2 Weeks in Northern Europe Itinerary: Finland, Estonia, and Sweden

Although Northern Europe doesn’t have a huge population, many first-time visitors make the big mistake of thinking that the region is small in terms of size. However, if you try to visit every single corner in one trip, you’re going to exhaust yourself. 

Picking a smaller area and sticking to it is a much better idea if you want to enjoy your trip and not feel like you’re constantly rushing. One of my favorite parts of Northern Europe covers Finland, the Åland Islands (which are officially part of Finland), Sweden, and Estonia. 

Two weeks is ideal for seeing a handful of the highlights and whetting your appetite for future adventures. Based on my 8+ years traveling throughout the Nordics, 4+ years of experience living in this region, and visiting Estonia four times, I’ve put together this easy-to-follow two-week itinerary for Northern Europe. 

Side Note: 

You can follow this guide year-round, but you should remember that daylight hours are limited in the winter. Moreover, the harsh weather conditions from November to March can cause delays and make some activities—such as hiking—not possible. With all of this in mind, I’d recommend visiting in May or September—where you’ll have good daylight hours, fewer crowds, and lower transport and accommodation costs. The weather can be unpredictable, but it’ll still be better than if you visited in the winter. 

2 Days: Tallinn 🇪🇪

More people know about Tallinn than a decade ago, but Estonia’s capital remains one of Europe’s most underrated cities. The country’s cultural and financial center features a stunning Old Town with a good selection of bars and restaurants. All those clichés about being “like a fairytale” ring true here. 

Don’t get things twisted, though—Tallinn is certainly not stuck in the past. This digital-savvy city has developed rapidly in recent years, and it has now become a popular hub for various tech companies. Away from the Old Town, you can head to the Telliskivi Creative City and check out the restaurants and shops here. 

Tallinn has a small but well-designed international airport serving flights from London (c.3 hours) and several other European cities. You can also get the ferry from Helsinki.

4 Days: Helsinki 🇫🇮

After commencing your Northern European adventure in style in Tallinn, take the two-hour ferry to Helsinki. Interior design, architecture, and great food intertwine effortlessly in this dynamic city. 

Sauna 🧖

“It’s the best”: A quote from my Finnish girlfriend talking about saunas. You cannot visit Finland and not go to a sauna, and if you need to pluck up some courage to use one of the traditional versions, you can always check out Löyly instead. 

Löyly features four different saunas, one of which offers a cool view of the harbor and nearby areas. The saunas are mixed, but you’ll need to wear a swimsuit. Entry costs €20; you’ll get a towel and something to place on the chairs when you sit down. You can also go for a swim in the Baltic Sea if you fancy it 🙂. 

Once you’ve finished your sauna session, it’s worth having a meal at the restaurant and bar. My personal recommendations would be the burgers or fish soup. 

Baked Goods 😋

The Finns are masters at baked goods, and the hugely popular Café Regatta is a great stop for blueberry pies and more. You should also go to RAMS Roasters in Ullanlinna for the best coffee and cinnamon buns in Helsinki (or maybe I’m being biased here? 🤷). 

St. George’s Bakery, which is close to the city center, is worth a visit at some point on your trip as well. 

Day Trip 🚶

Helsinki itself has lots of fun things to do, but it’s also worth taking a day trip to the beautiful town of Porvoo. It’s around an hour from Helsinki and famous mainly for its beautiful Old Town. However, I also think you should check out the modern waterfront area—which is perfect for a spot of ice cream on a summer’s day. 

Another cool thing about Porvoo is the forest on the other side of the river. Here, depending on the season, you can pick wild berries (just make sure that you know what you’re doing and not to choose the poisonous ones!). 

Getting to Porvoo by bus is easy, with multiple daily departures. Onnibus has pretty affordable tickets, and I recommend using them. 

1 Day: Turku ⚓

Before leaving Mainland Finland, Turku is well worth a visit. This easy-going city is also the oldest in Finland. 

One day is enough to see Turku’s highlights, but you might want to spend a bit more time here to experience the nearby archipelago. You’re getting plenty of island life soon, though, so I’ve left that out for now. 

The best time to visit Turku is in the summer when you can enjoy outdoor live performances and rent bicycles to explore on two wheels. Cycling to Turun Linna is worthwhile, with the journey taking around 20 minutes. 

Don’t forget to stop for some dinner at Restaurant Blanko while you’re in town. The Luostarinmäki Open Air Museum is also worth visiting. 

4 Days: Åland 🇦🇽

Next up on our Northern European adventure are the stunning Åland Islands. Although the archipelago is officially a part of Finland, Swedish is the official language. You can take the Viking Line ferry from Turku, with the journey taking around five-and-a-half hours. 

For convenience’s sake, I recommend basing yourself in Mariehamn—the main town on the Åland Islands. It’s a pleasant enough place to explore for a day or two, and you’ll find various places to eat here. Even here, you can enjoy the beauty of the archipelago; head to Badhusberget for a great view of the surrounding areas. 

You can get around Åland by bike and car. Note that the archipelago is popular with Swedes and Finns during the summer, so you’ll have to deal with larger crowds around that time—especially if you visit for midsummer in mid-June. 

3 Days: Stockholm 🇸🇪

After recharging your batteries on the Åland Islands, it’s time for another long-distance ferry. This time, we’re heading to the bright lights of Stockholm. The journey takes roughly five-and-a-half hours, and you effectively get a free tour of the beautiful Stockholm Archipelago as you approach the Swedish capital. 

I recommend spending at least three days in Stockholm to admire its architecture and stop at some of the many amazing museums. The Nordic Museum is my favorite. Since the city is made up of 14 islands, I also suggest getting out on the water and exploring; I’ve been on this tour in the past, but the public transport ferries are also pretty cool.

If you’re visiting between May and August, be sure to also visit the City Hall tower. I’ve listed a couple of more must-dos in Stockholm below.

1. Wander Around Gamla Stan

I try to avoid big crowds of tourists where possible, but let’s be real for a second—some touristy places deserve their popularity. Gamla Stan is one of those. On a sunny day, wandering the streets of Stockholm’s Old Town can make you feel like you’re somewhere in Italy. Well, almost. 

If you don’t want to deal with lots of people, early in the morning is the best time to visit Gamla Stan. You’ll also get some of the best lighting for photography around this time. 

2. Museums 🤓

Stockholm has museums to cater to all kinds of interests. My personal favorite is the Vasa Museum, where you’ll see the huge ship that sank early on during its maiden voyage in the 17th century. It wasn’t until 1961, however, that the boat was recovered. You can book your tickets for the museum online; guided tours are also available.  

As someone who’s obsessed with the Nordics, Nordiska Museet is another personal favorite museum. You’ll learn about various aspects of Nordic history and lifestyle, including how the region has influenced the culture of other countries. 

3. Explore the Stockholm Metro 🚆

Stockholm’s metro is an easy way to get around the city, but it’s also a tourist attraction in and of itself. Many of the stations have been given a makeover to make them look more exciting, and you can access this large gallery for the cost of a public transport ticket. 

Some of the must-see stations include: 

• Stadion (pictured below)
• T-Centralen 
• Mörby Centrum 

4. Views 👀

Don’t get me wrong—I really enjoy living in Copenhagen, and we have some great viewpoints (such as the Round Tower). But we’re not exactly blessed with natural vantage points. This is where Stockholm does have the upper hand. 

Besides the City Hall tower, I also recommend visiting Monteliusvägen for another fantastic view of the city.

Skinnarviksberget is another excellent spot to view Stockholm from above, and the city also has numerous rooftop bars. 

How to Return Home From Stockholm

Stockholm Arlanda Airport is the main airport in Stockholm, and it serves several European cities. You can get there by public transport, but the journey takes quite a long time. The Arlanda Express is quite expensive, but it’s also the most convenient option. I’m usually skeptical of airport express trains, but the Arlanda Express provides a clear benefit compared to the alternative choices you have to reach Arlanda from Stockholm. 

You can also take the train and continue your adventure in Europe’s north. It’s five-and-a-half hours to Copenhagen, four-and-a-half hours to Malmö, and three hours to Gothenburg. 

Good to Know 🧠

• Finland, Estonia, and Sweden are all in the EU and Schengen Area. A Schengen Visa will allow you to visit all three countries. 
• If you’re visiting from outside the EU, getting EU data roaming is a good idea. You might not need this if you’re visiting from the UK, as many providers still let you use your mobile plan when visiting the EU. 
• Estonia and Finland (including the Åland Islands) use the Euro. But while Sweden is in the EU, it still uses its own currency—the Swedish Krona. Card payments are widely accepted in all three countries, so consider using a mobile-only bank like Monzo, Wise, or Revolut.
• You can check out flight prices and times on Skyscanner. For accommodation, I recommend booking.com.