Helsinki is the main point of entry for most tourists coming to Finland. This is where visitors will find the country's finest museums, art galleries, restaurants, and shopping. It is easy to spend a day or two exploring the city and enjoying the cultural attractions. Some of the most important sights include Finlandia Hall, the architecture around Senate Square, and the underground Rock Church. Those with an interest in history or art will also want to allow some time to wander through the Finnish National Museum or the Finnish National Museum of Art. Nearby, the Open-Air Folk Museum on the island of Seurasaari, with old houses and timber buildings, reveals an interesting historical perspective.
From Helsinki there are a number of great day trips. Northeast of the city is the historic town of Provoo, which can be reached by road or by boat. During the summer the latter is a particularly lovely option. The nearby islands of Suomenlinna are also easy to reach by ferry. The islands are dominated by the old Sveaborg Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Those looking to venture further afield will find a countryside of forests and lakes. This becomes clear on a trip to Tampere, a lively industrial city with an active cultural scene. The most prominent attraction here is the Tampere Cathedral, but there are also numerous museums and parks, and depending on the time of year, various events. In the surrounding area is the old town of Hämeenlinna, with the 13th to 17th C Hämeenlinna Castle.
Other places of interest which visitors may want to include on their itinerary are Turku, located on the Gulf of Bothnia and home to a 13th C Castle and Cathedral of the same period. From Turku it's also possible to visit the Aland Islands, a large archipelago which can be reached by ferry. The main destination and only town is Mariehamn.
Things to do & to see:
The Fortress of Suomenlinna
Located at the entrance of Helsinki's harbor, is a unique example of European military architecture. For the people of Finland, Suomenlinna Fortress is not just a means of defense penghadang enemy. But more than that, Sveaborg Suomenlinna - they call it that - is a fortress savior. This assumption is born due to the fact that this building has been keeping the ports in this country since the 18th century, which also makes Finland safe from enemy attack.
The fort became a one of the leading tourist attraction in Finland. Seeing his condition, building forts as high as over 15 meters it is still looks strong. Travel to the Suomenlinna fortress can be done by using the connecting inter-island motor boat from the Port in Katajanokanlaituri, Helsinki. Tourists can enjoy the journey takes about 15 minutes.
Lapland
Many tales are told that Santa Claus lives at the north pole, precisely in Lapland. Lapland is the town of Santa Claus, Santa Claus Village is an amusement park in Finland. Located in the northern part of the country, in Lapland, near the town of Rovaniemi on the Arctic Circle, in the Park Santa.
But Lapland offers more than that. Sub arktik unique natural beauty of the expanse of tundra and pine forests, frozen lakes in winter and the snow hill near the park became popular winter tourist center and is different from other places. Various tourist resort provides a traditional cottage not far from the winter sports facilities. This winter sports like skiing, cross country skiing, snowboarding or on safari with a Siberian Husky and reindeer while knowing the local culture.
In addition, in summer, Lapland becomes the destination of nature lovers,campers, and water sports. They come to enjoy the summer sun shines all day.
Rauma
Rauma is one of the oldest ports in Finland. Rauma is a UNESCO World Heritage Site best known for its high quality lace and the Old Rauma Town for its old wooden architecture. Rauma had a Franciscan Monastery and a Catholic Church before it was declared as a town. Later Rauma got a teacher’s college which was annexed to the University of Turku. A part of educational department still exists in Rauma. Rauma is the fifth largest port in Finland, having almost 6 million tones of shipment each year.
Helsinki Cathedral
Helsinki Cathedral is a beautiful landmark in Helsinki, Finland. It was build as a tribute to Grand Duke, Nicholas I, the Tsar of Russia and was previously known as St. Nicholas’ Church before the independence of Finland in 1917. The architecture is a Greek Cross Plan which is comprised of a square central mass along-with four arms to add to its beauty. The structure includes a tall green dome which is surrounded by four smaller domes in a neoclassical style. It is the main attraction in the Senate Square and is surrounded by most of the buildings designed by Engel to form a rare sight of beauty among his creations. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Helsinki.
Koli National Park
Koli is one of the most famous national landscapes of Finland. Koli National Park situated in the eastern part of Finland, famous for its heritage landscapes, which have been influenced by the strong tradition of slash-and-burn agriculture for the last 250 years. Koli National Park contains a diverse complex of habitats within its 2600ha NATURA 2000 areas. These include natural boreal forests, silicate rock vegetation, Fennoscandian herb-rich forests, high- and lowland meadows, eskers and bog woodlands.
