COASTAL & COUNTRYSIDE FINLAND
A self-drive journey through coastal and countryside Finland
Discover Finland beyond the main tourist routes. This self-drive journey connects family-run countryside stays, archipelago landscapes, historic towns, national parks and local experiences from Helsinki to the west coast and back through Lakeland.
The route is well suited for families, with spacious accommodation, nature close at hand and the freedom to travel at your own pace. From your accommodation, you can easily make day trips to nearby national parks, UNESCO World Heritage Sites and other cultural and natural attractions.
Enjoy the freedom of the open road, uncrowded places and experiences where both adults and children have space to slow down, explore and enjoy Finland together.
Approx. 1 550 km · Recommended duration: 2 weeks · Self-drive
🟢 Stays · 🟡 Discover along the way · 🔵 Start & end
Route
Southwest Finland
Coastal villages, archipelago landscapes and peaceful countryside
Choose your stay
Two different ways to experience Southwest Finland, Salo.
Ylöstalo Farm
Särkisalo · Seaside cottages · Sauna · Fishing
Stay in your own seaside cottage and experience the peaceful Finnish archipelago at a family-run farm by the sea.
Leipyöli farm
Perniö · Farm stay · Highland cattle · B&B & cottages
Stay on a Finnish farm with Highland cattle and choose between cosy B&B accommodation and cottages.
DISCOVER ALONG THE WAY
Make the journey part of the experience. Explore historic villages, coastal towns, nature and local places worth a stop along the route.
fiskars village
Historic ironworks · Art & design · Crafts · Cafés
Take a break in Fiskars Village, a historic ironworks community that has grown into a lively centre for Finnish art, design and craftsmanship. Wander among the old industrial buildings, visit workshops, galleries and small shops, and stop for lunch or coffee before continuing your journey.
Good to know: Check individual opening hours before your visit, especially outside the summer season.
EKENÄS / Tammisaari old town
Old town · Wooden houses · Seaside · Cafés
Take a stroll through the narrow streets of Ekenäs Old Town, where historic wooden houses reach all the way to the seashore. Wander through the old quarters, enjoy the small-town atmosphere and continue along the waterfront with its parks, cafés and views towards the archipelago.
National Parks
Forests · Archipelago · Wetlands · Outdoor activities
Three very different national parks are within reach of Särkisalo. Explore the forests, lakes and historic ironworks landscapes of Teijo, head from Kasnäs towards the islands of the Archipelago National Park, or discover the vast mire landscapes and birdlife of Torronsuo.
Explore the national parks:
Teijo National Park →
Archipelago National Park →
Torronsuo National Park →
Moominworld in Naantali
Naantali · Family attraction · Moomin stories
Step into the world of Tove Jansson’s beloved Moomins. Meet the characters, explore the Moominhouse and enjoy a summer day of stories and adventures. A memorable stop for families and Moomin fans of all ages. Open at summertime.
Rauma old town
Rauma · UNESCO World Heritage · Wooden town
Wander through the narrow streets of Old Rauma, a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with colourful wooden houses. Browse small boutiques, pause at a café and discover the history of this living Finnish town. A charming stop to explore on foot in any season.
Satakunta
Coastal landscapes, rural traditions and local culture along Finland’s western coast.
Countryside hotel Hanna & Magnus
Merikarvia · Farm stay · Animals · Rural traditions
Stay at Koivuniemen Herra Farm and experience Finnish countryside life throughout the year. Join the farm staff in caring for the animals in the morning, then explore the farmyard, its traditions and the surrounding nature at your own pace.
DISCOVER ALONG THE WAY
VAASA & KVARKEN ARCHIPELAGO
UNESCO World Heritage · Archipelago · Nature · Coastal landscapes
Discover Vaasa and the Kvarken Archipelago, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site shared with Sweden’s High Coast. Explore a unique landscape where the land continues to rise from the sea, creating an ever-changing archipelago of islands, bays and coastal nature
SOUTH OSTROBOTHNIA
Open landscapes, rural traditions and local culture in the heart of western Finland.
Distillery Manager’s house
Koskenkorva · Historic house · Local culture · Sauna experiences
Stay in the former home of Koskenkorva distillery directors, right next to the famous distillery. The spacious house offers a peaceful base for discovering local culture, Finnish sauna traditions and the story of Koskenkorva.
DISCOVER ALONG THE WAY
Discover Ostrobothnian culture, architecture and local flavours on your journey through western Finland.
SEINÄJOKI & ALVAR AALTO CENTRE
Architecture · Design · Finnish culture
Explore Seinäjoki and its internationally known Alvar Aalto Centre, a unique collection of buildings designed by one of Finland’s most celebrated architects.
LOCAL FINDS
Local flavours · Village life · Shopping
Explore some of the small and unexpected places around Koskenkorva. Visit Namitupa, a local candy factory just 8 km away, or stop at Jari Mäki’s American-style store in Koskenkorva village, only 2 km from Distillery Managers house. These local finds offer a glimpse into the character and everyday life of rural South Ostrobothnia.
NORTHERN OSTROBOTHNIA
Endless beaches, coastal nature and northern countryside along Finland’s west coast
TAPION TUPA
Kalajoki · Hiekkasärkät · Local food · Cycling · Nature
Stay in a traditional countryside-style setting at Kalajoki Hiekkasärkät. Enjoy local food, explore the surrounding forest landscapes and sandy beaches on foot or by bike, and choose between cosy rooms and apartments with a private sauna.
DISCOVER ALONG THE WAY
KALAJOKI SAND DUNES
Sand dunes · Beach · Swimming · Coastal nature
Experience the famous Kalajoki sand dunes and long sandy beaches on the Gulf of Bothnia. In summer, enjoy swimming and beach life in a landscape that feels surprisingly different from the forests and lakes often associated with Finland.
CYCLING & OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Cycling · Fatbiking · Trails · Coastal nature
Explore Kalajoki on two wheels or on foot. Cycling routes and trails take you through forests, dunes and coastal landscapes, making the area ideal for active travellers, couples and anyone who enjoys exploring nature outdoors.
ADVENTURE PARK PAKKA
Adventure · Zipline · Climbing · Outdoor activities
Experience the largest and most diverse outdoor adventure park in the Nordic countries. Adventure Park Pakka offers treetop courses, climbing challenges and thrilling ziplines in the unique surroundings of Kalajoki Hiekkasärkät.
Oulu region
Rivers, forests and authentic Finnish countryside near Rokua UNESCO Global Geopark
Merilä Manor
Utajärvi · Historic manor · Sauna · Local food · Reindeer experiences
Stay in a historic Finnish manor by the Oulujoki River, surrounded by peaceful countryside in the Rokua UNESCO Global Geopark. Enjoy Finnish hospitality, local food and traditional sauna experiences throughout the year.
DISCOVER ALONG THE WAY
Oulu
Cycling · Culture · Seaside · Northern city
Discover Oulu, a vibrant northern city by the Gulf of Bothnia, known as the world’s northernmost city where cycling is part of everyday life all year round.
Rokua National Park
Forests · Trails · Lakes · Outdoor activities
Discover peaceful pine forests, clear lakes and distinctive Ice Age landscapes in one of Finland’s oldest national parks.
Explore Rokua National Park:
Rokua National Park →
ROKUA UNESCO GLOBAL GEOPARK
Glacial landscapes · Nature · Outdoor activities · Geology
Explore the unique landscapes of Rokua UNESCO Global Geopark, shaped by the Ice Age and stretching across forests, lakes and the Oulujoki River valley.
DISCOVER ALONG THE WAY
As the journey turns south, discover unusual roadside stops and changing landscapes on the way towards the lakes and forests of Central Finland.
Vaskikello
Roadside attraction · Bell collection · Café · Local curiosity
Stop at Vaskikello in Pyhäjärvi, one of Finland’s most unusual roadside attractions. Discover a collection of more than 2,000 bells from around the world and take a break at the café and restaurant before continuing south towards Finnish Lakeland.
Koljat Rocks
Rock formations · Nature trail · Lake views · Finnish Lakeland
Discover the impressive Koljat rock formations in Viitasaari. A short nature trail follows the shore of Lake Kalliojärvi through peaceful forest scenery to the massive cliffs, offering a memorable introduction to the landscapes of Finnish Lakeland.
Central Finland & Lakeland
Lakes, forests and peaceful countryside in the heart of Finnish Lakeland.
Choose your stay
Two different ways to experience central Finland & Lakeland.
LomaLeivo Farm
Joutsa · Leivonmäki National Park · Private cottages · Finnish Lakeland
Stay in a unique, family-built cottage. Enjoy the peace of Finnish Lakeland, explore the national park straight from your doorstep and experience personal hospitality from the local family behind LomaLeivo.
Ilola Farm
Valkeakoski · Farm stay · Farm animals · Sauna · Countryside
Experience genuine Finnish farm life at a family-run farm welcoming guests since 1983. Meet the farm animals and stay in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere surrounded by fields and forests.
DISCOVER ALONG THE WAY
LEIVONMÄKI NATIONAL PARK
Forests · Lakes · Hiking · Peaceful nature
Explore the peaceful forests, clear lakes and varied trails of Leivonmäki National Park. Walk through classic Finnish Lakeland scenery, stop by quiet lakeshores and experience the silence and space of nature away from the crowds.
Rapola Hill Trail
Ancient history · Ridge landscapes · Nature trail · Lake views
Discover one of Finland’s most impressive ancient cultural landscapes at Rapola Hill in Valkeakoski. Walk along the forested ridge, explore traces of Iron Age history and enjoy views over Lake Vanajavesi and the surrounding countryside.
Pyynikki & Pispala in Tampere
Lake views · Wooden houses · Ridge landscapes · Local atmosphere
Discover two of Tampere’s most distinctive neighbourhoods. Walk along the Pyynikki ridge for beautiful views over the surrounding lakes, then explore the steep streets and colourful wooden houses of Pispala. Stop at the Pyynikki Observation Tower for its famous freshly made doughnuts before continuing your journey.
CREATE YOUR CLIENT’S OWN COASTAL JOURNEY
Choose the stops and experiences that best suit your client’s interests and pace. All accommodation providers featured on this route are Finnish farm tourism businesses. The journey can also begin in Turku or somewhere else.
Book each destination separately, following the instructions on its product card. We recommend booking well in advance to secure your preferred dates.
Travel agencies selling the itinerary as a package are responsible for fulfilling the applicable legal requirements for tour organisers.
Welcome to Finland for a refreshing coolcation, with beautiful coastal and lakeland scenery and warm Finnish hospitality 😊.