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.
Approx. 1 550 km · Recommended duration: 2 weeks · Self-drive
Route
Choose your own pace and combine stays, experiences and discoveries along the way.
Southwest Finland
Coastal villages, archipelago landscapes and peaceful countryside
Choose your stay
Two different ways to experience Southwest Finland, Salo.
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.
Perniö · Farm stay · Highland cattle · B&B & cottages
Stay on a peaceful countryside farm with Highland cattle, with a choice of B&B accommodation or 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 →
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
Discover the landscapes, nature and northern culture surrounding Merilä Manor, from the Oulujoki River valley and Rokua UNESCO Global Geopark to the city of Oulu.
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.
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 →