Finland Road Trip Itinerary – Things to See in Finland in 2 Weeks

Sharing is caring!

2 Weeks Finland Itinerary

For a trip covering the whole of Finland, you will need at least two weeks. It is the minimum amount of time to cover such a huge country. The north-south extent of the country is 1100 km. This itinerary covers most of the best cities and several spectacular natural landmarks and national parks. If you prefer to spend an extended time in Lapland, read this itinerary for a detailed Finland trip.

So let’s get back to one of the most stunning road trips we ever had!

The post may contain affiliate links.

Finland Road Trip Itinerary and Map

If you are planning a trip to Finland, you came to a good place. Here you will find the most popular cities, best national parks, and some hidden gems that need to be on your self-drive itinerary.

Two weeks in Finland is enough to see most of the top sights, but one week in Finland lets you explore part of this route. You can focus either on the northern or the southern part. For extra tips, other practical advice, read our Finland Travel Guide.

Road Trip Finland

The easiest and cheapest way to explore Finland is by car. Rent your car from the airport directly to save time and money.

Car rentals are available in most Finnish airports. We recommend the following:  Hertz | SiXT | Europcar

Let’s start your Finland self-drive tour!

1-2. Days: 2 Days Helsinki

Your trip to Finland will very likely start in Helsinki, the capital of Finland. It is a rather small city and easy to cover the best sights in 2 days. It’s a perfect starting point for your trip to Finland.

The 13 Best Hotels in Helsinki, Finland, For Every Budget

1. Day in Helsinki:

The Esplanadi park (Esplanadinpuisto) is a popular starting point as the tourist information is also located there (corner of Pohjoisesplanadi and Unioninkatu). Follow the park towards the sea and turn north along Unioninkatu to reach the Senate Square (Senaatintori) at the eastern end of the park. The Lutheran Cathedral will be just in front of you. Then follow Aleksanterinkatu to the east turn south to Mariankatu. After one block, you will see the Eastern Orthodox Uspenski Cathedral.

Then follow Pohjoisesplanadi street to reach Market Square (Kauppatori). The best time to visit is during opening hours. During the afternoon, head (or take a tram) to the Church in the Rock (Temppeliaukion kirkko), as the name suggests, it’s a church indeed in a rock! The Sibelius Monument (and Organ) is nearby, and so does my personal favorite. A small cafe with the free tram museum is just a couple of minutes’ walk from here. If you fancy a drink from the top of a tower, visit Hotel Torni and its bar on the top floor to have a panoramic view of Helsinki. For the night, stay in one of the best hotels in Helsinki.

2. Day in Helsinki:

You can’t leave Helsinki without checking the Suomenlinna fortress. Go to Market Square (Kauppatori) to find the ferry to the island. Helsinki public transport tickets are also valid for the ferry. The islands have pricey restaurants and cafes, but a picnic is also a good choice in good weather. In the afternoon, visit the newly opened public sauna, the Löyly, to make your experience full.

We also enjoyed visiting the abandoned villas of Helsinki. If you are up to an adventure, it’s a nice program in a green area for the summer.

Don’t forget to read our guide to unique and must-see places in Helsinki. 🙂

---

3. Day: Day Trip to Porvoo

Porvoo is a small town an hour away from Helsinki. You can reach it by public bus too (10-15€).

Porvoo is the second oldest town in Finland and is well-known for its historic Old Town and colorful riverside warehouses. The 15th-century Cathedral and the 18th century Town Hall are just a few of the decorative buildings you will see. The colorful warehouses were built to protect fruits, wines, coffee, tobacco, wood, spices, and other goods shipped along the river. They were painted with red ochre in the 18th century to honor a visit by Swedish King Gustav. Porvoo also gave a home to Finland’s national poet, Johan Ludvig Runeberg, whose home is a little museum today.

Spend the night in Helsinki.

---

4-5. Days: 2 Days in Turku & the Archipelago

Drive to Turku in the morning (2 hours). Turku is the oldest city in Finland (founded in the 13th century) and used to be a capital for a shorter time during the 19th century.

The best time to visit the city is during the summer, but the cultural sights are worth a brief visit during the winter.

Must-see places in Turku in one day

• Turku Castle Archangel Michael’s Church ( Mikaelin Kirkko)
• Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova Turku Main Library (Turun Kaupunginkirjasto),
• Turku Cathedral (Turun Tuomiokirkko)
• Luostarinmäki Handicrafts Museum
• Panimoravintola Koulu
• Turku Art Museum (Turun Taidemuseo)

On your second day, take a boat trip (summertime!) to the Archipelago and head to Tampere in the evening.

---

6. Day: Tampere

Tampere’s cultural and architectural heritage is based on the city’s industrial past as it was the center of heavy industry.

The city has a unique geographical location too. Tampere lies on a narrow isthmus between Lake Näsijärvi, which reaches far to the north, and Lake Pyhäjärvi in the south. Moreover, there are 200 lakes and ponds in Tampere!

Must-See in Tampere

• Tammerkoski rapids (currently runs in a canal) and several hydroelectric dams in the downtown
• Beautiful historic buildings dating back to the late 19th century in the Downtown area: the Finlayson historic factory complex (north side of the downtown, west side of Tammerkoski rapids) and the Tampella historic factory complex (north side of downtown, east side of Tammerkoski rapids)
• Pyynikki ridge, the 85-meter-high narrow isthmus between the two lakes
• Pyynikki observation tower
• Nekala area is famous for its old wooden houses and cultural landscape
• Tampere City Library (Metso)

---

7. Day: Jyväskylä

Drive to Jyväskylä. It’s currently a popular university city and well-known for the famous architect Alvar Aalto’s work. Several famous buildings are connected to his name, such as the Town Theater (kaupunginteatteri), some buildings in the university’s main campus, and the Alvar Aalto Museum.

The Water Tower (Vesilinna) is a building on top of the ridge (Harju) that acts as an observation tower, restaurant, and Natural History Museum and dispensing water to the town. You will have a great view of the city and its lakes from the top.

Near Jyvaskyla, the Leivonmäki National Park is a family-friendly place. The trails between the lakes and mires are easy, and there was even one accessible (wheelchair friendly) trail we could explore by stroller.

---

8. Day: Driving and a Stop in Kuopio (Version A)

You spend the day driving from Jyväskylä to Joensuu (3.5-4 hours) via Kuopio. The Old Town Center and the Puijo Panorama Tower are worth checking out. A couple of times a year (also in summer!), ski jumping competitions are organized in Puijo.

After the brief visit and stretching your legs, head to Joensuu in the afternoon.

---

8. Day: Driving and a Stop in Savonlinna (Version B)

How about visiting the most northern medieval castle in Europe?  Olavinlinna, the St. Olaf’s Castle is worth a bit longer driving. Instead of Kuopio, drive to Savonlinna to the east and walk around Finland’s best-preserved castle and some of the little museums.

The total driving time for the day is about 4.5-5 hours.

---

9.Day: Joensuu & Koli National Park

In Joensuu, the Carelicum Museum offers an insight into the region’s history, culture, and life. You can also take a short walk in the center: the town hall and the old wooden buildings are the most interesting sites around. During summer, make sure you check out the Bunker Museum in Marjala.

In the afternoon, head to Koli National Park and explore the countrywide famous landscape during a short hike to Ukko Koli’s peak. If you want to stay longer in North Karelia, read our guide for the best sights.

---

10. Day: Driving to North and Ranua Wildlife Park (Version A)

Early morning start driving to the north. You will have about 5-6 hours of a drive ahead of you before you reach Ranua. Visit the Arctic Zoo and head to Rovaniemi for the night.

10. Day: Visit Oulu (Version B)

This bronze police statue is the symbol of Oulu. It is surrounded by well-preserved wooden buildings and the picturesque Market Hall (on the right). The city is full of green areas that pleasant, especially during spring to fall.

If you have more time, you can visit Hailuoto Island or the Koitelinkoski Rapids at Kiiminki as well.

In winter, make sure you stop by the ice castle in Kemi on your way from Oulu to Rovaniemi.

---

11-12. Days: Rovaniemi, Lapland

1. Day in Rovaniemi:

The next stop on your road tri pin Finland is Rovaniemi, the city of Santa Claus 🙂 On your first day, spend most of your time in Santa Claus Village (or with smaller kids in SantaPark), visit a husky farm, and ride a snowmobile.

2. Day in Rovaniemi:

Visit the Arktikum Museum and explore the city center. Check out the Lordi’s square and the Lumberjack’s Candle Bridge (Jätkänkynttilä). If you would like to know more about Rovaniemi’s other activities, check out our city guide (winter edition) or (summer edition)!

Read our guide to the best hotels or the most spectacular glass igloos in the area!

---

12-13. Days: Levi and/or Pallas-Ylläs National Park

Levi is a short drive away (in the Lappish scale) from Rovaniemi. About 1-1.5 hours. Skiing, ice fishing, and more skiing. Levi is a popular destination for Finns during the winter season. We had our best snowmobile adventure in Levi!

Winter hiking and snowshoeing are also a must-try. Pallastunturi is a better location, but Levi offers trips too. The never-ending snowy fells (tunturit) in the national park have a variety of trails for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. The National Park has two skiing centers for snowboarding and downhill skiing. Choose based on your preference. Here are some ideas for winter activities.

Make sure you don’t miss out on the snow village near Kittilä in your drive during the winter. We got married there 😉

In summer, visit the top of Levi fell, and then drive to the national park to look for reindeer in the wild and have a hike or walk based on your fitness. Levi is very quiet during the summer.

---

14. Day: Ivalo and Return by Flight to Helsinki

Drive up to the north of Lapland to enjoy your last day, learning more about the Sami culture. Visit the Siida, the Sámi Museum, in Inari, and Northern Lapland Nature Centre and later fly back to Helsinki. In winter, you can try most of the winter activities offered in Rovaniemi or Levi.

 

---

Road Trip in Lapland

If you have extra time or prefer nature over the southern cities, check out our Lapland road trip itinerary for other places to visit in the north! It is the best location to observe the mesmerizing northern lights in Finland.

Finland Itinerary with Kids

We love traveling in Finland with our family. We went on our first weekend-trip when our son was only 2 months old, and we keep exploring it. Finland is an easy country to travel to with kids. If you have a baby, you will find useful the changing rooms and feeding rooms. We prefer traveling by car, but long-distance trains have children with a little playground to entertain the little ones. There are also many attractions aimed at families: enough mentioning Santa Claus and Angry Birds.

Some places that you must visit with kids:

• Ranua Wildlife Park
• Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi
• Some of the Angry Birds Puisto (Playgrounds) – in most cities have them!
• Moomin Valley in Naantali

In wintertime, make sure you dress your kids and yourselves warm enough. Check our tips on what to wear in winter.

Car Seat for Kids

Remember to rent a car seat or booster for children under 135 cm height. It’s compulsory in Finland.

Driving and Speed Limits in Finland in Winter

You have to prepare for around half a year of snow, and driving conditions can be challenging from time to time. Most cars have studded tires and engine heaters. Also, in winter, the speed limits are lower to ensure bigger safety.

When is the Best Time to Visit Finland

There is no simple answer to which is the best time to travel to Finland. Winter is nonetheless the most popular (yet the coldest) time of the year to visit Finland. Driving conditions can be hard due to the amount of snow, and the days are rather short (or non-existent in the north). It is still possible to visit cultural sights and hunt for northern lights. February and March, and sometimes even April in Lapland, still count as winter in Finland, and those months we can highly recommend for winter road trips if you are eager to see (or hike across) snowy landscapes.

Spring and summer, however, are charming for road trips. The days are long, bright, and warm(er), and after April, the amount of snow is minimal even in Lapland. In late June, the midsummer celebrations (in Finnish Juhannus) are an interesting event all across Finland. If you can, make sure you include those dates into your itinerary.

For more inspiration, check our other Finland travel blog posts out!

About the Author

Sharing is caring!