Sjöfartsmuseum

Mainland Åland

　　Preserved boats make up most of the exhibitions at this state-of-the-art museum exploring Åland's marine heritage; the centrepiece is a reproduction of a ship, complete with mast, saloon, galley and cabins. The museum is a great place to discover your inner pirate, with plenty of ships in bottles, sea chests...

Story

Lappeenranta

　　At the heart of Helsinki's historic harbourside market hall Vanha Kauppahalli, this sparkling cafe sources its produce from the surrounding stalls. Breakfast (oven-baked barley porridge, eggs Benedict) gives way to snacks (cinnamon buns, cakes) and hearty mains such as creamy salmon and fennel soup, aubergine ragout with couscous, and shrimp-laden...

Muumimaailma

Lappeenranta

　　Crossing the bridge from the Old Town to Kailo island takes you into the delightful world of the Moomins. The focus is on hands-on activities and exploration, not rides. Kids love the costumed characters wandering through the Moominhouse, the Groke's Cave and Snork’s Workshop (where they can help with inventions)....

Wilderness Hotel Nellim

Lappeenranta

　　At this wonderfully remote lakeside property, the pick of the options are the 'aurora bubbles': perspex-domed cabins where you can watch the spectacle of the aurora borealis from the warmth of your bed from September to mid-April. Year-round there are timber lodge rooms, log cabins and self-catering apartments. The buffet-only...

Lumihotelli

Lappeenranta

　　The snow hotel's interior temperature is -5°C (23°F) – somewhat temperate when the outside temperate is closer to -30°C (-22°F) – but a woolly sheepskin and a sturdy sleeping bag keep you warm(ish) atop the ice bed. From late June to April, seaside glass villas with transparent walls and ceilings...

Marimekko

Lappeenranta

　　Bright pinks, yellows and ubiquitous black and white form the basis for the prints by this iconic Finnish designer that has infiltrated the world of international fashion. Marimekko has come a long way since the early days in 1949, extending its reach from printed fabric to accessories, crockery and other...

Vanha Kauppahalli

Lappeenranta

　　Alongside the harbour, this is Helsinki's iconic market hall. Built in 1888, it’s still a traditional Finnish market, with wooden stalls selling local flavours such as liquorice, Finnish cheeses, smoked salmon and herring, berries, forest mushrooms and herbs. Its centrepiece is its superb cafe, Story. ...

Siida

Lappeenranta

　　One of Finland's most absorbing museums, state-of-the-art Siida offers a comprehensive overview of the Sámi and their environment. The main exhibition hall consists of a fabulous nature exhibition around the edge, detailing northern Lapland’s ecology by season, with wonderful photos and information panels. The centre of the room has detailed...

Santa's Grotto

Lappeenranta

　　Santa sees visitors year-round in this impressive grotto, with a huge clock mechanism (it slows the earth’s rotation so that Santa can visit the whole world’s children on Christmas Eve). The portly saint is quite a linguist, and an old hand at chatting with kids and adults alike. 　　A private...

Artek

Lappeenranta

　　Originally founded by architects and designers Alvar Aalto and his wife Aino Aalto in 1935, this iconic Finnish company maintains the simple design principle of its founders. Textiles, lighting and furniture are among its homewares. Many items are only available at this 700-sq-metre, two-storey space. ...

Rauma Museum

Lappeenranta

　　Rauma Museum encompasses four sites, the most interesting of which is Marela, the period-furnished home of a wealthy 19th-century merchant family. The home of a former seaman, Kirsti is a lovable collection of lopsided wooden buildings representing home life from different eras. The main building is the impressive 1776 Vanha...

Iittala

Lappeenranta

　　Finland's famous glass manufacturer – established in 1881 in the southern Finnish town of the same name and later shaped by Alvar Aalto – has a central outlet here on Pohjoisesplanadi, and an outlet at Arabiakeskus, 5km north of the city, which has a museum covering the brand. Along with...

Wilderness Hotel Inari

Lappeenranta

　　Just outside town, this terrific lakeside place has a cosy feel in its tastefully decorated rooms and cabins, with some igloos as well. The decor features dark wood and reindeer skins and some rooms have glass ceilings for watching the aurora. The public areas have a similarly warm and welcoming...

Kauppahalli

Lappeenranta

　　Filled with speciality products, this historic covered market also contains the ininen Juna Aschan Café, in a converted-train carriage, run by top-quality Turku bakery chain Aschan. ...

Hotelli Vanha Rauma

Lappeenranta

　　Once a warehouse in the old fish market, this is now the only hotel in the Old Town proper. Its 20 rooms embrace modern Scandinavian design, with lino flooring, leatherette chairs, flat-screen TV and views of the park or courtyard. Service is attentive, and the restaurant, SJ Nyyper, is well...

Kastelholms Slott

Lappeenranta

　　One of Åland’s premier sights is this striking 14th-century castle on a picturesque inlet (signposted off Rd 2). The keep towers are 15m high in parts, with walls of 3m-thick red granite; it’s easy to see how it would once have ruled over Åland. Exhibits showcase the castle’s evolution and...

Säynätsalon Kunnantalo

Lappeenranta

　　One of Aalto's most admired works, this town hall was conceived as a 'fortress of democracy' and constructed between 1949 and 1952. Its sturdy brick tower references the medieval palazzi communale (town halls) Aalto had admired in Italy, but the grassy inner courtyard bathes the interior with light and reflects...

Bomarsund Fästningsruin

Lappeenranta

　　Following the war of 1808–09, Russia began building this major military structure as its westernmost defence against the Swedes. The fortress was still incomplete when the Crimean War began in 1854, and a French-British naval force bombarded it heavily from the sea. Within four days the Russians were forced to...

Villa Mairea

Lappeenranta

　　This fantastic villa is considered one of the 20th century's architectural masterpieces and the pinnacle of Alvar Aalto's career. It is the former home of industrialists Harry and Maire Gullichsen, who were avid art collectors and tireless supporters of modern culture and social change. The house still contains the couple's...

Serlachius Museum Gösta

Lappeenranta

　　Once the private home of Gösta Serlachius, this world-class art gallery is one of Finland's premier cultural attractions. Situated 2km east of Mänttä's town centre in an exquisitely maintained garden, it comprises two buildings: a spectacular 2014 wooden pavilion designed by Spanish architectural firm MX_SI showcasing Finnish and international temporary...

Hossa National Park

Lappeenranta

　　Founded in 2017 to commemorate Finland's centenary of independence, the country's 40th national park stretches over 11,000 hectares of glittering lakes and dense forests. Highlights include Julma Ölkky, a 3km-long lake-filled canyon that narrows to just 10m wide; Öllön, a 40m-deep lake where scuba-diving will be possible; and Värikallio, a...

Santa Claus Post Office

Rovaniemi

　　Situated within the Santa Claus Village, this post office receives over half a million letters each year from children worldwide. You can browse a selection of the letters, which range from rather mercenary requests for thousands of euros' worth of electronic goods to heart-rending pleas for parents to recover from...

Santapark

Rovaniemi

　　Built inside a cavern in the mountain, this Christmas-themed amusement park features an army of elves baking gingerbread, a magic sleigh ride, a carousel, an ice bar, a theatre, a restaurant and, of course, Santa himself. The most intriguing section is the gallery of ice sculpture. It lacks a bit...

Santa Claus Village

Rovaniemi

　　The ‘official’ Santa Claus Village is built atop the Arctic Circle marker, denoted by a line painted on the pavement (Arctic Circle certificates cost €4.50). There’s a mixture of humdrum souvenir stands and classier shops, some selling Sámi handicrafts. Other attractions here include reindeer-pulled sleigh rides (on wheels in summer,...

Rovaniemen Taidemuseo

Rovaniemi

　　A wide collection of contemporary Finnish art rotates in the clean white exhibition space of this gallery in an old brick truck depot. Performances by the Lapland Chamber Orchestra regularly take place in its concert hall. ...

Rovaniemen Kirkko

Rovaniemi

　　Completed in 1950, this church replaced the one destroyed during WWII. The impressively large fresco behind the altar depicts a Christ figure emerging from Lappish scenery. Created by Lennart Segerstråle, the fresco has two sides: one populated by the faithful, the other by brawling drunkards and ravening wolves. ...

Konttaniemen Porotila

Rovaniemi

　　Meet reindeer (including adorable calves in season) and find out about their life cycle at this reindeer farm 7km northwest of Rovaniemi. Tours complete with lunch (of, yes, reindeer) are available year-round, and sleigh rides are available in winter. ...

Pilke Tiedekeskus

Rovaniemi

　　Downstairs in the Metsähallitus (Finnish Forest and Park Service) building next to the Arktikum, this is a highly entertaining exhibition on Finnish forestry with a sustainability focus. It has dozens of interactive displays that are great for kids of all ages, who can clamber up into a bird house, build...

Arktikum

Rovaniemi

　　With its beautifully designed glass tunnel stretching out to the Ounasjoki, this is one of Finland’s finest museums. One half deals with Lapland, with information on Sámi culture and the history of Rovaniemi; the other offers a wide-ranging display on the Arctic, with superb static and interactive displays focusing on...

Merimiehen Kotimuseo

Oulu

　　This house-museum on Pikisaari belonged to a local sailor. Built in 1737, it is the oldest house in Oulu and was transferred here from the city centre in 1983. The wallpaper and extendable bed are typical of 19th-century Finnish homes. Following renovations, it's expected to reopen in mid-2018. ...

Oulun Taidemuseo

Oulu

　　Oulu’s art museum is a bright, spacious gallery with excellent temporary exhibitions of both international and Finnish contemporary art, and a cafe. ...

Oulun Tuomiokirkko

Oulu

　　Oulu’s imposing cathedral was built in 1777, but then came the great fire of 1822, which severely damaged the structure. Prolific architect CL Engel rebuilt it in Empire style, adding a dome and Renaissance-style vaulting, which impart a powerful airiness to the fairly unadorned interior. ...

Hupisaaret Park

Oulu

　　Just north of the city centre on the Hupisaaret Islands, connected by small bridges, this great park has bike paths, museums, greenhouses and a summer cafe. An observation deck looks out over the 750m-long fishway with 64 steps (a climb of 11m) built so that salmon can bypass the hydroelectric...

Pohjois Pohjanmaan Museo

Oulu

　　The Museum of Northern Ostrobothnia in the city park has almost too much information to take in at first bite. It covers the earliest habitation of the region through to the 20th century, including plenty of coverage of the tar trade. Cameras allow you to zoom in on the impressive...

Turkansaaren Ulkomuseo

Oulu

　　Set across two river islands on the scenic Oulujoki, this open-air museum is a collection of traditional wooden buildings, from loggers’ cabins to stables, and includes a handsome farmhouse. The 1694 church is an original from this former trading settlement. A working tar pit comes to the fore during Tar-Burning...

Tietomaa

Oulu

　　This huge, excellent science museum can occupy kids for the best part of a day with a giant, 35m-high IMAX screen, hands-on interactive exhibits exploring planets and the human body, and an observation tower. An annually changing mega-exhibition is the focal point. Opening hours fluctuate; check the online calendar. ...

Kauppatori

Oulu

　　Oulu has one of Finland's liveliest market squares, and its position at the waterfront makes it all the more appealing. The square is bordered by several old wooden storehouses now serving as restaurants, bars and craft shops. The squat Toripolliisi statue, a humorous representation of the local police, is a...

Sibelius Museum

Turku

　　Finland's most extensive musical museum displays some 350 instruments from accordions to Zimbabwean drums. A separate section is devoted to Finnish composer and bohemian carouser Jean Sibelius, with manuscripts and personal memorabilia. You can listen to Sibelius’ music on scratchy records, or hear live jazz, folk and chamber music at...

Forum Marinum Ships

Turku

　　Anchored outside the Forum Marinum is a small fleet of museum ships that you can climb aboard. The mine layer Keihässalmi and the corvette Karjala take you back to WWII, while the full-rigger Suomen Joutsen recalls more carefree prewar days. The beautiful three-masted barque Sigyn (moored 500m upstream) was originally...

Forum Marinum

Turku

　　Partly housed in an old granary, this excellent maritime museum offers a comprehensive look at ships and shipping, from scale models to full-size vessels. Highlights include the museum's hydrocopter, WWII torpedoes and multimedia displays, plus a cabin from a luxury cruise liner (many of which were built in Turku). At...

Turun Tuomiokirkko

Turku

　　The ‘mother church’ of Finland’s Lutheran faith, Turku Cathedral towers over Turku. Consecrated in 1300, the colossal brick Gothic building was rebuilt many times over the centuries after damaging fires, but it still looks majestic and historic. Upstairs, a small museum traces the stages of the cathedral’s construction, and contains...

Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova

Turku

　　Art and archaeology unite here under one roof. Aboa Vetus (Old Turku) draws you underground to Turku’s medieval streets, showcasing some of the 37,000 artefacts unearthed from the site (digs still continue). Back in the present, Ars Nova has contemporary-art exhibitions upstairs. English-language tours lasting 45 minutes (included in admission)...

Turun Linna

Turku

　　Founded in 1280 at the mouth of the Aurajoki, mammoth Turku Castle is easily Finland’s largest fortress. Highlights include two dungeons and sumptuous banqueting halls, as well as a fascinating historical museum of medieval Turku in the castle’s Old Bailey. Models depict the castle's growth from a simple island fortress...

Taidekappeli

Turku

　　Like the bow of a ship tipped on its end, this unusual structure is perched on a rock and surrounded by forest on Hirvensalo island, 7km south of Turku centre. Looking at its oddly shaped, copper-clad exterior, you wouldn't know it's a chapel – St Henry's Ecumenical Art Chapel, to...

Luostarinmäen Käsityöläismuseo

Turku

　　When the savage Great Fire of 1827 swept through Turku, the lower-class quarter Luostarinmäki escaped the flames. Set along tiny lanes and around grassy yards, the 19th-century wooden workshops and houses now form the outdoor handicrafts museum, a national treasure since 1940. All the buildings are in their original locations,...