Well known for the wonderful, tourist-friendly capital city of Helsinki, as well as the enchantment that is Lapland, Finland is home to a plethora of wonderful other tourist attractions which are a little off the beaten track, but are well worth a visit. If you enjoy getting away and visiting new and exciting places, here are some charming locations in Finland you may like to add to your itinerary…
- Aland
- Jyväskylä
- Lemmenjoki National Park
- Archipelago National Park
- Hämeenlinna
The Aland Islands are an archipelago which lies between Finland and Sweden, and are interesting in that they are a province of Finland which is predominantly Swedish-speaking. Comprising almost ten thousand islands, Aland is home to almost thirty thousand people. Mariehamm is the main town, housing eleven thousand, and is home to the Museum Ship Pommern, a maritime museum (the major industry of the region is shipping and trade). Tourists will also enjoy the Jan Karlsgarden Open Air Museum at Kastelholm, which transports visitors to a local farm as it would have been in 1890. Aland is home to a huge, ancient celebration of the summer solstice, as well as beautiful, unspoiled natural landscapes.
This small city lies on the north side of the Jyvasjarvi Lake. Charmingly melding old wooden houses with modern stone architecture, Jyvaskyla is the administrative and cultural hub of central Finland and is notable for its trade fairs in woodworking and metalworking. Founded in 1837 by Tsar Nicholas I, it hosts an annual international arts festival each June; this is Finland’s longest-running annual cultural gathering.
This is Finland’s largest national park, and is one of Europe’s most extensive areas of wild land, covering over one thousand square miles in area. Full of marked trails through forest, open wilderness huts, the impressive Lemmenjoki River, fells and pine valleys, this is a trekker’s paradise. Rent a boat or take a tour, and see moose, reindeer, wolves, bears, and golden eagles.
Near Turku, this park covers the islands which are a melting pot of influences from Finland, Russia, and Sweden. Quiet air, calm seas, and unspoiled, the region never seems crowded. Enjoy boating, kayaking, sailing, fishing, or sea-bird watching.
This vibrant, southern Finnish town lies on the long, narrow lake of Vanajavesi, and was founded in 1639. Visitors will be drawn to the Tavastehus Castle, which was built in the thirteenth century, as well as the Aulanko Park, the Market Square, the Hameenlinna Historical Museum, and the Sibelius Park. Historical sites lie alongside gorgeous nature reserves – visitors will be charmed.
Come back next week for Part Two of great places to visit off the beaten path in Finland! Scandi Travel can help you get there!
