🗺️ What to see in Finland: a route from Helsinki to Lapland

Finland surprises even those who come here for the northern lights. In one trip you can see the Baltic, the Arctic and the Lake District. But distances here are long and the winter day is short, so it's best to plan your route in advance.

The aurora in Finnish Lapland is visible for more than half the year, and in some years up to two hundred nights (according to Visit Finland, 09/2026). Below are nine reasons that most often bring travelers to Suomi. For each one we've added the season, how to get there and an honest catch. In Lapland everything depends on the weather, so pack your patience.

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Planning a trip to Finland

💡 In short:

Winter activities are centered around Rovaniemi.
In summer, the Lake District and the family park in Naantali are open.

1. Helsinki: cathedral, rock church and fortress

Helsinki Cathedral and Ferris wheel seen from the sea

Helsinki is more compact than it looks on the map. Senate Square, the Cathedral and the Temppeliaukio rock church are all within one walking route. Through the port you can reach the sea fortress of Suomenlinna, a UNESCO site. One full day is enough for the city if you start in the morning. Book accommodation in the center in advance: hotels in Helsinki on Trip.com.

In autumn and winter it gets dark early, so schedule museums for the second half of the day. The design districts around Fredrikinkatu street are open in the evening and on weekends too.

How to get there: trains and buses run from Vantaa Airport to the Central Station.
Who it's for: those who want a relaxed city with architecture and the sea.
The catch: in summer Senate Square is crowded with tour groups, come at opening time.

2. Santa Claus Village on the Arctic Circle

Santa Claus Snow Village with Christmas trees and red gates

Santa Claus Village sits right on the Arctic Circle near Rovaniemi. Here you can meet Santa himself for free, every day of the year (according to the village's official website, 09/2026). The main post office stamps postcards that are sent all over the world. Even the moody weather doesn't spoil the visit: most of the program takes place indoors. The most family-friendly stop on the route awaits you here year-round. Lapland tours are easy to compare in advance: Rovaniemi tours on GetYourGuide.

How to get there: an overnight train runs from Helsinki to Rovaniemi, and planes fly in winter.
Who it's for: families with children and anyone who wants a winter fairy tale.
The catch: in December the line to see Santa is long; in the off-season there's almost none.

3. Reindeer sleigh safari

A reindeer sleigh is a good fit for those who want a calm winter day. Reindeer pull wide sleds through the snow-covered forest while a guide talks about the herders' way of life. At farms near Rovaniemi you'll ride a short loop and receive a reindeer driver's license (according to Visit Rovaniemi, 09/2026). The ride takes about half an hour, and you can easily combine it with other tours.

Who it's for: families and photographers; if you want speed, go to the dogs instead.
The catch: rides operate only in the snowy season; there are none in summer.

4. Dog sledding for speed

Husky team pulling a sled along a snowy trail

Dog sledding delivers more adrenaline than a reindeer ride. Huskies accelerate the sled on short stretches, and you hold onto the handlebars with both hands. On combined tours near Rovaniemi, the dog route runs up to three kilometers (according to Visit Rovaniemi, 09/2026). You'll be given a warm snowsuit, but bring your own gloves.

Who it's for: active travelers and teenagers.
The catch: the ride is short, about twenty minutes, which isn't enough for speed enthusiasts.

5. A night in an igloo under the northern lights

Bright green northern lights in a starry night sky

Glass igloos were invented in Finland so you can watch the northern lights without leaving the warmth. Through the panoramic window you'll see the sky right from your bed. These nights get booked months in advance, especially in December and March.

Who it's for: couples and northern lights hunters.
The catch: the aurora depends on cloud cover, and no hotel can guarantee it.

6. Snowmobile safari in the Arctic

Tourists on a snowmobile in a winter forest in Lapland

Snowmobiles open up the same landscapes as sleds, but faster. Beginners get a helmet and a short briefing, and the route follows prepared trails. Before booking, check the operator's age requirements and license rules. On the trails you'll reach places you can't get to on foot.

Who it's for: those who want to cover more ground in a single day.
The catch: in severe frost, long rides are hard to endure.

7. The lake district and the Finnish sauna

Aerial view of Finland's lake district with forests

Finland has about 188,000 lakes (according to Visit Lakeland Finland, 09/2026). Most of the water, islands, and wooden cottages lie in the center of the country. In summer you take a boat, fish, and sweat it out in a sauna right by the shore. People come here to recover from the city, and it really is quiet. Lakeside cottages get booked for the whole summer: cottages in the Lakeland on Trip.com.

How to get there: trains run from Helsinki to Kuopio and Savonlinna.
Who it's for: for a quiet vacation on the water and fishing enthusiasts.
The catch: without a car, getting to remote cottages is inconvenient.

8. Moomin World in Naantali

Naantali street with wooden houses and the harbor

Moomin World (Muumimaailma) operates in Naantali in the southwest of the country. It's about sixteen kilometers from Turku and about one hundred eighty from Helsinki (according to Muumimaailma, 09/2026). Life-size characters from Tove Jansson's books walk around the island, hug children, and invite them to attractions. Tickets are cheaper when purchased online in advance.

Who it's for: for families with preschool and early elementary school children.
The catch: the park is open only in summer; the rest of the year it's closed.

9. Food: reindeer, salmon, and pies

Finnish cuisine is built on fish, game, berries, and wild mushrooms. Reindeer is braised and smoked, salmon is baked over an open fire, and Karelian rice pies are served at the table. Meat and fish easily meet in a single dish here. It's best to try all of this in small restaurants rather than tourist canteens.

Who it's for: for those who plan their trip around food.
The catch: game specialties aren't on every menu.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to go to Finland for the northern lights?

The aurora season in Finnish Lapland runs from late August to April (according to Visit Finland's article on the aurora season, 09/2026). The darkest nights fall in December and January, but in March the sky is more often clear. Outside the city you have better chances than in central Rovaniemi.

How many days do you need for a trip?

A week is enough for a Helsinki and Lapland combination. Two to three days go to the capital, three to four to Rovaniemi and Santa Claus Village. If you add the Lakeland or Naantali, plan at least ten days.

Do you need a car in Finland?

For cities you don't need a car: Helsinki and Turku are conveniently connected by trains. A car comes in handy in the Lakeland and at remote cottages, where buses run infrequently. In winter, take a car with studded tires.

Is Finland expensive for tourists?

Prices are above the European average, especially for accommodation in Lapland in winter. Booking in advance and taking trains instead of flights helps you save. Alcohol and restaurants are expensive, while museums and nature are often free.

How do you meet Santa Claus?

Santa Claus Village sits on the Arctic Circle near Rovaniemi and operates year-round. In December, come in the morning to avoid standing in line.

In short: what's worth booking

Finland comes together around two points: the capital and Lapland. If you have a short trip, take Helsinki and Rovaniemi. If you're traveling with children in summer, add Naantali and the Lakeland. In winter, book igloos and safaris in advance; spots sell out quickly.

Selection matrix: for the northern lights, choose Lapland; for the city, choose Helsinki; for family, choose Naantali; for quiet, choose the Lakeland.

One step left: check trains across Finland on Trip.com.

9 Reasons to go to Finland: from Helsinki to Lapland