Finland: the happiest country in the world
Difficulty
Distance
Recom. Days
Trip type
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Finland road trip
Finland road trip
Stop One: Explore Helsinki on foot
Stop One: 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.
Visiting
Helsinki
2
Recom. Days
12 miles
from Helsinki Pick-up center
27 min
drive
Visit
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 take picnics, relax, and be entertained. Entrance is free.
Parking
Eliel Parking
$$$
Located right in the city centre, this car park isn’t to be beaten on location.
EuroPark P-Eliel
$$$
Only a short walk to many amazing attractions, this car lot is clean and well-kept.
Aimo Park Helsinki Stockmann
$$
This multi-story car park is excellently located, modern, and clean.
Eat at
Viking Restaurant Harald
$$
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.
Stay at
Rastila Camping Helsinki
Located in Vuosaari, in eastern Helsinki on the seashore, this campground is just 18 minutes via train to the centre of Helsinki. Pricing requires you to enquire directly.
Lähilampi Caravan
Open year-round, this campground offers everything you might need for your stay. Prices start from 23 euros per night.
Sipoonkorpi National Park
Free
This awesome national park provides the best free overnight camping in the area. Explore the beautiful natural surrounds or drive a few minutes to Helsinki proper.
Stop Two: Get back to nature in Savonlinna
Stop Two: 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.
Visiting
Savonlinna
2
Recom. Days
200 miles
from Helsinki
3h52min
drive
Visit
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 meters long, 42 meters wide, and 27 meters high. Entrance is free.
Parking
Parking Savonnlina Camping Car
Free
Great free parking that can accommodate vehicles of all sizes. Free.
Parkeringshus
$$
A well-positioned multi-story car park with great hourly pricing.
Eat at
Muikkuterassi Savonlinna
$$
The best place in town for excellent seafood, served up in nautically themed surroundings.
Ravintola Majakka
$$
A nautical-themed restaurant offering casual meat and seafood plates.
Kiinalainen Ravintola Zhong Guo Long
$$
Delicious Chinese fare at extremely reasonable prices.
Stay at
SaimaaHoliday Oravi Caravan
A serviceable RV campground with plenty of amenities. Prices start from 25 euros (~28$) per night.
Sun Camping
A wonderful campground next to a lake with all the amenities you might need. Pricing depends on your date of travel.
Stop Three: Visit Santa Claus in Rovaniemi
Stop Three: 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 host to the Santa Clause Villiage at the Arctic Circle and SantaPark Arctic World, located 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 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.
Visiting
Rovaniemi
2
Recom. Days
413 miles
from Rovaniemi
7h51min
drive
Visit
Santa Claus Village
Just eight km north of Rovaniemi city is the Santa Claus Villiage, 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.
Parking
Free 24h public parking
A free parking lot in the centre of the city. The lot is clean and well kept.
Ratakatu 3 Parking
$$
A functional, spacious parking yard that’s well-located in the centre of the city.
Europark P-Sampokeskus
$
Well priced and ideally located multi-story car park.
Eat at
Nili Restaurant
$$$
A warm, family-owned eatery with traditional local decor serving specialities from Lapland and Finland.
Lapland Restaurant Kotahovi
$$
Great food with friendly staff and a rustic interior.
Roka Kitchen & Wine Bar
$$
Great, professional service with some of the best food in the area.
Stay at
BestPark Rovaniemi Arctic Circle
Functional, quiet, and clean campervan park next to Santa's workshop village. Prices depend on your date of travel.
Napapiirin Saarituvat
Right on the bank of the Kemijoki river this campervan park has everything you need for a short or long stay. Prices depend on your date of travel.
Wanha Autti Camping ja Keskiaikaravintola Wanha Autti
A well-positioned campsite with plenty of amenities for guests. Prices depend on your date of travel.
Stop Four: Take in the rich history of Vaasa
Stop Four: 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 area that’s bilingual – 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 a number of renowned festivals including the Vaasa Festival, Night of the Arts, Korsholm Music Festival, and more.
Visiting
Vaasa
2
Recom. Days
333 miles
from Rovaniemi
6h37min
drive
Visit
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.
Parking
ToriParkki
$$$
A spacious, underground parking lot that has plenty of parks and is well-located.
Parking Asema
$$
This multi-story car park is excellently located, clean, and secure.
Parkeringsplats (Vasa huvudbiblioteks personal)
One of the few free parking lots still located in the centre of the city.
Eat at
Ravintola Gustav Wasa
$$$
An upscale Scandinavian restaurant with some of the best food in the city.
Illyrian's
$$
This informal Mediterranean restaurant features a menu of pizzas, kebabs, and salads.
Restaurant Bacchus - Svenska Klubben
$$$
A beautifully furnished restaurant with a cosy atmosphere with some of the best roast meals in the city.
Stay at
Top Camping Vaasa
Plenty of RV parks with amazing views of the surrounding area. Pricing depends on your date of travel.
Åminnen Lomakylä
A well-positioned campground with all the amenities you might need. Prices depend on your date of travel.
261.5 miles
from Vaasa
5h03min
drive