Summer bucket list – what to do in Finland in the summer?

Grab a pen and paper or open the Notes app on your phone and make a list of your favourites from the article. The next time you’re wondering what to do in the summer, open your summer bucket list and hop on a train! The train takes you to summer adventures with less emissions, and you can use the travel time by relaxing or planning your trip.

Enjoy the sun at the beach

Of course, a sunny summer’s day also includes relaxing at the beach. You don't need to travel by plane to go on a beach holiday – you can go on one by train in Finland. There are many wonderful beaches in Finland where you can relax, swim, play games or even exercise. Spend a day at Aurinkolahti Beach in Helsinki or spend a weekend in Yyteri. And don't forget the iconic beaches in Hanko, Plagen and Bellevue.

Go on a road trip by train

When you’re wondering what to do on your summer holiday, why not go on a backpacking trip or a road trip to explore Finland? Buy a holiday ticket and let the train take you comfortably to your destination. With a holiday ticket, you can travel as much as you want with one ticket during the desired time period. Would you rather go on a trip for a week or travel around Finland for a whole month?

Learn more about the holiday ticket here.

Amusement parks for thrill seekers

Amusement parks are an essential part of summer! If amusement rides aren't your thing, it’s fun to go to amusement parks just to enjoy the atmosphere, play games and enjoy soft ice cream or cotton candy. You can easily get to Linnanmäki, Särkänniemi or PowerPark by train, for example. If you’re looking for the nostalgic atmosphere of American amusement parks with arcades, head to Jyväskylä. From Jyväskylä Travel Centre, you can get to Nokkakivi Amusement Park in Lievestuore, Laukaa by local bus.

Cool down in a water park

Water parks offer relief on a hot summer day! Spend a sunny day at Tykkimäki Aquapark, Visulahti or JukuPark in Turku, for example. You can easily get to all of them from the railway station by local bus or taxi.

Enjoy delicious food at summer markets

It's a good idea to enjoy a market square coffee at least once during the summer. Around Finland, you can find wonderful traditional markets where you can buy fresh berries and vegetables in the summer and enjoy local specialities. What would interest you the most: vety and atomi meat pies from Lappeenranta, lörtsy pastries from Savonlinna or a kalakukko fish pie from Kuopio? We recommend visiting Hakaniemi Market Square and the Market Square in Helsinki and Tammelantori and the Central Square in Tampere. Many markets also have a Market Hall where you can buy local delicacies as presents.

See more tips for the most wonderful summer markets in Finland here.

Shop at flea markets

Summer is a great time to spend a relaxed day exploring flea markets and boutiques. You can find unique pieces at outdoor flea markets in parks and market squares. In Helsinki, we recommend looking for vintage treasures at the outdoor Hietsu Flea Market and at the flea market held in Dallapé park on Sundays in the summer. On summer Sundays, outdoor flea markets can also be found in Tampere’s Sorsapuisto Park and Turku Market Square, for example.

Spend a weekend in Helsinki

If you don't live in the capital region, take a summer trip to Helsinki by train! You can easily get to Helsinki by train and get from one place to another by public transport or on foot. You can spend a summer weekend in Helsinki however you want: would you like to visit museums, flea markets and small boutiques, have fun in Linnanmäki or go on a ferry trip around the islands close the city?

See tips for a summer holiday trip to Helsinki here.

Take the commuter train

What to do in Southern Finland in the summer? If you live in the capital region, Lahti or Tampere, it's a good idea to go on a day trip by commuter train! Would you go to Hämeenlinna to explore the 700-year-old castle and admire the natural landscapes of Aulanko? Or would you rather head to the Salpausselkä outdoor area and the Ski Museum in Lahti? Or would you be more interested in taking a look at Jean and Aino Sibelius’ home in Ainola, the Aleksis Kivi cottage and other artist's homes in the Tuusulanjärvi region?

Take a break in the fells of Lapland

Lapland is not only a destination for winter or seeing the autumn foliage; it is also worth visiting in the summer! There are many different destinations in Lapland, whether you want to have an active holiday in the centre or enjoy the silence by hiking in the wilderness. You won't even need your own car when you travel by night train and use connections. If you are concerned about mosquitoes, you should travel to Lapland in early June or August, or pack protective clothing and mosquito repellent in your backpack.

See more tips for the summer destinations in Lapland here.

Go on a trip with children

Summer holiday trips in childhood turn into warm memories that last into adulthood. If you travel with children on your summer holiday, you can find fun activities in Vaasa, Lahti, Jyväskylä, Tampere, Turku and Helsinki, for example. Would you like to spend a day playing in Laune Family Park or listening to the stories of the Little Knight's Tour in Turku Castle? You can also go on a trip inexpensively, as many cities offer plenty of free activities for people of all ages.

Have fun at festivals and summer events

Festivals offer fun summer activities in Finland! Whether you’re heading to Provinssirock in Seinäjoki, Wanaja Festival in Hämeenlinna or even Kajaani Poetry Week, you can avoid traffic jams and parking fees when travelling by train.

We often add extra services for events to make it easy for you to arrive and get back home for the night. There is also occasionally entertainment that enhances the atmosphere on these extra services. See additional services and the possible entertainment on event trains here.

Tour Finland’s best attractions

There is a lot to see in Finland, from famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites to more secret gems. Are you more interested in beautiful historical cultural environments, stunning natural landscapes or activities for the whole family?

We have compiled a list of attractions in Finland that you can reach by train. See the list here and add your favourites to your summer bucket list.

Spend a romantic mini break with your partner

What to do with a partner in Finland in the summer? On holiday, you can finally spend some quality time with your loved one. Go on a short holiday to Turku or Rovaniemi, or spend a weekend enjoying delicious food at Tertti Manor in Mikkeli. Or would you like to sleep under the sky in a glass igloo at Revontuli Resort in Hankasalmi?

See tips for a mini break for a couple here.

Go to another city as a tourist

A small change of scenery always feels refreshing! You see another city completely differently than your hometown. Would you tour the sights of the compact Jyväskylä, for example, or would you prefer the activities in Kuopio and Tahko? It is easy to go on a summer day trip by train, as you can walk to the city centres directly from the railway stations.

Visit museums

Did you know that there are more than 1,300 museums in Finland? There are destinations for every taste, from charming local history museums to large art museums. When you get to explore the fascinating museums, there's no need to wonder what to do during your summer holiday!

If you’re interested in museums, there’s no better combo to have than a museum card and a holiday ticket! You can choose a continuous validity period of 7, 9, 14 or 30 days for your holiday ticket, which allows unlimited travel anywhere in Finland. With a holiday ticket and museum card, you can visit as many museums as you can during your holiday, without any surcharges for trains or museum tickets!

Learn more about the holiday ticket here.

Explore Finland’s most beautiful summer towns

In Finland’s most beautiful summer towns, you can admire historic buildings, stroll along charming small alleys and enjoy the scenery. Would you like to spend a day admiring the marine scenery of Hanko or exploring the boutiques surrounded by the old wooden houses of Tammisaari? You can get to both destinations conveniently on a summer train that runs between Riihimäki and Hanko.

Enjoy the spa

When your mind and body need some rest, treat yourself to a spa holiday. Although the warmth of the spa is particularly attractive in rainy weather, you can enjoy the sun in many of Finland's spas in outdoor pools and on terraces. Would you, for example, head to the Forest Spa in Tahko, which is completely outdoors, or admire the views of Lake Pielinen in the outdoor pools of Spa Bomba?

Enjoy cultural experiences

When the weather is rainy or you are hungry for culture, theatres, museums and various musical performances offer fun summer activities in Finland. Would you like to explore Alvar Aalto locations in Jyväskylä, go to the theatre in Helsinki or visit museums in Tampere? In many cities, museums, theatres and musical experiences are located within walking distance of the railway station. Go on a weekend trip or take a day trip and return home by train for the night.

Hike in national parks and on nature trails

Finland’s national parks and nature attractions are at their best in the summer. In nature, you can take a relaxed walk, ride a bike or even stay overnight in a tent. Did you know that you can also get to Finnish nature attractions without a car? Together with Metsähallitus, we have compiled a list of national parks and nature attractions that you can easily reach by train.

See Finland’s national parks and nature attractions a train trip away and add the most interesting ones on your summer bucket list!

Relax on a hotel holiday

During a hotel holiday, you get a break from your everyday environment. Go on a hotel holiday to Helsinki, Tampere, Turku or Rovaniemi, for example. Start your day with a delicious hotel breakfast and spend the day exploring the city. After a day in the city, it’s nice to shop for treats and spend a movie night in the soft bed of the hotel room or enjoy a bubble bath.

Article's images: Visit Finland, Lakeland Finland/Visit Jyväskylä Region, Julia Kivelä, Maisa.fi, Aku Pöllänen, Riikka Vaahtera, Pyhä-Luosto, Visit Tampere, Laura Vanzo