Top 5 romantic weekend getaways

1. Romance and gastronomy in a manor enviro­nment

Located a few kilometres from the centre of Mikkeli, Tertti Manor, Opens in a new tab offers its customers a full-service experience. The traditional manor specialises in delightful gastronomic experiences created using locally sourced ingredients, making it a dream destination for culinary couples. Tertti’s serene environment creates the perfect setting for a quiet and relaxed weekend trip, allowing you to focus on what’s important – quality time with your loved one.

Activities: Explore the area on the nearby paths or by bicycle. When the weather is good, grab some food from the manor’s deli shop to take with you on a walk or relax in the manor’s beautiful garden.

Station: Mikkeli, about 7 km to the destination by taxi.

Tip: Book your own compartment, Opens in a new tab for the train trip and you’ll be guaranteed peace and quiet from the very start.

2. Love on the shore of Saimaa

Hotel & Spa Resort Järvisydän, Opens in a new tab, tucked away in the tranquil bay of Rantasalmi, is perhaps best known for its magnificent lake spa and long history. Porosalmi had an inn offering accommodation services in the same location as early as the 1600s! At Järvisydän, you can stay in a modern scenery suite and admire the starry night sky directly from your own bed, or be lulled to sleep aboard a house boat on the lake.

Activities: Explore the trails of the nearby terrain or embark on a boat trip on the waves of Saimaa to the Linnansaari National Park, where, with a little bit of luck, you might spot a ringed seal. At the end of a day full of activities, it’s wonderful to relax in a spa designed with adults in mind – not a water slide in sight. Test out which of the three saunas is your favourite, breathe and relax in the salt room, take a dip in the lake and cool off in a shower simulating the Asta storm that hit Savo ten years ago!

Food: Järvisydän’s restaurant services are guaranteed to keep you satisfied. Dinner at Wine Cellar, surrounded by natural stone walls, is an unforgettable experience.

Station: Savonlinna or Varkaus, about 30–40 minutes by taxi to Järvisydän. You can also get to Järvisydän from both railway stations aboard a bus that runs a few times a day. The bus stops 3 kilometres from Järvisydän and costs less than €10. Enter “Porosalmi th” as your destination on Matkahuolto’s website, Opens in a new tab to find the bus timetables.

3. Urban romance in Turku

Turku is the perfect mini-vacation destination for couples, as there is definitely something to do for everyone. The banks of the Aura River and the city centre are especially good for lovers of good food and small shops, as well as culture-hungry holidaymakers.

Activities: If you like an old-fashioned atmosphere, head for a day walk to admire the idyllic wooden houses of Port Arthur or climb up the nearby hill, Kakolanmäki, where the former prison area has been transformed into a magnificent residential area over the last few years. You can also reach Kakolanmäki from the Aura River side by an accessible funicular, which gives you a view of the beautiful landscapes on the river bank.

Turku’s museum offerings will never leave you wanting, and there are destinations for lovers of both art and history. Visit Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova, Opens in a new tab or Turku Art Museum, Opens in a new tab. Historical life is represented by the over 700-year-old Turku Castle, Opens in a new tab and the Luostarinmäki Handicrafts Museum, Opens in a new tab, which consists of residential blocks from the 1700–1800s.

Accommodation: Turku offers accommodation ranging from boutique experiences to budget-friendly options. The Art Nouveau-style Park Hotel, Opens in a new tab and Hotel Kakola, Opens in a new tab, located on the edge of Puolalanpuisto park, fall under the first category. If you prefer more budget-friendly options, Ship Hostel S/S Bore, Opens in a new tab, for example, might be for you.

Food: In the city centre, you can enjoy a delicious meal at the vegetarian restaurant Hügge, Opens in a new tab or grab an Åland-style pizza, a "peltileipä", from Pub Niska, Opens in a new tab on the riverside. At Kakolanmäki, you can stop for a coffee break at bakery-café bageri Å, Opens in a new tab, renowned for its heavenly croissants, and if you're feeling hungry, you can visit restaurant Kakolanruusu, Opens in a new tab.

Station: Turku

4. Under the starry sky in Hankasalmi’s glass igloos

Did you know that you can spend the night in a glass igloo in Central Finland as well? At Revontuli Resort, you will fall asleep wrapped in a warm blanket, as the stars twinkle above.

Activities: Revontuli Resort, Opens in a new tab is an active couple’s paradise. The surrounding nature of Central Finland with its lake landscape offers excellent opportunities for outdoor activities, Opens in a new tab. During the summer, you can head to the golf course, take a fatbike for a spin or go on a canoe trip. During the winter, you can head out for a walk in snowshoes or go skiing on the nearby Häkärinteet slopes. Or will you spend the evening on the dance floor at Revontuli's dance and entertainment nights?

At the end of the day, you can enjoy the heat of the saunas and outdoor jacuzzi in Revontuli's Finnish saunas, Opens in a new tab. The resort’s saunas have been awarded Sauna From Finland’s quality certificate, which shows that they are of world-class quality!

From Hankasalmi station, you can also conveniently take the train directly to the centre of Jyväskylä for a day trip. Drop by the lovely shops in the Toivola Old Courtyard, Opens in a new tab, admire the scenery from the Vesilinna observation tower, Opens in a new tab and visit Lutakko Harbour, Opens in a new tab.

Food: At Revontuli Resort, you can choose from a variety of restaurants. Enjoy the ambience at the Northern Lights-themed Restaurant and Cocktail Bar Aurora, or have a romantic dinner at the atmospheric scenic restaurant Loimu. Or would you like to go for burgers and bowling at the 50s-style American Revontuli Bowling Diner?

Station: Hankasalmi, 4 km to Revontuli Resort by taxi. The taxi fare is approximately €30.

Did you know? Hankasalmi is the darkest place in southern Finland, so you can see the magnificent Northern Lights there!

5. The magic of Lapland in Rovaniemi

Take a weekend break in Rovaniemi and experience in the magic of Lapland. Rovaniemi railway station offers convenient access to both city centre destinations and accommodation and activities in the heart of nature.

Accommodation: Rovaniemi offers fantastic accommodation for those seeking the atmosphere of Lapland. Would you like to wake up to a landscape full of snow-covered trees on a winter morning? This is possible at a place such as the Arctic Treehouse Hotel, Opens in a new tab, located just 6 kilometres from the centre of Rovaniemi, and at the Invisible Forest Lodge, Opens in a new tab. Or will you brave the winter to spend a night in a snow hotel, Opens in a new tab?

You can stay without worry at many destinations in Rovaniemi. The above-mentioned destinations have been awarded the Sustainable Travel Finland label, which indicates their commitment to the principles of sustainable tourism.

Or would a city holiday in Rovaniemi be more appealing? If so, head to Lapland Hotels Ounasvaara, Opens in a new tab or Arctic Light Hotel, Opens in a new tab.

Activities: In Rovaniemi, you can explore the traditional experiences of Lapland together. You can book all kinds of activities, from reindeer rides to husky farm visit and snowmobile safaris.

At Arctic Snow Hotel, you can go to a sauna made of ice and snow in winter, book a wonderful visit to a spa or relax in an outdoor jacuzzi. And, of course, don't forget the most important thing to do in Rovaniemi – a visit to Santa Claus Village, Opens in a new tab!

Food: Arctic Treehouse Hotel's scenic restaurant Rakas whisks you away from everyday life with its unique atmosphere and delicacies made from local ingredients. In the Rovaniemi city centre area, you will also find many wonderful options for a romantic dinner: try Gustav, Opens in a new tab, known for its high-quality ingredients; Nili, Opens in a new tab, which offers delicacies from Lapland; or Lapland Hotels’ own Sky Kitchen & View, Opens in a new tab, which has been voted one of the best restaurants in Finland.

Station: Rovaniemi, from where you can get to your destination by taxi or bus, Opens in a new tab. Accommodations also often offer transport services.

Image: Marianne Ahonen Photography