//
Place in Finland
Photo: Timo Koistinen, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Tavastia Proper is the heart of the traditional region of Tavastia (Häme). Here you can find many old churches and manors from the time when Finland was part of the Swedish kingdom, as well as Häme castle.
Päijänne Tavastia is mostly defined by its largest city, Lahti, which is perhaps the most scenic large city in the southern part of the country.
While not famous for its natural attractions, you can find more "man-made" points of interest here than anywhere else. Home to almost a third of the Finnish population, there's always a lot going on in the extended capital region.
Kymenlaakso translates to Kymi valley, and it's bisected by the Kymi river. Most of the Finnish paper industry outside Central Finland and Pirkanmaa are located here and thus it shouldn't come as a surprise that the UNESCO World Heritage site located in this region is a former paper factory.
Located just south of the large lakes, South Karelia is the gateway both to the Finnish Lakeland and Russia.
By ferry
Ferries from Stockholm, Travemünde, Tallinn and St.Petersburg and international train and bus connections from Russia. Most cities in Finland have a direct train or bus to Helsinki.
By train and bus
g. Hämeenlinna, Lahti and Kouvola, but if you are coming from the other direction you very likely need to transfer in Helsinki.
By yacht
The coast is easily reachable from anywhere, and a lovely boating destination. As the region borders the Finnish Lakeland, several inland waterways connect from the north to lakes in the region.
By taxi
By boat
The coastal archipelagos and the lakes are very popular boating destinations, and the coast and interconnected lakes lend themselves also to getting around – by cruise, by boat or by canoe.
By bike
Several towns in the eastern part of the region (Hamina, Imatra, Kotka, Kouvola, Lappeenranta, Porvoo) use the Donkey Republic bike sharing app and bluetooth, Internet and GPS of your phone.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Helsinki (Vantaa) · International · HEL
Loading places around the airport…
Helsinki (Swedish: Helsingfors) is Finland's capital and largest city. Helsinki combines modern and historic architectural styles with beautiful open spaces.
Hanko (Swedish: Hangö) is Finland's southernmost city. It has a major marina which serves as a stop for boats traveling between Helsinki and the Archipelago Sea (a popular sailing destination).
Hyvinkää (population 47,000 in 2021) is a town in Southern Finland. It provides many opportunities to exercise in nature.
Hämeenlinna (Swedish: Tavastehus) is a city in Tavastia Proper, Southern Finland. Hämeenlinna is the oldest inland city of Finland, and was one of the most important Finnish cities until the 19th century.
Kotka is the southeasternmost major city in Finland, an important port at the mouth of the Kymi river (Kymenjoki). It is part of the Kymenlaakso region.
Lahti (Swedish: Lahtis) is a city in southern Finland, on the shore of Vesijärvi and by the esker Salpausselkä. The city is known for sports, especially ski jumping and skiing.
The City of Lappeenranta (population 73,000 in 2023) is the economic and cultural centre of Finnish South Karelia.
Porvoo (Swedish: Borgå) is a scenic small town 50 km east of Helsinki, Finland. One of the most popular day trips from Helsinki, its picturesque city centre of wooden houses is a proposed UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Raseborg (Finnish: Raasepori) is a municipality of 27,000 people (2021) covering a few towns and a large rural area in western Uusimaa. It is home to a medieval castle and large archipelagos.
Raseborg (Finnish: Raasepori) is a municipality of 27,000 people (2021) covering a few towns and a large rural area in western Uusimaa. It is home to a medieval castle and large archipelagos.
Finland is a great boating destination. The "Land of a thousand lakes" has thousands of islands too, in the lakes and in the coastal archipelagos.
Forssa is a town of 18,000 inhabitants in Tavastia Proper. The municipality of Tammela, just east of Forssa, and the former municipality of Koijärvi, in the northern part of Forssa, are also handled in this article.
Nuuksio National Park (Finnish: Nuuksion kansallispuisto, Swedish: Noux nationalpark) is in Southern Finland on the outskirts of Espoo and the neighbouring municipalities of Kirkkonummi and Vihti, 35 km from Helsinki. It is one of two national parks reaching into the capital region (the other is Sipoonkorpi National Park).
Padasjoki is a municipality in the Päijänne Tavastia region of Southern Finland. It is located on the western bank of Lake Päijänne.
Sipoonkorpi National Park (Fi. Sipoonkorven kansallispuisto, Sw.
Kotka is the southeasternmost major city in Finland, an important port at the mouth of the Kymi river (Kymenjoki). It is part of the Kymenlaakso region.
Articles and travel topics about Southern Finland and Finland.
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.
