Finland beyond Helsinki. This beautiful and diverse country has many hidden gems for visitors to discover. When I visited Finland for the first time, I actually decided to skip Helsinki altogether and take a route less traveled. Personally, I always enjoy the search for places not mentioned in tourist guides and less known in general. I look for extra opportunities to meet the locals and truly get to know them and their culture.

It's a beautiful country with such spectacular and most importantly unspoiled nature. Mountains, lakes, cozy towns, lots of green, and the locals are so friendly! I made friends for life when traveling through the country, it was loads of fun, and as a solo traveler at the time I wasn't very solo.

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3 Beautiful Destinations In Finland That Are Not Helsinki!

Friendly advice: I recommend you don’t visit Finland during the winter months if you’re not specifically looking for a winter wonderland, skiing, and exploring Lapland. Aim to come over during spring & summer.

Turku

Turku used to be the capital of Finland and dates back to the 13th century. It is rich in history. You could easily spend two to three days in this area.

City Tips:

• Visit the Cathedral in the center of town, from there walk up to the castle overlooking the harbor, and from there head to the Aura River which is described by many locals as the lifeline of the city. There is action on both sides of the water, hanging out on the river was the most fun I’ve had in Turku!

• There's a daily market in Market Square worth having a browse through.

• GOLDEN TIPS: Go on one of the riverboats for a drink and some bites, and just enjoy the vibes. Another fun activity to do is a cruise exploring the Turku archipelago. The views are to die for!

• During summer you can head to Ekvalla beach for a swim and fun in the sun. See why you need to experience this magical city during summer?

Check out the amazing activities available for you and BOOK DIRECTLY to ensure the best prices! Remember, due to COVID-19 restrictions, you can not show up to purchase your tickets it all must be done online and in advance.

Oulu

Oulu is Northern Finland’s largest and oldest city. It is located in the perfect spot ~ It’s where the Gulf of Bothnia meets the Oulujoki River, and there's so much to see in this region!

The city spread across a few islands with bridges connecting them and because of the university, the vibes are young and intoxicating. Oulu offers both city attractions as well as outdoor sporty attractions in the area.

There is a typical Finnish crafts market in Market Square where else, right? A Cathedral dating back to the 17th century, green lungs, the waterfront is filled with the makings of a fun afternoon/night out, and of course, many museums and galleries to visit.

A beautiful spot to explore in the area: Kiviniemi, Oulun Lääni.

Rovaniemi

Situated right on the Arctic Circle, this is the capital of Lapland and officially Santa’s home! You can visit Santa’s village year-round which is loads of fun for kids and grown-ups alike! Think Reindeer-pulled sleigh rides, souvenirs, crafts made by the Sámi people-Laplanders, and of course meeting the man himself lol You can even have a Ceremonial crossing of the Arctic!

Rovaniemi is the only place in the world where you can cross the Arctic Circle underground. From Santa’s home grotto, the Arctic can be entered 50 meters below the surface of the earth and you’ll have the certificate to prove it.

The beauty of this place is the combination of it being a modern city on the one hand and surrounded by amazingly unspoiled nature and wildlife on the other hand. You can enjoy snowmobiling, skiing, hiking, hunting, fishing, and berry and mushroom picking. The connection to nature very much remains strong! Reindeer are the icons of Lapland, did you know that there are more reindeer than people here? If you’re lucky, you can even encounter them in the city center!

This area is also perfect for experiencing the Northern Lights and Mid-Night Sun depending on the season in which you are visiting.

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Planning to see more of Scandinavia? Check out these posts!

Oslo Including An Amazing Itinerary For Norway!

Stockholm, Sweden

Copenhagen, Denmark

I do hope this post has encouraged you to visit and explore Finland and its hidden wonderful gems!

I would love to hear about your experiences as well so do tell me what you thought of Finland.

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Yours,

Diti