The Best Road Trips in Finland: Discover Nature and Culture
With its vast landscape of pine forests and silvery lakes, fringed by a coastline dotted with thousands of islands, Finland is truly made for road trips.
Travelers following open roads through the wildernesses of Lakeland and Lapland will find that each season brings a unique beauty, from autumn colors to snowbound winters. Most of the following routes are feasible year-round, although ferry schedules may restrict travel to summer in some cases. Explore the five best road trips in Finland below.
See the Islands on a Road Trip to Porvoo and Pellinge
Helsinki–Söderby; 85km (53 miles); allow two days
After spending time in the Finnish capital, head out of town on the Kulosaaren Bridge for an introduction to the island-dotted Gulf of Finland coastline. The first stop is Porvoo, located just 50km (31 miles) from Helsinki yet seemingly centuries removed, with its atmospheric old town filled with traditional wooden houses. Stroll the cobbled streets towards the maroon riverside warehouses, which were first painted red to celebrate an 18th-century Swedish king’s visit. Don’t miss local delicacies, like the Runeberg torte pastries tempting from the windows of cafes and chocolatiers; Old Porvoo resembles a Hans Christian Andersen fairy-tale setting, especially under a dusting of snow.
Swedish is commonly spoken along the Finnish coast, and you’ll hear the language more frequently—especially on Porvoo’s neighboring Pellinge (or Pellinki) islands. Moomins creator Tove Jansson spent months here at her single-room summer cabin, finding inspiration from the rugged coastal landscape. Road trippers can navigate between the forested islands using a cable ferry and bridges, reaching the tiny fishing village of Söderby.
Visit Ironworks Villages and the Finnish Riviera along the Southern Coast
Espoo–Bengtskär; 120km; allow three days
Beat the city traffic by picking up your hire car in Espoo, connected to Helsinki by a short and efficient public transport ride. Continuing the theme of sophisticated development, the area on the western side of the Laajalahti and Seurasaarenselkä bays is known as Finland’s Silicon Valley.
Detour north along the pine-ringed Nuuksion Pitkäjärvi lake to Nuuksio National Park, where rugged, glacier-carved landscapes await. The spruce forests are home to a significant population of Siberian flying squirrels, making it a natural retreat.
Choose your landscape: glide past forest-lined lakes (get used to these) on the E18 highway to Fiskars, or take the coastal Rte 51 towards this picturesque 17th-century village. Fiskars, the best-known ironworks village, houses artisanal craftsmen in its workshops, providing an array of distinctive souvenirs. At the journey’s end, enjoy the charming 19th-century spa town of Hanko, known for its sunny weather, sandy beaches, and fantastic seafood restaurants.
The trip concludes with a boat venture to Bengtskär lighthouse, the tallest in the Nordics at 52m (171ft), proudly standing on its isolated islet.
Watch the Water Sparkle on Lake Saimaa and Puumala in Finnish Lakeland
Ruokolahti–Jyvaskyla; 250km; allow two days
In Finland’s southeastern corner, Ruokolahti marks the starting point of the Rte 62 drive through some of the Lakeland region’s most pristine scenery. The journey is a delight for drivers, as the asphalt stretches across serene waters on slender bridges, reconnecting with densely forested peninsulas and islands brimming with pines. This route is often referred to as the Puumala Ridge or the Lietvesi Scenic Road, named after the main town and one of the vast lakes along the way.
While the views of Finland’s largest lake, Saimaa, will keep you occupied, a highlight is a picnic cruise from Puumala to Rokansaari island in the Saimaa Geopark. The park also features 80 prehistoric rock paintings at Astuvansalmi or you can visit Ollinmäki winery before Rte 62 concludes at lakefront Mikkeli.
While it’s easy to loop back to Helsinki from Mikkeli, if you’re heading north for further adventures in Lakeland or Lapland, Jyvaskyla serves as a fantastic staging post. Surrounded by forest—which covers 75% of Finland—the city offers authentic Finnish experiences in the many saunas that earned central Finland the title of Sauna Region of the World. It’s also an architectural treasure trove, featuring the wooden Petäjävesi Old Church, one of Jyvaskyla’s two World Heritage Sites, along with the world’s largest collection of buildings designed by renowned Finnish modernist Alvar Aalto.
Have a Few Car-and-Ferry Adventures on the Turku Archipelago Loop
Turku–Nagu–Kustavi–Turku; 200km; allow three days
Finland’s indented coastline and glacial hinterland are studded with more than 180,000 lakes and almost as many islands, making this archipelago route a must-try. The journey starts in southwestern Turku, Finland’s oldest city and former capital. This vibrant port and university city competes with Helsinki for attention due to its galleries, museums, restaurants, and nightlife, shadowed by an impressive medieval castle and a Gothic cathedral.
Boasting around 20,000 islands and skerry islets in the Turku Archipelago, there are countless routes available for exploration. All offer a remarkable island-hopping experience, characterized by more seaside tranquility than tourist sights—noteworthy fishing villages, sandy beaches, understated accommodations, and traditional Finnish cuisine define this journey, best experienced during the summer months from June to August.
From Turku, it’s recommended to cross the bridge-connected islets to Lillmälö, followed by a ferry across the bay to Prostvik. Via a dozen ferry terminals, Rte 180 continues across Nagu, one of the archipelago’s five main islands, leading to Pärnä, the launchpad for the sailing-and-driving route to Heponiemi. Subsequently, you return to solid ground with gradual ease.
While this land-and-sea adventure may seem daunting, many boat crossings are quick trips with on-demand departures. It’s just 70km (43 miles) back to Turku from Heponiemi, allowing for a last night on Kustavi island, enjoying rustic accommodation, a generous seafood buffet, and a visit to the red-painted 18th-century church.
Take an Epic Christmas Journey at the Arctic Circle in Lapland
Rovaniemi–Inari; 325km; allow three days
No matter the season, Finnish Lapland offers a sense of Christmas in the regional capital of Rovaniemi. Inspired by the folkloric figure of the Yule goat, who distributed gifts to Lappish children, this area boasts a perpetually wintry environment. Rovaniemi has become Santa’s home base, featuring the Santa Claus Village theme park, where visitors can meet Father Christmas year-round, explore Mrs. Claus’s cottage, and visit the festive couple’s reindeer herd.
Rovaniemi lies 825km (513 miles) north of Helsinki, and it’s definitely worth the trip to cross the Arctic Circle (marked by a sign just north of town) and discover the stunning Lappish landscape. Expect snow-laden forests and icy fells, frozen lakes, and ski resorts during winter, while autumn displays a magnificent palette of golds. From summer’s 24-hour daylight to spectacular auroras in spring and autumn, this area is a visual delight year-round.
The E75 highway leads you past Saariselkä, Europe’s northernmost ski resort and a gateway to the expansive 2,500-sq-km (965-sq-mile) wilderness of Urho Kekkonen National Park. Here, opportunities for trekking, cross-country skiing, and cycling abound. Guests can stay in an Arctic retreat and immerse themselves in more Christmas mythology—Finns believe that the park’s reindeer-inhabited Korvatunturi fell is Santa’s home.
Along the lake named after it, Inari serves as a cultural center for the Sámi, the European Union’s sole Indigenous population. Engage with their culture through berry-foraging expeditions into the forest or by sampling traditional dishes, including renskav—sautéed reindeer.
