Helsinki is stepping into 2026 with record visitor numbers, major cultural openings and new infrastructure, joining a powerful line‑up of Finnish destinations that together are reshaping how travelers experience the Nordics.

Alongside Turku, Rovaniemi, Tampere, Oulu, Porvoo, Lahti, Kuopio and Vantaa, the capital is anchoring a rapidly evolving network of urban and nature escapes that span the Baltic coast, the lake district and the Arctic Circle.

For international visitors, the result is a compact yet remarkably diverse collection of cities that are increasingly marketed and managed as a single, sustainable travel corridor across Finland.

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Helsinki’s Tourism Boom and a New Era of Design, Culture and Wellbeing

Tourism in Helsinki is in the middle of what city officials describe as a record‑breaking era, with more than 4.5 million overnight stays logged in the most recent full year and growth expected to continue in 2026. The city has emphasized that this expansion is being guided by sustainability targets, from carbon‑smart infrastructure to visitor management in popular waterfront and heritage districts. Helsinki is once again showcasing that message at the Matka Nordic Travel Fair in January 2026, where it is presenting itself as a gateway to the rest of Finland’s regions.

At the same time, Helsinki is using high‑profile cultural investments to reinforce its position as Finland’s primary urban draw. Finlandia Hall, the Alvar Aalto landmark on Töölönlahti Bay, reopened in January 2025 after a three‑year, 136‑million‑euro renovation that preserved its modernist architecture while adding new public spaces, dining and event facilities. In 2026 the building anchors the Aalto anniversary year, coinciding with an expected UNESCO World Heritage decision on a group of Aalto‑designed sites, several of them in the capital.

Next year also brings a fresh round of headline events, from the Helsinki Biennial’s city‑wide contemporary art program to Helsinki Design Week’s 20th‑anniversary edition that will focus on happiness and wellbeing in design. A new exhibition at the Architecture and Design Museum Helsinki, “Aalto Design – Shapes of Wellbeing,” is slated to open in June 2026 and will explore how design traditions in the city intersect with nature and everyday life. Together, these developments are expected to raise Helsinki’s profile as a year‑round hub of Nordic culture, rather than just a summer stopover on Baltic cruise routes.

The city’s appeal also rests on smaller‑scale experiences that support longer stays and repeat visits. The Helsinki City Museum, located next to Senate Square, has emerged as one of the country’s most visited museums, offering free entry and a focus on residents’ everyday stories. Neighborhood saunas, new waterfront parks and an expanding food scene that spotlights local ingredients round out a tourism offer that increasingly encourages travelers to slow down and use Helsinki as a base for rail and flight connections across Finland.

Turku’s Coastal Revival and the One‑Hour Rail Vision

To the west, Turku is benefitting from renewed attention to its dual role as Finland’s oldest city and an emerging coastal lifestyle destination. The Aura Riverfront continues to be the center of visitor life, framed by medieval landmarks such as Turku Castle and the cathedral, and lined with restaurants, galleries and riverboats that come alive in summer. In recent seasons, local authorities have invested heavily in waterfront paths, cultural programming and environmental measures along the archipelago, responding to rising numbers of domestic and international visitors.

A critical development for Turku’s tourism prospects is the long‑planned high‑speed rail line between Helsinki and Turku, widely known as the Turku one‑hour train. While current projections indicate that the journey would take slightly more than an hour rather than exactly sixty minutes, the Espoo–Salo direct line is designed to significantly cut travel time and add capacity between the two cities. As of late 2025 all municipalities along the route have backed the project financially, with only one hold‑out delaying final arrangements, and the national government has signaled its intention to move ahead with construction phases.

For travelers, the railway would tighten the link between the capital’s international airport and Turku’s ports and archipelago, effectively creating a two‑city coastal corridor. Tourism operators in both cities are already planning joint products that combine design‑focused city breaks in Helsinki with sailing, cycling and island‑hopping experiences out of Turku. If the rail timeline holds, the coming decade could see the Helsinki–Turku axis emerge as one of Northern Europe’s most appealing and accessible short‑break combinations.

Turku is also deepening its role as a gateway to the Southwest Finland archipelago, where environmental pressures have prompted stricter sustainability guidelines. Visitor messaging increasingly stresses low‑impact ways to explore the islands, emphasizing cycling routes, local food and small‑scale accommodation in place of mass‑tourism infrastructure. That approach aligns with the country‑wide push to ensure growth in visitor numbers does not undermine the coastal ecosystems that have long been central to Turku’s identity.

Rovaniemi and Lapland: Balancing Santa‑Led Demand with Fragile Arctic Nature

Far north on the Arctic Circle, Rovaniemi remains Finland’s most internationally recognized winter destination, with Santa Claus Village, reindeer experiences and aurora safaris drawing families and bucket‑list travelers each season. Recent years have brought increased air connectivity and seasonal routes from European hubs, while tour operators continue to market Lapland as an accessible Arctic adventure. Promotional campaigns highlight year‑round appeal, from midnight‑sun hiking and canoeing in nearby national parks to winter snowmobiling and husky excursions.

However, the rapid rise in visitor numbers across Lapland is prompting growing scrutiny of environmental impacts and the long‑term sustainability of tourism in the region. Investigations by European media and researchers have documented the spread of new cabins, glass‑igloo hotels and access roads in previously undeveloped areas around Rovaniemi and further north, with concerns that the expansion fragments habitats and disrupts reindeer herding and the traditions of Sámi communities. Local debates now center on how to better regulate construction and ensure that projects labeled as eco‑friendly meet rigorous standards rather than marketing claims.

Climate change is adding another layer of complexity. Recent summers have seen unusual heatwaves in and around Rovaniemi, with temperatures at times reaching levels that would have been rare in the past. These events underline how Arctic destinations are on the front line of warming trends, even as they promote snow reliability and winter magic to global audiences. Researchers and local authorities are increasingly urging visitors to consider lower‑carbon travel options, longer stays and activities that engage more deeply with local culture and nature, rather than short, intensive bucket‑list trips.

Rovaniemi’s profile has also shifted with Finland’s 2023 entry into NATO, which has brought increased military training in the broader Lapland region and a new strategic dimension to what many visitors still experience primarily as Santa’s hometown. For now, tourism and defense activity coexist, but planners stress the importance of keeping the landscapes and communities that support the visitor economy at the center of decision‑making. The city is working with regional partners to develop clearer sustainability certifications and to steer growth toward already developed areas close to the Arctic Circle’s main visitor hubs.

Rising Regional Stars: Tampere, Oulu, Lahti, Kuopio and Vantaa

Beyond Finland’s headline destinations, a group of regional cities is expanding the country’s tourism map and diversifying where visitors spend their time and money. Tampere, situated between two large lakes, has leveraged its industrial heritage and new waterfront development to become a favored urban break among domestic travelers and increasingly among international visitors arriving by rail from Helsinki. The city’s arena, museums and sauna culture have helped cast Tampere as a relaxed cultural and events hub in the heart of the lake district.

Farther north on the Baltic coast, Oulu is preparing for a larger tourism role as it moves toward its term as European Capital of Culture in 2026, together with surrounding communities in northern Finland. The designation is prompting investment in venues, public art and programming that showcase both high‑tech innovation and nature access, from urban beaches and cycling paths to nearby wilderness areas. Observers expect that the cultural year will introduce many first‑time visitors to a part of Finland that has long been overshadowed by Lapland and the capital region.

In the south, Lahti and Kuopio are using their reputations as environmental and outdoor sports centers to appeal to visitors interested in low‑emission travel. Lahti, named a European Green Capital earlier in the decade, continues to promote its lakefront regeneration, winter sports infrastructure and climate‑focused initiatives as part of its tourism story. Kuopio positions itself as a doorway to the Finnish Lakeland, mixing urban festivals and a growing restaurant scene with lake cruises and forest hiking routes that are reachable within minutes of the city center.

Vantaa, traditionally seen primarily as the location of Helsinki Airport, is also undergoing a visible shift. Construction of a light‑rail line connecting eastern neighborhoods to the airport began in 2025, signaling a future in which visitors can more easily explore the city’s own districts rather than transiting directly to the capital. The project, slated for completion in 2029, is expected to stimulate new hotels, services and attractions along the route, anchoring Vantaa more firmly as a stand‑alone city break for travelers with layovers or early‑morning flights.

Porvoo’s Heritage Charm and Finland’s Push for Sustainable Cultural Tourism

Among smaller cities, Porvoo has become one of the clearest symbols of Finland’s commitment to preserving historic environments while broadening tourism appeal. The riverside Old Town, with its wooden warehouses and cobbled streets, has seen steady increases in both day‑trippers from Helsinki and overnight guests seeking a quieter alternative to the capital. Local authorities have faced the challenge of maintaining the character of the district while accommodating more cafés, boutiques and small hotels that cater to visitors.

In recent years, Porvoo has emphasized locally owned businesses and year‑round cultural programming, from art exhibitions to food events, as a way to spread visitor traffic beyond peak summer weekends. Winter and shoulder‑season campaigns now spotlight candlelit streets, design shopping and nearby nature trails, aiming to smooth out seasonal tourism spikes that can strain infrastructure in the small historic core. The city’s experience is often cited in national discussions as a model of how to manage growth in heritage destinations without tipping into overtourism.

Porvoo’s relative proximity to Helsinki and Vantaa’s airport, combined with an increasing range of bus and boat options, positions it as a key link in Finland’s emerging web of short‑hop cultural cities. Travel planners note that international visitors can now combine Helsinki’s modern architecture and big‑city nightlife with Porvoo’s 18th‑century streetscape in a single weekend. As Finland invests more in rail, bus and cycling infrastructure, such twin‑city itineraries are expected to form a larger share of the country’s overall tourism product.

National tourism officials highlight destinations like Porvoo, Rauma and the wooden towns of the lake district as central to a strategy that spreads economic benefits beyond the largest urban centers while reinforcing Finland’s reputation for safe, human‑scale cities. Against a backdrop of global concern about overtourism in historic cores, Finland’s smaller cities are positioning themselves as calm, authentic alternatives where visitors can explore on foot and still interact with local residents on their own terms.

Infrastructure, Connectivity and Finland’s Integrated City‑to‑Nature Itineraries

The emergence of Helsinki and its eight companion cities as a recognizable cluster of “must‑visit” Finnish destinations is closely tied to infrastructure planning. High‑speed rail proposals like the Helsinki–Turku line, upgrades to regional lines serving Tampere and Kuopio, and new light‑rail projects around the capital region are gradually shortening travel times and making car‑free itineraries more realistic for international guests. At the same time, regional airports in places such as Rovaniemi and Oulu are working with carriers to balance seasonal charter traffic with more regular scheduled services.

Tourism boards are seizing on these changes to promote multi‑city journeys that link urban culture with national parks, ski resorts and archipelago landscapes. Sample routes marketed for the coming years include combinations such as Helsinki–Porvoo–Lahti for culture and lake sports, Helsinki–Turku–Åland for heritage and islands, and Helsinki–Tampere–Oulu–Rovaniemi for travelers seeking a northbound arc from design capitals to the Arctic Circle. The aim is to lengthen average stays and encourage visitors to look beyond single‑destination packages.

Digital tools and coordinated branding are also playing a role. City marketing organizations increasingly share visual identities, sustainability messaging and booking platforms that allow visitors to move smoothly between different municipalities without having to navigate separate systems. Helsinki’s position as the primary air gateway gives it an outsized role in shaping first impressions, but officials are keen to highlight the diversity of experiences available just a few hours away by rail or road.

As global tourism continues to recover and diversify, Finland is betting that its blend of compact, innovative cities and large, accessible natural areas will resonate with travelers seeking both authenticity and comfort. The challenge for the coming decade will be maintaining that balance: capturing the benefits of rising international interest while protecting the quiet forests, clean waters and local cultures that make each of these nine cities, from Helsinki to Rovaniemi and Porvoo to Oulu, distinct parts of a wider Finnish story.

FAQ

Q1. What makes Helsinki stand out among Finland’s major city destinations right now?
Helsinki is combining strong visitor growth with a wave of cultural investments, including the reopened Finlandia Hall, upcoming Aalto‑themed exhibitions and a robust calendar of design and art events, while promoting easy access to nature and a sustainability‑focused urban lifestyle.

Q2. How easy is it to visit several Finnish cities in one trip?
Rail and bus links between Helsinki and cities such as Turku, Tampere, Lahti and Kuopio are frequent, and regional flights and overnight trains connect to Oulu and Rovaniemi, making it realistic to visit three or four destinations in a week without renting a car.

Q3. Why is Turku often paired with Helsinki for visitors?
Turku is just a few hours from Helsinki and offers a complementary experience with its medieval riverfront, castle and access to the archipelago; the planned high‑speed rail line is expected to tie the two cities even closer as a coastal twin‑city break.

Q4. Is Rovaniemi still worth visiting beyond the Christmas season?
Yes, Rovaniemi and the wider Lapland region promote year‑round activities, including midnight‑sun hiking, canoeing and wildlife watching in summer and autumn, alongside the better‑known winter experiences centered on Santa Claus Village and snow‑based excursions.

Q5. Are there concerns about overtourism or environmental impacts in Lapland?
Researchers and local communities have raised concerns that rapid growth in accommodation and infrastructure could threaten Arctic ecosystems and reindeer herding areas, leading to calls for stricter planning, better certifications and more responsible visitor behavior.

Q6. What role do Tampere and Oulu play in Finland’s tourism strategy?
Tampere serves as a culture‑ and events‑driven city in the lake district, while Oulu is preparing for its term as European Capital of Culture in 2026, with both cities helping to draw visitors into central and northern Finland beyond the capital region.

Q7. Why is Porvoo so popular for day trips from Helsinki?
Porvoo’s well‑preserved wooden Old Town, riverside warehouses and small‑scale cafés and boutiques offer a contrasting historic atmosphere to modern Helsinki, and its proximity makes it easy to reach for a few hours or an overnight stay.

Q8. How is Vantaa changing from being just the airport city?
Vantaa is developing new residential and commercial districts and building a light‑rail line that will better connect neighborhoods to the airport, encouraging travelers to spend time in local parks, shopping areas and cultural venues instead of transiting immediately to Helsinki.

Q9. Is it realistic to travel around Finland without a car?
For most major cities and many popular nature areas, it is increasingly feasible to use trains, long‑distance buses and local public transport, especially along the Helsinki–Turku–Tampere–Oulu–Rovaniemi corridor and in the lake district around Lahti and Kuopio.

Q10. How is Finland addressing sustainability across its growing network of city destinations?
Cities from Helsinki and Turku to Lahti and Rovaniemi are adopting climate targets, promoting low‑emission transport, steering visitors toward existing urban hubs and certified operators, and encouraging longer, more immersive stays that distribute benefits and reduce pressure on fragile environments.