Finland is rich in natural beauty, with its lakes, woods, and islands. While summer visitors are drawn to Lapland by its landscape and midnight sun, winter is the busiest travel season, drawing families and thrill-seekers who come for the chance to see the Northern Lights, ride snowmobiles, reindeer, and huskies, and enjoy Santa Claus-themed entertainment. The nation’s numerous historical and cultural landmarks combine with the pristine natural settings to make it a perfect travel destination.
Helsinki
Helsinki, the energetic capital of Finland, is a harborside city well-known for its sauna culture, 20th-century architecture, and thriving art and design scene. Some of the top activities in Helsinki include taking ferries to the sea fortress Suomenlinna, dining and shopping on Mannerheim Street, and touring Finlandia Hall, designed by Alvar Aalto. But the city’s charm goes well beyond its boundaries. It’s an excellent starting place for journeys into the Arctic tundra and day visits to the historic town of Porvoo.
Suomenlinna Fortress
- Address: Helsinki, Finland
- Opening hours: 10:30 – 17:00
- Entrance fee: € 2.95/adult & € 1.48/child 07-17 years old
Suomenlinna Fortress, which is famous for picnics and leisure pursuits, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is spread across six islands in the Helsinki archipelago. In addition to being a residential community with over 900 permanent residents, the stronghold is a significant historic landmark with several museums on site.
The sea stronghold is comprised of 290 houses, 3.7 miles (6 kilometers) of walls, and over 100 guns and cannons. The dry dock, the King’s Gate, and the six museums housed within the fortress—the Suomenlinna Museum, the Customs Museum, the Toy Museum, the Ehrensvärd Museum, the submarine Vesikko, and the Military Museum’s Manege—are the main attractions.
Helsinki Cathedral
- Address: Unioninkatu 29, 00170 Helsinki, Finland
- Opening hours: 09:00 – 11:45 & 12:00 – 18:00 (Monday – Friday) | 13:00 – 18:00 (Saturday) | 11:30 – 18:00 (Sunday)
- Entrance fee: Free
Another name for the Helsinki Cathedral is Tuomiokirkko. Constructed between 1830 and 1852, the church was first named St. Nicholas’ Church as a tribute to the Russian Czar and supplanted a smaller 18th-century structure. The church was renamed after Finland separated from Russia, and it became an Evangelical Lutheran cathedral in 1959.
The cathedral has a neoclassical façade, designed by German architect Carl Ludwig Engel, who also planned out the city’s Senate Square. Ernst Lohrmann later made changes to the design, including the addition of a few additional tiny domes and zinc rooftop sculptures depicting the Twelve Apostles. There is space for 1,300 worshippers inside. The church is frequently utilized for weddings and events. A common stop on most walking tours of Helsinki is the cathedral.
Senate Square
- Address: Helsinki, Finland
- Opening hours: All day
- Entrance fee: Free
Helsinki’s cultural center is represented by Senate Square, also known as Senaatintori. Senate Square should not be missed by any first-time visitor because it is surrounded by several sights, including the Government Palace, National Library, Lutheran Cathedral, City Museum, and Helsinki’s oldest building.
Temppeliaukio Kirkko
- Address: Lutherinkatu 3, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
- Opening hours: 10:00 – 16:50 (Monday – Friday) | 10:00 – 13:05 & 14:15 – 16:50 (Saturday) | 12:00 – 16:50 (Sunday)
- Entrance fee: €8
Temppeliaukio Church, also known as the Church of the Rock, is a prominent landmark in Helsinki that is often included in sightseeing tours, including walking tours, private tours, and bus excursions. In 1969, Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen, brothers, created the Rock Church. The Lutheran church in Helsinki is a popular tourist destination and a source of civic pride, despite its contentious beginnings in the country. Helsinki’s Rock Church (Temppeliaukio Kirkko), hewn from solid rock in the center of a residential plaza, has a circular roof totally covered in copper stripping. Through 180 window panes, natural light rushes in, and the altar is an ice age crack in the surrounding rock.
Esplanadi Park
- Address: Pohjoisesplanadi, 00130 Helsinki, Finland
- Opening hours: All day
- Entrance fee: Free
The most well-known park in Finland and the green core of Helsinki is the well-liked Esplanade Park, also affectionately known as “Espa” by the locals. People gather here for picnics, to see performances and listen to music, and to see and be seen. Carl Ludvig Engel, the chief architect of Helsinki, was initially responsible for the park’s design. The park’s straight, tree-lined pathways and flowerbeds are emblematic of its architectonic design. The park is divided into a hall-like area by the rows of linden trees on either side.
Sibelius Monument
- Address: Sibeliuksen puisto, Mechelininkatu, 00250 Helsinki, Finland
- Opening hours: All day
- Entrance fee: Free
Tucked away in Sibelius Park, the modern Sibelius Monument honors the life of the well-known Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. Hovering above the earth, 600 hollow pipes made of silver steel inspire a variety of imaginative interpretations. The contemporary design of the abstract artwork first sparked controversy, so to placate critics, a bronze bust of Sibelius was placed close by. When you visit the monument with a guide, you will gain further knowledge about the various interpretations of the mysterious artwork.
The National Museum of Finland
- Address: Mannerheimintie 34, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
- Opening hours: 10:00 – 16:00
- Entrance fee: €14
Visit the Suomen Kansallismuseo, often known as the National Museum of Finland, to learn about Finnish art and history. With its masonry and tower, the 1916 structure had substantial renovations in 2000, giving it an outside reminiscent of a Gothic church. Inside, however, the galleries delve into many eras of the region’s history. Visit the National Museum of Finland to view jewels, ceiling frescoes, cultural exhibits, and religious relics. Every gallery has a distinct subject, such as the Treasure Trove, which has coins, silver, weapons, and medals, or the Prehistory of Finland exhibition, which features artifacts from archeological digs. A common stop on walking tours and hop-on/hop-off bus tours in Helsinki is the museum.
Art Museum Ateneum
- Address: Kaivokatu 2, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
- Opening hours: 10:00 – 20:00 (Tuesday – Friday) | 10:00 – 17:00 (Saturday – Sunday)
- Entrance fee: €22/adult & free for child under 18 years old
Finnish paintings and sculptures from the eighteenth century to the 1950s are on display in Helsinki’s Ateneum Art Museum (Konstmuseet Ateneum), which was established in 1887. Albert Edelfelt, Pekka Halonen, Akseli Gallen-Kallela, and the Von Wright brothers all have paintings and sculptures at the museum. The widely read Gallen-Kallela triptych from the Finnish epic poem Kalevala, which shows Väinämöinen pursuing the maiden Aino, is among the most famous works. A minor collection of foreign artwork from the 19th and early 20th centuries is also present, including works by Van Gogh, Gauguin, and Cézanne in addition to a replica of Auguste Rodin’s The Thinker.
Uspenski Cathedral
- Address: Pormestarinrinne 1, 00160 Helsinki, Finland
- Opening hours: 09:30 – 16:00 (Tuesday – Friday) | 10:00 – 15:00 (Saturday) | 12:00 – 15:00 (Sunday)
- Entrance fee: Free
Uspenski Cathedral (Uspenskin katedraali), one of two magnificent buildings that dominate the skyline above Helsinki’s port, is a sight to see. The thirteen gold cupolas atop its several turrets and spires make this magnificent brick edifice stand out. This Orthodox church’s interior is similarly stunning, with a plethora of gold ornaments, block marble, and altars, icons, and crosses among its many other features.
Korkeasaari Zoo
- Address: Mustikkamaanpolku 12, 00570 Helsinki, Finland
- Opening hours: 10:00 – 16:00
- Entrance fee as follows
| Category | Fee (€) |
| Child 04-17 years old | 14 |
| Student/Senior | 16 |
| Adult | 20 |
| 02 adults + 03 children | 72 |
One of the oldest zoos in the world, Korkeasaari was established in the 1880s and is well-known for its remarkable efforts to raise endangered animals. Their success in producing snow leopards and other large cats, such the Amur and Siberian tigers, has been particularly noteworthy. Nearly 1,000 plant types thrive here to mimic the native habitats of the 150 different animal species, and the environs have been created to be as similar to natural ecosystems as possible, as in any excellent zoo. One of the most popular winter activities in Helsinki is visiting the tropical homes at the zoo, which is open year-round.
Turku
Turku, the oldest city in Finland and the country’s gateway to the West, is a dynamic metropolis with its rich cultural legacy. Turku Castle, the biggest medieval castle still standing in all of Scandinavia, and Turku Cathedral are two of the area’s numerous amazing landmarks that are probably the most well-known.
Turku Castle
- Address: Linnankatu 80, 20100 Turku, Finland
- Opening hours: 10:00 – 18:00 (except Monday)
- Entrance fee as follows
| Category | Fee (€) |
| Child under 07 years old | Free |
| Child 07-15 years old | 6 |
| Adult | 14 |
| Family 02 adults + 04 children | 33 |
Since the late 13th century, the majestic Turku Castle has protected the mouth of the Aura River. The lofty granite walls hold special experiences from history. The castle has seen sieges and defenses throughout its history. Its governors have also come and gone, and under Duke John’s reign, the fortress was transformed into a venue for court life. Visitors may feel the grandeur and desolation of bygone eras in the medieval chambers of the castle and the ballrooms constructed by Duke John. We may get a taste of life in the past centuries from the main display and the period chambers in the Bailey. jail cells provide insight into a period when The Bailey was used as a jail.
Luostarinmäki Open-Air Museum
- Address: Vartiovuorenkatu 2, 20101 Turku, Finland
- Opening hours: 10:00 – 16:00
- Entrance fee as follows
| Category | Fee (€) |
| Child under 07 years old | Free |
| Child 07-15 years old | 4 |
| Adult | 10 |
| Family | 24 |
With almost 200 years of history, this stunning outdoor museum has been in operation since 1940. Traditional wooden cottages may be found there. Luostarinmäki is not your typical museum, with its artifacts hidden behind glass and its information-packed displays dull and uninteresting. You may fully immerse yourself in the lives of the inhabitants in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries at this site where history, art, and crafts come to life. You may follow a little map that tells you about the history of each trade and house as you navigate the many courtyards and streets. Each residence has a special exhibition featuring a single craft, displayed in the traditionally decorated rooms in their natural habitat.
Turku Cathedral
- Address: Mother Church of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, Tuomiokirkonkatu 1, 20500 Turku, Finland
- Opening hours: 09:00 – 18:00
- Entrance fee: Free
Turku Cathedral, Finland’s National Sanctuary, is regarded as the country’s most significant historical landmark. The church was dedicated in 1300 and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and St. Henry, the first bishop of Finland. The Turku cathedral’s style has been impacted by its numerous alterations, as is seen from the outside. The best way to characterize it now would be as a blend of roman, Gothic, and neo-Gothic styles. The south gallery of the church is home to the Cathedral Museum, which will transport you through the fascinating history of the structure.
Aboa Vetus Ars Nova
- Address: Itäinen Rantakatu 4-6, 20700 Turku, Finland
- Opening hours: 11:00 – 18:00 (except Monday)
- Entrance fee as follows
| Category | Fee (€) |
| Child under 07 years old | Free |
| Child 07-15 years old | 8 |
| Adult | 16 |
Situated in the center of Turku, Aboa Vetus Ars Nova is a museum showcasing modern art and archeology as well as a gathering place for everybody. Subterranean Aboa Vetus is a town district where animals and humans have coexisted for ages. The ancient world is brought closer to us by archeological artifacts and medieval ruins. The art exhibits of the museum highlight intriguing modern artists and present current viewpoints on many issues. You may get the greatest museum experience ever at the museum.
Forum Marinum
- Address: Linnankatu 72, 20100 Turku, Finland
- Opening hours: 10:00 – 18:00 (except Monday)
- Entrance fee as follows
| Category | Fee (€) |
| Child 07-15 years old | 5 |
| Student/ Senior over 65 years old | 9 |
| Adult | 14 |
With the Finnish Navy Museum and a National Specialist Museum for nautical History, the Forum Marinum Maritime Center is a vibrant and adaptable hub for nautical activity. The museum has a number of fascinating shows throughout the year in addition to its impressive collection of boats. The Maritime Center is home to a sizable collection of museum ships, including four navy ships, two tall sail ships, and a number of smaller boats, including a police boat and a tugboat from a steam harbor.The displays are open all year round, while the museum ships are only open in the summer.
Rovaniemi
Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland, is a popular destination for winter travelers seeking Santa Claus and the northern lights. At the quirky Santa Claus Village, tourists may experience Christmas throughout the year. In this entry point to the Arctic, additional cold-weather pursuits include husky or reindeer sledding, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling. Go on foot into the nearby forest during the warmer months to look for animals like moose. However, if you want to learn about Arctic history and culture, be sure to visit the Arktikum museum while you are there.
Santa Claus Village
- Address: Rovaniemi, Finland
- Opening hours: All day
- Entrance fee: Free
Situated directly on the Arctic Circle, Santa Claus Village is a unique theme park owned by the Lapland city of Rovaniemi. A private conversation with Father Christmas awaits children at this park, which also features Santa’s official post office, gift stores, and a reindeer petting area.
When kids visit workshops—where Santa’s elves are hard at work—pet Nordic reindeer, and get their picture taken with Father Christmas himself, they’ll undoubtedly be enthralled with the Christmas enchantment. Explore a number of exhibitions with a Christmas theme, buy for souvenirs at Santa’s official store, and take pictures on the white line that marks the Arctic Circle’s boundary across the hamlet to get the whole family into the festive mood.
Arktikum
- Address: Pohjoisranta 4, 96200 Rovaniemi, Finland
- Opening hours: 10:00 – 18:00 (except Monday)
- Entrance fee as follows
| Category | Fee (€) |
| Child under 07 years old | Free |
| Child 07-15 years old | 5 |
| Pensioners, unemployed and student | 11 |
| Adult | 18 |
| Changing exhibitions | 6 |
The Regional Museum of Lapland and the Arctic Centre of the University of Lapland are housed in Arktikum, a combined cultural and scientific museum that is one of the attractions of Rovaniemi. It has a spectacular glass tunnel that runs from the main building to the Ounasjoki River. Discover the history and culture of the Arctic and Lapland at Finland’s most remarkable museum, Arktikum. Browse displays honoring Rovaniemi’s Sámi history and culture, as well as a section devoted to Arctic flora and fauna. From the contemporary glass tunnel of the museum, fortunate guests can catch a sight of the Northern Lights.
Auttiköngäs
- Address: Kuusamontie 7724, 97655 Rovaniemi, Finland
- Opening hours: All day
- Entrance fee: Free
One of Finland’s most beautiful waterfalls, Auttiköngäs, offers the tranquility of a taiga forest. The fantastic day vacation location of Auttiköngäs is approximately one hour’s drive from Santa Claus Village.
Even the trip to Auttiköngäs via the picturesque stream of the Kemijoki River is an adventure. Auttiköngäs is reached by a nature walk that passes one of Finland’s most beautiful waterfalls. The route leads to the tranquility of the northern primeval forests and an observation tower perched on a rock from where you may gaze down into the old-growth trees’ rich greenery. Any time of year is a perfect time to go on a trip to Auttiköngäs.
Culture House Korundi
- Address: Lapinkävijäntie 4, 96100 Rovaniemi, Finland
- Opening hours: 11:00 – 18:00 (except Monday)
- Entrance fee as follows
| Type of ticket | Category | Fee (€) |
| Rovaniemi Art Museum | Child under 07 years old | Free |
| Child 07-15 years old | 5 | |
| Senior, unemployed and student | 8 | |
| Adult | 11 | |
| Family 02 adults + 02 children | 25 | |
| Lapland Chamber Orchestra | Child under 16 years old/ Student | 11 |
| Adult | 28 | |
| Senior | 22.5 |
The Korundi House of Culture, which consists of the Rovaniemi Art Museum and the Chamber Orchestra of Lapland, is one of the greatest sites to visit in Rovaniemi to learn about the history and culture of the area. It is situated on the outskirts of the city’s center. The art museum is built in an ancient bus depot, one of the few structures that survived WWII’s devastating bombing of Rovaniemi, which destroyed 90% of the city’s buildings. The bombardment also destroyed much of Lapland. Both the rotating and permanent collections highlight modern Finnish art from the 1940s onward, giving northern-born artists particular attention and even showcasing a local artist of the month. The Korundi concert hall, seating 340 people, is home to the Lapland Chamber Orchestra and presents a number of concerts all year long.
Tiedekeskus Pilke
- Address: Ounasjoentie 6, 96200 Rovaniemi, Finland
- Opening hours: 09:00 – 18:00 (Tuesday – Friday) | 10:00 – 16:00 (Saturday – Sunday)
- Entrance fee as follows
| Category | Fee (€) |
| Child under 07 years old | Free |
| Child 07-15 years old | 5 |
| Student | 5 |
| Adult | 7 |
| Pensioner | 5 |
| Family max 02 adults + 03 children | 20 |
The Pilke Science Centre, one of the most educational and instructive sites in Rovaniemi, Finland, provides significant information on the vital northern woods. A kid-friendly science center with interactive exhibits on sustainable forestry and wood products is the Pilke Science Museum. This science center highlights the relationship that people have with the northern woods by showcasing items like ice cream, medications, and clothes that are created from wood from these forests. You can have the unique opportunity to explore woods indoors at Pilke Science Centre.
Tampere
Tampere, a city in southern Finland, is well-known for both its stunning scenery and vibrant culture. Even the most daring tourist can find something to enjoy here, from taking a ride on the waterbus around Lake Pyhäjärvi to visiting the area’s natural and cultural landmarks.
Museokeskus Vapriikki
- Address: Alaverstaanraitti 5, 33101 Tampere, Finland
- Opening hours: 10:00 – 18:00 (except Monday)
- Entrance fee as follows
| Category | Fee (€) |
| Child under 07 years old | Free |
| Child 07-17 years old | 7 |
| Adult | 15 |
| Family 02 adults + 04 children | 34 |
The historic grounds of Tampella, a significant heavy industrial facility from the 20th century, are home to the Vapriikki Museum. Situated on around 14,000 square meters, the complex is home to several museums, with the most notable ones being the Museum of Natural History, the Museum of Dolls, the Museum of Minerals, and the Media Museum. Apart from these, Vapriikki hosts a number of recurring temporary exhibits all year long.
Särkänniemi
- Address: Laiturikatu 1, 33230 Tampere, Finland
- Opening hours: 11:00 – 20:00
- Entrance fee: €9.9
Sarkanniemi is a well-known tourist destination in Tampere. It’s one of the top summertime activities in Tampere, a great spot for your kids, and much more than just an amusement park. As a wonderland, this park offers a variety of entertaining attractions, including a spinner with an angry bird motif, obstacle courses, trains, and joyfully bouncing castles. There are five main types of exhilarating roller coasters for kids over the age of five. Additionally, this park is fantastic from an educational standpoint because it has a planetarium and an aquarium.
Hatanpää Park Arboretum
- Address: Hatanpään puistokuja, 33900 Tampere, Finland
- Opening hours: All day
- Entrance fee: Free
Approximately three kilometers separate the Hatanpää Arboretum—a botanical park and arboretum—from Tampere’s city center. While most of the plants are characteristic to the Tampere bioclimatic zone, some uncommon and alien species may also be found there. There are over 500 distinct species of plants in the world.
The Hatanpää Manor is a neoclassical manor house located in the arboretum. It was owned by Hans Henrik Boije, who hosted Swedish King Gustav III in Tampere in 1775. The Pukumuseum’s collection of dolls is currently kept at the mansion.
Näsinneula
- Address: Laiturikatu 1, 33230 Tampere, Finland
- Opening hours: 11:00 – 23:30 (Tuesday – Saturday) | 11:00 – 18:00 (Sunday)
- Entrance fee: €9.9
The highest observation tower in the world, standing at 168 meters, is the Nasinneula Tower, a tourist destination worth seeing. Built in 1971, this majestic structure bears a resemblance to the Seattle Space Needle. Around this tower, a rotating restaurant serves opulent meals to guests. Experience the amazing views over Tampere’s city center, lakes, Nasi park, and the gentle countryside below by riding the lift to the summit.
Moomin Museum
- Address: Tampere-talo Oy, Yliopistonkatu 55, 33100 Tampere, Finland
- Opening hours: 10:00 – 18:00 (Tuesday – Friday) | 10:00 – 17:00 (Saturday – Sunday)
- Entrance fee as follows
| Category | Fee (€) |
| Child under 07 years old | Free |
| Child 07-17 years old | 7 |
| Student | 7 |
| Adult | 14.5 |
| Family 02 adults + 04 children | 29 |
Experience art at its best, the Moomin Museum transports guests of all ages to Moominvalley via fiction. Original Moomin pictures, provided by Tove Jansson in 1986, depict the nautical exploits of her renowned cast of endearing creatures in this enchanted show. A collection of vibrant three-dimensional tableaux created by Tove’s spouse, graphic artist Tuulikki Pietilä, complete the exhibition.
