The alternative guide to summer in Finland: 19 sights you can't miss

What is it? An annual late-August madness in Oulu where contestants from across the globe gather to shred imaginary strings with maximum theatricality.

Why go? Finland loves a bizarre summer world championship (from wife-carrying to swamp football), but this is the crown jewel. Started in 1996, it has become a global cult phenomenon with a beautiful, tongue-in-cheek ideology: “Wars would end if everyone in the world played the air guitar.” The absurd joy, glorious costumes, and intoxicating crowd energy make it the funniest festival in the country.

Don’t miss: Book a room at Original Sokos Hotel Arina - fsome windows look directly out onto the stage at Rotuaari Square. For food, slide into Italica Taberna, a cozy independent Italian gem right on the edge of the square.

Getting there: Fly or take the train to Oulu; the main event takes place right in the city’s central pedestrian square, Rotuaari.

What is it? An unlikely art capital hidden deep within the pine forests of the Pirkanmaa region. This former forest industry town showcases the vast Golden Age collections of the Serlachius paper barons alongside cutting-edge contemporary exhibitions.

Why go? Think of Mänttä as the ultimate ‘who’s who’ of Finnish art, brilliantly condensed into one forest-ringed lakeside town. It’s where you can trace the entire DNA of the nation's creativity, moving seamlessly from the brooding, mythic masterpieces of the Golden Age to the absolute cutting edge of today. Summer is the undeniable peak season: alongside the heavy-hitter permanent collections, the town hosts the Mänttä Art Festival, Finland's boldest and most unapologetic annual showcase of contemporary local talent.

Don’t miss: This summer (2026), Mänttä hosts a major exhibition by global contemporary superstar Anish Kapoor. When culture fatigue sets in, head straight to the museum’s Restaurant Gösta (open 11:00–17:00), helmed by award-winning chef Henry Tikkanen.

Time Out Tip: Stay at the nearby Mäntän Klubi – a historic, upscale 1920s boutique hotel originally built for the paper mill’s elite executives. 

Getting there: Take the train from Helsinki to Tampere, then hop on the dedicated Serlachius Shuttle bus directly to Mänttä.

What is it? The tallest lighthouse in the Nordic countries, rising majestically from a lonely, windswept skerry in the Baltic Sea.

Why go? Completed in 1906, this 52-metre-tall Art Nouveau monument is so jaw-droppingly spectacular it easily ranks among the world’s finest. The 252 steps leading to the top are rewarded with a dizzying 360-degree panorama of nothing but open sea.

Don’t miss: You can actually stay the night in the former lighthouse keepers’ quarters. Rooms are few and bookings open early, so snap one up well in advance.

Getting there: Boat trips run from the historic summer towns of Hanko and Kimitoön.

What is it? The birthplace of Finland’s 'national landscape'. These ancient, quartzite hills rising above Lake Pielinen have inspired Finnish artists, poets, and composer Jean Sibelius for generations.

Why go? The view from the top of Ukko-Koli is the gold standard of Finnish nature - the postcard against which all other Finnish views are judged. It’s a perfect, almost sacred composition of white rock, endless pine forest, and a massive lake dotted with islands.

Don’t miss: Stay overnight to catch the landscape bathed in the midnight sun or early morning mist. Perched right near the summit is Break Sokos Hotel Koli, which boasts a gorgeous, intimate spa where you can soak in outdoor hot tubs overlooking the trees.

Getting there: It’s a one-hour drive from Joensuu. During the summer, a direct shuttle bus connects the city to the park.

What is it? Located on the west coast, Old Rauma is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest contiguous wooden town in the Nordic region.

Why go? Competition for the "best wooden town" title is fierce in Finland (looking at you, Porvoo), but Rauma wins hands down for sheer scale and architectural flair. It features around 600 pastel-coloured wooden buildings, narrow cobblestone alleys, and a living community of artisans that makes it feel like a beautifully preserved time machine.

Don’t miss: Rauma is famous for lace-making—a craft born when local men were out at sea and women ran the town. This culminates in late July with Lace Week and its legendary Night of Black Lace, when the entire town turns into a giant, carnival-esque street festival that runs until dawn.

Getting there: Rauma is easily reached by long-distance bus from Pori, Turku, or Tampere.

What is it? A long-forgotten national park straddling the border of Kainuu and North Karelia, defined by a dramatic, vertical-walled canyon split right through the wilderness.

Why go? It’s high time this atmospheric park got the attention it deserves. Its name literally translates to ‘The Goblin’s Gate’ (or more accurately, the gateway of Hiisi, an ancient, menacing forest spirit in Finnish folklore), and the landscape certainly lives up to the eerie billing. The park's gloomy mires and the sheer drop of the Hiidenporti gorge finally took centre stage recently as the rugged backdrop for a major movie adaptation of The Kalevala (Finland’s national epic myth). Turns out, the scenery is absolutely built for the big screen.

Don’t miss: Take a dip in Palolampi, the pond right next to the park gate and car park. It looks like a murky peat bog from afar, but the water is actually crystal-clear and insanely refreshing.

Getting there: You’ll need a car. Head towards the main gate and the Palolampi information point from the direction of Sotkamo.

What is it? A shallow, fine-sand bay in Eckerö, tucked into the southwestern corner of the autonomous, Swedish-speaking Åland archipelago.

Why go? Degersand feels like the Mediterranean took a wrong turn and ended up in the Baltics. The sand is soft and pale, the water glitters with a surprisingly tropical turquoise hue, and because the bay is shallow, the water warms up quickly under the summer sun. It's bordered by beautifully gnarled pine trees and sits next to the laid-back Degersand Resort.

Don’t miss: If you get a taste for Nordic beach life, check out Finland's other coastal heavyweights: Yyteri (a massive sand dune paradise), Vattajanniemi, and the smooth lakeside sands of Huuhanranta on Lake Saimaa.

What is it? The eerie lifework of the late reclusive outsider artist Veijo Rönkkönen: a garden hidden off Highway 6 containing over 500 expressive concrete statues.

Why go? Moss-covered figures frozen in yoga poses, haunting human shapes fitted with real human dental prosthetics, and an overgrown garden create an intoxicatingly surreal atmosphere. It is a masterpiece of raw ITE art (the Finnish flavor of Outsider Art) that is globally unique. You won't find a stranger pit stop in Northern Europe.

Don’t miss: The largest installation is the Yoga Garden, where dozens of concrete figures twist into agonizingly serene contortions.

Getting there: Located right off Highway 6 in Koitsanlahti, Parikkala. Adults €7 and children €3.

What is it? A massive street art hub housed in Vaasa’s old railway warehouses, oozing a haunted-house vibe, clever graffiti, and immersive spatial art.

Why go? This is Finland's coolest underground cultural export. Graffitlandia originally brought a derelict, abandoned amusement park back to life before moving to these atmospheric railway warehouses. The dark, labyrinthine space gives the murals and installations a gritty, unforgettable edge.

Don’t miss: Vaasa has plenty of history too—visit the eerie ruins of Old Vaasa, a town destroyed by a catastrophic fire in 1852. For dinner, book a table at Fröj, regularly voted among Finland's top restaurants. Sleep it off at the stylish Hotel Astor.

Getting there: Located in Vaskiluoto, Vaasa, an easy stroll, cycle, or drive across the bridge from the city centre.

What is it? A traditional craft lemonade factory in the rural heart of Åland, brewing drinks from real archipelago berries and fruit.

Why go? Amalia’s is the ultimate summer pit stop. Everything here is made by hand according to old-school methods. The flavours—like wild blueberry, raspberry, and tart rhubarb—taste incredibly crisp and genuine. There’s an idyllic farm shop and a summer café with a lush terrace perfect for sipping bubbly drinks.

Don’t miss: Stock up on take-away sodas and visit the co-located Mercedes Chocolaterie to pair your fizz with exquisite, handmade luxury chocolates.

Getting there: Located in Lemland, about a 20-minute drive or a glorious one-hour bike ride from the island capital, Mariehamn.

What is it? The world’s largest wooden church, sitting absurdly on a hill in a tiny, sleepy village near Savonlinna.

Why go? The yellow giant’s ceiling reaches 27 metres, and the nave holds over 4,000 people. Finns love to debate why it’s so monstrously big—was it a blueprint error (mixing up feet and metres), or pure 1840s hubris? While the parish genuinely wanted to fit the entire countryside inside at once, the scale remains hilariously excessive.

Don’t miss: Rent a rowboat and head to the nearby island of Hytermä. Here, a eccentric former local police chief built a series of massive stone monuments out of old millstones. It looks like the forgotten temple of a lost pagan civilization.

Getting there: Located 20 km east of Savonlinna; easily accessible by car or local bus.

What is it? Built in 1903 in Pori, this neo-Gothic masterpiece is the only true mausoleum in the Nordic countries. It features striking frescoes by Finland's celebrated national artist, Akseli Gallen-Kallela.

Why go? Wealthy businessman F.A. Jusélius built this as a resting place for his daughter, Sigrid, who died of tuberculosis at just 11 years old. It’s a heartbreakingly beautiful monument to grief. Gallen-Kallela’s frescoes depict the Finnish seasons and the cycle of life, with Death subtly lurking in every shadow.

Don’t miss: Pori is full of architectural surprises. Check out the Satakunta Museum - a brutalist 1970s concrete block on the outside that hides a futuristic interior reminiscent of a Mesoamerican temple. Follow it up with the prestigious Pori Art Museum, then wash down all that heavy culture with a beach day at Yyteri.

Getting there: Located inside the Käppärä Cemetery, a short walk or bike ride from Pori centre. Open daily during summer.

What is it? A magnificent three-towered 15th-century medieval stone fortress rising directly from a rocky island in the lake waters of Savonlinna.

Why go? Olavinlinna is arguably the most picturesque castle in the Nordics. Its fairytale look is so iconic that comic book master Hergé used it as the blueprint for Kropow Castle in the Tintin adventure King Ottokar's Sceptre.

Don’t miss: The absolute peak experience is attending the world-famous Savonlinna Opera Festival in July. Walking across the floating footbridge on a warm summer night to watch grand opera inside the castle's covered courtyard is pure magic.

What is it? Finland’s oldest tourist attraction (visited by Empress Catherine the Great in 1772). The mighty rapids are now dammed for hydroelectric power, but the gates are dramatically opened for tourists during the summer.

Why go? When the dam opens, the dry, rocky canyon fills in seconds with a raging, roaring wall of white water that thunders through the town. The primal force of the water is an absolute spectacle.

Don’t miss: Perched on the edge of the canyon is Imatran Valtionhotelli, a striking Art Nouveau castle hotel. Best of all, it’s a rare European "Grand Hotel" that hasn't gone snooty - it remains affordable for regular travellers.

Getting there: Located right in the centre of Imatra. It's a three-hour drive from Helsinki, or you can take a direct train.

What is it? Finland’s largest amusement park, tucked away in the tiny village of Alahärmä, right in the middle of Ostrobothnian flat farmland. Then again, Ostrobothnians are famous for their Texas-sized egos—so of course their theme park had to be huge.

Why go? PowerPark packs over 40 rides, including Junker, notoriously dubbed the wildest roller coaster in the Nordics (expect brutal acceleration and loops). It’s also home to Thunderbird, routinely voted one of the best wooden coasters in Europe.

Don’t miss: Right next door is the Mika Salo Circuit, designed by the Finnish former F1 driver. It is widely considered one of the most beautiful and technically challenging outdoor go-karting tracks in the world.

Getting there: Located in Alahärmä, Kauhava. In summer, trains stop directly at the dedicated Härmä station, where a free shuttle bus whisks you straight to the park gates.

What is it? A rare Italian-style Baroque palace in Askainen, famous as both the birthplace of Finland’s national hero, Marshal C.G.E. Mannerheim, and as a notoriously haunted house.

Why go? Completed in 1655, this grand estate oozes history. The future Marshal of Finland was born on the third floor and was famously a childhood terror who constantly got into trouble. His father eventually gambled away the family fortune and fled to Paris with his mistress, forcing the sale of the estate. The guided tours balance high wartime history with chilling ghost lore.

Don’t miss: Look out for the locked door on the top floor leading to the attic. Legend says a previous owner from the powerful Fleming dynasty was so pathologically jealous he locked his young wife in an attic cabinet before going on a trip—and forgot to tell the servants. Her starved spirit reportedly still roams the halls.

Getting there: A 30-minute drive from Turku. Ghost tours are held in the spooky twilight of October and November.

What is it? Finland’s first purpose-built penitentiary (operating from 1871 to 1993), now preserved as a grimly fascinating museum right next to the medieval Häme Castle.

Why go? It looks exactly like a vintage prison should: cold brick, heavy iron doors, and echoing corridors. What makes it deeply atmospheric is that many cells have been left exactly as they were when the last inmates packed up in the 90s, complete with original graffiti and decades-old pin-up posters on the walls.

Don’t miss: Make a day of it. Check out the adjacent medieval Häme Castle, which hosts a rotating exhibition of local outsider art. For a taste of the good life, spend the night at Vanajanlinna - a manor estate house outside town boasting the exceptional Restaurant Carl Wilhelm.

Getting there: Open during the summer season; it's a pleasant 1.5 km walk from Hämeenlinna train station.

What is it? The largest collection of rock art in the Nordic countries, hidden on a sheer cliff face rising from Lake Saimaa near Mikkeli. Over 80 distinct images were painted here roughly 4,500 years ago.

Why go? The most famous painting depicts a female warrior holding a bow - dubbed the ‘Artemis of Astuvansalmi’ -  rare find in Stone Age art, where women were seldom depicted with hunting weapons. Reaching the site requires a 2-kilometre hike through dense woods. Go late on a bright summer night, and you'll likely have this ancient, sacred sanctuary entirely to yourself.

Don’t miss: The paintings weren't placed here by accident. When viewed from the lake, the entire cliff looks like a giant, stern human face. Because of post-glacial land uplift, the illusion works best from about 10 metres high—if you have a drone, fly it out over the water to see the stone giant look back at you.

Getting there: Prepare for a rugged 5-kilometre round-trip hike. The car park is a 30-minute drive from Mikkeli. Access is free 24/7.

What is it? The remote wilderness home and studio of Reidar Särestöniemi (1925–1981)—one of Finland's most eccentric and beloved 20th-century artists, famous for his massive, explosive, colourful paintings of Lapland’s nature.

Why go? Located deep in the Arctic forest of Kittilä, the museum pairs Särestöniemi’s vibrant canvases with magnificent, monumental log buildings designed by legendary Finnish architects Reima and Raili Pietilä. The artist himself was larger-than-life, and the energy of the studio is so palpable it feels like he just stepped out for a moment.

Don’t miss: For a stark contrast, head into Kittilä centre to visit the studio of Kalervo Palsa. While Särestöniemi was a wealthy, celebrated star, Palsa died in poverty and isolation, painting dark, raw, and provocative avant-garde art in a tiny, cramped wooden shack.

Getting there: Drive 40 km south of Kittilä along an idyllic riverside road. Särestöniemi is open year-round, but the Palsa studio is summer-only.