1 Week in Finland - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Finnish Winter Wonderland: Helsinki & Rovaniemi

This wintry itinerary is perfect for first-timers looking for a balance of city sites in Finland's capital Helsinki combined with outdoor adventures in Lapland, including a hike in Korouoma Canyon and a reindeer safari. With a brief visit to Estonia, it's also an excellent option for travelers interested in adding another country to their bucket list. 

Ease into your Finland adventure with a sauna experience. Then, get acquainted with Helsinki on a walking tour with stops at Senate Square and the bedrock-carved Temppeliaukio Church, followed by beer tasting on Suomenlinna island. On Day 3, take the ferry to Estonia's capital, Tallinn, and experience Old Town's ancient churches and cobblestone streets, one of the best-preserved Hanseatic town centers in the world. In the evening, board the sleeper train to Rovaniemi, located in Lapland, a region in the Arctic Circle that includes parts of northern Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Russia's Kola Peninsula.

On arrival in Lapland's capital, Rovaniemi, wander the city and learn about Indigenous Sámi culture. If you're traveling with children, they'll love the chance to meet Santa's reindeer at Santa Claus Village. In the evening, head into the wilderness for a guided northern lights excursion. Visit a reindeer farm on Day 5, then take a reindeer sleigh safari with a break to indulge in Finnish barbecue snacks around the fire, followed by a dogsled ride at Husky Park. On your final day, hike Korouoma Canyon with a local guide and enjoy views of the frozen waterfalls and, finally, a Finnish barbecue over an open fire. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Ultimate Lapland Aurora Adventure

This Lapland adventure is ideal for those determined to see the northern lights, as there are several opportunities, including an evening at a traditional wilderness hut. The romantic wintry setting, otherworldly aurora borealis energy, and adventurous bonding activities, such as "Arctic ice floating" and ice climbing, make it especially suited for couples.

Dive in with a guided excursion to search for the northern lights on arrival in Rovaniemi. Cross the Arctic Circle and visit Santa's Village on Day 2, then try "Arctic ice floating," a dip between blocks of ice in an Arctic lake (with the help of a waterproof suit!). Join a photographer for outdoor lessons and the chance to capture wintry wilderness scenes. Then, board the Aurora Snow Train, a snowmobile-pulled carriage that will take you through the woodlands to a kota (traditional wilderness hut), where you'll enjoy snacks around the campfire and another opportunity to experience the northern lights. 

On Day 4, ride an electric snowmobile, then dine in an ice restaurant and stay in an igloo or sleep on a bed of ice at the Arctic SnowHotel, a structure built each year anew from snow and ice. Visit a farm and learn how to steer a dogsled, then take a reindeer sleigh ride and hear about daily Arctic life from your guide while watching for the aurora borealis to appear. On your final day in Finland, learn ice climbing techniques from a local expert and ascend a cliffside with your new skills before enjoying one last journey into the tranquil wilderness in search of the northern lights—this time on snowshoes. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Lapland Winter Adventure

Active travelers will appreciate the outdoor adventures, including skiing in Pyhä, an electric snowmobile safari in Rovaniemi, and snowshoeing in Pyhä-Luosto National Park, on this Lapland-focused itinerary. There's plenty for the kids to do—from visiting Santa's Village to cuddling huskies and learning to ice fish like a local—so families will also enjoy this engaging itinerary. 

After you get settled in Rovaniemi, stop by Santa's Village to meet Santa's reindeer and the man himself. On Day 2, bundle up for a sleigh ride from Apukka through the wintry forests, then zip across the snow on an electric snowmobile to a cabin where you'll enjoy a Finnish barbecue and watch the sky for aurora borealis activity. Meet a reindeer herder and his herd on Day 3, and enjoy a chat over some home-cooked salmon soup and pancakes before setting out on a reindeer safari. Next, you'll visit a family-run husky park, go for a dogsled ride, and spend time playing with the friendly pack.

Cross the Arctic Circle to Pyhä for a day of skiing—beginners can take a lesson while experienced skiers can tackle Huttu-Ukko—Finland's steepest slope, used by the national ski team for training. Embark on a snowshoeing trek in Pyhä-Luosto National Park on Day 5, then try your hand at amethyst mining in Lampivaara before setting out on a northern lights tour where you'll learn Sámi history while keeping an eye on the sky for the northern lights. On your final day, partake in an important part of Finnish culture: ice fishing. Your guide will teach you local techniques while you enjoy the serene scene. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Lapland Animal Summer Adventure: Rovaniemi, Kuusamo & Pyhä

With daily wildlife excursions, including a visit to a reindeer farm in Rovaniemi and an overnight bear-watching experience at Kuntilampi, this itinerary is excellent for animal-loving families with kids of all ages. By visiting in the summertime, you'll also enjoy more hours of daylight and have the opportunity to see another side of popular ski towns (sans the ski crowds), such as Pyhä and Kuusamo.

Start your summer adventure in Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland, where you can cross the Arctic Circle on foot. On Day 2, meet huskies at a local husky kennel, tour the property and learn about the dogsledding way of life. Then, visit a traditional reindeer farm, feed the animals, and hear about the long history of reindeer herding from the herder. On Day 3, head south to Ranua Zoo, a wildlife park with 50 arctic species, including wolves, reindeer, and the only polar bear in Finland.  

Your driver will transfer you to Kuusamo on Day 4. Summer weather means more light and fewer crowds in Kuusamo, a popular base for skiing in the winter, making the bright season a great time for bear-watching. Visit Kuntilampi ("Bear Pond"), a protected area home to brown bears and white-tailed eagles. Stay overnight in a cabin with large viewing windows, and keep an eye out for wildlife from safely inside. In the morning, head to Pyhä for a guided fishing trip on a lake. Spend your final day in Finland searching the pristine wilderness for native wildlife, like reindeer and arctic foxes, on a guided tour. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Southern Finland Culinary Tour: Helsinki & Turku

The combination of cafés, bakeries, markets, restaurants, and breweries on this culinary itinerary will give foodies a good taste of Helsinki and Turku. Although the activities can be adjusted for younger children, this itinerary is best suited for adults with a strong interest in local cuisine as it is heavily focused on food and beer, with a handful of history and culture tours sprinkled in. 

Start with a tour of Helsinki's Old Market Hall, where you can sample classic Finnish flavors, such as salmon soup and fish sandwiches, then board a ferry to Suomenlinna and tour the former Swedish fortress. On Day 3, take a gastronomic tour of Helsinki with stops at a local brewery and a Finnish restaurant serving traditional dishes, including smoked salmon, lingonberry jam, and meatballs. Board the train to Turku on Day 4, and explore the city via local bike paths and water buses on the Aura River.

Visit Turku Castle, then sit down to a Finnish feast in the self-proclaimed "restaurant capital of Finland." Take a walking tour on Day 5, and visit the Old Great Square and local canteens and cafés, then head to Kakola Brewing Company, the site of a former prison, for a tour and tastings. On your final day in Finland, shop for edible souvenirs, such as chocolate from MBakery, followed by afternoon tea at Qwensel Café, and head to Walo Roof Top Bar to learn about local history and flavors. End your journey with a boat tour and some Finnish baked goods on the Aura River. Learn more

More Great Finland Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Finland? Check out these other Finland itineraries, with outdoor adventures, culinary experiences, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.