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Julia takes a road trip around southern Finland enjoying stunning views and seascapes. 

 

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Flying to Finland

Travelling to Finland? If you’re flying into the country, you’re probably landing in one of Finland’s main airports:

  • Helsinki Vantaa International Airport (HEL)
  • Rovaniemi International Airport (RVN)
  • Kittilä International Airport (KTT)

For your convenience, you can rent a car directly from these 3 Finnish Enterprise Rent-A-Car airport branches plus other locations in Finland, so you can kickstart your road trip from the get-go.

So, whether you’re exploring the arctic regions and need a trusty SUV, or want to enjoy leisurely drives along the lakes in the comfort of a luxury car – we’ve got the vehicle to match.

Discover Finland's most Picturesque Roads on a Scenic Drive


Finland isn't just a winter destination, it's a beautiful place to visit in the summer months too, especially if you enjoy the outdoors. With its pristine landscapes and beautiful lakes, Finland is the perfect destination for a driving holiday. Whether you fancy a daytrip out from the capital or a longer road trip, the following ideas should give you some inspiration. To begin your journey, fly into Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL).

Short Drives (1-4 Hours)


Nuuksio National Park Loop

Duration: 2 hours

Pick up a car from the local Enterprise branch and drive to Nuuksio National Park for the day, it's less than 30 kms northeast of Helsinki.  Drive through dense forests, picnic by tranquil lakes and look out for flying squirrels and local wildlife.


Porvoo to Loviisa Coastal Route

Duration: 3 hours

Begin in the charming town of Porvoo with its historic red wood houses and follow the coastal road to Loviisa. Enjoy the beauty of the archipelago, historic villages, and sea views through the trees.


Turku Archipelago Ring Road

Duration: 4 hours

Experience the unique beauty of the Turku Archipelago. Drive from Turku to Naantali through a maze of islands via bridges and car ferries visiting the charming villages along the Baltic Sea coast. 


Hämeenlinna to Evo Nature Drive

Duration: 2.5 hours

Take the short drive northwest from Hämeenlinna to Evo Nature Park. Drive through lush forests past serene lakes and drink in the scenery. Bring your hiking gear as the best way to really experience this natural heaven is on foot.

Longer Road Trips (1-5 Days)


Lakeland and Savonlinna Circuit

Duration: 4 days
Nearest Airport:  Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL)

Explore Finland's enchanting Lakeland region, starting in Helsinki. Drive through charming towns, visit Savonlinna's medieval castle, and enjoy hiking and water sports on and around the numerous lakes.


Oulu to Kajaani Wilderness Route

Duration: 3 days
Nearest Airport: Oulu Airport (OUL)

Begin your journey in Oulu, on the edge of Lapland and drive northeast to Kajaani, passing through vast forests and past clear blue lakes as you experience the unspoiled wilderness of Northern Finland.


Arctic Circle Adventure: Rovaniemi to Inari

Duration: 5 days
Nearest Airport: Rovaniemi Airport (RVN)

Start in Rovaniemi in Lapland, the official hometown of Santa Claus, and drive to Inari above the Arctic Circle where it never gets dark in summer. This part of Finland shares borders with Russia, Norway and Sweden and, even in summer, has a certain beautiful starkness. 


Hanko to Archipelago Sea Trail

Duration: 3.5 days
Nearest Airport:  Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL)

Begin your journey in Hanko and explore the Archipelago Sea Trail. Hop between islands, crossing the sea by bridge and car ferry, stay over where you want and enjoy water sports and sightseeing along the way. 


Vaasa to Kvarken Archipelago

Duration: 4 days
Nearest Airport: Vaasa Airport (VAA)

Start in Vaasa with a visit to the Terranova Museum so you understand the land uplift phenomenon, then drive to the UNESCO-listed Kvarken Archipelago via the Replot bridge, the longest in Finland.  Witness the unique post-glacial rebound phenomenon, stay in quaint wooden towns and immerse yourself in the tranquility of the archipelago.


Koli National Park and Karelia Lakes

Duration: 5 days
Nearest Airport:  Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL)

Take a road trip from Helsinki to Koli National Park and the lakes of Karelia. Experience the stunning landscapes that have inspired Finnish artists, explore charming villages, and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the region.

Top places to visit in Finland

With its stunning natural landscapes, delicious local cuisine, and historical landmarks, there are plenty of things to do in Finland. Read on to uncover some of our top suggestions!

Things to do in Finland

In Helsinki

Let's start with Helsinki, Finland's capital city. Known for its architecture and vibrant art scene, a must-see spot is the Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art, with its ultra-modern building and impressive art collection.

Another great tourist attraction in Finland's capital city is the Fortress of Suomenlinna, an 18th century fort and Unesco World Heritage Site. And to finish off your Helsinki tour, don't forget to visit the imposing Helsinki Cathedral with its notable neoclassical façade and the Temppeliaukio Church, with its unique architecture which is partly underground.

In Lapland

If you're travelling to Finland's northern territories, you're probably heading to the world-famous Lapland – also known as Santa's homeland.

Lapland is one of the best places to visit in Finland if you're after the coveted northern lights. The best time to see the northern lights in Finland is between autumn and spring. Travelling in summer? You can witness the midnight sun in Lapland , a phenomena that causes sunlight all day and night.

If you're travelling to Lapland, you can fly into Rovaniemi International Airport (RVN) and rent a car directly at the Rovaniemi airport Enterprise branch so you can explore this enchanting northern region at your own pace.

Finnish Lakeland

Did you know Finland has over 180,000 lakes? Visiting Lakeland is one of the top things to do in Finland, especially if you're into water sports, cycling, or hiking.

To reach Lakeland, you can fly into Helsinki Vantaa International Airport (HEL) and rent a car from our Helsinki Vantaa airport branch. The drive to the lakes will take about 4 and a half hours meandering through scenic forests and lakes.

The biggest lake is Lake Saimaa, which is also the fourth largest freshwater lake in Europe. But with plenty of other lakes to choose from in the area, you'll be spoilt for choice. The top activities in Lakeland include ice skating and cross-country skiing in winter; or canoeing and cycling in summer.

Finnish Food & Drinks

At the heart of Finnish cuisine, you'll find fish as the stellar ingredient. Whether its pickled, smoked, or grilled – restaurants serve delicious fish dishes for you to try. We recommend tasting lohikeitto, a salmon and dill soup in winter, and crayfish in the summer months to celebrate the annual rapujuhlat crayfish catch.

Other notable dishes include the hearty poronkäristys, sauteed reindeer with cranberry sauce; graavilohi, salt-cured salmon; or leipäjuusto cheese, with which you make a delicious dessert also known as ‘Finnish squeaky cheese'.

As for typical Finnish drinks, try sima, a low-level alcoholic drink that also comes in alcohol-free versions that's made by fermenting honey and water. For alcoholic options, learn more about the traditional lakka liqueur made with cloudberries.

Events and Festivals in Finland

Finland hosts plenty of festivals, which range from music and arts to gastronomy. Helsinki Festival is the largest arts and music festival in Finland and takes place in August every year. If you're visiting Finland in the summer, you won't want to miss the annual Juhannus celebrations for midsummer, occurring in late June.

Other events in Finland include the Midnight Sun Film Festival, which takes place in June and is famous for showing films for five days straight, without interruption, to mark the midnight sun phenomena. Alternatively, if you're travelling during the winter months, join the Kiruna Snow Festival with ice and snow sculptures, dog-sleighing, and music.

Best Road Trips in Finland

With its lakes, forests, and exciting cities – driving in Finland is one of the best ways of exploring this country. Below you can find a two suggestions:

Short Road Trips in Finland

From Helsinki, you can take a 2-day trip to Pellinki island via Porvoo. The first stop, Porvoo, is about a 1-hour drive from Helsinki. Here, you'll find charming cobbled streets and traditional wooden houses. The next stop on this trip is Pellinki island, a 50-minute drive away from Porvoo. In Pellinki you can explore the many islands forming part of this archipelago, perfect for spotting wildlife.

Long Road Trips in Finland

If you're looking for a longer road trip, why not explore the stunning northern regions of Finland? From Rovaniemi you can drive up north to Saariselkä in about 3 and a half hours and visit Europe's northernmost ski resort. From here, you can roam the majestic Urho Kekkonen National Park or drive even further north towards the arctic regions, reaching Inari after about 55-minutes.

Driving in Finland

Exploring Finland by car is a great way of visiting this vast country, but before you embark on your road trip, there are a couple of things you should know. Here’s a list of essentials you need:

  • A full, valid driving licence
  • An international driver’s permit (check if you need this!)
  • Vehicle insurance certificate
  • Registration documents
  • Your passport

But you’re probably wondering: what side of the road does Finland drive on? Like many of their European neighbours, Finns drive on the right-hand side of the road.

Finland’s roads are well-kept, maintained, and clearly signposted, so driving in Finland is relatively straightforward. However, if you’re travelling in winter, you should pay extra attention as icy conditions can make the road more dangerous. Here’s our top tips for driving in Finland in winter:

  • Check the weather forecast and warnings before driving
  • Winter tyres are mandatory in Finland during winter
  • Keep a snow brush and ice scraper in your car and keep your car hood, roof, lights, and windows snow-free. Failing to do so will incur in a fine.
  • Stay on main roads to avoid unsalted or unplowed road conditions
  • Animal crossings are frequent, so watch out for warning signs

It is also worth noting the speed limits in Finland:

  • 50 km/hr in urban areas
  • 80 km/hr outside urban areas
  • 120 km/hr on motorways

Seatbelts are mandatory for all passengers and using your mobile phone when driving is prohibited.

Are you ready to explore Finland? Check out our car rental options and prepare for a smooth drive through this scenic country.

Car & Van Hire - Finland

Enterprise Rent-A-Car is proud to serve customers in Finland. As part of the largest rental car company in the world, which owns and operates more than 1.5 million vehicles, we’re sure to have a location near you or your travel destination. And while we are an internationally recognized brand, Enterprise remains family-owned with one goal in mind for our customers: to exceed your expectations for service and overall value.

With many unique attractions such as Helsinki Cathedral, Turku Castle, and Market Square, Finland is a popular destination with tourists and business travelers alike. Whether you’re visiting for a few days or staying for a month or more, you can count on us to provide the perfect vehicle for your transportation needs. Get your trip started by searching the map or browsing the locations below.