Finland - suggestions for overnight trip out of Helsinki

The obvious answer is in my opinion Tallinn.

While I absolutely loved Turku, I agree with Badger and recommended Tallinn. Beautiful historical city and only 2 hours or so away from Helsinki by ferry.

I should have mentioned that we are going to Estonia first so we will have been to Tallinn.

That certainly would have been helpful.

Would you mind sharing the rest of your itinerary so we know where you will have been and where you are going?

Certainly. This trip will be just Estonia (10 days) and Helsinki (3 full days) plus the 2 days I am trying to figure out. In Estonia we will have several days in Tallinn, a couple of days in Saaremaa, visits to Parnu and Haapsalu, a trip east to Lahemaa, Narva and down to Turku. We won’t see everything but this will give us a good flavor. We have already been to Latvia and Lithuania.

We know we are shortchanging Finland, but our days are set. On another trip we will see more of Finland and perhaps go east, but given the current situation, more likely we’ll do Finland and Sweden on another trip. Now I’m figuring out what to do w my 2 extra days. We’re flying out of Helsinki and will stay there our last night.

Appreciate your help. We prefer to concentrate on one country per trip, although this trip will be one country plus part of another.

Thank you! There are many good options in Finland as well. Late September is still warm so if you go on a weekend you will not see small seaside towns abandoned, especially not on a weekend. Åbo/Turku is a great option, 3rd largest city in Finland with enough things to see and do for two days. If you are looking for a smaller town, Ekenäs is an excellent choice. I also feel like I have to mention Åland, one of my favourite places in Finland. But that can be a bit tricky for a 1 night trip if you have to return to Helsinki.

Thanks Dutch_trav and Badger for your help. I will report back!

Go to Turku, which has a beautiful cathedral with a fine organ.

From there, go to Naantali. You can easily go by bus from Turku. It's a charming town. It's claim to fame is Moomin World, a theme park dedicated to the the comic strip and TV cartoon character, but even if that doesn't interest you (it didn't interest me, and I didn't go to the theme park), Naantali is a delight just to stroll along the waterfront and enjoy the ambience.

Lane, thank you.