Finland is a country of endless natural beauty and unique cultural experiences. From its breathtakingly beautiful national parks to its vibrant cities, there is always something new and exciting to discover in this Nordic nation. Finland is more than just its capital city of Helsinki or its Lapland capital of Rovaniemi. We compiled some of the top places to visit in Finland with your family.
1. Helsinki: Top Place to Visit in Finland
The capital city of Finland is a vibrant and cosmopolitan hub of activity. Helsinki has something to offer everyone. Is your family into architecture and design? Museums and galleries? Historic landmarks and unique churches? Sauna and swimming? Of course, Helsinki is one of the must-see places in Finland.
There are plenty of things to do in Helsinki with kids. Some of the top attractions in Helsinki that your family should visit include the beautiful Senate Square, the historic Suomenlinna fortress, the retro Linnanmäki Amusement Park, the interactive Finnish Natural History Museum, the historic Korkeasaari Zoo, the enormous Oodi central library, the Seurtasaati Open Air Museum, among others.
Watch this stunning drone video highlighting some of the best parts of Helsinki:
2. Porvoo: Best Day Trip From Helsinki
The second-oldest town in all of Finland is Porvoo, a destination known for its unique and picturesque wooden homes. As you stroll through the cobblestone streets of Old Porvoo, known to locals as Vanha Porvoo, you can see landmarks from the 13th century, although much of the wooden architecture was constructed at the end of the 19th century.
The town is small, but it’s worth a day trip since it’s just an hour away from Helsinki. It will be a shame if you skip it. Visiting Porvoo is not about activities, but exploring the charming town and enjoying its architecture. Our Finland travel with our kids was made extra special because of Porvoo. Believe us, it’s not boring for children. Going to Porvoo with kids is a lot of fun!
Other things you can do in Porvoo include touring the 11th-century Porvoo Cathedral, exploring local art and heritage at the Porvoo Museum, and indulging in delicious local pastries and candies at the Brunberg shop, an iconic business in the city.
Check out this short overview of Porvoo (our tip: visit Porvoo in winter instead):
Runner-up: Vantaa
Vantaa is a city and municipality in Finland. It is part of the inner core of the Finnish Capital Region along with Helsinki, Espoo, and Kauniainen. It’s the fourth most populated city in Finland after Helsinki, Espoo, and Tampere. We didn’t go to Vaanta (for us, it’s skippable), but if you have time in your itinerary, it’s only a few minutes away.
So, what can you do in Vaanta with kids? If your family is into science, there’s Heureka, the Finnish Science Center. The Flamingo Leisure World & Spa also houses several family-friendly facilities, such as an indoor adventure playground, water park, bowling alley, arcade, and many more.
Here are other things you can do in Vantaa:
Runner-up: Espoo
Espoo is a city and municipality in the region of Uusimaa in the Republic of Finland. It is located on the northern shore of the Gulf of Finland, bordering the cities of Helsinki, Vantaa, Kirkkonummi, Vihti, and Nurmijärvi while surrounding the enclaved town of Kauniainen. It’s about a half-hour away from Helsinki, making it a convenient side trip. But is Espoo worth visiting with your family?
Compared to Vantaa, there’s much more to do in Espoo with kids, especially outdoor activities. The city boasts of seashores, the wilderness in nature reserves, and the waterways of the lake highlands. You can do plenty of family-friendly activities at Museum Leikki, Angry Birds Playground, Nuuksio Reindeer Park, Children’s Cultural Center Aurora, Finnish Nature Center Haltia, and Espoo Central Park.
This is a drone video to give you a broad idea of the city:
3. Rovaniemi: Top Lapland Destination
A trip to Lapland is a must for those who love the great outdoors. Located in the northernmost region of Finland, Lapland is a true winter wonderland, with endless forests, frozen lakes, and snow-capped mountains as far as the eye can see.
Located in the heart of Lapland, Rovaniemi is the official hometown of Santa Claus and a must-visit destination for families. The city is home to a number of festive attractions, including the Santa Claus Village and the Arctic Circle Snow Village. Rovaniemi is also a great base for exploring the surrounding wilderness, with a number of national parks and nature reserves to choose from.
If you have a limited time in Lapland, Rovaniemi should be in your top 10 places to visit in Finland. Watch this magical view of Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi:
4. Levi: Best Winter Destination in Finland
Located in the heart of Lapland, Levi is a popular destination for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts. It’s considered the best ski resort in the country, making it one of the must-see places to visit in Finland. The resort boasts a number of well-groomed slopes for skiers of all levels, as well as a number of off-piste runs for more experienced skiers. Levi is also home to many excellent restaurants and bars in its lively and compact ski village, so you can relax and warm up after a day of winter activities.
You don’t have to be skiers to enjoy Levi (take us, for instance). While you can do similar winter outdoor activities in Rovaniemi, Levi offers a more remote feel when you do family activities such as snowmobiling, reindeer sledding, snowshoeing, tubing, and husky sled riding. And you have a much better chance of seeing the Northern Lights (like we did).
Check out this short video on Levi:
There are other alternative Lapland destinations aside from Rovaniemi and Levi, but these two are the most popular places to visit in Finland. Rovaniemi is the capital of Lapland and the official home of Santa, and Levi is the best ski resort.
However, you can’t go wrong with these runners-up, as the winter atmosphere and activities are pretty much the same.
Runner-up: Luosto
Luosto is a bit nearer to Rovaniemi than Levi, but it’s a smaller village and ski resort with fewer accommodations and restaurants. It’s inside the Pyhä-Luosto National Park, where you can also visit an amethyst mine.
Runner-up: Ylläs
Ylläs is about an hour away from Levi. It’s the biggest ski resort in Finland. While Levi is more compact and easily walkable, Ylläs is more spread out, and you may need a car to go around. It’s between two villages and is right next to the National Park of Pallas-Yllästunturi. For those who have visited both, Levi is the more convenient option if you have children.
Runner-up: Saariselkä
Saariselkä, located in Inari, is the northernmost ski resort in Finland, making it more remote than Levi and other ski resorts. It’s a popular tourist destination due to Urho Kekkonen National Park. Like Levi, its village is designed as a tourism center where hotels and restaurants are within walking distance. There’s also the Saariselkä Angry Birds Activity Park for the kids and its glass igloo hotels and resorts. If you want to really go up north, even closer to the wilderness, and yet enjoy modern amenities and a variety of winter activities, Saariselkä is definitely one of the top places to visit in Finland.
Runner-Up: Kemi
Travelers know Kemi best as the location of the iconic SnowCastle, a seasonal carved-ice complex that’s considered the largest snow castle in the world. The castle is built yearly, and it can be three stories tall and serve as the venue for weddings and live musical performances. Guests can even stay overnight in the snow hotel, should they choose!
Another unique highlight in Kemi is going on board the Sampo Icebreaker. This icebreaker ship winds through the arctic waters in search of breathtaking icebergs and incredible views through the icy waters. You can also float in the ice water in a special suit.
Other possible Lapland destinations include Ruka, Salla, Syöte, Vuokatti, Himos, and Tahko.
5. Turku: Oldest City in Finland
One of the top places to go to in Finland is Turku. Located on the southwest coast of Finland, Turku is the country’s oldest city, its original capital, and a true cultural gem. It’s about two hours away from Helsinki. The city is home to a number of historic landmarks, including the 13th-century Turku Castle and the beautiful Turku Cathedral. Turku is also home to a thriving arts scene, with a number of galleries and museums to explore, as well as a vibrant nightlife scene. Be sure to visit the Turku Market Square, which is home to a number of stalls selling everything from fresh produce to handmade crafts.
Well-known places within the region include the small town of Naantali, home of the popular Moomin World theme park, and Kultaranta, the summer residence of the President of Finland. The region also features the idyllic Archipelago Sea area.
6. Tampere: Sauna Capital of Finland & The World
Located in the south of Finland, Tampere is a vibrant city with a rich industrial history. The third largest city in Finland is home to a number of cultural attractions, including the Tampere Art Museum and the Tampere Hall, which hosts a variety of concerts and events throughout the year. For kids, there’s the Moomin Museum
Tampere is known as the sauna capital of the world, with more than 50 public saunas. With its compact center surrounded by old, industrial red-brick buildings housing restaurants, cafes, museums, and shops, Tampere gives off an old-town feel. It’s certainly one of the cool places to visit in Finland.
Kids will enjoy the popular Särkänniemi Adventure Park on the edge of downtown, which features an aquarium, a planetarium, a children’s zoo, an art museum, and an observation tower with great views of the forests and lakes.
7. Rauma: Third Oldest Town in Finland
Three hours from Helsinki, Rauma is most famous for Old Rauma, a UNESCO world heritage site featuring old wooden architecture. There are plenty of wooden buildings, a lot more than in Porvoo. But, of course, it takes more time and effort to travel to Rauma from Helsinki. With nothing else to do there, it may not be worth it. However, if you visit Turku anyway, Rauma is just an hour away, making it a great day trip.
8. Jyväskylä: Finland’s City of Light
Located in central Finland, Jyväskylä is a city with a rich cultural history. If you’re going to Tampere, Jyväskylä is about an hour and a half away by train. The cityscape of the region’s capital, Jyväskylä, is dominated by the buildings of the famous Finnish architect Alvar Aalto. The city is home to a number of museums and galleries, including the Alvar Aalto Museum, which is dedicated to the work of the famous Finnish architect. It’s also called the City of Light, City of Light, with its almost 100 illuminated sites, including the Kuokkala bridge.
Jyvskylä is also surrounded by beautiful lakes and forests, making it a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts. One popular attraction in the area is the Jyväskylän Maisemakuva, a stunning landscape painting created by a group of artists in the 1930s. For kids, there’s the Craft Museum of Finland with fun family activities, Peurunka with its spa and water slides, and Veijari Activity Park with its various outdoor activities.
9. Savonlinna: Home of Finland’s Opera Festival
Located in eastern Finland, Savonlinna is a city with a rich cultural history. The city is home to a number of historic landmarks, including the Olavinlinna Castle, which dates back to the 15th century. Savonlinna is also home to a number of cultural events, including the Savonlinna Opera Festival, which takes place every summer. The city is surrounded by beautiful lakes and forests, making it a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
The city of Savonlinna in South Savonia is known for its annual opera festival, which takes place in the medieval castle of Olavinlinna. The castle is surrounded by spectacular lake scenery, where visitors can spot the extremely rare Saimaa ringed seal. The region is also known for its religious buildings, such as Valamo orthodox monastery, Lintula convent, and the world’s largest wooden church in Kerimäki.
10. Oulu: Tech Capital of Finland
Located in northern Finland, Oulu is a city with a rich cultural history and a thriving tech industry. The city is home to a number of cultural attractions, including the Oulu Museum of Art and the Oulu City Theatre. Oulu is also home to a number of festivals and events, including the Oulu Music Video Festival and the Oulu Children’s Cultural Festival. The city is surrounded by beautiful forests and lakes, making it a great destination for outdoor activities such as hiking and fishing.
Oulu, the capital of this large region, is known as a city of technology and startups. However, this region has much more to offer. For example, the town of Kuusamo is home to the Ruka ski center, and the area is surrounded by vast wilderness and pristine national parks. The contrasts of Finnish nature, such as a flat coastline, open swamps, and wild highlands, are obvious here.
There are so many amazing places to visit in Finland, and this list is just the tip of the iceberg. Whether you are a nature lover, a culture enthusiast, or just looking for some adventure, Finland has something for everyone. So why wait? Start planning your trip to this beautiful Nordic nation today!
