Suomenlinna's 18th-century fort is a 15-minute boat journey from Helsinki's Market Square and one of the world's largest sea strongholds (a mini-cruise that has lovely views of the city as a bonus attraction). The sights and activities here might easily occupy a day. The spectacular defences, which are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, were built in 1847 by the Swedes (Finland was Swedish territory at the time) to frighten the Russians away from the fort; the Russians were not terrified and eventually took both the fort and Finland.

For a fascinating history, start with the audio-visual experience in the visitor center (it's in English), then tour the island's ramparts, tunnels, and museums, as well as the trails that wind their way around the gorgeous island. Alternatively, you may join up for a guided tour here to learn more about the fort and its varied features. The 250-ton Vesikko submarine, which served in the Finnish Navy from 1936 to the end of WWII, is one of them.

In Suomenlinna Fortress, the Ehrensvärd Museum depicts the oldest Swedish period, while the Doll and Toy Museum showcases dolls, dollhouses, and toys in an old Russian villa. Glassblowers, potters, and other craftspeople have studios and stores in various buildings, and in the summer, the Suomenlinna Summer Theatre puts on evening dance and musical acts.

Location: Suomenlinna C 40, FI-00190 Suomenlinna, Helsinki, Finland

Official site: https://www.suomenlinna.fi/

Highlights: UNESCO World Heritage site, Suomenlinna Island

Best time to visit: April to May – Spring

Helsinki is Finland's capital as well as the country's largest city. It is located on a granite peninsula overlooking the Baltic Sea on the north shore of the Gulf of Finland. Helsinki was created in 1550 by Swedish King Gustavus Vasa, and it was included in the Russian Grand Duchy of Finland in 1808.

Carl Ludwig Engel (1778-1840) was commissioned to reconstruct the town after a large fire destroyed a third of it in 1808. The ensuing neoclassical city center is planned out in wide, attractive avenues and boulevards with plenty of parks. Many of the almost 300 cruise ships that visit Helsinki each year land right in the heart of the city and many of the city's main tourist sites are within walking distance.

Helsinki is a wonderful city to explore on foot or by bike, and it has an outstanding public transportation system that includes ferries to the islands as well as trains to other parts of Finland. Also, one of the prominent Finland areas of interest is Helsinki's Market Square, where you may take a ferry trip or sample traditional Finnish fare. Make sure you don't miss out on one of Finland's most attractive destinations: Europe!

Location: Helsinki, Finland

Highlights: Taking a Boat to the Fortress of Sveaborg & the Suomenlinna Islands, shopping in Helsinki's Market Square, Temppeliaukio Rock Church, experiencing Traditional Finnish Culture at Seurasaari open-Air Museum, the Sibelius Monument and Park, ...

Best time to visit: May 28th to September 23rd

Rovaniemi is located in the heart of a wide natural environment with flowing rivers for canoeing, swimming, or fishing, as well as hiking and cycling routes alongside them. The city is well known (ask any Finnish child) as the home of Santa Claus, who lives at Santa Claus Village, which sits astride the Arctic Circle. You can interact with reindeer or visit a Sami reindeer farm here. Visit the beautiful Arktikum Science Museum to learn more about Lapland culture as well as the natural history, meteorology, and geology of the Arctic.

The Arctic Circle passes through northern Finland, passing straight past Rovaniemi, claiming it as the Gateway to the Arctic. This means the famed Midnight Sun in the summer. In Rovaniemi, the sun only stays above the horizon for a complete 24 hours during the summer solstice in late June, yet it never gets dark from late May to early August. During these "White Nights," locals are out enjoying the great outdoors, and tourists are free to join them.

Location: Rovaniemi, Finland
Highlights: Santa Claus Village and Santa Park, Arktikum Science Museum, the Gateway to the Arctic, the Korundi House of Culture, Arktikum, Angry Birds Park, Lordi's Square, Rovaniemi Church, Ranua Zoo From Rovaniemi, ...
Best time to visit: June 18th to August 19th and the Christmas

The Snow Castle of Kemi would be impressive even if it weren't entirely made of snow and ice, with its faux-drawbridge, looming watchtowers, and ramparts topped with Finnish flags, but knowing that the architectural masterpiece is completely demolished each spring and rebuilt each winter is incredible. The attention to detail is breathtaking—elaborate sculptures line the hallways, archways are adorned with intricate carvings, and the suites have "thrones" and four-poster beds made from gleaming chunks of ice.

Many visitors to the Snow Castle choose to stay the night at the on-site Snow Hotel, which has rooms and suites for up to 48 people, but non-guests are welcome to tour the castle, dine at the Snow Restaurant, and watch the grand opening ceremony and fireworks display. Take a tour of the castle interiors before leaving, as well as ascending the ramparts for a glimpse of the snow-covered gardens, seeing the Snow Chapel, and zooming down the various snow slides.

Location: Kemi, Finland
Highlights: Seaside Glass Villas, Northern Light, The Snow Restaurant, Kemi Church, Kemi Swimming Pool, The Arctic Gems & Comics, Orchid Vietnamese Restaurant, SnowRestaurant, Panorama Cafe, ...
Best time to visit: June 11th to September 16th

The Aland Islands (or Aland) are a self-governing archipelago situated between Sweden and Finland. Land is a mostly Swedish-speaking Finnish province made up of a few big islands and almost 10,000 smaller ones. Land has a distinct history. Sweden gave it to Russia in 1809. The islands were taken by a combined British-French fleet in 1854, which destroyed the citadel. Following that, the entire archipelago was demilitarized, and it still is today.

Land has a population of around 27,500 people, with roughly 11,000 living in Mariehamn, the principal town. Because shipping and trade have long been the islands' principal industries, the Nautical Museum, the Museum Ship Pommern, and the Maritime Quarter in Mariehamn are all worth visiting to learn more about the islands' interesting maritime heritage.

The Jan Karlsgrden open-air museum near Kastelholm is well worth a visit, where you can see what a typical island farm looked like in 1890. The pristine environment and gorgeous landscapes of land, on the other hand, are a huge lure these days.

Aland celebrates the longest day of the year with a magnificent and ancient celebration on midsummer's eve. Artists enjoy it because of the beautiful landscapes and seascapes, and tourists flock here by boat from Turku and Stockholm to visit their studios and galleries.

Location: Åland Islands, Finland

Highlights: Charming Mariehamn, Cycling in Åland, Get to know the history of Kastelholm castle, Go golfing, The ruins of Bomarsund, ...

Best time to visit: summer, from June to August

Turku, the country's oldest town and the country's capital until 1812, is located on the Gulf of Bothnia, near the mouth of the Aurajoki River. Turku is located in the location where the Swedish Vikings' descendants landed in the 12th century to capture what is now Finland.

With eight centuries of history, it is currently Finland's most conventional medieval town, but in addition to its excellent medieval structures, there are examples of Art Nouveau and modern architecture, such as Woldemar Baeckman's Sibelius Museum. The river, which is lined with antique boats, some of which have been turned into restaurants, serves as a focal point for the city.

The Kaupatori (market square) shopping area and the magnificent Orthodox Church are located on the river's northeast side. On the opposite bank, the Old Great Square is overlooked by the historic church, which was consecrated in 1290. It's a large brick church with Gothic and Renaissance embellishments and a 97-meter-high tower that towers above the city. The ancient square's ensemble of historic buildings takes on a medieval aspect with craft stalls and food vendors during the July Medieval Festival.

Location: Turku, Finland

Highlights: Orthodox Church, the Kaupatori, the Old Great Square, Turku Castle, Turku Historical Museum, Luostarinmäki Handicrafts Museum, ...

Best time to visit: June 4th to September 16th

Porvoo is 48 kilometers east of Helsinki and is the country's second oldest town after Turku. It rises from a lovely tangle of old alleys and ochre-colored wooden dwellings to its hilltop medieval church, which is lined by small red wooden buildings. The magnificent 1764 pulpit, as well as 15th-century wall paintings, are highlights.

The Market Square, located between the river and the hilltop church, is home to two museums worth seeing. The Edelfelt-Vallgren Museum, for example, contains exhibitions on local history, while the other, the Edelfelt-Vallgren Museum, is a must-see for anybody interested in the Art Nouveau style. It houses the furniture, pottery, and other works of various artists who established an art colony in the area around the turn of the century. Allow time to browse the stores and studios of Porvoo, which are still famed for their beautiful crafts. Porvoo is accessible by boat from Helsinki throughout the summer.

Location: Porvoo, Finland
Highlights: Porvoo Cathedral, The Brunberg Chocolate Factory, The Runeberg Home Museum, The Old Town, Sikosaari, Näsi stone or ‘The Magic Rocks’, eating at Zum Beispiel, ...
Best time to visit: May 28th to September 9th