How to Plan a Perfect 7-Day Finland Itinerary
Finland is climbing fast to top of the list of most sought-after holiday destinations around the globe. And why shouldn’t it? Finland offers guests such a rare combination of premium luxury with pristine nature. There’s so much to do and so much to see – it can seem daunting to plan an itinerary to take in most of it. Especially if you are visiting for the first time. But fret not! We have just the plan for you.
A Day Or Two in Helsinki
It is always a great idea to start in the capital. Helsinki, Finland’s bustling capital is well-connected to all big European and international cities. One of the best things about Helsinki is that it is easily walkable, so within a day or two you can explore the best of Helsinki. We strongly recommend staying in a hotel located in the city centre. On your first day, wander the Design District, browse the stalls at Market Square along the harbor, and visit the Helsinki Cathedral and Sibelius Park. If the weather permits, you can take the short ferry to Suomenlinna, a UNESCO-listed sea fortress spread across a cluster of islands, and spend a couple of hours exploring its walking paths and museums in the old town of Porvoo. Helsinki also offers a diverse food scene and a vibrant nightlife scene with clubs, craft beer bars, and live music venues staying open until the hours of dawn.
Travel up North
After a day or two in Helsinki you can head up north to Lapland. All big towns in Lapland, be it Rovaniemi or Ivalo or Levi, are connected to Helsinki by regular flights. There are some fantastic luxury resorts scattered all around Lapland. These resorts are more than just places to stay, you get a chance to immerse yourself into a well-rounded Arctic experience. Stay in a glass igloo, where you can spend a night watching the aurora borealis from your bed and try your hands at fun winter sports like snowmobiling and skiing. Or head out into the woods in a sleigh driven reindeer or huskies to properly take in the beauty of the Lappish nature. Then relax in a traditional Finnish sauna and enjoy the taste of Lapland in a lavish dinner.
Photo credit: Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort
Explore Rovaniemi
Lapland is not just glass igloos and snow-covered forests, though. To really experience the energy of Lapland, travel to its capital city, Rovaniemi. Rovaniemi is quite well-connected by train, road and air to all towns and villages in Lapland. You can spend the day at Santa Claus Village, just outside Rovaniemi - meet Santa in his official office, cross the marked Arctic Circle line, and send a postcard from the Santa Claus Main Post Office. Then you can drive up to the Ranua zoo to learn about Arctic wildlife. If you're visiting in winter, you can head to one of Lapland's ski resorts like Levi or Ylläs for downhill and cross-country skiing. Cruising in an icebreaker ship is an experience like no other, and it makes for a great daylong excursion from Rovaniemi. If you enjoy hiking, there are plenty of trails in nearby national parks, such as Pyhä-Luosto.
You may end your tour in Rovaniemi- its international airport has regular flights to most big European cities, or fly back to Helsinki and head home with a bagful of precious memories. A week is enough time to experience both sides of Finland, the design-forward calm of Helsinki and the wild, snowy magic of Lapland, without feeling rushed.
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