Corncrake.

Located on four islands between Haapvesi and Pihlajavesi lakes, Savonlinna is as delightful as its surroundings, remaining 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 a fan of nature or love a good opera, then Savonlinna is a destination that can’t be missed.

Step 3: Rovaniemi

Highlights:

Santa Claus Village: Just eight miles north of Rovaniemi city 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 located on the edge of the downtown core of Rovaniemi city.
Northern Lights: One of the most beautiful natural phenomena in the world, the Northern Lights are not to be missed when visiting Finland.

Where to Eat:

Nili Restaurant ($$$): A warm, family-owned eatery with traditional local decor serving specialities from Lapland and Finland.

Visit Santa Claus in Rovaniemi

Rovaniemi is the capital of Lapland, in northern Finland. While almost completely destroyed during World War II, today it’s 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, located 8 miles 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 witness the awesome 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: An ancient part of Vaasa city, Vanhan Vaasa is a lesson in history. Explore these ruins by yourself to discover ancient wonders or take a guided tour to learn the history of the place.
Vaasan Kirkko: Constructed in 1862, this unique church has typical Neo-Gothic architecture. Its beautiful interior is well worth a visit for those who appreciate old churches.
Bragen’s outdoor museum: A unique, open-air museum, this is a must-see for those who want to take in the culture of the area.

Where to Eat:

Ravintola Gustav Wasa ($$$): An upscale Scandinavian restaurant with some of the best food in the city.
Illyrian's ($$):

Take in the rich history of Vaasa

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

The centre of the Finnish Ostrobothia region, this gorgeous coastal city is a great destination to visit any time of the year. It’s bathed 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 admirers of nature. Apart from its amazing sightseeing opportunities, Vaasa is also host to several renowned festivals, including the Vaasa Festival, Night of the Arts, Korsholm Music Festival, and more.

Stop One: Helsinki

Explore Helsinki on foot

Stop 2: Savonlinna

Get back to nature in Savonlinna

Step 3: Rovaniemi

Visit Santa Claus in Rovaniemi

Stop 4: Vaasa

Take in the rich history of Vaasa

Finland Road Trip