9 “Hot” Summer Cities In Finland

1. Porvoo

Founded nearly 800 years ago, Porvoo is the second oldest city in Finland, best known for its old wooden town, charming cafés, and the red-ochre painted riverside warehouses. However, summery Porvoo offers much more than strolling around the cobblestoned streets or stepping into sweet little shops.

For one, the city is full of art exhibitions and fairs, music festivals and flea markets, concerts and riverside attractions. On the other hand, Porvoo is a countryside city surrounded by woods and fields, only a short bus ride from the seaside. Only about 50 kilometres east from Helsinki, it is easy to travel from the capital to Porvoo by bus or by steamboat in the summer.

In the summer, why not try a hop-on hop-off bus Rinkeli (it’s free!) that takes you around the Porvoo National Urban Park and all the way to the beautiful Sikosaari island? Or go swimming in the Kokonniemi beach – a small, deep pond surrounded by white sand and grassy hills – only 15 minutes walk from the city centre.

Food lovers must try SMAKU – an award-winning food festival taking place for two weeks in August. For those who crave music, Jazz music at Haikko Manor or Tirmo Blues festival in the Porvoo archipelago might be the ones to choose.

We recommend you give Porvoo your time and stay for at least a night to fully experience the city’s many faces. The idyllic B&B’s, boutique hotels, manors and home stays in the Old town will be memorable experiences in themselves.

Read more: visitporvoo.fi

2. Helsinki

Needless to say, there’s something going on in Helsinki every day of the year – but especially in the summer months. People gather for a little picnic in the green parks like Esplanadi, Kaivopuisto or Tokoinranta and the terraces are filled with happy Finns enjoying their summer holiday.

New public saunas have opened in Helsinki in recent years, in addition to numerous traditional saunas. On your next visit try out Allas Sea Pool, Löyly, Lonnan sauna, Kulttuurisauna or Kotiharju sauna. There is no shortage of events either; Helsinki Day, multiple flea markets all around the city, Seurasaari Midsummer festivities, Tuska Open Air Metal Festival and Flow festival to name a few.

Rhododendron Park in Haaga has become one of the most popular green areas in Helsinki. The park attracts a lot of visitors, especially around the middle of June when the rhododendrons in the eight-hectare park explode into blossom. Lauttasaari is a real treasure trove of nature just five minutes by metro from the city centre. This otherwise populated island has a delightful shoreline with views in all directions.

Island hopping is a great way to spend a sunny day in Helsinki. The Market Square has easy access to Suomenlinna, as well as the recently opened islands of Lonna and Vallisaari. Mustikkamaa, next to the Kalasatama district, has been one of the most popular recreational areas in Helsinki since 1921, when it was made into a public park. The rocky island is covered with pine forest, and the shoreline is one of the best fishing spots in town.

Read more: myhelsinki.fi

3. Savonlinna

Savonlinna has become an icon among opera-lovers, for it is more than just home of the Savonlinna Opera Festival in an ancient castle; it is also an idyllic little town set amid lakes, islands and forests, light summer nights, and a stimulating cultural atmosphere. You don’t have to be an opera fan to have a blast in Savonlinna as summer theatre,  guided tours, concerts and exhibitions in the area offer something for everyone.

Located in Finnish Lakeland, Savonlinna is a prime destination for kayaking, paddling and SUPing. You can also enjoy the lake views by taking a cruise. Lake cruises are a big part of summer in Savonlinna and its surrounding areas. A cruise along Lake Saimaa on a nostalgic steamboat or a handy motorboat is a relaxing way to spend a sunny summer day while enjoying the scenery.

Read more: visitsavonlinna.fi

4. Naantali

Naantali’s sun is well known by the Finns – as it is called “the sunniest city in Finland”. This little town has lot of unique stories to tell and they are best experienced with a guided walking tour or a boat cruise.

President’s summer residence is located in Kultaranta and guided tours in the beautiful garden are arranged for visitors during the summer months.

When hungry, there’s plenty of options to choose from; like Merisali, Trappi, Hasta la Pasta and Pohjakulma.

On a beautiful island called Kailo opposite Naantali’s old convent, lies Moomin world – a must visit for families! Moominworld is an enchanting blend of authentic archipelago nature and the fairytale creations of Tove Jansson. All visitors are invited to come and embrace the magic, with the Moomins’ island home offering enough activities, attractions and experiences for a whole day – if not more.

The unique Sleepyhead Festival is the jolliest festival of the year for the whole family. The century-old local tradition has become a tourist attraction and an outdoor festival lasting for several days. On 27th of July the Official Sleepyhead of the Year is thrown into the sea at 7 am sharp. The fun lasts from dawn till dusk all over town.

Read more: visitnaantali.fi

5. Hanko

Hanko, the southernmost part of Finland, is a summer paradise made for explorers who love sandy beaches and secret little nooks. The atmosphere of the historic spa city, multiple colourful events, and relaxing closeness of the sea make it a great day-trip destination.

For a small town, Hanko has an impressive selection of all sorts of restaurants as well as events; like Hanko Regatta, Poker Run and Seahorse Week.

Hanko has 3o km of sandy beaches and 130 km of coastline. The water tower in the centre offers the visitor beautiful 360 views over the coast and the beautiful old wooden villas.

From Hanko you can make a day trip to the beautiful Bengtskär lighthouse or maybe attend a seal spotting safari. Cycling is a great way to get around in the area and a riding to the beautiful town of Tammisaari is a great option for activity enthusiasts.

Read more: tourism.hanko.fi

6. Mariehamn

Åland is an autonomous and monolingual Swedish region of Finland and consists of more than 6 500 islands. The capital, Mariehamn, a cute village-like town with a strong maritime and shipping heritage, is the only city in the unspoiled, ruggedly beautiful archipelago. The town centre has much to offer in a small space; you are always near shopping, restaurants, culture and experiences – most of them located in the Torggatan pedestrian precinct in central Mariehamn.

It’s easy to discover the harbour and shipping town of Mariehamn on foot or by bicycle, zoom or bus. It is a ten-minute walk from one harbour to the other. Where the ferries arrive in Västerhamn is where the four-masted barque and sailing vessel Pommern is situated below Åland’s Maritime Museum by the Badhusparken.

If you want to experience the Åland archipelago from a boat there are day excursions to the old pilot station Kobba Klintar and to the little island Rödhamn.

Read more: visitaland.com

7. Sodankylä

The village of Sodankylä is located in the heart of Finnish Lapland, around 120 kilometers above the Arctic Circle, where the sun doesn’t set at all in the summertime. Midnight Sun Film Festival is THE reason why crowds flock to this town in mid June. The atmosphere of the Midnight Sun Film Festival is one of the most unique in the whole world – without any formal restraints, the festival is best characterised by its pure love for cinema. Films are shown in four venues for 24 hours a day, and the actual time is easily forgotten as the sun shines as brightly at 4 AM as it does at 4 PM.

Photo: Midnight Sun Film Festival / Antti Yrjönen

Sodankylä is located in between two national parks, Urho Kekkonen national park and Pyhä-Luosto national park, making it a great destination for hiking and trekking. Trails like Paavon polku, Pappilanniemen rantareitti and Ilmakkiaapa are suitable for everyone, where as for example Kaarestunturi and Pittiövaara are recommended only for experienced trekkers.

In Sodankylä you can truly relax in the wild fells, explore northern art and enjoy the authentic peace of Lapland.

Read more: visitsodankyla.fi

8. Turku

During summer the riverbanks come to life when people gather there to eat, drink and listen to music. There are old sailing ships moored in the river, and you can take cruises out into the archipelago or to nearby Naantali. Cruise ships sail daily from Turku Harbor across the Baltic to Sweden.

For both budget-dining and fine-dining Turku offers excellent eateries that will flick the taste buds and make visitors go back for seconds. Try Kakolan Ruusu, Kaskis, Mami, NOOA, Smör or Pinella.

On a beautiful summer day we recommend grabbing some tasty food from the market hall and cycling for a relaxed picnic in Ruissalo with friends. Or maybe just enjoying the sunshine along the Aura river next to the cathedral.

During June and July there’s no shortage of events in this city: Turku Food & Wine festival, Ruisrock festival, Paavo Nurmi Marathon, Down by the laituri festival and Medieval market just to point out a few.

Read more: visitturku.fi

9. Rauma

The town of Rauma was founded in 1442, making it the third oldest town in the country. It is especially known for its colourful regional dialect, its long tradition in bobbin lace-making and the well-preserved wooden buildings of Old Rauma, one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.

Approximately 700 people live in the 70-acre area, which contains 600 buildings. Walking around Old Rauma is like stepping into a fairy tale: the colourful wooden houses, decorative gates, cobble stone streets and beautiful public buildings create an atmosphere of the long-forgotten past.

Rauma boasts a large number of unique interior design shops and craft boutiques, delightful shops, cafés and restaurants. All shops are within walking distance from each other, which makes shopping a pleasure.

Rauma Lace Week is a versatile summer event, the nine day Lace Week is combining traditional lace making to modern and global festival atmosphere. Most of the program is free of charge and even though major part of the program is in Finnish, anyone can still enjoy the lively music, creative performances and colourful arts.

Read more: visitrauma.fi