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

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? 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? 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. Entry is free, but do leave a voluntary donation to help keep this beautifully bizarre place standing.

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.