Itinerary
- Day 1
Helsinki
You'll arrive in Helsinki and have the day to yourself. The city mixes Swedish, German, and Russian architecture throughout, so you can walk at your own pace along the esplanade with locals, check out the parks and waterfront, and get a feel for how nature connects to this capital.
Optional Activities
- Visit Senate Square
- Visit Rock Church
- Visit Parliament
- Visit Uspenski Cathedral
Landmarks Senate Square Rock Church Parliament Uspenski Cathedral 
- Day 2
Helsinki to Lempäälä
Head toward Hämeenlinna through Hyvinkää and Riihimäki, passing regions famous for railways and glassworks. You'll see Häme Castle on Lake Vanajavesi and learn about the area's military history and connection to composer Jean Sibelius. After that, settle into Lempäälä, about 160 km away, for 2 nights.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Finnish Railway Museum in Hyvinkää
- Visit Artillery Museum in Hämeenlinna
- Explore National City Park in Hämeenlinna
Landmarks Finnish Railway Museum Häme Castle Artillery Museum National City Park - Day 3
Lempäälä to Tampere
Travel to Tampere, Finland's third-largest city. The chessboard-style center designed by Carl Ludwig Engel gives it a structured feel. Walk through the 1901 market hall, see Tampere Cathedral with its Finnish National Romantic style, and spend time on Hämeenkatu street where cultural spots line the way.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Tampere Cathedral Market Hall Alexander Church City Library 
- Day 4
Tampere to Kuusa
Follow Lake Päijänne through Finland's lake district with plenty of spots to stop for picnics or swimming if you want. Cross the Kärkisten suspension bridge into rural Vitikkala, then pass through Jyväskylä to see its Tsarist-era buildings before heading to Lake Saarvesi and Kuusa, where you'll stay 2 nights.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Kärkisten Suspension Bridge - Day 5
Kuusa
Spend your day around the lakes in this region or check out UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Petäjävesi Old Church and Oravivuori Trigonometric Point. Another option is heading to Jyväskylä to see buildings designed by Finnish architect Alvar Aalto if you're interested in architectural history.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Petäjävesi Old Church and Oravivuori Trigonometric Point)
- Explore buildings designed by Alva Aalto in Jyväskylä
- Enjoy nature by one of the countless lakes
Landmarks Petäjävesi Old Church Oravivuori Trigonometric Point - Day 6
Kuusa to Nurmes
Drive through Finland's lake district toward Kuopio, where you can walk the market square and visit the old market hall. The Orthodox Church Museum has a unique icon collection, or head to the Puijo observation tower for views across the area. Later, continue to Nurmes to see Bomba House, the world's largest log house, with its open-air museum of traditional Karelian architecture.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Orthodox Church Museum in Kuopio
- Visit Puijo observation tower and panorama restaurant in Kuopio
- Explore Bomba House and enjoy typical Karelian lunch buffet in Nurmes
- Browse market hall in Kuopio
- Visit Kuopio Cathedral
- Visit Kuopio House with city museum
Landmarks Orthodox Church Museum Puijo Observation Tower Kuopio Cathedral Kuopio House Bomba House Nurmes Orthodox Cathedral 
- Day 7
Nurmes to Koli
Take a short scenic drive westward along Lake Pielinen toward Koli village. Multiple stops let you swim or take in the views, though you can also take the longer eastern route around the lake. You'll settle into Koli for 2 nights in this village setting.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Take dip in Lake Pielinen
- Take longer alternative route east of Lake Pielinen (approximately 140 km, approximately 2 hours)
- Day 8
Koli
Take an excursion boat across Lake Pielinen between Koli and Nurmes, or hike the 1.4 km summit trail in Koli National Park for lake views. If you prefer something different, head to Joensuu, the North Karelian capital, where the market square has Karelian pierogi, fresh bread, fish, fruit, and local crafts.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Take excursion boat on Lake Pielinen between Koli and Nurmes
- Hike approximately 1.4 km summit trail in Koli National Park
- Visit Joensuu and explore market square
Landmarks Koli National Park Lake Pielinen 
- Day 9
Koli to Rantasalmi
Travel through Karelia toward the Saimaa Lake District, passing Kerimäki with its world's largest wooden church and Savonlinna with its castle and July opera festival. The underground Retretti Art Museum in Punkaharju is worth a stop, or just enjoy the scenic landscape as you head to Rantasalmi within Linnansaari National Park for 2 nights.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Retretti Art Museum in Punkaharju
- Visit local open-air museum on Lake Saimaa theme in Rantasalmi
Landmarks Kerimäki Church Olavinlinna Castle Retretti Art Museum Linnansaari National Park 
- Day 10
Rantasalmi
Explore Lake Saimaa's wildlife where about 400 freshwater Saimaa seals live in the waters. Watch for ospreys until mid-August and white-tailed eagles year-round. Alternatively, take a round trip around Lake Laivonselkä through Savonlinna, Kerimäki, and other towns with optional ferry travel if you want.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Lake Saimaa and observe Saimaa seals, ospreys, and white-tailed eagles
- Take round trip around Lake Laivonselkä including ferry to Kangaslampi
Landmarks Lake Saimaa - Day 11
Rantasalmi to Porvoo
Head from Rantasalmi through Mikkeli and along Saimaa's western lake district toward the coast via Kuovola. You'll arrive in Porvoo, a well-preserved wooden façade town on the Gulf of Finland. Walk the historic old town around the church hill, browse the cobbled streets with antique shops and craft boutiques, and check out the cathedral.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore historic old town around church hill
- Browse antique shops and arts and crafts stores
- Visit cathedral in Porvoo
Landmarks Porvoo Cathedral Porvoo Old Town 
- Day 12
Porvoo to Helsinki
Make the short drive back to Helsinki for your departure. It's about 50 km and roughly an hour from Porvoo to Helsinki's airport and other departure points, so leave early enough to catch your flight.
- Meals
- Breakfast
