Southern Finland

From Wikitravel

Europe : Northern Europe : Finland : Southern Finland

All of the five biggest cities in Finland are located in the South. Although the country lacks a notable metropolis, the capital Helsinki is a growing city with a somewhat urban atmosphere.

Espoo and Vantaa are located right next to Helsinki. However, they are often considered little more than its suburbs, and in recent years there has been talk of unification.

Turku was the capital before 1812.

Table of contents

1 Regions

2 Cities

3 Other destinations

4 Understand

5 Talk

6 Get in

7 Get around

8 See

9 Do

10 Eat

11 Drink

12 Sleep

13 Get out

14 External links

Regions

Cities

Helsinki and its neighbors Espoo and Vantaa
Hämeenlinna
Kotka, a port town on the road to Russia
Lahti, a fairly grim industrial town
Nokia, the former home of a certain rubber boot company
Pori, known for its jazz festival
Porvoo, a city with a very nice old town
Rauma, beautifully preserved old town
Turku, the old capital
Tampere, Finland's 2nd city

Other destinations

Siuntio

Understand

Talk

Get in

Get around

Between cities and major towns you can use the trains (http://www.vr.fi) or buses (http://www.matkahuolto.fi). Hitchhiking is uncommon but possible, but be aware that some roads have very little traffic. If you chose smaller countryroads, cycling is a possibility and you can camp wild as long as you regard the "jokamiehenoikeus" (everymans right) which states basically "behave".