Land of Midnight Sun and Saunas: Finland in Summer
A fourteen-day trip through Finland from Helsinki to Inari, exploring lakes, saunas, Sami culture and the midnight sun at the polar circle.
Description
This itinerary starts in Helsinki, where design-driven architecture and sauna culture blend with maritime history. The traveler explores the Suomenlinna sea fortress spanning six islands and visits the Design District. The Loyly public sauna offers the first thermal plunge. The journey continues to Porvoo with its ochre wooden houses, Tampere the sauna capital of the world with the Pyynikki lookout, Savonlinna with the Olavinlinna castle from 1475, Kuopio with the Puijo Tower, Koli National Park with the Ukko-Koli hill, Oulu, Rovaniemi where the polar circle is crossed, and it culminates in Inari, the cultural heart of Sami land, with the Siida Museum and hikes through unspoiled nature. Every stage offers local saunas and the endless light of the midnight sun.
Health & safety
- Tap water in Finland is drinkable throughout the country
- Exposure to the midnight sun can disrupt sleep; wear an eye mask
Day-by-day itinerary
Arrival in Helsinki: design and sauna
Helsinki, Finland
Arrival in Helsinki: design and sauna
Suomenlinna fortress and a sauna at Loyly.
Visit to Suomenlinna fortress
Culture3hStroll through the Design District
Culture2hSauna session at Loyly
Rest2hDinner at the Market Hall
gastronomy1.5hHelsinki to Porvoo: the medieval wooden town
Porvoo, Finland
Helsinki to Porvoo: the medieval wooden town
Medieval old town and cathedral.
Porvoo old houses
Culture2hVisit to Porvoo Cathedral
Culture1hCoffee by the riverbank
gastronomy1.5hBoat trip through the archipelago
Nature2hPorvoo to Tampere: the sauna capital of the world
Tampere, Finland
Porvoo to Tampere: the sauna capital of the world
Pyynikki tower and the Rauhaniemi public sauna.
Pyynikki observation tower
Nature1.5hVisit to the Vapriikki Museum
Culture2.5hRauhaniemi public sauna
Rest2hPyynikki doughnut dinner
gastronomy1hTampere to Savonlinna: a medieval castle among the lakes
Savonlinna, Finland
Tampere to Savonlinna: a medieval castle among the lakes
Olavinlinna castle and a cruise on Lake Saimaa.
Visit to Olavinlinna castle
Culture2hCruise on Lake Saimaa
Nature2.5hStroll through the old town
Culture1.5hLake fish dinner
gastronomy1.5hSavonlinna to Kuopio: towers and markets
Kuopio, Finland
Savonlinna to Kuopio: towers and markets
Puijo tower and Kuopio market.
Puijo tower and lookout
Nature1.5hVisit to Kuopio market
Culture1hSteamboat cruise to Koli
Nature3hKalakukko pie dinner
gastronomy1hKoli National Park: the soul of Finland
Koli, Finland
Koli National Park: the soul of Finland
Ascent of Ukko-Koli and views of Lake Pielinen.
Ascent of Ukko-Koli
Nature2hHiking route through the park
Nature3hVisit to the Ukko Nature Center
Culture1hDinner at the Koli hotel
gastronomy1.5hKoli to Oulu: the shore of the Gulf of Bothnia
Oulu, Finland
Koli to Oulu: the shore of the Gulf of Bothnia
Oulu market and Hupisaaret park.
Visit to the Oulu Market Hall
Culture1hWalk through Hupisaaret park
Nature1.5hVisit to the Tietomaa science center
Culture2hGulf of Bothnia fish dinner
gastronomy1.5hOulu to Rovaniemi: the capital of Lapland
Rovaniemi, Finland
Oulu to Rovaniemi: the capital of Lapland
Arktikum museum and crossing of the polar circle.
Visit to the Arktikum museum
Culture2.5hCrossing of the Arctic Circle
Nature1hVisit to Santa Claus Village
Culture2hReindeer dinner at a local restaurant
gastronomy1.5hRovaniemi: nature and Lappish culture
Rovaniemi, Finland
Rovaniemi: nature and Lappish culture
Husky farm and canoeing on the Kemijoki river.
Visit to a husky farm
Nature2hCanoeing on the Kemijoki river
Nature2hHiking through the Ounasvaara forest
Nature2.5hTraditional Lappish dinner by the fire
gastronomy2hRovaniemi to Inari: the heart of Sami land
Inari, Finland
Rovaniemi to Inari: the heart of Sami land
Siida museum and Lake Inari.
Visit to the Siida museum
Culture2.5hWalk along the shore of Lake Inari
Nature1.5hVisit to a reindeer farm
Culture2hLake Inari fish dinner
gastronomy1.5hInari: unspoiled nature and Sami tradition
Inari, Finland
Inari: unspoiled nature and Sami tradition
Tundra hiking and a boat ride.
Hike across the Inari tundra
Nature4hBoat ride on Lake Inari
Nature2hVisit to Inari church
Culture1hForest berries dinner
gastronomy1hInari: free exploration day
Inari, Finland
Inari: free exploration day
Free day to explore Inari.
Fishing on Lake Inari
Nature3hSami handicraft workshop
Culture2hBike ride around the surroundings
Nature2.5hFarewell dinner in Inari
gastronomy2hInari: last exploration of Lappish nature
Inari, Finland
Inari: last exploration of Lappish nature
Sunrise walk and smoke sauna.
Sunrise walk across the tundra
Nature3hVisit to the Sami handicraft market
Culture1hTraditional smoke sauna session
Rest2hLight dinner at the accommodation
gastronomy1hDeparture from Inari
Inari, Finland
Departure from Inari
One last stroll and airport transfer.
Last stroll along the lakeshore
Nature1hVisit to the Sami photography exhibition
Culture1hTransfer to Ivalo airport
Culture0.5hNew destinations and itineraries, by email
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