When most travellers think of Finland, the capital city Helsinki comes to mind first. While Helsinki is a modern hub with architecture, markets, and seafront beauty, Finland has far more to offer. Beyond the capital, you will find hidden lakes, forests, cultural villages, and breathtaking landscapes that make the country one of the best destinations in Northern Europe.
Travellers searching for authentic experiences will discover that venturing outside Helsinki is where Finland truly shines. With the right Finland tour package and a detailed Finland tour itinerary, these offbeat destinations can become the highlight of your journey.
Helsinki is worth exploring, but most travellers who return from Finland agree that the country’s charm lies in its countryside, small towns, and natural escapes. In the past three years, Finland tours have become some of the most sought-after packages in the travel industry. The demand for unique itineraries has grown because travellers want more than city life. They are now choosing tours that combine culture, nature, and authentic interaction with local communities. This is exactly where Finland stands out.
Known as the official home of Santa Claus, Rovaniemi is located in Finnish Lapland. It is one of the most popular destinations for winter travellers. Here you can experience the Arctic Circle, meet reindeer, and even stay in glass igloos designed for viewing the Northern Lights.
Why Look Beyond Helsinki?
Helsinki is worth exploring, but most travellers who return from Finland agree that the country’s charm lies in its countryside, small towns, and natural escapes. In the past three years, Finland tours have become some of the most sought-after packages in the travel industry. The demand for unique itineraries has grown because travellers want more than city life. They are now choosing tours that combine culture, nature, and authentic interaction with local communities. This is exactly where Finland stands out.
1. Rovaniemi: Gateway to the Arctic
Known as the official home of Santa Claus, Rovaniemi is located in Finnish Lapland. It is one of the most popular destinations for winter travellers. Here you can experience the Arctic Circle, meet reindeer, and even stay in glass igloos designed for viewing the Northern Lights.
Rovaniemi offers activities like snowmobiling, ice fishing, and husky safaris. For couples, it is an excellent romantic escape, while families enjoy the cultural and adventure blend. Any Finland tour itinerary that goes beyond Helsinki often highlights Rovaniemi as a key stop.
Savonlinna is located in the heart of Finland’s lake district. The town is known for Olavinlinna Castle, which sits on an island and dates back to the 15th century. During summer, the castle becomes the stage for the world-famous Savonlinna Opera Festival.
2. Savonlinna: A Lakeside Treasure
Savonlinna is located in the heart of Finland’s lake district. The town is known for Olavinlinna Castle, which sits on an island and dates back to the 15th century. During summer, the castle becomes the stage for the world-famous Savonlinna Opera Festival.
For travellers who prefer peaceful landscapes, Savonlinna provides a mix of culture and nature. Boating across the Saimaa Lake and exploring small wooden villages nearby is a perfect way to experience authentic Finnish life. Many premium Finland tour packages now include Savonlinna as travellers look for unique locations.
Porvoo is only an hour from Helsinki but feels like a completely different world. This medieval town is known for its cobblestone streets, colourful riverside warehouses, and traditional Finnish sweets. Porvoo is often described as one of the most photogenic towns in Finland.
3. Porvoo: Finland’s Historic Gem
Porvoo is only an hour from Helsinki but feels like a completely different world. This medieval town is known for its cobblestone streets, colourful riverside warehouses, and traditional Finnish sweets. Porvoo is often described as one of the most photogenic towns in Finland.
Travellers enjoy the blend of history and culture, as Porvoo offers art galleries, museums, and a vibrant old town atmosphere. Visiting Porvoo adds a cultural edge to any Finland tour itinerary and is a must for those seeking short but meaningful trips outside Helsinki.
Turku is Finland’s oldest city and was once its capital. Located on the country’s south-west coast, Turku is full of historical importance. The Turku Castle, built in the 13th century, and the Turku Cathedral are key attractions.
4. Turku: Finland’s Old Capital
Turku is Finland’s oldest city and was once its capital. Located on the country’s south-west coast, Turku is full of historical importance. The Turku Castle, built in the 13th century, and the Turku Cathedral are key attractions.
Beyond history, Turku is also the gateway to the Finnish archipelago, one of the largest in the world with thousands of islands. Travellers can explore these islands by ferry, cycle through scenic routes, and enjoy coastal life. For adventure seekers, Turku makes any Finland tour package more dynamic and memorable.
Kuopio is located in the Finnish Lakeland region and is famous for its panoramic views from Puijo Tower. Travellers can explore the lakes on cruises or try the local speciality, kalakukko (a fish pie). Kuopio is also home to Finland’s most famous smoke sauna.
5. Kuopio: The Heart of Lakeland
Kuopio is located in the Finnish Lakeland region and is famous for its panoramic views from Puijo Tower. Travellers can explore the lakes on cruises or try the local speciality, kalakukko (a fish pie). Kuopio is also home to Finland’s most famous smoke sauna.
Experiencing a sauna by the lake is a tradition that gives travellers a true sense of Finnish lifestyle. It is destinations like Kuopio that make Finland stand apart in the global travel industry. In fact, over the last three years, lakeside escapes like Kuopio have been considered some of the best tours for travellers looking for nature-based experiences.
Levi is Finland’s most popular ski resort located in Lapland. While Rovaniemi gives you the magic of the Arctic, Levi offers sports and adventure. With well-maintained slopes, skiing, snowboarding, and a wide range of winter sports, Levi is a favourite among both beginners and experts.
6. Levi: Finland’s Ski Resort Destination
Levi is Finland’s most popular ski resort located in Lapland. While Rovaniemi gives you the magic of the Arctic, Levi offers sports and adventure. With well-maintained slopes, skiing, snowboarding, and a wide range of winter sports, Levi is a favourite among both beginners and experts.
The nightlife, restaurants, and winter events also make Levi a lively destination. For adventure-focused travellers, Levi is often included in specialised Finland tour packages designed for sports and outdoor activities.
Kemi is a small town in northern Finland known for its iconic Snow Castle, rebuilt every winter with ice and snow. Inside the castle, you will find restaurants, a chapel, and hotel rooms made entirely of ice.
7. Kemi: The Snow Castle City
Kemi is a small town in northern Finland known for its iconic Snow Castle, rebuilt every winter with ice and snow. Inside the castle, you will find restaurants, a chapel, and hotel rooms made entirely of ice.
Kemi also offers the unique Sampo Icebreaker Cruise, where travellers can ride through frozen seas and even swim in survival suits. It is one of the most offbeat experiences you can find in Europe. Kemi gives an adventurous touch to any Finland tour itinerary.
In the past three years, Finland tours have become one of the strongest travel offerings in the industry. Tour operators have highlighted Finland as a country that balances culture, natural beauty, and unique experiences. From the Northern Lights to summer lake escapes, the variety of travel opportunities makes Finland attractive to families, couples, and solo adventurers. Tourists who choose a Finland tour package benefit from organised itineraries that save time, ensure comfort, and cover both popular and offbeat destinations. This structured approach has made Finland one of the best-performing tour destinations in the global market.
Exploring Finland beyond Helsinki reveals the true diversity of the country. From Lapland’s snowy adventures to the lakes of Kuopio, the historic charm of Porvoo, and the coastal life of Turku, Finland is more than its capital city.
Travel Tips for Exploring Beyond Helsinki
- Plan your Finland tour itinerary according to the season: Winter is best for Northern Lights and snow activities, while summer is ideal for lakes and festivals.
- Book early if you want to stay in glass igloos or snow hotels, as they sell out quickly.
- Consider guided tours in remote areas, especially in Lapland, for safety and comfort.
- Use trains and domestic flights to move between destinations quickly, as Finland is large and distances can be long.
Why Finland Tours Have Gained Industry Attention
In the past three years, Finland tours have become one of the strongest travel offerings in the industry. Tour operators have highlighted Finland as a country that balances culture, natural beauty, and unique experiences. From the Northern Lights to summer lake escapes, the variety of travel opportunities makes Finland attractive to families, couples, and solo adventurers. Tourists who choose a Finland tour package benefit from organised itineraries that save time, ensure comfort, and cover both popular and offbeat destinations. This structured approach has made Finland one of the best-performing tour destinations in the global market.
Final Thoughts
Exploring Finland beyond Helsinki reveals the true diversity of the country. From Lapland’s snowy adventures to the lakes of Kuopio, the historic charm of Porvoo, and the coastal life of Turku, Finland is more than its capital city.
