The Perfect Finland Itinerary from Wales

Finland is a top travel destination for many reasons – you have an opportunity to see the Northern Lights, journey through a vast wilderness, visit the home of Father Christmas, or explore exceptional cities like Helsinki.

But if you’re strapped for time and don’t know where to travel first in Finland, here we’ve compiled a list of must-see destinations. Perfect for anyone traveling from Wales, even for a week in Finland.

Helsinki

The best option is to purchase your ticket from the Wales airport that takes you directly to Helsinki. The capital, also known as the Pearl of the Baltic Sea, is a popular tourist destination definitely worthy of your time.

We recommend taking a couple of days off your travel itinerary just to explore the city and its nightlife and see everything that it has on offer.

The Fortress is a museum where you can learn more about the city and how the Fortress played an art in the Russian – Finnish wars. It’s was named a UNESCO world heritage monument and it’s a sight to behold. Also, you can relax in the park, or see an exhibition in the art venue. The good news is that the area is open for visitors for most of the year.

Seurasaari Open-Air Museum is also worth visiting if you have the time, as it has a farmstead, church, and houses that date back to 1686. There are Finnish weavers that work in real-time on rye carpets and other textiles.

The nightlife in Helsinki is another reason why you should stick around – there is everything from karaoke bars to historical cafes, music venues, stand-up comedy bars, and many other cool spots that will guarantee you an exciting night out.

If you are more interested in games of chance, then you’ll be glad to know that there are plenty of exclusive casinos that you can visit in Helsinki. They will provide you with high-quality casino games and an opportunity to have fun with your friends in a high-end establishment.

Otherwise, you can always choose to register on online casinos which offer live casino games, among other titles. The live-dealer games recreate an authentic casino experience because they take place in real time with a human dealer.

Live casino games are based on table and card games, so you mainly have a chance to try your luck with baccarat, blackjack, roulette, and craps in different versions. There are also live dealer games and even game shows such as Deal or No Deal. So, you’ll have your hands full when you are looking to play games of chance live. Of course, you can also find other games as well including slot games which come in different variations and themes at online casinos.

Oulanka National Park

If you prefer to spend more time in nature, then make sure to put the Oulanka National Park. There is a guided tour that will take you from Helsinki to the taiga forest, and you can also embark on a self-guided tour.

If you are an outdoorsy type looking for an adventure, then you would be glad to know there are great trekking trails that lead you to the Kitka River and Myllykoski rapids. You can also opt to explore biking or hiking trails or even canoeing. The national park is home to one of the most stunning waterfalls in Finland.

During the summer time, the national park is equally impressive as it’s home to rare butterflies, wild mushrooms and berries, beautiful greenery, and rare plant spices that include more than 500 plant species.

But, if you are looking to relax and enjoy the view from afar, then you can book a small wooden cabin in the base camp.

Rovaniemi

Finland is also known as the homeland of Santa Claus, or as they call it, Father Christmas. But keep in mind that the train journey can take up to 11 hours from Helsinki, which is why many tourists book a flight that will only take an hour. It is truly a magical place that is particularly beautiful during winter and is definitely worth a visit.

You can also visit a reindeer farm and even ride on a reindeer-driven sleigh. They also offer a unique husky-sledding experience that allows you to explore the Rovaniemi trails.

Here you can also visit Arktikum, a museum and science center which is dedicated to the Arctic region, and it provides you with unique chances to learn all about this incredible place.

And, of course, we must mention the Northern Lights ( Aurora Borealis); if you are lucky to catch a glimpse at the night sky, you’ll have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the magnificence of the Northern Lights.

Espoo

Espoo is another city that’s near Helsinki (you can get there by bus in just 30 minutes), which has many tourist attractions. First things first, you can visit the Espoo Museum of Modern Art and relax in the Mellsten Café after your tour. Another popular sight is the Gallen-Kallela Museum which was the home of the famous Finnish painter Akseli Gallen-Kallela and included some of his best paintings.

Espoo is a highly populated city, but it’s also home to over 70 beautiful lakes, stunning nature, and wildlife. Therefore, make sure to visit the Kaitalampi Lake – a serene lake area away from the city noise.

Summary

Finland is a beautiful country that you should add to your bucket list and visit even if you have only a week to spare. That time would be more than enough to explore some of the most beautiful attractions in the country. Whether you are interested in museums and art or you simply want to go clubbing and have fun – Helsinki and other nearby cities have a lot to offer in this aspect.

Also, we must mention the beautiful nature, with amazing national parks. So, you have a lot of options for your trip, and everything is easily accessible from Helsinki. In case you’re looking to explore Finland during the winter, there are plenty of activities you can do and enjoy yourself in this winter wonderland.