Vantaa

Vantaa is a vibrant Finnish city just north of Helsinki, and it buzzes with an energy all its own. Thousands of travellers pass through every single day on their way to and from Finland’s biggest international airport, giving the city a wonderfully connected, international feel. But Vantaa isn’t just a place people pass through — it’s a fantastic destination in its own right.

History and discovery sit side by side here. A medieval stone church that has stood for more than five centuries shares the city with Heureka, one of Finland’s most exciting science centres, where you can get hands-on with mind-blowing experiments. If planes are your thing, a nearby aviation museum packed with real aircraft will keep you completely hooked.

There’s also a surprisingly wild side to Vantaa. The winding river valley offers trails through green nature, and if you visit at the right time of year, you might catch salmon leaping through the water. Ancient, modern, and natural — Vantaa really does have it all.