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Finland - suggestions for overnight trip out of Helsinki

Posted by on

Looking for advice on a 2-day/1-night trip out of Helsinki for late September. We could rent a car or use public transport. We plan to spend 3 days touring Helsinki. We will probably include Porvoo as a day trip from Helsinki.

I’m considering a trip to Turku. Or possibly Hanku, Ekenas and Fiskars. Or possibly Rauma. Or we could go inland. We’re happy to look at museums, just walk around. We like history. I think I would be more decisive as to what to do if our trip were in summer. I don’t want to show up to a beach town and have everything closed. I don’t think Turku will have seasonal issues but I’m not sure about the rest.

I know this is vague, but anyone have suggestions? Open to going almost anywhere.

Posted by
1299 posts

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.

Posted by
840 posts

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

Posted by
6360 posts

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?

Posted by
840 posts

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.

Posted by
6360 posts

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.

Posted by
840 posts

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

Posted by
1743 posts

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.

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